USA > Indiana > Grant County > Biographical memoirs of Grant County, Indiana : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography with portraits of many national characters and well-known residents of Grant County, Indiana. > Part 30
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Fred-all still under the parental roof. The family attend the Baptist church.
Mr. Wilson has always held to Republi- canism in politics, and in the campaign of 1892 was secretary and treasurer of the Republican county central committee. He owns a one-hundred-acre farm in Frank- lin township, which he hires cultivated, and which lies but six miles from Marion, and is well improved in all respects. His city residence is on West Fourth street.
JOHN HORACE FORREST, M. D.
John Horace Forrest, M. D., one of the experienced and favorite physicians and sur- geons of Marion, Grant county, Indiana, was born in Logansport, Indiana, August 27, 1858, and is a son of John M. and Re- becca (Longstreth ) Forrest.
John M. Forrest was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, grew to manhood in that state and began life on his own account by mill- ing in Ohio until 1850, when he went to Logansport and followed the same calling in the old Forrest mills; lived in that city until 1885, when he moved to Swayzee, Indiana, and was engaged in the grain trade until his death. To his marriage, which took place in Darke county, Ohio, there were born seven children, namely : William Henry; Harriet; Daniel; Franklin; Eva, wife of Samuel Gray, of Cass county, Indi- ana; Virginia, wife of J. H. Thomas, of Galveston, Indiana; and John Horace, the subject of this sketch. The father of this family was a member of the M. E. church, a Freemason, and in politics a Republican ; his death took place April 15. 1890. Mrs.
MANZ
J. H. FORREST, M. D.
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Forrest resides in Galveston, a devout Metli- odist, and financially is in comfortable cir- cuinstances.
John Horace Forrest was educated in the city schools of Logansport until eighteen years old, and was then employed by Dr. J. B. Schultz as an office assistant; and while thus employed read medicine under the doc- tor, and was thoroughly prepared for enter- ing the Cincinnati Medical College, where he studied two years; then attended Ben- nett Medical College in Chicago one year, where he graduated in April, 1880. He settled in Marion April 12, 1880, and has met with a success that has fully satisfied his most sanguine expectations.
Dr. Forrest was married, in Ander- son, Indiana, November 24, 1880, to Miss Mattie D. Cain. She was born in Muncie, Indiana, June 5, 1862, and is a daughter of John and Rebecca (Barns) Cain, and she has borne her husband four children, viz .: Justin ; Horace, Jr., a student at Purdue ; and Mary and Elsie, at home.
Mrs. Forrest is a member of the M. E. church. The Doctor is in politics a Repub- lican. He was a member of the first City Council of Marion and was twice re-elected ; he is a member of the State Board of Health, now serving his second term; for eighteen years was surgeon for the Pan Handle Rail- road, at one time having charge of all the surgical work from Anoka to Bradford; has been City Health Officer and County Health Officer; and has been a member of the City School Board since 1898. He is a thirty-second-degree Mason, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias. As a medical man he has no superior in the county of Grant, and his name as such is well and favorably known throughout this section of
the state. The Doctor has a pleasant home at the corner of Spencer and F streets, where he and his estimable wife dispense a warm and generous hospitality to a host of friends.
BENJAMIN G. ACKERMAN.
Benjamin G. Ackerman, proprietor of the Ackerman Head, Stave and Hoop Fac- tory, of Marion, Indiana, was born January I, 1839, in what was then known as Rich- land county, now Morrow county, Ohio, on a farm near Williamsport. His parents were Abraham and Isabelle (Greene) Acker- man, and his grandparents, John and Anna Ackerman. The latter were of German ex- traction and natives of Pennsylvania, where they were engaged in agricultural pursuits. but at an early day migrated to Knox coun- ty, Ohio, where they settled on Owl creek and followed the same vocation.
John Ackerman was a private in the war of 1812, and received a gunshot wound in the leg, causing him to lose that member at the knee. The Indians gave a great deal of trouble when he settled in Ohio and it was necessary to erect block houses at dif- ferent points for the protection of the white settlers during the hostilities. One of these was constructed on the farm of John Acker- man, under his supervision, and was the scene of frequent carnage. He died on this property when about seventy years of age.
Abraham Ackerman, one of his children, was born in the "Keystone state" and was a child of four years when his parents moved to Ohio. Here he grew to manhood and married Miss Isabelle Greene, daughter of the Rev. Benjamin and Carrie (Hocking)
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Greene, both of whom were born near Balti- more, Maryland. They moved to Knox county, Ohio, at an early day and settled on Owl creek, where he ministered in the same Baptist church for a period of fifty years. He died at the age of eighty-nine, in the ripeness of age and the consciousness of a well-spent life. His wife was called to her reward at the age of three score years and ten. Mrs. Ackerman was quite small when her parents took up their abode in Ohio and was there reared to young womanhood, where she met and married her husband. They carried on farming in that county until about 1850, when they thought to try their fortunes in the west and moved to Missouri, where he bought a farm in Holt county, which he cultivated for twenty months, when he sold it and moved to Mills county, Iowa, where he purchased a large farm on Silver creek, seven miles east of Glenwood. He improved this property and five years later was able to dispose of it at a good profit, when he immediately invested his money in eight quarter-sections of land-1280 acres- in Richardson county, Nebraska, that he might provide farms for his children. He was fifty-five years okl .- in the zenith of his life-and a very successful man in his business. Mr. Ackerman was an ener- getic worker in the Baptist church, of which he was a member, and a Democrat in politics. He had received but a meager education in Ohio, as the advantages were very limited, and it was ever one of the most pleasant duties of his life to help along the public school system; indeed he was one of the most efficient members of the school board for many years-the only office he would ever accept. He lived two years in Ne- braska, when he sank to sleep, passing be-
yond earth's fading shore into the glorious springtime of heaven, his last resting place being the beautiful "city of the dead" at Salem, Nebraska. His widow disposed of the property in the west and returned to the old home in Knox county, where she passed the remainder of her days. Mrs. Isabelle Ackerman was a life-long Baptist, and when seventy-two seasons of frost and sun had passed the lamp of life had burned away on earth to be renewed in heaven. Ten children lisped the name of "mother" at her knee and received her prayerful care. Three are with her in the better land and seven have been left. who carry her portrait in their hearts.
Benjamin G. Ackerman remained with his parents until he had attained his six- teenth year, when his father secured a posi- tion for him in a general store in Omaha, Nebraska. This city. now one of the most populous and thriving of the middle west, the boasted of but two stores, a blacksmith shop and a hotel. The work was well suited to the acquirements of the young man, whose genial disposition and obliging ways soon made him popular with the patrons of the store, and he remained in that capacity two years, the relation only being dissolved when his employer sold the business. He then went to Plattsmouth, Cass county, that state, and clerked one year, when he went with his parents to Richardson county, and the next seven years were spent as a tiller of the soil. He then sold out and returned with his mother to Ohio, purchasing a farm in Mor- row county, near Woodbury, which he cul- tivated for two years, when he sold out and moved to Anderson, this state. Here he opened a dry-goods and grocery store, which he conducted for eleven years on a very profitable basis until 1875, in the month
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of October, when a fire swept away every- thing that he had, leaving him with an in- debtedness of five thousand dollars on stock recently purchased. His next venture was in making heads and staves for barrels in the same village, and in this he was more suc- cessful; he continued there for nine years, when he disposed of his plant and came to Marion, where he engaged in the manu- facture of oil barrels and staves. This fac- tory was operated until February, 1899, when misfortune once more overtook him and a second fire razed his buildings to the ground. He rebuilt just enough to enable him to cut up the timber he had on hand, and in the fall of that year went to Paris, Tennessee, expecting to start a factory for the manufacture of export spokes, but find- ing the timber unsuitable for the work he returned to Marion, and in January, 1900, leased the J. M. Wise factory and has since been engaged in its operation, manufacturing barrel heads, hoops and staves.
Mr. Ackerman was married, in Richard- son county, Nebraska, to Miss Julia Laudrey, of that place, by whom he has five children, namely : George, a prominent farmer and ciairyman of this county; Ida, wife of Ed- win Parbt, of Anderson; Thomas F., who ยท is foreman in his father's factory; Emma K., who is familiarly known among her friends as "Peach," is the wife of Maurice Callens, of Anderson; and Charles, who re- sides at home. Mr. Ackerman is a Demo- crat, and during his residence in Anderson served two terms in the town council, but he is not what may be termed an office seeker, as his time has been too completely taken up by private business to admit de- voting it to public life.
In 1862, while a resident of Nebraska,
he was first lieutenant under General Saunders in a military company and drilled every week for several months, but was not called out. He is a member of the Masonic order of Anderson, having been raised to the degree of Master Mason in the lodge of that place. He is a man whose honor and integrity is well known and he has been ac- corded the esteem of all those who have known him. In addition to his business in- terests in this city he has a half-interest in a farm of one hundred and twenty acres five miles east, and also in a tract of thirty acres, both lying in the oil regions.
JOHN SECRIST.
John Secrist, a retired business man of Marion, Indiana, was for more than half a century the leading carpenter and contractor in this vicinity, where he is venerated and highly esteemed. He was born August 8, 18II, in Rockingham county, Virginia, where his father, Henry Secrist, was also born. His grandfather, Malachi Secrist, came from Germany when a young man and took part in the Revolutionary war. He belonged to the "flying squadron" under Washington at Valley Forge and was body guard to that noted general. After his re- lease from martial life, that is when peace had been declared, he took up his vocation of shoemaking and worked at it until his in- crasing age compelled him to forego labor of that kind. He died at the age of ninety- three years.
Henry Secrist was brought up a farmer and followed that occupation all his life, locating in Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio, soon after he was married. He remained
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there only long enough to raise one crop and in 1821 went on to Logan county, where he purchased land near what is now West Liberty. This was covered with dense tim- ber, which he cut away, getting the ground in condition for cultivation. He took part in the war of 1812 and was quite active in politics, advocating the policy of the Whigs. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and had reached the age of eighty-seven e'er he crossed the dark waters which separate us from the unseen shore. He was joined in wedlock with Miss Dorothy Coon, a native of Virginia and daughter of Michael Coon. She was a strict Presbyterian and died in Ohio.
John Secrist was one of twelve children and grew to adult years on his father's farm. He began to learn the. trade of a carpenter at the age of seventeen and worked at it in Logan county until some time in 1843. He was a practical mechanic who thoroughly understood his craft and had erected some good buildings in Champaign county, Ohio. In 1843 he came to Marion and made a bid on the court house here. He also put up a saw-mill and shortly after a flour-mill, which was known as the "Se- crist mill" and is still standing, the property of Senator Charles, his son-in-law. Mr. Secrist operated this mill until about 1888, when he sold it and retired from active par- ticipation in business. He has been very successful in his business, but his philan- thropic spirit has cost him many dollars, as he has signed as security for friends who, through misfortune or otherwise, have left him to pay the debt, sometimes making sad inroads on his savings.
While residing in Ohio he was married to Miss Miranda Burgess, a native of that
state who died in Marion, Ind., leaving him two daughters, Elizabeth, wife of John 1 M. Ammons, of Marion; and Elma, wife of Senator James Charles, whose biography will be found on another page of this work. His second wife was Rebecca Spence, widow of Alexander Ruley and a daughter of Dr. LaFayette Spence. He was a native of West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, and went to Clarksville, Ohio, where he read medi- cine, obtaining a good knowledge of that science, and in 1837 he located in Alexan- cria. this state.
Dr. LaFayette Spence was the first doctor to locate there and he received calls from miles away, obliging him to ride great dis- tances through the forests and many times he has been lost in their depths. He prac- ticed there ten years and then moved to Jonesboro, where he built up a good practice and also conducted a drug store which re- ceived a flattering patronage. He was very prosperous and among other enterprises in which he was engaged was the building of a large hotel in Jonesboro. The first structure he erected in this state was a log cabin which was his home during his first years in Indiana. He was an active Re- publican and a member of the Presbyterian church. His death occurred in the very prime of his life, when he was in the zenith of his prosperity in his fifty-fourth year. He married Miss Sarah Avey, who was a native of Ohio. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and November 29. 1900, at the age of seventy years, she quietly sank into the dreamless sleep, since when Mr. Secrist has made his home with his daughter. Mrs. Ammon.
Mr. Secrist is a straight-out Republican and for nine years served as commissioner
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.of Grant county. During his younger years he was on the school board and made a most acceptable officer. Mr. Secrist is also a member of the Methodist church, in which organization he is trustee. He was the architect of the present church edifice and, as trustee had charge of the construction. He is standing now at the threshold of a new world, where
One by one we're following on, To a conference above, Where all may break and eat the bread Of everlasting love.
HERBERT MARION ELLIOTT.
Herbert Marion Elliott, of Marion, has attained a state reputation as a lawyer, al- though his residence in the state only dates from 1893. His ancestors have resided in America for several generations, and the name is now a common one throughout the United States.
Marcus Delos Elliott, father of Herbert M., was born in Otsego county, New York; but before he attained his majority he went to Michigan, which was then considered the "far west," and located on government land in Oakland county, where later other mem- bers of his father's family made their home. Mr. Elliott became a substantial farmer, and gained the respect and confidence of those who knew him. When the Union needed patriots to surpress rebellion, Mr. Elliott en- rolled his name as a volunteer and was mus- tered into service with Company H, Eighth Michigan Battery of Light Artillery, of which he was elected captain and served with valor for more than three years. In 1876
his fellow citizens honored him, by electing him their representative in the legislature of Michigan. He is also a prominent mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity and member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Hav- ing accumulated a competency, he now lives a retired life in Holly, Michigan.
The mother of Herbert M. Elliott bore the maiden name of Arvilla E. Seely. She was born in Cattaraugus county, New York; but when only a child her parents removed to Michigan and settled in Oakland county, where she married Mr. Elliott, and proved a true wife and mother until her death, which occurred when she was seventy-one years of age. She was a devout Christian and, like her husband, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Four children were born unto Marcus D. and Arvilla E. Elliott, of whom Herbert M. is the oldest; Addie E., now Mrs. William Zellner, resides at Fenton, Michigan; George M. is the law partner of our subject and John D. is a lumberman at Menominee, Michigan.
Herbert M. Elliott was born in Rose township, Oakland county, Michigan, Sep- tember 15, 1853, and was reared a farmer. His early education was obtained in the common schools, supplemented by attendance at the high schools of Holly and Ann Arbor.
He taught school twelve terms-the last three being in the village of Clio. In the meantime he read law one year in the office of Judge A. C. Baldwin and James A. Jacokes, of Pontiac; but ill health caused him to abandon the study for a time. Sep- tember 4, 1878, he was married to Ella E. McLean, daughter of Hector and Sarah Mc- Lean. She was born in Vienna township, Genesee county, Michigan. After marriage, Mr. Elliott lived on a farm; but his health
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1
became impaired and he was obliged to abandon agricultural pursuits. He next be- came a druggist and carried on business at Holly and Davisburg, Michigan, until 1880, when he determined to carry out the ambi- tion of his early life, by renewing his study of law in the office of M. M. Burnham, of Holly, and later completed his course in the office of Generail O. L. Spaulding, of St. Johns, and on January 3, 1884, was ad- mitted to practice. Ten days after being ad- mitted to the bar, he hung out "his shingle" at Au Sable, Michigan. He was now thirty- one years of age without a dollar, but hav- ing a family consisting of his wife and two children depending upon him he was deter- mined to make a success; and being honor- able in his dealings, his practice increased steadily and he soon became a partner of O. E. Mccutcheon who was a prominent member of the bar, and soon the firm of Mc- Cutcheon & Elliott became well and favor- ably known in that section of the state.
Mr. Elliott gained popularity, in conse- quence of which he was elected circuit court commissioner two terms, then served as prosecuting attorney one year by ap- pointment and two years by election. January 1, 1891, he opened a branch office at Detroit, Michigan, and conducted the same one year, when he returned to Au Sable and closed up his business at that point. The town of Au Sable and that of Oscoda, just across the river, were built up on account of extensive lumber interests ; but when the forests were cut away the mills closed, the towns decreased in population and the prop- erty depreciated in value so that when our subject had disposed of his interests. he found he had comparatively but few dollars to show for the large and lucrative practice
1
he had enjoyed for nine years. He now removed to Indiana and associated with his brother under the firm style of Elliott & Elliott, opened an office at Marion, and, al- though a stranger, was soon recognized as a leading member of the Grant county bar.
In 1894 he brought the suit of "State of Indiana ex rel Wilson vs. Jacob N. Wells." See Vol. 144, Indiana Reports. This suit was brought to determine when the office of township trustee ended, and thus effected every township trustee in the state. It was defended by several of the most prominent lawyers in the state, and as Mr. Elliott won the suit, he at the same time won a state reputation.
Mr. Elliott is a close student and hard worker, being very thorough and systematic in the preparation of a case, so when he enters the court room he is familiar with its every detail. Besides practicing in the local courts, he has been admitted to the supreme court of Indiana, the United States circuit court and is treasurer of Grant County Bar Association.
His law library is one of the best in the county and at his home he has a large col- lection of miscellaneous books. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott have two children : Harry Mc- Lean, proof reader on the Terre Haute Ex- press, and Merle Dee, at home, is an ac- complished pianist.
He is a gentleman of sterling worth and character, never stooping to trickery or un- fair means. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Marion, in which he is an elder. He has also served as superintendent of the Sab- bath-school five years and for three years was president of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association.
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WILLIAM C. WEBSTER.
William C. Webster, vice-president of the First National Bank of Marion, was born in this city in the old homestead at the corner of Fifth and Washington streets March 16, 1839.
George W. Webster, father of William C., was born at Fairfax, Vermont, near St. Albans, where he lived until about twenty years of age, when he went to New Orleans, thence went to Piqua, Ohio, and later came to Marion. Here he followed his trade of carpenter and builder, building many houses, bridges, etc., including a dwell- ing for his father-in-law, Dr. Mckinney, in 1836 or 1837, and was one of the con- tractors to build the first railroad through Marion. He built a college edifice in Chi- cago, and many bridges in Illinois and Iowa, as well as church edifices. In politics he was a stanch Republican and once served out an unexpired term as county treasurer. He died February 13, 1892, at the age of eighty years and seven months.
George W. Webster married Maria J. McKinney, who was born May 12, 1816, in Miami county, Ohio, and died in June, 1893; both were members of the Christian church. Mrs. Webster bore her husband eight children, of whom five attained ma- turity: William C., the subject of this sketch; Euretta, wife of Dr. Milton Jay, of Chicago; Elery C., M. D., of Marion ; George, Jr., cashier of the Marion Bank, and Marietta, wife of George W. Spencer, of Chicago.
William C. Webster passed his boyhood days in what is now the city of Marion, when it was a wooded country place, and grew up with the city. When quite young
he began clerking in a dry-goods store for his father and others, then went to St. Joseph, Missouri, and was associated with J. W. Lowell & Co. as junior partner in the whole- sale grocery trade. While in St. Joseph, in 1865, he took a contract to supply the United States government with fifty thousand bushels of corn at Denver and Fort Lara- mie, to deliver which he made two trips across the plains by stage.
After about a year passed in St. Joseph Mr. Webster went to the vicinity of Vicks- burg, Mississippi, where he leased a large cotton plantation, in the management of which he lost all the money he had made in St. Joseph. He next passed a year in Chi- cago, Illinois, and made some money on the board of trade, but lost it. He then re- turned to Marion and engaged in the grocery trade for several years. He then spent one year in Chicago in a successful lumber trade, and then returned to Marion, re-engaged in the grocery business, in which he prospered for several years.
The next venture of Mr. Webster was in the real-estate business in 1888, when he united with G. N. Winchel and laid out one hundred and eighty-nine acres in build- ing lots, and helped locate a number of fac- tories on the grounds, including the Stewart & Estep glass factory. He still owns sev- eral houses and lots in this division.
Mr. Webster was one of the organizers of the First National Bank, was one of the first directors, and is now its vice-president. He is one of the stockholders and directors of the Marion Brick Company and its vice- president. He was the first president of the improvement committee to boom the city of Marion, and likewise a pioneer promoter and president of the Commercial Club. He and
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Mr. Winchel started the subscription list to induce the officials to locate the Soldiers Home at Marion. He was also a prime mover in securing the construction of the street-car lines, and it may be truly said that he has done his share to make Marion what it is to-day.
Mr. Webster was married, in Marion, December 22, 1868, to Miss Caroline Hall, who was born in the vicinity of the city and is a daughter of Stephen D. and Philadel- phia Hall. To this union have been born three children, namely: Frank, who died in infancy; Jesse and Nellie, who are still un- der the parental roof.
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