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 47
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the beginning of the present century, emi- grated to Ohio, locating in the vicinity of Camton, where he passed the remaining years of his life, himself and wife both dying on the home place near that city. They reared a family of six children, whose names are as follows: George. of Kansas: Christo- pher, a farmer of Owen county, Indiana ; Sarah, wife of Fred Kaylor, also a resident of the county of Owen: and Mary. widow of M. Rockwell, of Albany, Texas.
John Cantwell was born near Canton, Stark county, Ohio, on the 29th day of June, 1822. Until eighteen years of age he re- mained under the parental roof, assisting his father in the pottery and attending at inter- vals in the meanwhile such schools as the country at that time afforded. He began life for himself as a brick mason, having learned the trade before his twentieth year. and he followed his chosen calling at Canton until 1842, at which time he removed to Scott county, Indiana, where, in company with two other men, he founded the town of Wooster, and then engaged in the mer- cantile business. "le had it specially stipu- lated in the deed for every lot sokl by the original owners of the town that the title should revert to them in case any intoxicat- ing liquor should be sold thereon. As a result of this provision in the deeds the town remains free of saloons until this day, and is noted far and near for the high moral tone of its citizenship. For some time Mr. Cantwell taught school in Wooster and sub- sequently removed to a farm in the vicinity of the town, and for a period of six years was engaged in agricultural pursuits. From his farm he moved to the village of Green Oak, Fulton county, where he again en- barked in merchandising, continuing the same with fair success until 1857, when he
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became a resident of the courty of Black- ford, purchasing a place about four miles west of Hartford City, where he made his home until 186). In the year last named he discontinued farming and changed his resi- dence to Hartout City, where he passed the remaining years of his life.
During his residence in Scott and Fulton counties Mr. Cantwell devoted his spare time to the study of law and in 1852 was admitted to the Scott county bar, but did not engage very actively in the practice until his re- moval to Blackford county. On the 4th day of June. 1861, he was formally admitted tu the Blackford county bar and the same year opened an office in Hartford City, le: ing the farin to the care of his wife and children. For the first few years his clients were by no means numerous and his fees were small, and while waiting for business he ocer ion- ally worked at his trade and also to ight several terms of school. In due course of time, however. bis practice increased to suchi an extent as to furnish a support for hint- self and family and from that time on until disease made it impossible for him to climb the stairs leading to his office he devoted his entire attention to his profession. From 1861 to 1869 Mr. Cantwell continued to reside on his Blackford county farmi, but kept his office in Hartford City, and during nearly all of that period he walked from home to his office in the morning and back in tlk evenings. From 1866 to 1874 he was assessor and collector of internal revenue for a large section of the state, including the counties of Wells, Blackford, Adams, Jay and Grant, and he discharged the duties of the position with the most conscientious fidelity. In 1873 he formed a partnership in the practice of law with Hon. William A. Bonham, with whom he continued until
1879, and subsequently. in 1881, hi- son, Sydney W. Cantwell, became his as and still later the firm was increased by the admission thereto of Luther B. Simmons. The partnership thus constituted last : until the death of the senior partir, at which time its reputation, second to no other in Hartford City, brought it to the favorable notice of leading members of the har throughout the state.
On the 20th day of September. 1842, at the age of twenty years, Mr. Cantwell was married, in Canton, Ohio, to Miss Rebecca Reed, who remained his faithful and de- voter wife until her death, December 5, 1893, a period of fifty-one years, two months and fifteen days. Mrs. Cantwell was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1819, and bore her husband eleven children, six sons and five daughters, as fol- lows: Albert T. A., killed in the battle of Chickamauga September 20, 1863; Terrence J., a station agent for the Southern Pacific Railroad, stationed t Tulare, California; Orlando F., station agent for the Illinois Central and Louisville & Nash ille Railroads at Milan, Tennessee; Generve F., wife of George W. Snyder, farmer and lumberman of Guerdon, Arkansas; Alice Z., deceased wife of J. W. Thornburg; Laura O., widow of fra L. Townsend, of Hartford City; Ozia: R., proprietor of a hotel at Paoli, In- dian ..; Mary E., wife of IT. S. Moler, a car- penter of this city; Amelia A., who married James A. Bedwell; Sydney W., an attorney (see skete ) ; and Justice R., deceased.
At the time of his death Mr. Cantwell was a member of the Methodist church of Hartford City, with which he and his wife became identified in 1885, and for many years he was a Jocal leader of the Repub- lican party. After a long and useful life,
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devoted primarily to the interests of the various callings to which his time and at- tention had been given and in a general way to the progress of the community, this excellent man and epresentative citizen was called from the scenes of his earthly labors on the FIth day of February, roco. His death was felt as a personal bereavement by the people of the city where so many years of his life were passed, and the general feeling of sadness found expression in the funeral which was largely attended by the citizens of Blackford and many people of neighboring counties. The services were held at the Grace Methodist Episcopal church and were conducted by Rev. II. J. Norris, of New Castle, who preached an eloquent sermon, eulogizing the notable public services of the deceased and extolling his many private virtues, after which appropriate remarks were made by Rev. L. M. Krider, Judge E. C. Vaughn and Hon. B. G. Shinn. The address of Judge Vaughn, an eloquent trib- uite to the life and character of Mr. Cant- well, was as follows:
"To the Blackford county bar :---- We have met to-day as members of the bar to pay our respects to the memory of John Cantwell, who departed this life Sunday, February urth. He lived longer than the allotted time a, fixed by the Mosaic law and fulfilled the scripture wherein it is said, "Thou shalt come to thy grave in full age like a shock of corn cometh in in his sea- son.' Death, like birth, is shrouded in mys- tery, and, without regard to our opinions of a blissful home beyond the grave, it brings !!. terrors and sorrows to the friends of the Gad, but 'pale death approaches with an equal step, and knocks indiscriminately at the door of the cottage and the portals of the palace.' Members of the Blackford bar,
death claims your oldest member. It was on his motion that many of you wer admitted to the practice, and who of you have not been guided over a difficult path by his kind. ly advice. He belonged to that old school of lawyers that read but few books as stu- dents, but read those well. Ile was not a great lawyer in the sense the term is under- stood by those outside the profession, but he led the profession, he was not led by it. Ile was not an orator, but if oratory consists in winning verdicts, he won them. I remem- For of hear, ig of his having made one ob- jection in a celebrated murder trial that won hun the case. There were men associated with him that were considered great lawyers, but he noticed the right thing at the right time d won success. He was a great law- yer i the sense that he thew how to keep men out of trouble, ane was one of the mottoes that he implicith Followed. Again, : made fewer mistakes than any one that 1 nave ever met in his line of practice. IIe always knew what he wanted and how to do it. And an investigation would show that he had followed the law to the very Jetter. During my term as judge of this court he las done a large percentage of the pro- bate business of the county, and I never found an error in his reports nor his clients guilty of a breach of trust. The past few terms o court we have seen but little of him, but he was missed by all at the morn- ing call, and as we met him we could see he was breaking and nearing the end. He was universally kind to all, and one of the acts of affection which will always keep his memory green with me is a scene you have all witnessed in the years gone by, of his coming into the court roca with his two grandchildren on his arm, as happy as the children themselves, all devoted to the father
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and son, and there to lighten his burdens and care.
"Of his life as a citizen others have spoken who have been his neighbors and life-long friends. Outside of the home circle he will be missed no place as much as at the court room. There is no profession that brings men so close together as the legal profession. It is a daily association, extend- ing into the years. To-day it is a contest between two rivals of equal ability and strength; tomorrow they may be united in a contest against other adversaries, and when the contest ends harmony and good will prevail and envy and jealousy are sel- dom found. Uncle John Cantwell was never out of harmony with the bar. He spoke no ill words of any one, nor have I ever heard one spoken of him. It is a pleasure to speak of the memory of one whose life and char- acter was so full of good traits and deeds. And while we regret his demise and are met to pay a tribute to his memory, we realize that everything presses towards eternity, from the birth of time an impetuous current has set in, which bears all the sons of men toward that interminable ocean. Meanwhile, heaven is attracting to itself whatever is congenial to its nature, is enrich- ing itself by the spoils of earth and collect- ing within its capacious bosom whatever is pure, permanent and divine.'
"It is written that 'All men must die.' A judgment from this court may be appealed from, but from death no appeal lies. This mandate comes from the court of last resort. But this is not all. We have hope beyond the grave. We agree with the poet who says,
"Fis hard to part when friends are dear;
Perhaps 'twill cost a sigh, a tear; Then steal away, give little warning; Choose thine own time, say not good night.
But in some brighter clime bid me good morning.'"
GEORGE O. BROWN.
George Orville Brown, manager and operator for the Western Union Telegraph Company, Hartford City, is a native of Indiana, born in the town of Dublin, Wayne county, on the 28th day of August, 1859. His parents, George W. and Mary (Wright) Brown, were also natives of the above county and state, the father being a carpenter by occupation and later an employee of the Wayne Agricultural Works and a man fav- orably known where he lived by reason of his many sterling traits of character. George W. Brown died while in the employ of the aforesaid firin in the year 1875; his widow survives, making her home at this time in Cambridge City, Indiana. George W. and Mary Brown were the parents of four chil- dren, named as follows: Viola, wife of J. S. Converse, a prominent railroad man of Columbus, Ohio; Luru died in infancy; George O., and Byron, deceased.
George Orville Brown received his edu- cational training in the public schools of Dublin and Wayne counties, which he at- tended regularly until the age of sixteen, when he entered the railroad office in his native town with the object of learning teleg- raphy. Applying himself to his self-ap- pointed task with great assiduity, he made such rapid and commendable progress that within a period of three years he so gained the confidence of the managers of the road that he was placed in charge of the station
' Life, I know not what thou art, But I know that thou and I must part; And when or where, or how we met, I own to nie's a secret yet.
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at Avilla, Indiana. After discharging the duties of the position with great efficiency for some months, he was transferred to a more important office at the city of Logans- port, thence later in regular succession to Dunkirk, and then to Hartford City, where he remained two years; then for a period of four years he had charge of an office at Bradford, Ohio, resigning at the end of that time for the purpose of taking a long-needed vacation. At the expiration of his period of rest Mr. Brown re-entered the railway service, accepting a position at Paris, Illi- nois, where he continued in the discharge of his duties a half year, being transferred at the end of that time to Leipsic, Ohio, where he remained four years, being at that time one of the best known and most capable operators on the line. For the succeeding eight years Mr. Brown had charge of the office at Fostoria, Ohio, resigning at the ex- piration of that period, in 1896, to accept his present position as manager and operator for the Western Union Telegraph Company, entering upon the discharge of his official functions in the month of April. The place Mr. Brown now fills so acceptably is a much more responsible and remunerative position than any of the several io which reference has been made, and the fact of his four years' service attests the esteem and confidence in which he is held by one of the largest and most important corporations in the United States.
Mr. Brown is not only a skillful and painstaking operator, one of the very best in the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company, but is an enthusiast in his profes- sion, making the company's interests his own and sparing no reasonable sacrifices to advance the interests of his employers. As a citizen he is held in high estecm by the
people of his adopted city, manifesting com- mendable zeal in every movement having for its object the public weal and heartily lend ing his influence for the moral as well as the material prosperity of the community. A Republican in his political belief and ready at all times to defend intelligently his convic- tions, Mr. Brown has no desire to distinguish hinself as an office seeker, preferring to de- vote his entire time and attention to the dis- charge of his duties as an operator, which, as every one should know. are at times ex- ceedingly responsible and onerous. Frater- nally he is a member of the Pythian fra- ternity and while enjoying the associations of his companions of the mystic tie, he finds his greatest enjoyment in his pleasant home on East Elm street, where a devoted wife and happy children greet him at the close of cach recurring day of duty faithfully and uncomplainingly performed.
Mr. Brown was married, July 3, 1879, 10 Miss Catherine Willman, daughter of John P. and Nancy Willman, and the union has been blessed with the birth of seven children, viz: Orville B., deceased; Lena, at home ; Percy, deceased; twin boys, both of whom ‹lied in infancy; Howard P., George and Lawrence. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are mem- bers of the Presbyterian church, in which faith the children are being conscientiously reared.
JEREMIAH SMITH.
The discovery of oil in several Indiana counties marks an important epoch in the his- tory of the country where found, not alone by reason of developing great wealth and in- dustries incident thereto, but also by at- tracting to the field men of clear brain, rare
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judgment and superior business ability, to which may be added a practical shrewdness and keenness of insight not found in the average individual. To this class belongs the gentleman a brief review of whose life and business career is herewith presented.
Jeremiah Smith is a native of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and a son of Thomas and Mary (H wley) Smith, both parents having been born in the Keystone state. His birth occurred on the 23rd of June, 1862, and a practical knowledge of the branches constituting the course of study in the common schools represents the sum total of his educational training. Reared in the very midst of the great oil belt, he early be- came interested in the oil industry, and the age of eighteen left the paternal home and engaged as a pumper in which capacity he continued for a period of ten years. During that time he also became an expert dresser of tools, which brought him liberal wages in addition to his regular income as manager of pumps. At the expiration of the time re- ferred to Mr. Smith was given the position of field foreman of pumps with a large and wealthy company, and after spending two years thus was again promoted, this time being made superintendent of a large force of workmen, numbering over three hun- dred, il : successful management of whom re- quired the exercise of executive ability of a high order. For a number of years Mr. Smith's field of operations embraced portions of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and later he was attracted to Indiana, coming to Hartford City from the town of Warren in the month of October, 1898. Since that year he has been acting in the capacity of superintendent for the Phoenix Oil Company, over a large part of the Indiana field, and his thorough knowledge of the business and practical
methods of operation have made his services greatly valued in locating and developing many of the best producing wells in the state.
Mr. Smith possesses strong force of char- acter and is a natural manager of men. Hle knows his business, lays plans acc, tingly and seldom fails in the outcome in meeting with the success upon which he originally calculated. Since coming to Blackford county he has formed an extensive and varied acquaintance with its people, and this, with the confidence reposed in him by his em- ployers, has been productive of many mu- tual understandings between oil men and citizens, thus paving the way out of disa- greeable controversies. He is a gentleman of agreeable address, possesses the faculty of winning and retaining friendships and few recent comers to Hartford City have found as large a place in the confidence and esteem of the public.
Our subject was married, April 26, 391, to Miss Amelia Dolly, daughter of William and Malinda (Paniel) Dolly, a union with- ott! issue. Mr. Smith was made a Mason at Blufftou, Indiana, in April, 189;, and is an enthusiastic worker in that ancient and honorable fraternity.
RICHARD HEAGANY.
Richard Heagany, capitalist, was born February 2, 1842. His father, a highly re- spected farmer, died in New York in 1850, so that at the carly age of eight the subject of this sketch was deprived of paternal care and guidance. After completing his scho- lastic career he entered the mercantile busi- ness, in which he spent several years, and subsequently engaged in glass manufactur-
Restragany
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ing in New York, operating the largest win- dow glass plant in the state. While in busi- ness in New York he married a lady of great refinement and many accomplishments, who still presides over their pleasant home in this city.
Realizing the importance of natural gas as fuel, in 1886 Mr. Heagany removed from New York to Kokomo, Indiana, where he erected the pioneer window glass works in the Indiana gas belt. He was the first man- m'acturer to utilize natural gas in Indiana for melting window glass and his success int the undertaking made many followers. In 1890 he removed to Hartford City and was one of the chief spirits in organizing the Hartford City Glass Company. This company had a capital of four hun- dred thousand dollars, its plant covered an area of twelve acres, employed six hun- dred men and was the second largest window glass works in the United States. Mr. Heagany was elected to the responsible posi- tions of vice-president and general manager. By his persevering industry, constant care and close attention, guided by a clear, sound judgment, the business became a magnificent sticcess. He continued in his official capacity until 1899, when, having acquired a well- earned competency, he retired from active participation in affairs of the company. Dur- ing his incumbency the entire establishment was under his personal supervision. His cre- ative and executive abilities, both in financial and industrial interests, are of a high order, while his skill in handling men and in know- ing what ought to In come to insure success, reflects great credit on his thoroughbred business capacity. The business life of Mr. Heagany covers a period of forty years. During the major part of that time he has been at the head of large enterprises. Un-
deviating success attends all his undertak- ings, proving that capacity and fidelity are, commercially, profitable qualities,
Mr. Heagany, although retired from the business of manufacturing, still devotes a good share of his time to real estate matters. He owns large and valuable properties in vario is states and his investments have proved highly lucrative. Personally he is un- ostentatious in manner, casily approached, a true friend to the plain people, liberal in his contributions in behalf of all religious and benevolent objects, and charitable to those whose lives have been beset with misfor- tune. He is a man of scholarly tastes and a connoisseur in art and literature. For years his chief pleasure has been in collect- ing the works of the best authors, as well as objects of art and virtu, many of which he secured in his travels through Europe, Asia, Africa, Mexico and the United States. He now possesses hosts of valuable books -- old and rare editions-numbers of which cannot be duplicated. Few private libraries have been selected with greater care. Mr. Heag- any spends a great part of his leisure time among his favorite volumes, which he looks upon as faithful friends. The hours spent in intimate converse with the wisest and best minds of all ages and lands are the means of supplying broad and liberal educations such as schools and universities seldom im- part. The numerous . paintings, etchings, prints and various other gems adorning his beautiful home are tangible evidence of his artisti. taste. He has been influential in awakening and developing an interest in Hartford City in behalf of art and good liter- ature.
As a private citizen, aside from the in- fluence he has exerted in the material de- velopment of the city, a high sense of justice
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and integrity marks his intercourse with the public. No man in the community has been more useful than he, nor are any regarded with a higher appreciation.
LUTHER B. SIMMONS.
The subject of this biography is a dis- tinguished member of the Blackford county ' bar and one of Indiana's eminent profes- sional men. He is a native of this state a! dates his birth, which occurred in Adans county, on the 8th day of December, 1860. His father, Hiram L. Simmons, a native of the county of Randolph and a farmer by occupation, married Lucinda Harshman, who became the mother of six children, of whom four are living : this time, namely : Alonzo P., engaged in agricultural pursuits in Wells county ; John D., also a farmer and stock raiser of that same county; Abram, attorney of Bluffton, and Luther B., whose name appears above.
In 1850 Hiram Simmons moved to Ad- ams county and there resided until 1870, at which time he changed his home to the county of Wells, where he remained until the death of his wife, in February, 1899. Since the lati: " date he has been living on his farm in We . county, to which he returned shortly after fue sad bereavement which deprived him of the wife who had been his devoted " companion and helper for so many years. Like the majority of Indiana's native sons, Luther B. Simmons grew to manhood amid the peaceful rural scenes of the farm and during his youthful years laid the foun- dation of a vigorous physical constitution and learned to appreciate at its full value the frue dignity of honest toil. Until his sev-
enteenth year he attended during the winter seasons the public schools of his neighbor- hood and then became a student of the Bluff- ton Normal, where he pursued his studies until sufficiently advanced to obtain a teach- er's license. His record in the above insti- tution was marked by the most intense ap- plication, as is evidenced by the fact of his having successfully passed the required teacher's examination and secured a school before reaching his nineteenth year. Mr. Simmons taught his first term about one mile east of the town of Nottingham, Wells county, and for a period of fourteen years thereafter was regularly employed as an in- structor in various parts of the county, his success being such that for several succes- sive terms he was retained in the same local- ity. In the meanwhile, to better prepare himself for his profession, he attended he old M. E. college at Ft. Wayne, since known as the Taylor University, at Upland, in which he pursued his studies about three and a half years, taking a full classical course. Just previous to the time for graduating he laid aside his literary studies and began read- ing law in the offi . of Judge Vaughn, of Bluffton, who was at that time prosecuting attorney for the twenty-eighth judicial cir- cuit of Indiana. After his admission to the bar, which took place in 1884 under Judge Saylor, of Huntington, Mr. Simmons be- gan the practice of his profession as deputy prosecuting attorney under his preceptor, with whom he remained until the expiration of that gentleman's official terin, when he ac- cepted a like position with his successor, WV. A. Branyan, of Huntington, with whom he continued for a period of four years. Subsequently he acted in the capacity of dep- uty prosecutor during the terms of Messrs. Cook and Hindman, having discharged the
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