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 44
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·cotton goods. After spending eleven years in perfecting his knowledge of the cloth and cotton manufacture, he decided to add to these that of plastering ; accordingly he ap- plied himself to the latter trade and in due time became an expert in the same.
In March. 1848, Mr. Holcroft, finding himself out of employment, started on a long foot journey throughout various parts of England in hope of somehow bettering his financial condition. Foot-sore, penniless and alone he braved the inclement weather, trudged mile affer mile. trusting in provi- dence alone as to the outcome of his weary wanderings. While tramping along the highways, with his thoughts for his only companions, he made up his mind to leave his native shores and go to America, where he felt sure more favorable opportunities awaited young men of energy and deter- mination who could find no way to rise in a country where all industry was controlled by a favored few. Animated by this thought, he finally returned to his native town, and laying the matter before his father solicited of him a loan sufficient to pay for passage across the ocean This was cheerfully granted and now with seven pounds in his possession the young artisan boarded a ves- sel and in due time landes. May 5, 1848, in the harbor of Boston, where he indeed found himself a stranger in a strange land. From Boston he made his way on foot to Provi- dence, Rhode Island, where he was not long in finding employment in a cotton mill, his skill as a workman being his only success- ful recommendation. A short time after en- tering the mill Mr. Holeroft displayed his mastery of the work by successfully operat- ing six looms at the same time, something unheard of in the factory before, his re- muneration for the same excelling that of the
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foreman of the establishment. This roused the jealousy of the latter individual, who spared no pains to make the young foreign- er's position embarrassing. These petty per- secutions Dually became well nigh imbearable and when they ended in a reduction of Mr. Holcroft's wages he threw his looms out of year, left the story and made preparations to re n to his native land. Forumately for lia, he met at this time in Providence a gentleman by the name of Mouroe, through whose solicitation he was induced to go to Cincinnati, where he soon found employ- ment as a plasterer. Not content to work for others, he began in a short time taking contracts by himself and it was not long until he commanded a large and remuner- ative business. After carrying on his trade for some time in Cincinnati Mr. Holcroft went to the town of Richmond, Wayne coun- ty, Indiana, where he again began contract- ing for plastering work, and such was his reputation that within a comparatively brief
riod he had all that he and his employees child do. Success now attended him and remuneration being liberal he soon found himself in easy financial circumstances. By judicious investments in real estate, which in due season greatly increased in value, he added largely to is worldly store and be- came in time the possessor of a handsome competence, such as has since enabled 1'in to retire from the active duties of life. He owns two hundred acres of land in Niles town- ship. Delaware county, adiana, and eight residence properties in Hartford City, the latter of which are rented. Ile also has three gas wells on his farm.
While residing in the town of Richmond Mr. Holeroft became acquainted with Miss Mary A. Bailey, to whom he was united in marriage on the ist day of January, 1851
Mrs. ITol oft is of Quaker parentage, her family costing to the United States from Yorkshire, England, and settling on a farm in Wayne county. Indiana. Her father, James Bailey, became a large landholder and for many years was noted as one of the most successful agriculturists in the county of Wayne. He began life a poor man, but by well directed energy and economy succeeded, after coming to America, in getting a sub- stantial start, and at the time of his death was one of the wealthiest and most highly honored citizens in the community where he resided. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Wetherald, was a woman of many ex- cellent traits, and from her Quaker ancestry inherited a highly religious nature, which greatly endeared her to a large circle of friends and acquaintances throughout Wayne and other counties.
Until 1888 Mr. Holcroft continued to re- side in Delaware county. where, in 1861, be had moved to his farm of two hundred acres. At that time be removed to Hartford City, where he intends to spend the years yet al- lotted to him in peaceful retirement from active business.
To Mr. and Mrs. Holcroft have been born seven children, namely: Joanna, wife of Chauncy Edwards; James E. : Emma J., wife of John Stewart; Mary E., deceased wife of Henry Beard; Sarah A., widow of Alexander bore; Thenrietta, wife of Charles C. Pruitt; and John T.
Mr. ITolcroft became a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity in his native coun- try and has continued his connection there- with since or ing to the United States. While a lad he became a skilled bell ringer, as were a number of his family before him, and his services were often required at wed- lings, funerals, Christmas festivities, Easter
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and other occasions, when he would make music on the chimes suitable to .he occasion. He recalls those okien times with much pleas- ure and in imagination can still hear the music of the chimes as it comes floating back to him through the mystic aventies of memory. Mr. Holeroi is a purely self-made man, and as such has arisen from an humble station in life to be one of the prominent and influential citizens of the beautiful little city in which he resides. Unaided and alone he encountered adverse fortune and over- came it, and his present enviable standing, together with the competence at his com- mand, are the fruits of a life well directed by energy and controlled by principles of a high moral rectitude. Few men have done as well as he, but the success which he has attained he largely attributes to the advantages af- forded by the free institutions of a country untrammelled by class distinctions and where fortune knows no favorites. In a word Mr. Holcroft's life is a striking example of what may be accomplished by every young man who takes for his motto "onward and up- ward," providing his motives be honest and h : actions be measured by the unfailing standard of right.
JEREMIAHI A. HORN.
premiab A. Horn. en 'neer at the Hart- City water works, is a native of Ran- county, Indiana, and a son of Silas and Charlotte (Evans) Horn. He was born September 3, 1856, and received his edu- cational training in the public schools, which he attended during the years of youth and carly manhood, making substantial progress in the various studies pursued. From boy-
hood he exhibited marked mechanical skill and his ingenuity in constructing devices of different kinds was carly the subject of much comment. His greatest delight was in watching the working of machinery, espe- cially engines, and in their presence he be- came so absorbed that for the time every- thing else was forgotten.
By studying the construction of engines he soon became familiar with their every part and while still a lad he would frequent- ly take the engineer's place in a sawmill near his home and operate it with the skill be- tokening a thorough kr ledge of its mechanism. While still in his 'teens Mr. Horn accepted : : position of engineer in a sawmill and with such satisfaction did he discharge the duties incumbent upon him that he was never without regular and re- muncrative employment thereafter. For several years he operated a sary-mill engine during the winter, spring and summer and in the fall of the year ran a threshing ma- chine engine, his services always being in great demand. In December, 1887, Mr. Horn entered the employ of the Big Four Railroad as pumper and repairer of pumps, in which capacity he continued until the lat- ter part of 1892, when he became manager of Scantlin & Sons' large hub and spoke fac- tory at the town of Lynti. This factory at that time employed about twenty men and did a large and thriving business, much of which was largely due to the skillful over- sight of Mr. Horn, who proved a most capable and faithful superintendent. After filling the position with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his employers for several months he severed his connection with the eståblishment and for some time there. iter was head sawyer in a large mill for the manu- facture of handles and other materials. In
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May, 1894, Mr. Horn accepted the position of salesman in a furniture store in Hartford City, in which capacity he continued until the following November, when he engaged in the const. tion of the city water works, taking char of the engines and boilers and overseeing B .: fitting of pipes and similar work throughout the entire plant. After placing the machinery and successfully test- ing the operations of the same, he was in- duced to take charge of the engines at a · liberal salary, a position he has since effi- ciently filled.
Mr. Horn's practical knowledge of mic- chanics is of a high order and his skill in handling engines of all kinds proves him a com cte master of his calling. He has made a profound study of mechanism in general and in the line of engineering and work allied thereto is not on.v an expert, but possesses ability akin almost to genius. In the discharge of the duties of the various positions with which he has been intrusted, his efficiency has never been que med, while his faithfulness to every trust has won for him the lasting regard of his many em- ployers. In addition to his work as me- chanic and engineer, Mr. Horn is the in- ventor of the Morning Star washing com- pound, a preparation for softening hard water and rendering it fit for cleaning per- fectly the most delicate woolens, cotton or silk fabrics. It is now handled by the gen- eral trade and wherever tried has given sat- isfactory results by making washing much easier and at the same time adding an extra softness to the materials upon which used. He has also invented a compound for the purpose of removing lime and scale from steam boilers, which is now in use in many large mills and factories of the country and meets every demand claimed for it by
those who have made practical tests of its merits.
Mr. Horn was happily married, March 16, 1876, to Miss Jennie Carroll, daughter of Lewis and Orpha (Thorn) Carroll, the result of which union are two children : Grace, born September 30, 1881, and Goldie, whose birth occurred on the 20th day of December, 1886. Mr. Horn belongs to the Pythian fraternity, becoming a member of Lynn Lodge, No. 119, on November 24, 1887. He has filled all the chairs in the above lodge and is an earnest and faithful worker in proumlgating the beautiful princi- ples of the order.
LEVI FRASH.
For a number of years Levi Frash was identified prominently with the affairs of Blackford county and left the impress of his strong personality upon the community in which he was a leading spirit. His paternal grandfather, Frederick Frash, was a native of Germany, as were the family ancestors for generations. William Frash, son of Frederick, was born September 15, 1808, in Naberau Oberoent, Germany, and in Sep- tember, 1832, came to the United States, locating first in the city of Philadelphia. Subsequently he transferred his residence to Muskingum county, Ohio, where he met and married Eva Cline, whose birth occurred in Ohio. William and Eva Frash reared children as follows: Levi, born December 7, 1829 ; Catharine, born December 24. 1834; Jolm, born November 28, 1836; George, born in 1838; Michael, born February 14, 1839; and Henrietta, born March 29, 1843.
LEVI FRASH.
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MRS. SARAH FRASH.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
The mother of these children died August 21, 1858, and the father departed this life July 9. 1884.
Levi Frash, eldest of the above family, was reared in Muskingum county, Ohio, where his birth occurred December 7, 1829, and received a good education in the schools of Zanesville. In early life he turned his attention to mechanics and in due time be became a successful carpenter, which trade he followed a number of years, first as a journeyman and later as jobber and con- tractor, both of which resulted in liberal financial profits. He came : ) Hartford City in the '40s and here he did a great deal of business, erecting quite a number of build- ings of all descriptions in and about the city and county, and establishing a reputation in his line second to that of no other man in the county who plied the carpenter trade. Late in life he purchased a farm not far from Hartford City, and to its management he devoted his remaining days, making of agriculture the same success that he realized from his regular vocation.
On the 16th day of January, 1851, Mr. Frasl: was united in marriage to Miss Sarah McGee, who was born in Marion county, Virginia, February 15, 1831. When a small child Mrs. Frash was adopted by Phillip and Elizabeth (Cooper) Snell and she has little knowledge of her immediate family or rela- tives, having, to her knowledge, never seen but one of her kindred, a cousin, Elias Pierce, who called at her home in Hartford City in the year 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Snell, with their family, moved from Virginia to ' Fayette county, Indiana, in 1837, and after residing there about six years came o Black- ford cou and settled on a farm in Lick- ing town. .. ip. Philip Snell was a soldier
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in the war of 1812 and died at his home in this county September 4, 1876.
Mr. and Mrs. Frash became the parents of nine children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Walter E., born July 22. 1852; Phillip W., born July 8, 1855; Cora WV., born August 10, 1857; Ella .L., born June 7. 1850; Frank L., born May o. 1860; George M., born January 28, 1862; Wilber A., born December 6. 1803; Olive. born July 1.4, 1869; and Lauretta, born September 23, 187t. Of these Ella A. died July 1, 1859: George M. died January 12, 1862; Walter E., September 13, 1876; Cura W., on the 12th day of February, 1879; Wil- ber A., December 30, 1866; and Phillip, December 7, 1857.
Mr. Frash was a strong adherent of the Republican party and for many years be- longed to the Methodist church, of which religions body his wife also is a member. He was a prominent member in the Odd Fellows frater ity, having filled all the of- fical positions in the lodge to which he be- longed, and his name was always identified with any good work for the benefit of the community. His record as a business man and citizen is a clean one, and his reputation among those with whom he came in contact or had any relations whatever was without flaw or blemish. He was progressive in his ideas and his judgment upon all questions of business and politics or on matters per- taining to the social wellbeing of the com- munity was greatly respected. Ilis life was commendable in every particular and his ideas always commanded the esteem of his fellow citizens. Indeed it can be truthfully said of him that he was a true man at all times and under all circumstances, oud in his death, which occurred on the 2d day of Sep-
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
tember, 1891, his family fost a devoted hus- band and loving father, the community a kind neighbor and the city and county an in- telligent, upright and exemplary citizen.
LEWIS J. HUDSON.
Lewis Jerome Ih son, manufacturer of monuments, tomb su .. . es and dealer in mar- ble, granite and all kinds of building and Ornamental stone, with business place on High street, Hartford City, is a native of Indiana, born on the roth day of June, 1857, in the county of Wabash. John and Sophia (Crawford) Hudson, his parents, both na- tives of Ohio, were married in Wabash coun- ty, Indiana, and there resided on a farm un- til the year i860, when they removed to the county of Blackford, locating a short dis- tance north of the town of Dundee, where they continued the pursuit of agriculture, changing their residence to a place within three miles of Hartford City in 1873. Sub- sequently, in 1889. they purchased a home in this city and here the father still lives, the mother having died in the year 1893. To John and Sophia Hudson were born seven children, whose names in the order of birth are as follows: Lewis Jerome; Or- Jevia J., deceased ; Jesse J., a merchant do- ing business at Montpelier; Rachel E., wife of Philip Roush, of Fort Wayne; John L., a grocer of Hartford City; Dosia E., de- ceased, who married John C. Neel; aud James R., of Montpelier. The father of these children is one of the reputable citi- zens of Hackford inty. belonging to that large an eminently respectable class of peo- ple who in a quiet way add character and
dignity to the communities blessed with their presence. A great reader, he takes an active interest in all questions of the day. and for a number of years has supported the Republican party, the principles of which he believes to be for the best interest of the people. In religion he is a member of what is known as the Christian, or New Light, church, to which his wife also belonged, and he has always endeavored to shape bis life according to the divine standard of manhood as found in the person of the Saviour of men.
Lewis Jerome Hudson was three years 1 when brought by his parents to this inty, and the greater part of his life since nat time has been passed within its boun- carie . Until his eighteenth year he attended at intervals the public schools of Washing- ton and Harrison townships, acquiring by close application a good English education, which was afterward supplemented by one and a half years in DePauw University. when he pursued the higher branches of learn. ; with the object in view of entering the ministry. Until his twentieth year he remained under the parental roof, assisting his father on the farm, and then began life for himself in Hartford City, working first at arious kinds of labor and later accept - ing a position with Winters & Sons, grain and produce dealers. He remained with the firm two years and then accepted a similar position with Cooley & Sons, with whom he continued for a limited period, after which he was variously employed until 1886. In that year Mr. Hudson moved to Grant coun- ty to engage in the pursuit of agriculture, which he followed about sixteen months, retiring from manual labor at the end of that time for the purpose of prosecuting his the-
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ological si . lies in DePauw University, as noted in a preceding paragraph. lie made commendable progress as a student, but by reason of failing health was compelled to abandon his cherished plaus and turn his at- tention to more healthful vocations. On quitting the university Mr. Hudson was for about two years employed as traveling sales- man for a book publishing firm, meeting with good success and regaining in a great meas- tire that best of treasures, health. During the year succeeding his leaving the road he was employed in house painting and after- ward accepted a clerkship with a grocery firm, in which capacity he continued for eighteen months, acquiring in the meantime a good practical knowledge of business and business methods.
Mr. Hudson's next venture was in the mercantile business upon his own responsi- bility, but this lasted only four months, at the end of which time he disposed of his stock of groceries and engaged in his pres- ent undertaking. This was in 1894, since which cate he has greatly increased the ca- pacity of his establishment, adding largely to his stock, and from what he has already accomplished his friends predict for him a still larger share of public patronage in the future. Mr. Hudson has filled many large orders for building stone, locally and at a distance, and the result of his skill and bandi- work may be seen in many cemeteries throughout Blackford and neighboring counties of central Indiana. He employs constantly two expert stone cutters and fre- quently a much larger force, doing an annual business considerably in excess of eight thousand dollars, and keeping on hand a fine assortment of monuments and stone of all kinds, representing a capital of over fifteen hundred dollars. By carefully consulting
the tastes and wishes of the public and faith- fully carrying them out in every detail, Mr. Hudson has become widely and favorably known as a fair minded dealer whom it is a pleasure to meet in business relations, while as a citizen and a member of society none stand higher in the estimation of the people of the city.
Mr. Hudson's pleasant home on East Kickapoo street, which he owns, is presided over by a devoted wife, to whom he was married on the 7th day of December, 1881. The maiden name of Mrs. Hudson was Mary F. Harden. She is the daughter of Dr. Flarden, of Hartford City, and was born in Hocking county, Ohio, January 22, 1863. The following are the names of the children resulting from this union : Hoyt P. died at the age of five years and four months ; Ruth H., Esther F. and one, the first-born, who died in infancy unnamed. Mr. and Mrs. Hudson are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Hartford City, keenly alive to every interest of the congregation with which they are identified and active in all departments of church work. Fraternally Mr. Hudson belongs to the T. O. O. F., M. W. A. and Order American Plowmen.
EDWARD C. COOLEY.
Edward C. Cooley, the enterprising miller of Hartford City, and a member of the firm of C. R. Cooley & Sons, proprietors of the flouring-mill east of town, is the youngest son of Charles R. and Catharine (Brough) Cooley. He was born July 9, 1863. and was educated in the public schools of Hartford City. At the age of eighteen he began assisting his father in the mill. This
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mill was built by his father in 1870. In 1885 the father made the sons his partners, and Edward has operated the mill ever since.
Politically Mr. Cooley affiliates with the Republican party, and was a member of the city council frem 1892 to 1893, a position he filled conscientiously and to the entire sa! isfaction of his constituents. He has long been a member of the Hartford City Band and is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 135, Hartford City.
On May 12, 1889, he was married to Clara Crow, daughter of John and Emily Crow, and to them was born, April 3, 1890, a daughter, Marian. Our subject is a quiet man, attending closely to his business. He takes a deep interest in his family, is con- servative, upright and honest and possesses that strict integrity that makes him worthy to be the son of that noble father, Charles R. Cooley.
J. MILTON MILLER, D. D. S.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Indiana, born in the old town of Corydon, Harrison county, on the 9th day of April, 1876. His father, C. M. Miller, was born and reared in the same county, as were also his grandparents. James Milton Miller and Margaret (Reaugh) Miller. His mother, Lizzic (Carr) Miller, was born at Rome, Indiana, but afterward moved to Illinois. C. M. Miller was educated in the common schools at Corydon and in 1874 was elected auditor of Harrison county. At the expira- tion of his term of office he engaged in mer- cantile business in Corydon, which he still pursues. He was married, April 9, 1873, to Elizabeth Carr, daughter of Hiram and Susan (Ricks) Carr, and became the father
of eight children: Jacie, wife of Joseph F. Starkey, of St. Paul, Minnesota; J. Milton, whose name introduces this article ; Reaugh ; H. Carr; Hettic; Louise; Elizabeth and Robert Earl.
C. M. and Elizabeth Miller have been active members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Corydon for many years and Mr. Miller has long had charge of the Sunday school; he is also the leader of the church choir, and in many other ways is prominent in promoting the cause of religion and morality in the community. The subject's father was a veteran of the Civil war, hav- ing twice enlisted, the first time as musician, in which capacity he served until sickness led to his discharge. He again entered the service and going to the front continued with his command until the close of the war. He passed through the trying ordeal with- out receiving a wound, but was taken pris- oner by Morgan's raiders. He became fa- miliar with the privations and experience that belong to war ' re and earned the reputa- tion of a brave and gallant defender of the national Union.
J. Milton Miller was reared at his birth place and received his education in the pub- lic schools, graduating from the. Corydon high school in 1893 at the age of seventeen. In the fall of the same year he entered De- Pauw University at Greencastle, and finished the freshman year of his course. Sickness prevented his return for the next year, but in 1895 he returned and remained two more years, but did not complete the course, which it was his original intention to do, and de- cided to turn his attention to dentistry, which he had in the meantime chosen for his life work. In 1897 Mr. Miller entered the In- diana Dental College, at Indianapolis, in which he completed the prescribed course,
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