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 46
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Rev. Howard and Sophia Moomaw, daughter of Peter and Celia (Adams) Moo- maw, became husband and wife on the 24th day of December, 1836, and the marriage has resulted in the birth of the following chil- dren : Mary Alice, wife of Frank White; Ella Jane, wife of E. E. Allen, of Huntington; Elizabeth died at the age of thirty-four; she had married J. O. Allen and had one daughter, Hazel; William D .; Peter; John; McCaillus; Joseph and Edward. Mrs. I. J. Howard was born September 15, 1835. V! iam D. married Rebecca Barret; Peter D. married Agnes Thomas and became the
father of six children, namely: Mand and Myrtle (twins), the latter dead; Ellen, Sophia, William and an infant deceased. John married Anna Dougherty and Joseph took to wife Elanor Painter. The following are the names of the children born to the daughter, Mrs. Frank White: Dollie B., Audry, Candace and Hester. The children of Mrs. E. E. Allen are Clifford, deceased, and Harry Irving.
In the matter of worldly wealth Rev. Howard has been peculiarly fortunate, hav- ing by economy and wise management be- come the possessor of a competent fortune, a part of which is a large and fertile farm of two hundred and forty acres in the county of Delaware, which is managed by his son, Peter Howard, upon the co-operative plan. Besides this he owns other real es- tate in the country and town, including a comfortable home in Hartf: d City in which his declining years are being spent. In every relation his conduct has been that of an upright Christian gentleman and his ex- ample may be safely imitated by those just starting upon the highway of life with the great future still before them. Politically, Rev. Howard is a Prohibitionist.
MILTON HESS MCGEATH.
Within the limits of Blackford county are many men of prominence, who have achieved distinction in various professions- well-known manufacturers, skillful physi- cians and lawyers of state reputation, and individuals whose fortunes have been ac- cumulated by superior business methods. In addition to these the county is not lack- ing in men who have attained to prominence
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by reason of intelligent merit in other and equally important callings. Among the lat- ter, Milton Hess McGreath, ex-county super- intendent of schools and present dealer in real estate and insurance, is entitled to con- spicuous mention .. Mr. MeGeath's birth oc- curred in Wells county, Indiana, November 1, 1.58, and he is the son of Thomas R. and Rebecca (Perfect) McGeath, both par- ents natives of West Virginia. Shortly after the'r marriage, which was solemnized rt New Castle, Indiana, Thomas R. MeGeath and wife located on a farm in Henry county, Indiana, and there remained until their re- moval, in 1857, to the county of Wells. From their home in Chester township, Wells cont: , Mr. MeGeath removed to the town- ship of Jackson in 1859, where he continued in the pursuit of agriculture until his death, which occurred on the 13th day of March, 1879. The widow, after residing in differ- ent places, finally chose to pass the remain- ing years of her life at Hartford City, where she still lives, making her home with our subject. She has reached the ripe old age of eighty-two years, but still possesses in a marked degree all her faculties, both phys- ical and mental. The following are the names of the children born to Thomas R. and Rebecca MeGeath : Martin V., a veteran of the late Civil war and now an inmate of the Soldiers' Home, Marion, Indiana; Phil- ena, deceased; Samantha, of Bluffton, this state; John P., a prominent citizen of HIart- ford City; Sophronia, wife of Thomas Greenwood, of Faribault, Minnesota; Charles W., deceased, and Milton HT., sub- ject of this sketch. Thomas R. MeGeath was a man of excellent repute, an carnest memb. of the Methodist church and for many years a close and profound student of the sacred scriptures. He lived a life of
faith and instilled into the minds of his chil- dren the principles of rectitude by which his daily conduct was directed and controlled.
Milton Hess MeGeath was reared on the home farm and enjoyed excellent education- al advantages, attending Orst the common schools of Wells county. Following this higher branches of learning in the graded schools of Wells county. Following this excellent preparation Mr. McGeath began teaching and was thus engaged for a period of ten years, devoting his vacations to agri- cultural pursuits and later to the insurance business. For some time after his father's death he remained with his mother in Mont- pelier and while a resident o: that town was elected, in 1893, to the office of county su- perintendent of schools, the duties of which he discharged in a highly efficient manner for five years. The better to attend to the duties of his office, Mr. McGeath, shortly after his election, removed to Hartford City and here he has since remained, having be- come actively identified with the business in- terests of the place and a leading factor in its industrial prosperity.
Mr. MeGeath is a man of great torce of character, possessing executive ability of a high order, and under his able supervision the schools of the county were brought to a much higher state of efficiency than they had at any previous period enjoyed. Among the improvements inaugurated during his in- cumbency were the grading of the schools in the rural districts, the establishment of a county teachers' library, and the gradua- tion of pupils who had completed the pre- scribed course of study and successfully passed the required examination. Another important innovation was the County Teach- ers' Association, organized and successfully carried out through Mr. McGeath's efforts,
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besides which a new and lively impetus was given the cause of education in general by the adoption, at his suggestion, of the im- proved methods of instruction and discipline. As a school official Mr. MeGeath became widely and favorably known throughout In- diana ant his suggestions in matters educa- tional were respectfully heard in all insti- tute, associations and conventions of super- intendents which he attended. He left the impress of his strong individuality upon the educational system of the county and much of the prosperity the schools now enjoy and the present high position they now occupy are largely due to the ( e supervision he exercised as their execu: . head.
At the expiration of hus official term Mr. N. Geath engaged in real estate transactions and insurance, to which he has since given his attention, bis success in these lines of business being commensurate with that achieved as a public official. Politically he is a Democrat and as such wields a potent in- fluence for the party in Blackford county. In religion he subscribes to the Baptist faith, both himself and wife belonging to the con- ·gregation in Montpelier, in which they are active and earnest workers.
Mr. McGeath was married in Wells county, Indiana, August 12, 1879, to Miss Josie Brown, who was born in New Castle, this state, on the 16th day of May, 1863, the daughter of E. M. and Allie ( Bales) Brown. Mr. and Mrs. McGeath have an interesting family of six children whose names are as follows: Carl E., Jessie E., Arlo E., Alva E., Edna and Marie.
As already stated, Mr. McGeath since becoming a resident of Hartford City mani- fested much more than a passing interest in its welfare and few citizens of the place enjoy in so generous a degree the public
regard. He manifests a live concern in everything pertaining to the welfare of the city and county, possesses valuable property interests in both, and by reason of his many sterling qualities of manhood is justly en- titled to a place with their leading self-made and representative men.
SYDNEY W. CANTWELL.
Sydney Wilberforce Cantwell, son of the late Jobn Cantwell and one of the distin- guished jurists of central Indiana, was born on the paternal homestead, four miles west of Hartford City, on the 28th day of Jan- uary, 1859. After attending the public schools of his neighborhood until 1874 he entered the Hartford City high school, grad- uating therefrom in the spring of 1877, after which he became a student of the Asbury, now De Pauw, University, at Greencastle. He was graduated from that institution with the class of 1881, but in the meantime bad pursued the study of law, first under private tutelage and subsequently at the Central Law School at Indianapolis, the prescribed course of which he completed in the year 1880. While in the university Mr. Cant- well made a record of exceptional ability, receiving t' : honors of his class in mathe- inatics and otherwise distinguishing himself in what was then known as the philosophical course.
Fortified with rare literary and profes- sional training, Mr. Cantwell entered upon the practice of his profession in 1885, under most favorable auspices, effecting a co-part- nership with his father, which lasted until the latter's death in February, 1900. Mean- while, in 1895, the firm was increased by ad-
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dition thereto of Luther B. Simmons, who has continued to be the subject's professional associate to the present time.
In 1882 Mr. Cantwell was the Republican candidate for prosecuting attorney for the circuit composed of Huntington, Grant and Blackford counties, but was defeated for election. Later, in 1884, he was again non- inated for the same office and in the en- suing election met with greater success, over- coming a formidable opposition and more than carr; g the strength of his party. After discharging the dutie. of the position with credit to himself and to the entire sat- isfaction of the public for a period of two years he was re-elected, in 1886, his own successor, the circuit at that time having been changed so as to include only the coun- ties of Blackford and Grant. At the ex- piration of his second term Mr. Cantwell resumed the general practice of his profes- sion, which he has since carried on with suc- cess and financial profit, winning for him- self high honors as an attorney and a rep- utation which long since placed him among the learned and eminent jurists of the state.
By general consent Mr. Cantwell has, for a number of years, been the recognized political leader in Blackford county, and, as such, has p .ved a potent factor in leading his party to success in a number of hotly contested campaigns. He has served at dif- ferent times on the county central committee and during tl : presidential contest of 18: 8, when Harrison was elected, he contributed much, as a member of the state central com- mittee, towards carrying Indiana.
Mr. Cantwell was married, in Hartford City, September 10, 1884, to Miss Flora M. Kunkle, daughter of Robert L. and Susan Kunkle, of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Cantwell's birth occurred in Dover, York county, Penn-
sylvania, on the 21st day of July, 1864, and she is now the proud mother of two children, twins, Hazel E. and Harold E.
In addition to his extensive legal business Mr. Cantwell is largely interested in other enterprises, notably the Blackford County Bank, of which he is a director and attor- ney. He was also one of the organizers of the old Merchants Bank, which was after- wards merged into the Blackford Bank, and to him is largely due the credit for the or- ganization of the Hartford Window Glass Company, of which he served & secretary and legal adviser for a period of five years. For eight years he was secretary of the Hartford City Land Company and no one has done more towards the development of the il interests of this par of the state of lind greater influence in iklucing the in- vestment of capital in Blackford county real estate than lie.
As a lawyer Mr. Cantwell, as already stated, has achieved eminence which long since placed him at the head of the Black- ford county bar. By close and critical study he has become familiar with every de' 1 of the profession and in his practice he wins the confidence of both court and client by reason of his devotion to any case in charge and the efficiency and dispatch with which he executes every requirement. . With a schol- arly grasp of the great principles of the law and a critical study of every case in hand, his pleadings have become noted for pro- fundity, clearness and logical conclusions, and the force with which he maintains the soundness of his opinions and his power be- fore a jury, where he has few equals, have been the means of coupling his name with the majority of important cases litigated in the courts of Blackford and neighboring coun- ties since his admission to the bar. As a
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political leader he is far above the average politician, in that he aims to understand thoroughly the philosophy of great questions and never stoops to practices which justify ends without reference to means. However active and persistent he may be in behalf of his party's interests, he has too much judg- ment to allow political convictions to be bar- riers to personal friendships, and as a result he not only possesses the unbounded confi- cence of his party, but is also respected and · even popular with the opposition.
In the private walks of life, as a neighbor and citizen, Mr. Cantwell is diree d and coil- trolled by principles of rectitude which have won him an enduring place in the estimation of the people of his city and county. With an attractive presence, a face bearing the stamp of refinement and culture, he is, in short. one who would instinctively he singled out in any assemblage as a man possessing in a marked degree steadfastness of purpose, honesty and intelligence. For distinguished services in his profession Mr. Cantwell has been honored by the Central Law School of Indianapolis with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and he also bears the title of A. M., conferred some time after his graduation by the University of Greencastle. With an en- viable record as schwar, politician and jurist, occupying a deservedly conspicuous place in the esteem of his fellow citizens, in the prime of physical and mental manhood, it is fitting to predict for Mr. Cantwell a future of great credit to himself and still greater usefulness to the public.
SIDNEY RUSSELL PATTERSON.
It is the dictate of our nature, no less than of enlightened social policy, to honor the illustrious dead; it has been the com:
mendable custom of all ages and all nations. Hence the following tribute to one whose life work was largely devoted to the advance- ment of the community in which he live. 1. Sidney R. Patterson (deceased) was born in Milton, Mahoning county, Ohio, August 6, 1839, and died July 7, 1895, at Waukesha, Wisconsin, where through the advice of his physician he had gone to re- cuperate, not having realization of the serious nature of his trouble. He was the son of Hugh and Anna ( Van Etten) Patter- son, he being a n ive of Pennsylvania and a prominent millwright of his time, while she was a representative of the celebrated Vanetten family whose histor is closely re- lated to the earliest days of New York. Her father, Daniel Vanetten, was born in Hol- land and married Mary Brink, and their son. her father. John, married Anna Labar, a lady of French ancestry. They settled in Milton, Ohio, in the early days of the cen- tury, the old homestead being still pointed ofit as a landmark. He died at the age of eighty-three while sitting in his chair. When Anna Van Etten was a girl of twelve, Hugh Patterson, then a man grown, while passing through the neighborhood, asked for a drink of water; the favor was granted with such grace and courtesy that he then resolved that he would see the girl again. Four years later he returned, and when she was seventeen and he thirty, they were married. His life work was in building mills, their home being on a part of the old VanEtten homestead, where both died, he af eighty and she at sixty-eight. Sidney's boyhood was all passed at home, and having better than ordinary advantages, he became very well educated. He was a stu- dent for some time at Hiram College, the Ia- mented Garfield being his instructor, under whose direction he was fairly well fitted to
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teach, which he did at Lima, Ohio. He had received but slight encouragement from his father, and had left home with empty pock- ets; however, upon his return, in one year, he had three hundred dollars and the satis- faction of showing that he had the ability and determination to win his own way ill- aided. When the country's peril demanded the sacrifice of the best blood of the land Le was not slow in proffering his own services, as on the 27th of August, 1861, he was en- listed in Company K, of the Twenty-first Ohio Volunteers, expecting that he wonkl continue in the service to the close of the war. However, he was wounded in the first engage ient, that at Stone River, receiv- ing a musket ball in the breast which caused him to be sent to the hospital, from which he was soon afterward discharged. He had started out under most auspicious cir- cuiinstances, being a corporal, with bril- fiant chances for promotion ; the disappoint- ment at having to abandon what gave promise of being a creditable military career, w. great and was but slightly appeased upon his services being recognized by the govern- ment some years afterward by the granting of a pension, which was finally increased.
The manufacture of tow from flax was an important industry at that period ; and, in company with a relative he embarked in it at Milton, Ohio. He was married, February 15, 1866, to Miss Charlotte L. Case, of Canfield, Ohio. She was the daughter of Stephen . 1. Case, with whom Sidney became associated in the above business for about two year .. when he and a brother erected a similar mill at Deerfick1, Ohio. He did an ( ensive and lucrative business there from 1867 to 1875, being at that time worth about ten thousand dollars. Learning of a favorable opening at Hartford City, he disposed of the old plant
and invested in a mill built here some years Before, but which had not been a successful one. Knowing the details of the business toroughly, he brought experienced men from Ohio to operate it. This plan proved eminently successful from the start. It made many friends among the citizens, giving, as it did, an excellent market for the flax for which the county was noted. The most sat- isfactory period of his business life was now opening for him and he pursued it with vigor and enthusiasm for about six years, when i critical juncture in his line of business was experienced by all engaged in it. The impor- tation and introduction of jute, a material whose cheapness soon caused it to supersede fax in the manufacture of tow, brought dis- aster to that industry, many of those engaged in the business being compelled to close their establishments. Mr. Patterson kept his own mill in operation for about one year there- after, much of the time at a loss, and theu closed it for good. While he had conducted it he had made money, for the investment of which he now sought other lines. Having From the start felt great confidence in the future of Blackford county, he now began to secure some of its naturally rich and produc- tive soil. He purchased thirty-two acres near the city: forty acres about four miles east ; another tract of one hundred and twenty acres in the same direction ; one hundred and forty-eight acres near the latter, which is now known as the Morris dairy farm, and still another tract of two hundred acres in Grant county. He now began to improve and develop this land, his principal interests until his death being centered in the farm. Each was supplied with the necessary buildings and in a hundred ways more or less expen- sive improvements were made, all under his personal direction. He grew stock quite ex-
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tensively, and for some years was associated with D. W. Gregory in shipping cattle to market, as well as in dealing in gr. in, owning an elev nor at Hartford City. Not long after he had come to this place he opened a grocery store, in which his office was located, and which he continued to operate, moving it, however. in recent years to the south end of
He served nine years on the school board, bis influence being over exerted to enhance the value of the schools and to give his home town equal advantages in that respect with okder a. A wealthier cities. He attended and contributed liberally to the church of which his wife is a member, the Presbyterian, and though he made no religious profession, was in close sympathy with all efforts to improve the morals of the community. A believer in the principles of the Democratic party, thinking they most nearly met the needs of the American people, b was not of that class who can see no merit in the opinions of others. He could in no sense be classed as a politician, never aspiring to public office ; yet no campaign passed without his deepest in- terest being expressed in the movement, and he was liberal in contribution to the funds of his part. He held fraternal relations with the Masonic craft, having carried the work into the Royal Arch degrees. When the sum- mons came for his entrance into that house
not made with hands, the lost honors paid to the departed were conferred upon him by that society in which he had long been held in the closest fellowship. Health failing, he was finally warned by his medical adviser of his extreme and critical condition and ought relief at the renowned waters of Watt- | kesha, where in less than two months there- the town. Many times had he expressed in : after the end came suddenly and one of the emphatic terms his faith in the future of Hartford City: and no enterprise that he · thought would redound to the benefit of the comnumity but found in him a friend and generally a supporter. He was among the in- corporators of the Blackford County Bank. in [892, continuing as its vice-president till his death. He also assisted in the incorpora- tion of the Citizens' Gas Company, investing six thousand dollars.
most enterprising and public-spirited citizens of Blackfo: county passed from among 111Cil.
Mrs. Charlote Patterson died in 1875. leaving four children, all then in the help- less years of early childhood. On the 17ili of January, 1877, he was married to Miss Effie M. Sanderson, whose parents were Lemuel and Mariah (Kinert) Sanderson, he being well known as a contractor and builder, and who died in Hartford City at the age of eighty-four. The family had re- sided here from 1873, though Effie from the age of thirteen had lived with a sister in Bluffton.
The Patterson children are Burton, now a successful confectioner at Kansas City, Missouri; Anna. wife of Orlando Shinn, of Hartford City; Grace, an employe (" the Blackford County Bank, and Mamic, who Ted soon after her father, at Alliance, Ohio. where she lies beside her mother.
Five children were born as the result of the second marriage: Emma, whose early death of typhoid fever at the age of nineteen, 111 1897, cast a gloom over the minds of many of her friends and admirers; Odessa is a teacher, having received suitable preparation in the state no: sal school at Terre Haute and the Paynesville Academy, after having grad- uated at the Hartford City high school; Blanche, Vada and Helen are at home with their mother, Mrs. Patterson, who has re-
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sided in the present handsome home ever since her marriage. She is a cultured lady whose influence has been an important factor in shaping the society of Hartford City dur- ing the past quarter of the century. Her coming into the Patterson home was at a critical time, there being four little ones who badly needed a mother's care; she won affections of all to a remarkable degree, be- coming a true mother to them. She has ever held a warm place in the affections of her many friends, who find no greater pleasure than in the frequent social gatherings for which her hospitable home has been noted. She has been the recipient of various honors conferred by the chapter of the Eastern Star, as well as the lodge of Rel kahs, in both of which she does much to advance their inter- ests. Deeply imbued with the importance of modern education, she, like her husband, whose reading was extensive, has kept in close touch with not only the current litera- ture, but has made herself familiar with those great masterpieces of the past whose influ- ence extends to the daily lives of herself and family.
JOHN CANTWELL, DECEASED.
The late John Cantwell was for many years the oldest practicing attorney of the Blackford county bar and was a man of intich more than local repute in the profes- sion he adorned, as well as a political leader of prominence in the county of Blackford. His father, Thomas Cantwell, was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and by occupati. . a manufacturer of pottery ware. After his marriage, which was sol- emnized in the above county and state, with Elizabeth Smith, Thomas Cantwell, about
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