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 62
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county where he soon worked into a lucra- tive business. Disposing of his interest in the Times in the above year, he arranged his affairs so as to devote his entire time and attention to the law and for two years there- after his rise was rapid and satisfactory and he earned the reputation of a safe counsellor and able practitioner.
Mr. Moffett's career as a journalist nat- urally led him into the arena of politics and the different papers of which he was from time to time the editorial manager became the recognized exponents of Republicanism in the several places published. He became a terse and vigorous writer, fearlessly dis- cussed the political issues of the day, thereby contributing much to the success of his party in the different counties where he resided. His services in behalf of the Republican cause in Hartford City and Blackford coun- ty, both through the medium of the press and as an active worker in the ranks, brought him to the favorable notice of the party at home and elsewhere and in recognition of the aid thus contributed he was appointed by President Mckinley postmaster of Hart- ford City, the duties of which position he has since discharged in a manner highly creditable to himself and satisfactory alike to party friends and political opponents. Since entering upon the discharge of his official functions Mr. Moffett has not neg- lected his law practice. He still looks after the interests of his clients and being con- stituted both physically and mentally with wonderful capacity for work has managed . not only to retain the business which for- merly came to him but to add to its volumes and at the same time attend to every detail of the office in his charge. In all matters pertaining to the public welfare of Hartford Cit: Mr. Moffett takes an active part, be-
lieving it to be a sacred duty thus to be alive to the interests of the people. For several years he served as member of the board of education, during which time his interest in the public schools never wavered, nor has he since permitted this very important depart- ment to be lost sight of in the midst of his many exacting duties. While a resident of Weston, Ohio, he was honored by being elected mayor of the place, which with the exception of his present office is the only official position he ever held, although fre- quently solicited and importerxl by his many friends to present himself as a candi- date.
It will thus be seen that the life of Mr. Moffett has been one of great activity, de- voted in the main to the benefit of the public, and his career throughout has been such as to command the highest regard of his friends, and it is a fact worthy of note that those opposed to him politically have never dared to couple his name with a single act savoring of disrespect or inconsistent with integrity and honor.
Mr. Moffett possesses a sound physique, is courteous in manner and impresses all with whom he comes in contact as a natural leader of men and moulder of public senti- ment. An indefatigable politician, ever on the alert to promote the interests of his party, he permits nothing of this nature to mar his personal friendships, which are as numerous and strong among the opposition as among his party friends, a fact which attests his great popularity with the people. Aggres- sive and progressive in all these terms imply, making his presence felt at the bar, in the caucus or in the social circle, with the cour- age of his convictions on all questions of the day, standing high in the community, Mr. Moffett has been a potent factor in giv-
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ing character to the city which is proud to own him as one of its representative men.
Mr. Moffett is a married man and the father of five children, namely : Franchon, a teacher in the city schoo: : Paul, deputy postmaster; Mark, who also holds a position in the postoffice; James P., in school, and .Mary, deceased. The maiden name of Mrs. Moffett was E. May Phillips, and her na- tivity, Mill Grove, Ohio, at which place the marriage was solemnized August 27, 1878. Fraternally Mr. Moffett is identified with the Masonic order, while Mrs. Moffett is a member of the church of the Disciples and is known and beloved by a large circle of friends in Hartford City and elsewhere.
WILLIAM B. COOLEY.
No biography will contain the record of a life without a remainder. It is possible to enumerate somewhat in detail the salient facts of an individual's career, but when this is done there still remains the indefin- able something known as personality which neither pen nor cold type can put in tangible form for the world's inspection. Behind all that a man does is the man himself, whom the world does not and cannot know through the medium of the printed pag . Personal association alone enables the public to be- come acquainted in a limited degree with a man's real self. In the following lines, con- taining as they do the record of a very busy life, the reader will find but an imperfect delineation of the character of a man whose connection with the business interests of Hartford City has done as much if not more than any other single individual in promoting its commercial, industrial and financial pros- perity.
William B. Cooley, son of C. R. and Catherine Cooley, was born December 27. 1856, in Hartford City, and here received his educational training in the public schools. At the age of eighteen he laid aside his studies and entered upon a long and useful career by engaging in the grain business with Byron Boyd, Esq., with whom he was asso- ciated about six months, purchasing his part- ner's interest at the end of that time and later effecting a co-partnership with his fa- ther, C. R. Cooley. He has continued to buy grain from that thne to the present and for a number of years has been accounted the most extensive and successful dealer in Blackford county. In this connection it may be stated that while a south of twelve he ex- perienced his first real contact with the business world as clerk in the hardware store of Fisher & Chaffee, of Hartford City, in whose employ he spent his vacation for : v- cral years, receiving for his services the munificent sum of four dollars per month.
Mr. Cooley was one of the largest stock- holders in the first gas company organized in Hartford City and assisted in putting down the first gas well in the county of Blackford; it was also in his dwelling that natural gas was first used for heating pur- poses about the year 1888. He still main- tains his interest in the above company, of which he has been a leading spirit ever since the organization went into effect. Perhaps no man has done as much as he to attract attention to this part of the state as a great industrial center or to induce the investment of capital in the various enterprises which have made Hartford City one of the most important manufacturing cities in the state of Indiana. He was the first to take stock in the Hartford City Glass Company, organ- ized in 1890, and at one time owned in con-
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nection with his brother, E. C. Cooley, a half interest in the city electric light plant, of which he was made president. Subsequently he disposed of his interests in both the above concerns and in 1899 assisted in the organi- zation of the Akron Oil Company, with which he is still identified, bokling at this time the office of president. He also served as president of the Merchants' Bank of Hart- ford City until its consolidation, January, 1896, 1 th the Blackford County Bank, since which time he has hekdl the same position with the latter, besides being one of its hea iest stockholders.
In 1896 Mr. Cooley became identified with the Hartford City Telephone Company, has served as president of the same to the present time, and is also one of the original stockholders and prime movers in the Hurrle Glass Company. of which he was elected presiding officer. In addition to the enter- prises enumerated he has been actively in- terested in the general welfare of Hartford City, aiding all commendable movements for the public good and subscribing liberally of his means to further any projects of a moral or benevolent naturc.
Mr. Cooley was united in marriage, Janu- ary 24, 1882, to Miss Cora M. Edson, daugh- ter of L. O. and Hannah (Lewis) Edson, a union blessed with two children : Mabel, born November 23, 1883, and James Clay- ton, whose birth occurred on the 9th day of September, 1888. Mr. Cooley is a member of the Pythian brotherhood, Lodge No 135, Hartford City, and politically wields an in- fluence for the Republican party.
From this brief outline of a busy life, furnished with becoming modesty by Mr. Cooley, a useful lesson may be drawn. Com- mencing the struggle with but little assist- ance to speak of and at an age when most
boys are still under parental control, he has advanced step by step in the right drection, winning success from what to many woukl have been failure, and lived to see himself a power for good in the community where he dwells. Believing at the outset that a good name is better than riches, and with no ambi- tion for distinction outside of his business enterprises, he has been governed by those fixed principles of honor and rectitude which stamp him to-day as a man whose example may with safety be imitated by the youth whose future career is still a matter of un- certainty.
In the various enterprises with which he has been identified Mr. Cooley has proven an influential member and his judgment in monetary affairs has been of especial value to his colleagues and others with whom he has had business relations. Exceedingly careful nd even conservative in arriving at conclusions, he is modest but earnest in main- taining them and throughout a long and varied experience his success has fully dem- onstrated the soundness of his opinions and the clearness of his judgment on matters of business policy. Not only as a business man is Mr. Cooley known and esteemed, but in every relation of life he is popular and his friends feel proud of him as a citizen and useful member of society. He possesses fine social qualities as well as great decision of character, is optimistic in his view of life and no one questions his claim to honorable mention as one of Blackford county's most successful and distinguished citizens.
REV. B. P. BAKER.
Rev. Benjamin P. Baker, deccased, one of Blackford county's lamented ministers, was born near Findlay, Hancock county,
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Ohio, August 25, 1835. He was one of a family of ten children born to Aaron and Mary (Hartley) Baker. The Rev. Baker was reared and received the early lessons of life upon a farm, his early education being obtained at the public schools of his neigh- berhood and at Findlay.
Upon attaining manhood he learned the trade of chair-maker in Findlay, which busi- ness he followed in connection with farm- ing until 1864, when he came to Indiana and settled at Warsaw. Here he was en- gaged in local work as a minister until 1867, when he removed to Montpelier where he had his first pastorate. He had many charges in later years, but his work did not extend over many years, for his death occurred at Montpelier, October 18, 1875. In early life Mr. Baker became attached to the Methodist church and ever after he devoted his entire life to the ministry.
He was married, on February 4, 1858, to Miss Mary Anderson, a daughter of Sam- tel and Margaret (Short) Anderson, and to them were born nine children, namely : Aaron, who resides at Montpelier, and is superintendent of the gas line; Margaret, deceased; John, deceased; Ellen, wife. of David Evens, of Harrison township; Ervin P., deceased; Vinel, at home; William J., of Hartford City ; Charles J., of Harrison town- ship, and Benjamin P., at home.
In 1888 Mrs. Baker removed to her farm where she now lives. It consists of eighty acres and is under a high state of cul- tivation.
CHARLES R. COOLEY.
Charles R. Cooley, deceased, was one of the most enterprising men of Hartford City, Indiana. He started in life a poor boy, and by
perseverance and indefatigable industry rose step by step to wealth and influence. Mr. Cooley was a man of more than ordinary ability. Possessing energy and will power that enabled him to surmount all difficulties that came in his way, he was public spirited and progressive, an ardent supporter of all measures that would work to the betterment of his town and country. He was loyal to Hartford City, was ambiticas as to its future, and gave liberally of his time and money for its advancement. He loved his fellow men, numbering among his friends persons in all walks of life. Honest and upright, with an integrity that was incorruptible, his kind, obliging and courteous manner won for him the respect of all who knew hin.
Mr. Cooley was born May 1, 1826, in Bennington, Vermont, with the interests of which place the family had been identified from a very early day. He was the son of William and Jane (Rainey) Cooley. The father was born March 4, 1800, and the mother was born May 1, 1804. William, the father, was a small boy during the war of 1812, and witnessed the fight at Plattsburg.
When Charles was seven years old he with his parents moved to Washington county, New York. In the year 1837 they removed to Indiana, coming to Muncie, Del- aware county, in the month of August, the same year. William Cooley was a woolen manufacturer and in a short time he had established a business of that kind in Muncie, and carried it on for several years, subse- quently engaged in farming south of Muncie where he resided at the time of his death, which occurred September 17, 1876. Charles Cooley began the battle of life at the carly age of fourteen years, being reared in Dela- ware county, in Muncie and vicinity. Ilis younger days were spent in assisting his
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father in the woolen mill, having operated the first woolen cards for his father in Muncie. After his father disposed of his mill in Muncie he worked at his trade of carding in a mill at Wheeling, Delaware county, In- diana. This mill was owned and operated by John Henley. The mill was built on the south bank of the Mississinnewa and run by water power. Mr. Henley was also associ- ated with David Mercer in a saw-mill in Hartford City, the mill standing in what is now the northwest corner of Franklin and Walnut streets. It was decided to move the woolen-mills from Wheeling to Hartford City, and accordingly the machinery was placed in a building near the saw-mill, and both were operated by steam. Mr. Henley brought with him his carder, Mr. Cooley. This was in the year 1852. Mr. Cooley lived in the home of David Mercer, and so far as known was the pioneer of the woolen manufacture in Blackford county. In 1853 Mr. Cooley was associated with Jacob Brugh in a lumber mill. (Jacob Brugh afterwards became his father-in-law. ) Their mill stood on the site where now stands the C. R. Cooley & Sons Flouring Mill.
In 1854 he was united in marriage to Catharine Brugh, the daughter of his partner in the milling business. To Mr. and Mrs. Cooley have been born three children, two sons and one daughter : William B., of Hart- ford City ; Addie, the wife of Judson Jaqua, of Portland, Indiana, and Edward, the ope- rator of the Hartford City Flouring Mills.
In 1858 Mr. Cooley changed the saw-mill into a flouring-mill, this being the first mill of its kind in Blackford county operated by steam. In 1870 the plant burned, but Mr. Cooley at once rebuilt it, and made his two sons his partners, though prior to this he had put in the full roller process equipment and
an automatic pattern engine of one hundred and twenty-five horse power. The mill has a capacity of one hundred barrels per day and furnishes employment for six men in its various departments. They did both cus- tom and merch york. In 1887 they intro- duced natural gas, which proved to be an ideal fuel, being automatically controlled, the steam and gas regulating each other.
Since the death of the father the sons continue the business under the old name, C. R. Cooley & Sons, Edward operating the mill at the present time, which is a three- storied buikling, 95x40 feet in ground area. Mr. Cooley was also a partner with his son William in the buying and shipping of grain and in the bakery and lunch room on the corner of Washington and Jefferson streets, Hartford City, which business is now man- aged by his son William.
Mr. Cooley was prominently identified with the fraternities of Hartford City, be- longing to the order of Free Masonry; hc passed all the chairs of that lodge, one time representing his lodge at the grand lodge of the state. He was a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and repre- sented the encampment in the grand encamp- ment. In religion he accepted the liberal creed of the Universalist church, and in pol- itics was a Republican.
In all his undertakings Mr. Cooley had the sympathy and support of his wife, Mrs. Catharine B. Cooley. She was in every sense his peer. A kind and loving mother, "She looked well after the ways of her household." She reared to honored manhood and woman- hood the two sons and daughter, as the busy father had but little time to give his family. Mrs. Cooley still lives at the old homestead and her geniality, courtesy, kindness and benevolence are an inspiration to better the
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lives of all who meet her. Originally a Uni- versalist, she has for some years attended the Methodist Episcopal church of Hartford City, in which she is recognized as a faithful worker. Jacob Brugh, her father, was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, near East Berlin, where he was married to Lydia, the daughter of George P. and Catharine (Myers) Spangler. To them were born nine children : Spangler, Lydia Ann, Margaret E., Emeline, deceased ; Catharine, Andrew G., Elijah Galbraith, Elizabeth and Jacob.
Mr. Brugh was a prominent man of the state in his day, having served his district in the house of representatives and senate of Indiana. Mrs. Ann Stout, a pioneer woman of Hartford City, and one identified with much of its history, is a sister of Mrs. Cooley. Since the death of Mr. Cooley the sons carry on the business in a manner befitting he sons of soon a father.
EDWARD EVERETT COX.
Edward Everett Cox, editor and pro- prietor of the Weekly Telegram and Eve- ning News, of Hartford City, is an Indianian by birth and the son of Hon. Jabez T. and Jennie (Price) Cox. The father, a native of Ohio, is at this time judge of the Miami circuit, of Peru, and is recognized as one of the distinguished jurists of northern In- diana. Jabez T. Cox was born in Clinton county, Ohio, and in 1850, with his parents, moved to Hamilton county, Indiana, settling in the vicinity of Noblesville. At the age of sixteen he taught school and a few years afterwards began the study of law in the office of judge James O'Brien, of Nobles-
ville. After finishing the prescribed course of reading, he was admitted to the bar and began practicing with Hon. N. R. Overman, of Tipton. Ile served faithfully in the Union army during the war of the Rebellion and later became one of the leading Demo- cratic workers in northern Indiana. After several years of successful practice in Tip- ton, he went west for the benefit of his wife's health and while in Colorado, in 1883, was bereft of his companion, after which he re- turned to Indiana and resumed the practice of his profession in the city of Peru.
Mr. Cox was elected judge of Miami circuit court in 1890 and again in 1896. He is considered one of the best judges ever elevated to the bench of the above circuit and also ranks among the ablest lawyers in the northern part of the state. Prior to his election to the judgeship, he represented Miami county in the lower house of the gen- eral assembly and while a member of that body earned the reputation of a discreet and able legislator. He is admired by all politi- cal friends and focs alike and no profes- sional man stands higher than he in the es- timation of the people of his city.
Judge Cox was the father of three chil- dren, of whom the subject of this sketch is the first in order of birth. Inez is the wife of Merrill Mowbray, of Chicago, and the youngest, Lula, is not living.
Edward Everett Cox was born in Tip- ton, Tipton county, on the 29th day of De- cember, 1868, and received his preliminary education in the schools of his native town which he attended until the removal of the family to Kansas. He attended the com- mon schools in the city of hutchinson, and upon his return to Indiana entered the high school at Peru. With this preparatory train- ing he entered Purdue University. After
6 6. Cox
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leaving school he was for three years en- gaged in teaching in the district schools of Miami county. In the meantime Mr. Cox evinced great liking for journalism, and after severing his connection with educational work he accepted a position of reporter on the Miami County Sentinel and continued in that capacity until his removal, in 1891, to Hartford City. In the spring of the above year he purchased the Hartford City Tele- gram, a weekly paper, and entered upon his independent career as a journalist at the age . of twenty-two. It was not long until the influence of the paper under its new manage- ment began to be felt in Hartford City and Blackford county and before the close of his second year as editor the paper had over twelve hundred regular subscribers, besides a liberal advertising patronage. In 1893 he further enlarged his plant by the publication of the Evening News. The latter, a daily, has a circulation in excess of eight hundred and the subscription list combined contains the names of two thousand patrons. Prior to 1891 the Telegram office was a dingy back room on the second floor and the print- ing was done by means of an old fashioned hand press which made neat work impos- sible. Shortly after Mr. Cox took posses- sion a new order of things was inaugurated. New and improved appliances gradually re- placed the old equipment and in due time a neat and substantial two-story brich build- ing was erected, the ground floor which is occupied by an office, 120x20 feet in size, and a large room on the second floor. This office contains machinery of the latest and most improved pattern and no reasonable expense has been spared to make all work done there models of typographical art. Both daily and weekly papers are mechanically all that the most exacting could desire, while 30
for terse and vigorous editorials and as a medium for disseminating the news of the clay they will lose nothing in comparison with the best local sheets in the state. They have fully kept pace with the times and the growth of the city and are potential factors for the Democratic party, of which they are the rec- ognized organs in Blackford county. As a writer Mr. Cox is clear, fluent and forcible. IIc has displayed rare ability in his success- ful building up and management of the Telegram and Evening News and although a young man, he has already gained a high standing among the leading journalists of the state. Mr. Cox comes from a Demo- cratic family and since locating in Hartford City has contributed greatly to the party's success in Blackford county through the medium of his able editorials and as a wise and reliable counselor. Personally he is a most affable gentleman, kind and obliging in his relations with his fellow-citizens and popular with all classes irrespective of politi- cal affiliations. He is a thirty-second-degree Mason, a member of the Mystic Shrine and the Pythian fraternity. Mr. Cox has a pleasant home on North Jefferson street, un- til recently presided over by a wife who nobly seconded his every endeavor and con- tributed not a little to the success he achieved. Mrs. Cox was a native Indianian. Her maiden name was Dora Sites and the cere- mony which united her in marriage to her husband was solemnized at her sister's resi- dence at Hinton, West Virginia, on the 25th of September, 1891. She died of pneumonia while on a visit to Mr. Cox's uncle at In- dianapolis, Judge Millard F. Cox, in No- vember, 1898, leaving two children, Linnie, aged seven, and Catherine, aged five years. Her remains rest in Peru, her former home.
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WILLIAM HART.
Blackford county possesses many promi- nent farmers, but in all this number there cannot be found one more truly representa- tive than our subject; a self-made man in its truest sense, who by his own energy and effort has risen from the rank of a poor farm boy to one of the successful farmers and business men of Blackford county. Mr. Hart was born in Starke county, Ohio, June 23, 1837, came to Blackford county with his parents in 1850, when he was thirteen years of age, and settled in Harrison township. His first schooling was obtained in a double log cabin, one part of which was occupied as a home by one of the farmers of that neighborhood; this was supplemented by an attendance at the common schools. He re- mained on the homestead until twenty-two years of age, assisting in the work incidental to farm life, when he began chopping cord wood in Marion county, Indiana, at fifty cents per cord, and that winter he cleared about seventy-five dollars. This was the be- ginning of his present prosperity.
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