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 97
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Dr. Resoner's grandmother was born in 1801, and his grandfather, Martin, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and one of his sons that of 1812.
Fraternally Dr. Resoner is a member of the Physicians' Protective Association ; is also a Knight of Pythias and a member of Triangle Lodge, No. 30, at Pueblo, Colo- rado, and was keeper of records and seals; he is likewise a member of Point Isabel Lodge, No. 510, I. O. O. F., has passed all the chairs, and in 1897 represented the sub- ordinate lodge in the grand lodge; he is likewise a member of the Elwood Encamp- ment, No. 168, and of the Rebekah branch of the order. Socially the Doctor and family mingle with the best people in the township and county, and professionaly the doctor stands in the front rank of the medical prac- titioners of the county of Grant.
GEORGE GLASGOW.
George Glasgow resides on his farm in Monroe township, Grant county, Indiana, upon which he located soon after his mar- riage. He is a native of Ohio, born in Cler- mont county, October 2, 1858, and a son of John Wesley and Catherine (Robb) Glas- gow. The father was also born in Ohio, was a mechanic and emigrated to Indiana in 1859. His family consisted of three sons, the youngest now deceased. Peter, the eldest, resides in Los Angeles, California. George is the second child. Both parents died young, leaving their little boys to be cared for by others.
George Glasgow was taken into the fam- ily of James Woods, an uncle, and grew up amidst rural environments. He was expected to perform the chores on his uncle's farm when a lad, and did not disappoint him. His eduational advantages were limited and con- fined to a short attendance at the public school, but his intellect and natural acquire- ments were strengthened and fortified by observation and whatever facilities were at hand so that his lack of school training is little felt. He adopted the vocation of a farmer and has always been a hard-working man.
At the age of twenty-one George Glas- gow had accumulated twenty acres of land in Monroe township which he had partially improved, and he constantly saved his means and added to this property until at this time he has one hundred and sixty acres of fine land lying in the gas belt. He made his home with his uncle until the age of thirty when he was married to Miss Ida B. John- son. He then built his substantial residence and made other improvements on his land,
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and took possession with his family. He is practical and up-to-date in his methods and one of the foremost farmers in the township -one whose success can be traced directly to his own industry and thrift and whose property, like the man, is a credit to the county.
Mrs. Glasgow is a native of Blackford county, this state, where she was educated il the public school. Her parents, Lemuel and Ruhama (Pierson) Johnson, were natives of Ohio before moving to Blackford county, Indiana, where the mother died February 24. 1901; the father now lives with his son on the old homestead. They are earnest mem- bers of the Christian church. Mrs. Glasgow also holds a membership in the same church and is a lady whose many graces of mind and heart have endeared her to a wide circle of friends.
Mr. Glasgow has always affiliated with the Democratic party in national politics, but in local elections has supported the Repub- lican candidates. He has voted for each Democratic presidential nominee since 1881, including General W. S. Hancock. While not a member of the church, he has been liberal in aiding those organizations and has contributed to the building fund of at least three churches in his neighborhood. He has been upright and honorable to a de- gree in every walk of life and is regarded as one of the sound men of this section.
ALEXANDER R. BARLEY.
Alexander R. Barley, contractor and builder at Marion, Grant county, Indiana, was born in the city of Bedford, Bedford
county, Pennsylvania, March 26. 1824, a son of Conrad and Rachel Barley, also na- tives of Bedford county. The father was a tanner by trade and was the owner of a large plant, from which he shipped his output chiefly to Baltimore. In 1838 he came to what is now the city of Marion, Indiana, and entered one hundred and sixty acres of government land in Van Buren town- ship and also purchased a farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres near North Marion. which land was partially improved. and which he made his home until his death, which occurred at the age of fifty-three years, in the faith of the Lutheran church. His vote was cast for the Democratic party in- variably, but he was no politician.
Nicholas Barley, grandfather of Alex- ander R., came from Bayern, on the Rhine river, Germany, was a young man when he came to the United States and settled in Bed- ford county, Pennsylvania, where he owned a fine farm and a large tannery. He died at the age of eighty-eight years, having had born to him a family of eight children, all of whom died in Pennsylvania, save the youngest three. The eight were named in order of birth, as follows: John, Nicholas, Elizabeth, David, Mary. Valentine (who died in Illinois), Conrad, father of Alex- ander R., and Henry, who came to Marion in 1844, purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Center township, and later bought Connor's mill, six miles northwest of Ma- rion city, where he passed the remainder of his life.
The boyhood days of Alexander R. Barley were passed in attending school un- til nearly sixteen years old, when, in Sep- tember, 1839. he came to Grant county, In- diana, and here he assisted his father on the
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home farm until the following March, when he came to Marion and began an apprentice- ship at the carpenter's trade under James Stout, served three years, then worked here as a journeyman until 1844, when he went to Greenville, Darke county, Ohio, and worked as a millwright for A. W. Sanford about two years, and next followed the same business on his own account until 1848.
In the year last mentioned, Mr. Barley returned to Marion and embarked in con- tracting and building, and has here erected many of the finest structures in the city. among the early ones being the Presbyterian church and the Bennett & Tibbitts block, Mr. Barley at that time owning a large planing- mill, which was, not long afterward, de- stroyed by fire. Mr. Barley was then em- ployed for six months at Goshen, Indiana, as foreman in a sash and door factory, and then took charge of his cousin LaFayette's shop.
To the marriage of Mr. Barley with Miss Dorcas Drake, of Hamilton county, Ohio, were born two children, viz .: Artie, who is married to John R. Edwards, a trav- eling man of Marion, and Frank, who died at the age of thirty-three years. The mother of these children passed away in 1893, in the faith of the Presbyterian church.
In politics Mr. Barley is a Democrat and in religion is a member of the Christian church. Fraternally he was made a Mason in 1847, at Greenville, Ohio, by Grand Mas- ter Keifer of the grand lodge of Ohio, and was the first Mason made in that lodge, then known as Greenville Lodge, No. 44; he is now member of the Marion Lodge, No. 105. Mr. Barley is the owner of five acres of land in the town of Fitzgerald, Georgia, and also his home in Marion, Indiana.
JOHN T. STRANGE.
John T. Strange, a leading member of the Grant county bar, is a resident of Ma: rion. He is a native of Grant county, born in Monroe township April 7, 1850, and is a son of George Strange, whose biography is found elsewhere in this volumn.
The boyhood days of John T., were passed upon the home farm and at inter- vals he attended a pioneer log school-house, about fifty days each term for two or three years, but by studying nights and making the best of his meager opportunities he passed the necessary examination, received a cer- tificate and when eighteen years old began teaching. He walked two and a fourth miles to his school each morning and returned home at night to assist in doing chores about the farm. During the summer season he aided his father in clearing and ditching. and when he attained his majority received a one-third interest in the products of the farm as his pay.
In September, 1872, he entered Wabaslı College at Crawfordsville, Indiana, from which institution he was graduated in a class of twenty-two in 1877. He stood among the first in his classes in every partic- ular. After completing his college work he entered the office of George W. Harvey, studied law, and in the fall of 1877 was ad- mitted to practice. He was associated in partnership at different intervals with A. E. Steele, R. W. Bailey, H. L. Martin and E. A. Huffman, but since October, 1900, has been without a law partner. He has met with marked success and has acted as counsel in some of the most important cases tried int the Grant county courts. He has an elegant office and one of the best libraries in the
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city. In politics he was an active worker in the ranks of the Democratic party until 1900, when he cast his vote for the Repub- lican candidates. He is prominent as a stump speaker and in 1896 was a delegate to the National Democratic convention held at Chicago. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
July 31, 1879, Mr. Strange was married to Emma, daughter of Dr. A. J. Bobbs (whose biography appears in this volume ). and they have one child, Esther, born May 4, 1882.
A. W. FRIERMOOD.
Beyond the question of a doubt that in- (lustry which has contributed most greatly to bring what was a wilderness to a con- dition of the highest fertility and value is that of the manufacture of drain tile.
In its original condition the greater part of Grant county was, owing to its level sur- face, partially or wholly covered with water much of the year, so that for many years the earlier residents depended upon cultivat- ing only the higher pieces of ground. In order that larger tracts could be cultivated the pioneers began to make drains, either in the form of open ditches or by the use of timber channels beneath the ground. Thousands of acres were in this way re- claimed from a worthless condition, becom- ing highly productive. This system, how- ever, was but a beginning, but proved to the satisfaction of every citizen the absolute necessity and value of suitable drainage.
While the ditches made of slabs and tim- ber were quite effective and the area of till- able land in the county was increased a
hundred-fold by their use, it was soon found necessary to replace them, owing to decay. The expedient of earthen tile was resorted to, as, when once laid, the work never had to be repeated. As soon as the use of it was proven effective and economical the de- mand became so great that factories for its manufacture sprang up in every section of the country. Not the less important of these, and one which has contributed greatly to the development of one-quarter of the county, is that located at Sweetser, owned and operated by A. W. Friermood.
Nearly twenty-five years ago, in part- nership with his cousin, Mr. Friermood be- gan the manufacture of tile in a small way. having an investment of about three thou- sand dollars and employing two men. At the expiration of two years he became the sole proprietor, and has since devoted the greater part of his attention to the conduct of that enterprise. The business has ex- perienced steady growth, the investment now being eight thousand dollars and employ- ment being given to eight men. The annual output of the factory is from five thousand dollars to seven thousand dollars, which is distributed over an extended area.
For twelve years natural gas has been the fuel used. Mr. Friedmood having been the leading spirit in the development of gas at Sweetser and holding a controlling inter- est in the company, which supplies the needs of a large number of customers. The gas pressure at this place is remarkably even and strong, the twelve years use of this product proving the existence of what would seem to be a permanent and inexhaustible supply.
In addition to the manufacture Mr. Friermood has become quite a widely known
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contractor of public works, where the use of tile is demanded. Besides laying several miles of drain for the county he has, dur- ing the past five years, carried to success- ful conclusion contracts of street improve- ment in Marion. The demands of his busi- ness at Sweetser requiring a considerable tract of land, including a part of the vil- lage, he has contributed materially to the building and improvement of that thriving little city.
Mr. Friermood was born near Spring- field, Clark county, Ohio, October 7, 1850. His parents were George and Catherine (Michael ) Friermood, both being natives of Ohio. When A. W. was but three years of age, after a short stay in Delaware coun- ty, Indiana, the family came to Grant coun- ty, locating in Sims township, where the father improved a new farm.
When the nation's danger demanded the offer of service of so many of its loyal sons George Friermood enlisted in Company I, Ninety-ninth Indiana Volunteers. During the battle of Atlanta he was wounded, the effects of which resulted in his death two days later. His body reposes in the National cemetery at Marietta, Georgia, where, beside so many others of the country's defenders, he sleeps, the soft winds of the sunny south whispering a requiem of peace.
Some years later the exact location of his grave was determined and visited by his son, whose own respect for and loyalty to the nation were emphasized and con- secrated while standing above the clay of him whose own life was thus sacrificed.
A. W. Friermood's mother had died when he was but ten years old, but his step- mother, Christina Snyder, became an excel- lent mother to the orphan children. After
the father's death the mother remained upon the farm, while the children became sep- arated, A. W. finding a home in a family by the name of McLain, with whom he re- mained until at the age of seventeen his mother's brother, William Michaels, of Dialton, Ohio, having repeatedly urged the lad to come to him, A. W. made his home with this uncle until the attainment of his majority.
His father's estate had been placed in the hands of Willis Zerkel, of Sims town- ship, Grant county, who had also been the guardian of the children. Being a man of integrity and acute business judgment Mr. Zerkel had enhanced the value of the estate, so that about six hundred dollars was the share of A. W., who by loaning this amount and what he had received for wages had at the age of twenty-five about twenty-one hundred dollars, with which he was enabled to engage in the business already described.
In March, 1876, he was married, at Northampton, Clark county, Ohio, to Miss Phebe Oltwalt, of that place. After a resi- cience together of nearly eighteen years this lady was called from him in January, 1894. The following year occurred his marriage to Miss Nellie Seegar, daughter of Jasper and Lydia Seegar, now living retired in Marion, and of whom further mention is found elsewhere in this work.
Mrs. Friermood was born in Pleasant township, and with the exception of four years while a child her life has been passed in Grant county.
She was educated in the high school at LaPorte, subsequently receiving special musical training in the conservatory &t Jacksonville, Illinois. She became a music teacher before her marriage, attaining
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marked success as a capable instructor. The natural charm and refinement of this lady, emphasized by the advantages of a liberal education and the benefits of the best so- ciety, combine to make her a most agreeable companion and entertaining hostess.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Friermood consists of two sons and a daughter : Roger, who is a student in the senior class at Pur- due University; Glen, a student in Butler College at Irvington, Indiana; and Lucille. Mr. Friermood and wife are members of the M. E. church. He is a past noble grand in the Sweetser Odd Fellow's Lodge, and she is active in the Rebekahs at Marion. He is a Republican, frequently being found in the conventions of the party.
DAVID S. HOGIN.
David S. Hogin, a highly respected citi- zen of Marion, Grant county, Indiana, and a retired merchant, was born in Lancaster, Fairfield county, Ohio, March 22, 1832, a son of Benoni C. and Nancy H. Hogin.
Benoni C. Hogin, father of David S., was a native of Kent county, Delaware, was born July 5, 1804, was reared on a farm, and at the age of eighteen or nineteen years came west and for a short time lived in Lancaster, Ohio, and then came to Indiana and learned the tailor's trade in Brookville, Franklin county. Returning to Lancaster, Ohio, he engaged in mercantile business un- til February, 1836, and then came to Marion, Indiana, there being at that time only twelve families in the village, and here again he had the courage to embark in mercantile trade at the point now known as the corner
of Third and Washington streets, and con- tinued in business here until his death, which resulted from cholera, June 14. 1851, while on a visit to Iowa, his wife dying almost simultaneously. The remains of both were interred in Bower Grove, where they still lie side by side.
In politics Benoni C. Hogin was a Whig, was a judge of probate in Grant county in an early day, and was a member of the constitutional convention in 1851. Fra- ternally he was a Royal Arch Mason, at Lancaster, Ohio, and was appointed deputy to organize Grant Lodge, No. 105. In re- ligion he was a devout Methodist.
John Hogin, father of Benoni C., came from the north of Ireland to the United States about the year 1800 and settled in Delaware, where he died when his son, Benoni C., was a mere lad. Of John Hogin's three brothers, one, George, was an officer in the war of 1812.
Nancy H. (Swayzee) Hogin, mother of David S. Hogin, was born in Brook county, Virginia, was married in Kent county, Dela- ware, July 19, 1827, and died of cholera in Sigourney, Iowa, as intimated above, at the age of forty-three years, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her grandfa- ther, Amos, came from Lorraine, Germany, prior to the Revolutionary war in America and entered a large tract of land on Long Island, New York, on the present site of Brooklyn, but during the struggle for inde- pendence moved with his family to Vir- ginia, and thence to Fairfield county, Ohio. Amos Swayzee had one son, who was an officer in the war of the Revolution; an- other son, also named Amos, and who was probably born on Long Island, became the father of Mrs. Hogin, and died in Fairfield
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county, Ohio, but his wife, Henrietta, died in Grant county, Indiana, at the age of eighty years.
To the marriage of Benoni C. and Nancy H. Hogin were born three children: Emily R., who was married to David R. McKin- ley, and died in 1874; David S., the sub- ject proper of this sketch; and William Ed- ward, who was a practicing physician in Marion and died in 1876.
David S. Hogin was not quite four years of age when brought to Marion, and here he was reared and educated. He assisted his father in the store until the latter's death, when he assumed charge of the con- cern, carried the business through the panic that prevailed from 1852 until 1855, and was one of the most successful merchants of his age in the state of Indiana. About 1865 he disposed of his stock of dry-goods and engaged exclusively in the grocery trade in partnership with his sons until 1890, when he permanently retired. He had also conducted a farm of one hundred and fifty acres for several years.
David S. Hogin married, June 22, 1852, in Ohio, Miss Mary E. Vantilburgh, and this union was blessed with two children, viz. : William Edward, of the firm of Spen- cer & Hogin, wholesale grocers and hard- ware merchants, and Charles A., also a hardware dealer in Marion.
In politics David S. Hogin is a stanch Republican, but before he had become of age cast his first presidential vote for Win- field Scott, the Whig candidate, in 1852. Mr. Hogin was never desirous of holding public office, but as a matter of public duty served as superintendent of the Marion wa- ter-works, and was on the water-works board for fifteen years; during the Civil war he
was trustee of Center township, Grant coun- ty. He lacked two weeks of being of age when he made application for admission to the Masonic fraternity, and is now a mem- ber of Grant Lodge, No. 105, of Chapter No. 55, Council No. 28, and Commandery No. 21, and in all of these has held exalted of- fices.
Mr. and Mrs. Hogin are consistent members of the Christian church, to the maintenance of which they have always lib- erally contributed.
EDGAR L. GOLDTHWAITE.
All of the Goldthwaites in Grant county, and the United States as well, are descended from Thomas Goldthwaite, who came from Yorkshire county, England, to Salem, Mas- sachusetts, in 1630.
In 1836 Mary Crawford Goldthwaite, the widow of John Goldthwaite, moved from Fairfield county, Ohio, to Grant county, In- diana, her husband having died in 1829.
John Goldthwaite emigrated from Long- meadow, Massachusetts, to Marietta, Ohio, with General Rufus Putnam in 1789. He taught the first school in Fairfield county and afterward started the first nursery in the state, which business he continued until his death. He was a son of Thomas Gold- thwaite, who served seven years in the Rev- olutionary war with the Sixth Massachu- setts Regiment.
Mrs. Goldthwaite brought with her to this county seven children : Elijah, born in 1808, died in 1874; Margaret G. Stevenson, born in 1810, died in 1840; Oliver, born in 1812, died in 1873; John Wesley, born in
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1816, died in 1896; Mary G. Brownlee, born in 1818, died in 1844; Cimon, born in 1820, died in 1875; Lucy G. Brownlee, born in 1823, died in 1847.
The only survivors of this branch of the family, the eighth generation in this coun- try, are Margaret Willson, daughter of Mary G. and John Brownlee; and Orlando L. and Edgar L., sons of Oliver Goldthwaite, and William E., Frank B., Lucy, Alice and Emily Goldthwaite, children of Cimon Gold- thwaite.
The name is variously spelled Goldthait, Goldthwait and Goldthwaite.
WILLIAM H. TROOK.
No line of thought or action in life pre- sents greater opportunities to the man of serious ambition than that of the profession of the law. Among those at the Grant county bar who have already attained dis- tinction through the display of legal ability is William H. Trook.
He was born in Grant county January 29, 1868, being the son of William and Anna E. Trook, early settlers of Richland township. The father of our subject de- parted this life February 3, 1901 ; his mother still resides on the old homestead, one of the most beautiful country homes in Grant county.
The early life of Mr. Trook was not dissimilar to that of the average country boy. His college education, however, was received at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he pursued the literary and law courses, graduating from that justly celebrated institution of learning in the year
1890, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws.
On the 16th day of June, 1890, he was admitted to practice as an attorney and coun- selor at law and solicitor and counselor in chancery in the supreme court of the state of Michigan.
Desiring to have the full benefit of the excellent advantages offered by that superior educational institution, he returned the fol- lowing year and became a student in the post- graduate class, pursuing a special course of study on the law of private corpora- tions, upon the completion of which he re- ceived the degree of Master of Laws.
Immediately after the close of his col- lege career he enterd upon the practice of his profession in the city of Marion. The conduct and issue of his first cases estab- lished a reputation that soon brought him a lucrative practice. Success was assured from the start, his devotion to the cause of clients and his careful preparation for the trial of cases insuring him a recognition, both among the profession and the general public.
By devoting his entire attention to the law and not allowing politics or extraneous matters to distract him from the one line of thought, and possessing thorough business integrity, he has become the legal adviser of some of our largest business institutions. Large and important cases, upon the issue of which great sums were involved, have been placed in his charge; the result, in most instances, proving the correctness and wisdom of his selection.
As a public speaker he makes no effort at flowery declamation, but by methodical and logical arguments brings his case before the court, and in his address to the jury 1
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analyzes the testimony concentrating it upon the point at issue. He pays constant attention to that adage that "Method and preparation are the true cause of a lawyer's success," and he never comes into court without having his authorities carefully se- lected beforehand.
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