USA > Indiana > Blackford County > Biographical memoirs of Blackford County, Ind. : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography embellished with portraits of many well known residents of Blackford County, Indiana > Part 41
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George Thomas Fulion, the efficient and accomplished young city engineer of Hart- ford City, Indiana, was butt seven years c when brought from Canada by his parents, who, as stated already, located in Water- man, De Kalb county, Illinois. He was well educated, in a preparatory sense, in the dis- trict schools and academies of Waterman until nineteen years of age, when he entered the University of Illinois, where for two and one-half years he most assiduously devoted his attention to the study of civil engineer- ing, the result being a thorough acquaint- ance with the science. In 1893 Mr. Fulton came to Hartford City and for a year was in the employ of his father. In the sum- mer of 1894 he was in the employ of the Hartford City Land Company, and in the fall of the same year, being a strong Re- publican and his abilities as a civil engineer having been fully recognized by his party and the public in general, he was elected sur- veyor. He then formed a business part et- ship with William Harley, the then city en- gineer and a sketch of whose life will be found on another page of this work. held this office for two years and was then made city engineer, which office he now
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fills, although he still retains his partnership with Mr. Harley.
June 19. 1899, Mr. Fulton was joined in matrimony with Miss Nettie Leonard, the accomplished daughter of J. P. A. Leon- ard, of Hartford City, Indiana.
ROLAND L. MANOR.
Roland L. Manor, city clerk of Hart- ford City, Blackford county, Indiana, was born in Xenia, Ohio, October 31, 1852, and is a son of John W. and Margaret A. (Scott) Manor, the former of whom was a native of Virginia, but was reared from childhood in Ohio.
John W. Manor was a carpenter and contractor by calling, but still found time to bear his share bravely in defense of his natal flag in its hour of peril, as he served four months as sergeant of a company in the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at the incipiency of the Civil war. He was a man of considerable local prominence, was an infirmary director, and an active member of the Republican party, a fraternally was an Odd Fellow. His marraige took place in Ohio, and in that state his death occurred on December 1.2. 1897, in the faith of the Methodist Episco- pal church. His widow still has her home in Xenia, and is a member of the German Reformed church. Of the nine children that graced the marriage of these parents, Roland L. Manor is the fifth in order of birth.
Roland L. Manor attended the public schools of Xenia, Ohio, until nearly eighteen years of age and acquired a solid American education, but he was not satisfied with this,
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as he still attended school during the follow- ing four year . during which he was gaining a business experience as derk in a grocery. In 1875 he went to Cambridge City, Indiana, and apprenticed himself for two years to an elder brother, David .... to learn stone cut- ting, at the conclusion of which time David T. and he came to Hartford City and en- gaged in the marble business until 1891. when Roland L. went to Fort Wayne, hav- ing been appointed an attendant at the Feeble Minded Institute at that city, and filling the position for a year and a half. He then returned to Hartford City, following his trade until May, 1894, when he was elected city clerk by the Republican party, and gave such universal satisfaction that he was re- elected in 1898 for a second term of four years, being the present incumbent of the office.
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April 28, 1890, Mr. Manor was most happily united in marriage, at Union City, R lolph county, Indiana, with Miss Eliza- be: . Morrow, who was born near New Paris, Preble county, Ohio, October 27, 1867, a daughter of James and Eliza (Mitchell) Morrow, natives of the same state. To this marriage was born one daughter, Margaret Helen, in December, 1896. The family at- tend the Presbyterian church and own a very pleasant residence on North Walnut street, where they are always surrounded by a gathering of warm hearted friends.
JOHN GOODIN WOOD.
Jolm G. Wood, a prominent business man of Hartford City and ex-treasurer of Blackford county, is descended paternally from an old Pennsylvania family and on the
mother's side from one of the pioneers of Perry county, Ohio. His father, Reason Wood, moved in an early day from Monen. gahela county, Pennsylvania, to Morrow county, Ohio, where he met and marided Lane freundin, and later located in the I wal Wexdbury, where he worked at the black- 511 , trade until his removal, in 1853. to Blackford county, Indiana. For some years after coming to this state he followed his trade, but subsequently exchanged it for agricultural pursuits, taking charge of a small farm in Harrison township which came into his possession prior to his removal to Blackford county. He made his home on this place until 1882, when he disposed of his real estate and moved to Saline comity, Nebraska, where he remained until the death of his wife, after which he returned to this county and purchased a farm a short dis- tance west of Montpelier, in the township of Harrison, where his death occurred on the 25th day of July, 1896. By his first mar- riage, noted above, Reason Wood became the father of the following children: Sarah E .. wife of John Hart, of Harrison town- ship; Mary M., deceased; Maude J., de- ceased; Lucinda, wife of George WV. Wool- ford, of Saline county, Nebraska ; John G., whose name appears at the beginning of this article, and Asa Smith, deceased. Mr. Wood was married a second time at Mont- pelier, but to this union there was no issuc.
Much might be written of Reason Wood as a man and citizen. He belonged to that large and industrious class that do much in a quiet way to advance the material inter- ests of the country and by lives directed and controlled by the principles of moral recti- tude give character and tone to the commun- ity. Intelligent beyond the majority, he was a great reader, fully informed on all the
Jane Wood
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leading questions of the day, and he wicked a potent influence for the Republican party in his township. In religious belief he was a Baptist, to which denomination he was unswerving in hi loyalty during the greater part of his life and in the faitir of which he passed from the church militant to the church triumphant.
John Goodin Wood was born April 1, 1842, in Morrow county, Ohio, and there he passed the first years of his 1 \ In 1853 he was brought by his parents to Black- ford county, Indiana, from which date until his twentieth year he'remained on the home farm in Harrison township, attending mean- while the common schools and obtaining a practical knowledge of the branches taught therein. h: the spring of 1863 he responded to the country's call for volunteers by join- ing Company H, One Hundred and Eight- eenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Captain W. G. Lett, with which he served a little less than one year, being mustered out at Indianapolis at the expiration of his period of enlistment. Returning home, he farmed for his father muti 1865, on October 13th, of which year, he was united in marriage to Miss Jane Bugh, daughter of Barnhardt and Hannah J: (Coddington) Bugh, and imme- diately thereafter engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself on the home place in Harrison township. After three years thus spent Mr. Wood purchased a place of 1: own in the township of Washington, ( sisting of one hundred and two y acres of fertile land, which under his successful man- agement became one of the best farms in that part of the county. Ile made this place his home for a period of ten years, when he removed to the old home farm which in the meantime he had purchased and which is still in his possession. Mr. Wood's success 20
as a farmer more than met his expectations and during the period of his residence in the country he enjoyed the reputation of being one of the most thorough and progressive agriculturists of the county. In 1804 he was elected to the office of treasurer of Black ford county and the better to attend the duties incident thereto he rented his farm and removed to Hartford City where he has since continued to reside. After acting as custodian of the county funds two years and discharging his official functio: faithfully and efficiently, Mr. Wood, at the expiration of his term, retired from the office and in partnership with W. II. Cox engaged in the grocery business. Within one morth he purchased his partner's interest and since that time has been sole proprietor of one of the largest and best appointed grocery houses in the city. As a business man Mr. Wood easily ranks with the first of Hartford City and his influence on the commercial inter- ests of the place has been 'h as to bring his into prominent notice, not only to the people of the county among whom he is widely and favorably known, but also to wholesale dealers in his line in large business cities of the country. By carefully study- ing the wishes of the public and courteously catering thereto, he has succeeded in build- ing up a very extensive trade. In addition to this he also gives personal attention to his large farming interests in Blackford and other counties, owning a beautiful place of one hundred and sixty acres in Harrison township, two hundred and forty acres in the township of Washington, upon which are six producing oil wells, and other valti- able property in city and country, all of which came to him as the result of his careful busi- ness forethought and successful operations as a financier.
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THIE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Mr. Wool is one of the wheel horses of Republicani: a in Blackford county and as stich assisted largely in leading his party to victory in a number of campaigns, and it was in recognition of his efficient services that he was elected to the important official position before mentioned. Ilis personal standing as a citizen is without a flaw and his popularity with all classes irrespective of party affiliations is ample proof that the trust reposed in him has by no means been misplaced. In a very large serve the life of Mr. Wood, though in the main quiet, has been marked with great success. He has never been the man to boast of his achieve- ments or parade bis virtues before the public. From a comparatively hurible origin, with all the disadvantage of beginning life with but limited capital, he has succeeded in win- ning ccess from adverse circumstances and attaining a standing for moral principles and influence seldom met with. His whok life has been most exemplary and his example is worthy of imitation by those with for- tunes yet to be achieved.
Mr. Wood is connected with the Pyth- ian brotherhood, the G. A. R. and the Ma- sonic fraternity, in the last of which he has acquired a high and ! . norable standing. The fo wing are the names of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wood : Nora married Charles C. Br. 1; Austin, deceased ; Emma, wife of Willian: Trussel, of Harrison town- ship; Norman J., deputy circuit court clerk of Blackford county; Nellie, the wife of L. L. Tyner, of Hartford City; Ollie and Lillie, the last named deceased.
The mother of these children is popular in the social circles of Hartford City and an active worker in the Methodist church. While not visibly connected with any relig- ious body, Mr. Wood is a believer in
churches, contributes liberally to the' sup- port and heartily seconds all their ere wors to raise the moral status of the community.
EDWIN IL FORD.
Edwin Holton Ford, superintendent of the water works of Hartford City and Son of Dr. James and America Ford, was born in the city of Wabash, Wabash county, In- liana, on the 12th day of January, 1861. In the schools of his native place, which he attended until sixteen years old, he received his preliminary education and later added to his mental acquirements by pursuing the higher branches ( learning in Butler Uni- versity, Indianapolis, until 1881. In that year he came to Blackford county for the purpose of looking after his father's large real estate interests, the land at that time in possession of the family aggregating over one thousand acres, known as the Ran- soni tract. Upon assuming control of this important charge, Mr. Ford at once pro- ceeded to develop the lands and from time to time dispose of the same as opportunity of- fered, which he did to great advantage, until there remained but one hundred and sixty acres, which he himself pur- chased. While thus engaged Mr. Ford was elected justice of the peace for Harrisou township, the duties of which office he dis- charged for a period of four years and then accepted a position with the Fort Wayne Gas Company and later with the Silaurian Gas & Oil Company. Then he accepted a position as secretary of the Hartford City Gas Company, where he remained until ap- pointed to his present position. In 1891 Mr. Ford accepted the secretaryship of the
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Almerian Glass Company, of Gas City, in which capacity he continued for a period of three years, returing to Hartford City at the expiration of that time for the purpose of entering upon his duties a- superintend ent, to which position he was chosen in 1894. As su: intendent Mlr. Ford demonstrated to the entire satisfaction of the people that their confidence in his ability had not been misplaced, and with such efficiency has he discharged the duties incumbent upon him that by successive reappointments he has been retained in the position to the present time. His knowledge of mechanical engin- eering is practical and profound and since taking charge of the plant he has added a number of improvements, notably among which is the meter box patented by him in 1899 and now in general use throughout the city. This device is manufactured in Hart- ford City by a joint company known as the Ford Meter Box Company, of which he is secretary, and such is the satisfaction the improvement has given that it has been adopted in Hartford City and bids fair to become universally used at no distant day.
Mr. Ford is a married man and the fa- ther of three interesting childr whose names and dates of birth are as follows : Holton Neff, November 28, 1894; Wilber Edwin, October 13, 1896, and John Law- rence, August, 18 3. The maiden name of Mrs. Ford was Elizabeth Neff, she being a daughter of John and Mary (Bloomer) Neff, of Wabash county, Indiana, where she first saw the light of day, August 23, 1809. Mrs. Ford is a member of the Methodist church of Hartford City, active in all good work of the congregation with which she is connected. Politically Mr. Ford is a Re- publican and fraternally his name appears
upon the records of the Masonic and Pythian orders of Hartford City.
As already stated, Mr. Ford is a man of clear-cut, practical ideas and his useful ness to the city as a clear-headed, progressive manager of important municipal interest cannot be overestimated. With a genius for mechanics and executive abilities of a su- perior order, to which may be added untir- ing industry and firmness of purpose, which laughs at all obstacles. he has discharged the duties of his several positions with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned and made for himself a name synonymous with truth and honorable dealing. True to every trust reposed in him, courteous to all- with whom he has business or other rela- tions, he is indeed a worthy son of a worthy father and a citizen who stands for the right as he sees the right under all circumstances whatsoever. Few men of Hartford City ha e impressed their personality more pow- erfully upon the public mind and conscience and a list of representative citizens of the place would be incomplete with his name omitted.
JOHN RILEY HUFFMAN.
John Rity Hoffman, the popular city treasurer of Hartford City, Blackford coun- ty, Indiana, was born near Zanesville, Mus- kinguin county, Ohio, September 18, 1842, a son of Henry H. and Elizabeth ( Shick) Huffman.
Henry HI. Huffman, a carpenter, came to Blackford county, Indiana, November 5. 1846, by wagon and located in Hartford City, where he resided until his death, March 25, 1883, and where his widow still lives.
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He and his wife were parents of nine chil- dren, who were born in the following order: John R., the subject of this sketch ; William E., of Leed City, Dakota; Nancy A., de- ceased; Mary C., of Hartford City, Indi- ana; Josephine .A., deceased ; Jacob O .; Jane, deceased; Ella, wife of George Suyer, of Montpelier, Indiana, and Charles, a carpen- ter of Hartford City. The father of this family was a greatly respected citizen and in quite comfortable circumstances, and died in the faith of the Lutheran church. 111 politics he was a Democrat.
John R. Huffman, it will have been 110- ticed, was but four years of age when brought to Hartford City by his parents, and here he has virtually passed his life and growu with the city's growth. He was ed- ucated in the city schools, which he attend- ed until seventeen years of age, al. . then began learning the carpenter's trade with his father, with whom he continued to re- main until he was twenty-three years old, when he embarked in business on his own account and conducted it alone until 1882. At this time he was elected county treas- urer, served one term of four years and was complimented by being returned for a second term by a largely increased majority. Mr. Huffman next handled ice for a year and a half, then took his family to Charlotte, Michigan, dealt in patent rights three years, returned to Blackford county, Indiana, and for one year engaged in contracting at Montpelier. In 1891 he returned to the city of his first love, Hartford and here followed his trade until (898, in Septem- ber of which year he was elected to the office of city treasurer for the term of four years, and this ofice he now fills to the supreme satisfaction of all concerned.
September 3, 1865, Mr. Huffman was joined in matrimony, in Hartford City, with Miss Adaline Ellis, a native of Blackford county, and a daughter . . f Jofm Ellis, a well- known citizen. One child. Clara Ada, was born to this union, but is now deccased : and on December 23, 1868, the mother was also called away. For his second wife Mr. Uluiff- man chose Miss Rebecca Ellen Cooper, when he married in Hartford City. This lady was born near Massillon, Ohio, June 25, 1851, and is a daughter of James and Susan Cooper, prominent residents of that county, but natives of Ohio and Michigan, respect- ively. This second marriage of Mr. luff- man has been crowned with six children, as follows: Harry Guy, a carpenter; Binnic May, wife of E. K. Sawyer, a musician ; Parker Riley, a butcher; James C. H., Flor- ence Ellen and John R. The family worship at the Presbyterian church and in politics Mr. Huffman is a Democrat. They reside in a handsome dwelling on North Jefferson street and socially stand very high in the esteem of all with whoin they are associated.
JAMES J. MADDOX.
James Jackson Maddox, ex-soldier, law- yer, justice of the peace and a man of more than ordinary career, was a resident of Blackford county, Indiana, since 1839. He was born in Highland county, Ohio, March 7,1827, a son of Michael and Francis (Jones) Maddox, natives of Virginia, who were mar- ried in Adams county, Ohio, came to Black- ford county in the year named above, bought one hundred and forty-seven acres of land in : arrison township, on which
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they lived until the death of the father in 1845, and that of the moth ir in 1870. By a former marriage Michael was the father of ten children; by his second he was the fa ther of eight, viz: Mary A., deceased; Jos- eph C., deceased; Wesley II., a retired farmer of Wells county, Indiana ; William M. C. K., retired and living in Falls City, Nebraska; Wilson M., also of Falls City, an ex-soldier of the Civil war and a prom- inent politician ; James J., the subject of this sketch; Eliza, wife of William A. Campbell, a carpenter in Nebraska, and Sarah P., in Kansas. The parents of this family were me bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. The father was a Democrat in politics and although a poor man comparatively, owning only his farm, reared his children, who reached mature years, in respectability and to usefulness.
James J. Maddox was about twelve and one-half years of age when brought to Black- ford county, Indiana, and here amid the swamps and forests was reared to manhood. He lived with his father until 1845, when upon the latter's death he began laboring out as a farm hand at six dollars per month and so continued until about 1847, when he went to Omaha, Nebraska, and engaged in general labor until 1848, then went to Fort Des Moines, wa, whence he walked back
Blackford county, Indiana, averaging twenty-eight miles per day. Here, Febru- ary 15, 1849, he married Miss Sophia M. Miller.
Immediately after marriage Mr. Mad- dox began housekeeping in Harrison town- ship on the old homestead, of which he had purchased a portion, but within a year had removed to a farm his brother owned and which comprised c.ghty acres. In 1852 he had begun auctioneering, which took up
most of his time until 1860; but in the mean tinie, in 1856, be contracted for two hundred and fifty thousand miles of star mail routes in Jowa, went there and sold them, and came back with profit of two hundred and fifty dollars farm, which he continued to make his home. In 1860 he was admitted to the bar by Judge jeremiah Smith and followed the practice of law until 1869, though during the inter- val ho was engaged in Hartford City and Montpelier in merchandising as well as law practice and auctioneering. In 1869 he re- linquished the practice of the law entirely and turned his attention to shipping stock, buying wheat and other grain and to general trading.
In 1865 Mr. Maddox had moved from Montpelier to Hartford City and had pur- chased two hundred acres of land adjoining, for which he paid thirty-one dollars per acre, but which is now worth more than one hundred dollars, many factories being located in the vicinity, and he also pur- chased other land in the county which has likewise greatly improved in value. continued in active business until 1895, since when he lived in retirement, having parti tioned his property among seven children, apportioning to each from eight thousand dollars to ten thousand dollars.
Mrs. Sophia M. Miller was born in 1825 and the seven children she bore her husband were named as follows: William McKin- ley, deceased; Elizabeth A., wife of Harry Caffrey, a painter and printer, of Goshen, Indiana; Jacob G., a trader of Hartford City ; Peter L., the popular liveryman, whose biography will be found on a contiguous page; Alonzo C., also a trader, of Hartford City; John W., on the farm. and James II., similarly occupied. The mother of this fam-
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ily expired November 22, 1894, a sincere Methodist.
Mr. Maddox was in politics a Republi- can and served as justice of the peace twelve years under appointment by the county com- missioners --- twice during the administration of Governor Gray, once under Gov- ernor Mathews and once under Governor Mount. He was peculiarly popular as a justice, and during his terms married thirty-seven couples. As a politician he has been chairman of twenty-one Republican county conventions, and as a lawyer bas cared for two hundred and twenty-nine lawsuits. As a soldier he enlisted, Sep- tember 16, 1861, in the Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, attained the rank of second lieutenant and resigned at Camp Weakley, Kentucky, on account of some disagreement. Still this wonderful man had no education in youth, having had only thirty days' schooling in his life. Com- mont is u necessary.
CHARLES L. SWINGLEY.
Charles Luther Swingley, the artistic photographer of Hartford City, Blackford county, was born in Delaware county, Indi- ana, October 30, 1866, and is the youngest of the five children that blessed the union of Jacob and Leah (Detrich) Swingley, na- tives of Pennsylvania, where they were mar- ried and whence they came to Indiana. They made their residence in Henry county until the '6os, then moved to Cross Roads, Salem township, Delaware county, where the father followed his trade of blacksmith until 1873. Ile then moved on a farm in Delaware couin- ty, thence went to New Castle and later pur- chased and now raides on a forty -acre tract
in Washington township, Blackford county. The family are Lutherans in religion, in poli - ties are Republicans, and fraternally the fa- ther is an Odd Fellow and all are highly os teemed socially.
Charles L. Swing! attended the com mon schools until seventeen years of age and then worked for two years on the home farm for his father. Photography now attracted his attention and taste, and for two year he studied the art under the Goodlanders, at Muncie, Indiana. Ile was then prepared to engage in business on his own account, and for five and one-half years conducted a flour- ishing gallery at New Castle, Henry county. He then sold his establishment and located in Hartford City, investing quite heavily, and now owns some very fine Jenses, of great value, and his entire equipment is first-class in every respect, enabling him to do a busi- ness of eighteen hundred dollars per annum and to keep constantly employed one as- sistant.
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