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 33

Author:
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago: Bowen
Number of Pages: 1000

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Charles F. Mather learned the carpenter's trade with his father and followed that oc- cupation until he was about twenty years old, when he accepted a clerkship in one of the Muncie stores, where he remained one year. At the expiration of that time he came to Marion and entered the store of Aaron Swazey, clerking for him two years. Mr. Goldthwait purchased the stock at that time and Mr. Mather became a partner in the concern under the firm name of Gold- thwait & Mather, the relation continuing for a period of fourteen years and proving both pleasant and profitable. Seeing a chance which promised a successful outcome, Mr. Mather embarked in the grain business, buy- ing and shipping large quantities, and also began dealing in agricultural implements. The implement trade he continued until 1891, when he disposed of it and opened his real estate and loan office, in which he does a business second to none in Grant county. Having faith in the progress of Marion, his time and money have been used in forward- ing its growth and lie commands the re- spect and esteem of the community as one of its most honored members, a man whom it is a pleasure to know.

On March 26, 1866, he led to the mar- riage altar Miss Sarah White, who has pre- sented him with two children-Louise, at home, and George, who died at the age of

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seven years. Mr. Mather was formerly a Republican and helped to form the party. Later he transferred his allegiance to the Prohibition party.

In July, 1862, he enlisted in the Twelfth Indiana Volunteer Infantry for three years. Six months later he was made orderly ser- geant, at the end of the year he was pro- moted to second lieutenant and soon after was raised to the rank of first lieutenant. He took part in the Atlanta campaign and was made a prisoner at Richmond, but was held only about a month when he was ex- changed and returned to his regiment. His health suffered severely from the hardships of soldier life, and on September 24, 1864, he was honorably discharged from the ser- vice and permitted to return to home and friends.

Mr. Mather is a member of General Shunk Post, No. 23, Grand Army of the Republic, and for more than forty-seven years has been an honored member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been class-leader for forty-six years, serving as trustee and steward about thirty years.

JONATHAN PHELPS WINSLOW.

The present prosperity of Indiana has been made possible by the self-denial and enterprise of those early settlers who con- sidered no sacrifice too great and no labor too severe to promote the welfare and de- velop the resources of the primitive coun- try which they chose as their homes. Their courage and endurance was the entering wedge which cleared the forests and opened the way for the enlightenment and advance-

ment of the advance guards of higher civ- ilization and has made easy the path for the onward march of prosperity.

Among the multitude who have lived lives of usefulness which have been fraught with great good to humanity, and are now passed beyond the veil which separates us from eternity, is Jonathan Phelps Winslow, an upright, honorable man, whose memory is held in tender reverence and to whom we fain would pay a fitting tribute of re- spect. With an insight and sagacity far be- yond his time, he was able to grasp many opportunities unseen by others, which worked for the public good and marked him a man among men. He was of English ancestry, and authentic tradition traces the founding of the family in America to three brothers who determined to run away from home and the mother country and come to America by working their passage over on a sailing vessel, the only means of ocean travel at that time. This was done, and great was their surprise when, on landing in America, the captain sought them out and handed to each his passage money, tell- ing them their father had learned of their plans and had paid their passage to the cap- tain that he might give it to them when they reached their destination as a start in their new life. This proof of their father's love and solicitude touched them deeply and strengthened them to make their lives worthy his approbation. One settled in Baltimore, one in Pennsylvania, and one in North Car- olina, and it was to the latter that the late Mr. Winslow traced his origin.

Jonathan Phelps Winslow was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, June II, 1818, to Hardy and Christina (Phelps) Winslow. He was educated in the Quaker

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schools of his native state, and being a dili- gent pupil, soon acquired a fund of knowl- edge that proved of great use to him in after life and enabled him to achieve that suc- cess which characterized his efforts. After leaving school he purchased a saw mill, which he operated for some time, then em- barked in the mercantile business, in which he continued until 1860, when he moved with his family to Indiana, locating on a farm where the village of Fairmount now stands, and it was not long until he was deeply interested in all public enterprises and closely identified with the many lead- ing ventures which have tended to foster the growth and progress of the now pros- perous village of Fairmount and surround- ing country. He has been one of the lead- ing agriculturists since his advent here many years ago and has been extensively interested ! in farm lands and other real estate, build- ing and purchasing many buildings. Among these is his handsome residence in Fair- mount, which was built of brick made and burnt under his direct supervision in 1861 and in which his family still reside. Later on Mr. Winslow became interested in mer- cantile business in Fairmount, continuing thus for upward of twenty years, at the same time attending to his agricultural and other duties, none of which suffered from inattention. He was at one time owner and conductor of a flouring mill, which is still operated in Fairmount. Mr. Winslow lived a life of peculiar activity and useful- | ness, and too much cannot be said of his ability to make the most of his opportuni- ties and enlarge his sphere of usefulness. Few men have been permitted to round out so complete and full a life, attended with so much good to others as the venerated 16

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gentleman whose name heads this article. Kind and considerate of others, it was his greatest pleasure when he was permitted to be the means of promoting their comfort. and he came to be regarded in the light of a general benefactor.

The wife of Mr. Winslow's youth was Miss Jane Henley, daughter of John and Margaret (Clark) Henley, and a lady in every way worthy to be the wife of so noble a character. Eight children blessed their home, viz .: Mary (Mrs. Jesse Bogue) ; Margaret ( Mrs. Enoch Bales), whose death occurred May 20, 1876; Thomas J., who- enlisted as a soldier in 'the Civil war, and,. arriving at Indianapolis, disappeared never to be heard from; Martha Jane ( Mrs. Henry M. Shugart), departed this life in 1887; William C., who married Hannah A. Pat- terson, of Fairmount, and died in Febru- ary, 1894; John H., who died in 1897; Joseph A., who married Margaret Gurnea,. of Illinois ; and Oreanna, now Mrs. Webster J. Winslow, of Fairmount. All these chil- (Iren were born in North Carolina except the youngest, Oreanna, who is a Hoosier.

For many years Jonathan P. Winslow was township trustee of Fairmount, and also served as county commissioner for two terms. Even in his politics was carried that high principle underlying all his actions and which in this case caused him to espouse the cause of prohibition. He early felt the promptings of a Christian nature and uni- ted with the Methodist Episcopal church, and later in life affiliated with the Friends, although at the time of his death he was not a member of any church.

Probably no man has contributed so largely to the varied enterprises which go to make the success of his community as did

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Mr. Winslow. He was one of the organizers of the Merchants' Bank of Fairmount and was president of the institution until the company disbanded. He was also a stock- holder in the present bank for a brief period. He was mainly instrumental in securing for Fairmount her first railroad, the Big Four, and, in company with others, built the large brick elevator which is situated on that line of road here. It would be impossible to enumerate the many enterprises which were aided by this noble man, or to portray the innumerable impulses which stirred his breast and resulted in public good, but the widespread sorrow which blanched the cheek and dimmed the eye when news of his death was received, August 18, 1899, spoke eloquently of the love in which he was held.

ELSWORTH HARVEY.

Elsworth Harvey, treasurer of Grant county, is a native hereof, his birth occur- ring in Center township, November 22, 1863.

His grandfather, William Harvey, was born in Ohio, settled in Grant county about 1851, and passed his remaining years in Liberty township, where he lived to the ad- vanced age of ninety-four years.

His father, Sidney Harvey, was born in Morgan county, Indiana, in 1843, and was eight years old when the family settled in Grant county, where he still resides. He is being the owner of a well-improved farm ·of one hundred and seven acres, six miles southwest from Marion, where he resides. In early life he took an active part in politics

and was appointed the first assessor of Grant county. In religion he holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Ma- rion, in which he is a member of the board , of trustees.

The mother of Elsworth Harvey bore the maiden name of Jane L. Thomas, being a daughter of Milton Thomas ( for genealogy of the Thomas family see sketch of Eli Thomas). She was born in Grant county, married Sidney Harvey in 1860, and is liv- ing at the age of sixty years, an earnest Christian woman. Sidney and Jane L. ( Thomas) Harvey reared three children, ot whom the subject is the eldest; Roscoe C. is a farmer of Franklin township, and Gulie E. is a teacher in the schools at Jonesboro.

The gentleman whose name heads this notice was reared on the home farm and at- tended the district school. At the age of nineteen years he taught school one year, then, to better qualify himself, he attended the State Normal School at Terre Haute two years, and this was followed by eight years' teaching in district schools and one year in the academy at Fairmount.

In 1893 he entered the office of the county treasurer as deputy, and, proving true to the trust, he won the esteem of his fel- low-citizens to the extent that in 1900 they elected him to the office of treasurer, and January 1, 1901, he assumed the duties of the office, to which he devotes his entire attention. In politics he is an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party. So- cially Mr. Harvey is past chancellor of the ern Woodmen of the World, and of the Ben Hur.

numbered among the influential farmers, Knights of Pythias, is a member of the Mod-

The marriage of Mr. Harvey took place September 6, 1899, at Richmond, Indiana,

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when Emma Higgs became his wife. She is a daughter of Robert and Eliza Higgs, and was born near Richmond, Indiana, where she resided at the time of her marriage, her parents having emigrated from England in the year 1849. Mrs. Harvey is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

WALTER ROBERT FRANCIS, M. D.

Walter Robert Francis, M. D., a promi- nent practicing physician at Marion, Grant .county, Indiana, was born in Wellsboro, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, March 22, 1853, a son of James and Matilda (Skelton) Francis. The father, James Francis, was aiso a native of the Keystone state; but the mother, Mrs. Matilda Francis, was born in Yorkshire, England, and was brought to America when twelve years of age. This couple were married in Pennsylvania, where they resided until 1879, when they moved to Bath, New York, where the father died in 1880, and where the mother still resides. To their marriage were born the follow- ing named children: Walter L., who died when one year old; Walter R., whose name opens this paragraph; Clara, deceased ; Ida, wife of William Gray, of New York; John, a bridge builder; Flora, wife of Robert Bull, of Bath, New York. The father of this family had a good literary education, and with his wife was reared in the faith of the Baptist church. In politics he was a Republican.

Walter R. Francis, M. D., received his very early education in the town of Wells- boro, Pennsylvania, and in Delmar town- ship, in the same county, where he made his

home with an uncle, John Skelton, and at- tended a country school three terms. He then moved with his father to the town of Jersey Shore, Lycoming county, Pennsyl- vania, and when but eleven years of age left home to seek a livelihood for himself. He went to Lycoming county and succeed- ed in getting work at Williamsport, a lum- ber town, and there, also, he attended night school. In 1871 he graduated from the normal school at Mansfield, Pennsylvania, and in 1874 entered the medical department of the University of Buffalo, New York, from which he was graduated February 23, 1876.

Dr. Francis began practice at West- field, Pennsylvania, where he met with encouraging success for two years. The Doctor next moved to Knoxville, Pennsyl- vania, where his stay was prolonged until 1891. While there the Doctor took a post- graduate course of study, 1882, at Belle- vue Hospital College, New York, in 1884; he took another course of study at the same institution in 1886; he attended a special course of lectures at the University of Penn- sylvania in Philadlphia, and then another course at Chicago, Illinois, in 1895, after having come to Marion, in which city he settled in 1891. He is a member of the state and county medical societies, and always keeps abreast of the progress of medicine.

From 1878 until 1891 Dr. Francis was surgeon for the Fall Brook Railroad Com- pany of Pennsylvania, and during nine years of this period was a member of the Pension Board of Examiners and was sur- geon for the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany. April 25, 1900, the Doctor was re- appointed at Marion a member of the pen- sion board, and he has also served as health

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officer of the city. In politics he is a Re- publican. Dr. Walter R. Francis was first married in June, 1876, at Westfield, Pennsylvania, to Ida Masten, who bore hin: one son, Lee M., now a student at Rush Medical College at Chicago, and editor-in - chief of the college journal. The second marriage of the Doctor took place in Lo- gansport, Indiana, April 13, 1896, to Mrs. Maud Driscoll, a daughter of Henry Ha- genbuck, of that city. Mrs. Francis is a mem- ber of the Christian church and stands very high in social circles.

Dr. Francis is also quite prominent in his fraternal relations, being a member of the B. P. O. E .; the K. of P .; the K. of H .; and the K. & L. of H. and the I. O. F.

As a physician and surgeon Dr. Francis has attained a very high position; has met with a most encouraging practice; enjoys the respect of his fellow-practitioners and the esteem of the general public.

HENRY D. THOMAS.

Henry D. Thomas, of Marion, Indiana, better known among his friends as "Dick" Thomas, is one of the most prosperous and influential farmers of this county, who, in- stead of following in the old ruts, has re- duced the work to a business basis and by introducing new ideas has reaped handsome returns. He has also been engaged in va- rious business nterprises which have shown the rich resources and exceptional capability possessed by him. He is a native of the "Hoosier" state, having been born in Wash- ington, Wayne county, May 17, 1847, to the family of James and Minerva ( Meredith ) Thomas.

His paternal grandfather was a native of South Carolina, where he was reared to manhood and married Ann Baldwin, of North Carolina. His ancestors came to this country from Wales and settled in the south where they were extensive slave owners, a large number of whom fell to him by in- heritance. He was a godly, Christian man and abominated the institution of slavery as opposed to the laws of God and humanity, and, as soon as he became of age, and had the legal power, he liberated them, every one, giving them papers which made them free men and women and gained for him their undying gratitude and love. In 1812 he came to Indiana, renting a farm in Wayne county for one year on the site now occupied by Richmond. In 1814 he entered a tract of government land near Fountain City. which at that time was covered by a heavy growth of timber. This he cleared and otherwise improved, making it his home for fifty-one years. He was by trade a shoe- maker, and many a poor family has had reason to bless the generous nature that prompted him to make shoes during the winter months for free distribution among the poor. Both he and his wife were mem- bers of the Quaker society, and spent their lives in doing deeds of kindness and reliev- ing distress and had reached the ripeness of age ere they heard the summons "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." He en- tered into the light of the eternal morning in his eighty-third year, while the devoted wife was permitted to reach her ninety-third year, almost rounding out the century of life. It had never been their wish to accu- mulate a great deal of property, eighty acres being all they owned, as they preferred using

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their means for the upbuilding and relief of humanity.

James Thomas, the father of Henry D. Thomas, was born in Beaufort county, North Carolina, in 1811, and was a babe of one year when his parents located in this state. He was reared on the farm in Wayne coun- ty, where he remained until his twenty-fifth year, when he was married and embarked in the mercantile business, first in Washing- ton and later in Webster. He continued in this line until 1856, when he came to Marion and built a substantial residence, at the same time engaging in the furniture business. A few years later he became a partner with his son, our subject, in the grocery business. He was a strong Repub- lican and was successful in his business, his property being estimated at seventy-five thousand dollars when he died in his eighty-third year. He was brought up in the Quaker faith, and was an advocate of that doctrine all his life, although he was expelled from the church on account of his marriage with a lady not a member of the society-Miss Minerva F. Meredith. She was the daughter of Andrew and (Hunt) Meredith, her mother dying in early life.

Andrew Meredith came to Indiana when Minerva was a small child and entered land near Fountain City where he died at the age of ninety-one years. He at one time had a good start in business, but ad- verse circumstances combined against him, and he failed with heavy liabilities. He sold all his property, even to his cook stove, to help pay his debts, and until the last was paid had his meals prepared by the old- fashioned fireplace.

Minerva Thomas died June 30, 1900, in

the city of Marion, aged seventy-seven years. She was the mother of four chil- dren, two of whom had preceded her to the better land. They were: Jennetta, de- ceased; William; Albert, who enlisted in the Third Indiana Cavalry in 1862, was with Sherman and was killed at Fayette- ville, North Carolina, in 1865, almost the last battle fought in the rebellion; and Henry D., the subject of this biography.

Henry D. Thomas was nine years old when his parents moved to Marion, and he remained with them until he was twenty- one. In 1864, when he was seventeen, he took a pleasure trip with his father, going with an ox-team across the plains to Salt Lake City and San Francisco. They re- turned by water, stopping, en route, at Cuba. They were absent from home about a year, and on his return Henry D. entered his father's store as clerk, and when, he at- tained his majority he formed a partner- ship with his father and Jacob Beshore, and the firm conducted a grocery store sev- eral years. When this firm sold out Henry D. Thomas became the partner of William Webster, in the same business for another term of years, when he sold out his interest and engaged in the grocery business alone. Later, associated with D. B. Switzer and J. N. Turner, he en- gaged in the lumber trade, the firm being known as J. N. Turner & Co. The firm did a large business and was highly suc- cessful, at one time paying more freight than any other firm in the county.

In the meantime Mr. Thomas invested in three hundred and thirty-three acres of unimproved land in Franklin township, about three miles from Marion, and after disposing of his lumber interest, devoted

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his time to the improvement and cultiva- tion of his land, much of which was swampy. He laid about fifteen miles of tiling, and now has the best farm in Grant county. He individually superintends its cultivation, hiring men to do the work under his instructions, and employing mod- ern methods when he is convinced of their utility. He is recognized as a progressive and successful business man and was one of the first to develop and make use of the gas in this district. He now has seven wells on his farm. He owns the old home- stead of his father, which is worth about eighteen thousand dollars, two business blocks on Washington street, several resi- dence properties which he rents, and about sixty vacant lots, the greater part of which represents his own earnings. He has de- voted his time and influence in promoting the welfare of the community, and was foremost in securing brick paving for our streets.

Although he is a stalwart Republican, he has never allowed his name to be used as a candidate for political honors, preferring the quiet enjoyments of domestic life to the more exciting phases of the political arena.

April 8, 1869, he was joined in the holy bond of matrimony with Miss Mary E. Clunk, who was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1848. She was a daughter of Henry F. and Catherine ( Mitch- ell) Clunk, both natives of the Keystone state, who came to Henry county in 1851 and engaged in mercantile pursuits until six years later, when they moved to Marion, which is still their home. Mr. Clunk was engaged in the commercial business many years, but is now in his eightieth year and

retired from active life. They are mem- bers of the Christian Temple.

Mr. Thomas is the father of three chil- dren, viz. William, a resident of Marion; a child who died in infancy; and James, who lives at home.

JONATHAN BECHTEL.

Jonathan Bechtel, of Marion, Indiana, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, June 9, 1839, his parents being Jacob L. and Re- becca (Stapleton) Bechtel, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania and married in Ohio. After the birth of three children, and being a great help and esteemed companion of her husband, Mrs. Bechtel died, the one who succeeded to her place as mother of the family being Mrs. Harriet Middlesworth, whose son by her former marrige is the well known and highly prosperous farmer, Joseph Middlesworth, of Pleasant town- ship, Grant county. The first family con- sisted of Susan Bechtel, who married George Raypholtz and died while yet a young wo- man: Samuel Bechtel, of whom a distinct article will be found on another page of this volume, and Jonathan. The result of the second marriage was the birth of six daugh- ters : Emma, Margaret. Nancy, Melissa, Isa- bel, and Amanda. Of these, all of whom were very popular young ladies, but one- Isabel-remains in the county. She is the wife of "Doc" Renbarger and lives upon the old Bechtel homestead. It was desired that more definite and extended mention might be made in this work of this lady, her sisters, and of the old home; but in the at- tempt to make the research, obstacles were found on the part of some of the family

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that preclude the treatment these ladies de- serve. The second child of Mrs. Bechtel by the former husband was Elizabeth, who is now the estimable wife of Richard Ren- barger, of Kansas.

In the year 1849, Jacob L. Bechtel and family removed to Indiana, making their permanent home on the farm now owned by the daughter and husband, as stated above. Here Jacob resided till death, in 1863, at the age of fifty. Mrs. Bechtel survived until past the age of sixty.

Jonathan Bechtel remained at the old home till his marriage while in his twenty- second year, to Miss Louisa Simmons, whose untimely death occurred in less than one year thereafter. Two and one half years la- ter, he was united to Miss Mary Ann Emer- ick, and soon afterward settled on the farm :

on, where he now lives in easy retirement, the savings from many years of close appli- tion to the conduct of a large farm being sufficient to retain him in comfort for the remainder of his days,

At the outset of his business career, Mr. : Bechtel went in debt over twelve hundred dollars in purchasing the fifty-four-acre tract that he first improved. After making this into a neat and valuable farm, and clear- ing off the indebtedness, he began to add to the acreage until the farm now contains one hundred and eighty acres of most valuable land, lying in one of the most desirable and productive sections of the county, some five miles to the northwest of Marion, in Pleas- ant township. He paid as high as sixty- two dollars and fifty cents per acre, and none of the land was bought for less than forty dollars per acre. Much of the tract he has cleared himself, and all of it has

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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 33

Author: Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Chicago: Bowen Number of Pages: 1000

Author:
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago: Bowen
Number of Pages: 1000