Centennial History of Grant County Indiana, Part 73

Author: Rolland Lewis Whitson
Publication date: 1914
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1034

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Warren. The history of that railroad undertaking is too long to be detailed here, but it is sufficient to state that the litigation which finally arose among the officials and stockholders was eventually de- cided by the supreme court adversely to Moses Bradford, the chief grounds for the verdict being that it was against public policy for one man to own a controlling interest in any such important public utility. Mr. Bradford stood tenaciously for his rights, and made a vigorous fight for his property, but in the end lost it all. Thus there is a tragic phase to his career, as indeed there is in the careers of hundreds of patriotic and public spirited men who have devoted themselves disinterestedly to the promotion of some great and bene- ficial undertaking, only to see its control slip from their grasp. After years of effort in advancing the welfare of his community and struggling to retain the fortune he had amassed by the strictest legiti- mate methods, Moses Bradford died a poor man, others reaping of the harvest where he had cleared, broken and planted.

For many years he conducted a general store at Marion, and was constantly doing something in the way of building that tended to improve the town. He always manifested a firm faith in Marion, as a commercial and social center, and believed that it was destined to become a large city. Moses Bradford is remembered by all of the older citzens as a justice of the peace. In this minor judicial office many of his decisions bore the stamp of originality and even of genius, and where women and children were concerned his big heart always found a way. While he did much for the city's improve- ment, he never forgot the less fortunate and many baskets full of the necessaries of life found their way to them.

During the early years of his residence before the war he was an original abolitionist, not only consistently with the tenet of his Quaker faith, but also of the vigorous and uncompromising type of the William Lloyd Garrison kind. The cooperation of Northern abolitionists in assisting fugitive slaves to escape across the middle states into Canada had already begun, when Moses Bradford located in Marion. It was no uncommon thing to hear a soft scratch on the window pane or to hear the hoot of an owl, a signal that some black soul was asking for help on the road to freedom. He soon became one of the most helpful of the local organizations in forwarding this particular work, and was probably the most radical anti-slavery man in the entire county. It is noteworthy that his house on the north side of the river was a station of the famous "under-ground railway," and before the war many a runaway negro was sheltered somewhere about his premises during the day, and the succeeding night was never too dark or the danger too great for him to go out and attend and assist the fugitive along the next stage of his north- ward journey. Fearless to a remarkable degree, he was not to be stopped by man or devil when he felt the cause of humanity needed his presence and help. During those times he was threatened again and again and violence was even offered him, but it never caused him to hesitate when once his mind was bent on the accomplishment of a definite task. Such had no effect except to make his determina- tion the more dogged and unyielding. He was outspoken in his opin- ion, and even harsh in his criticisms of others, since he could never entertain sympathy for those of a trembling and vacillating nature, whose hearts might be right, but whose fears kept them from action when action was most needed. Throughout his life he stood as a man of action, and at the same time he had the rare gift of inspiring enthusiasm for action and efforts, as was instanced in the building

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of the first railroad. In conversation he lacked all the qualities of smoothness and polite suaveness, but made up for these in strength and vigor of utterance.

In the early days, on one occasion while enroute from the east Moses Bradford came near being mobbed in the vicinity of Cin- cinnati. His reputation was quite widespread, and word of his com- ing had preceded him, so that a reward was offered for his appre- hension. By the kindly assistance of Quaker friends he eluded the parties in search of him, and thus came through without injury. He was also warned by the Knights of the Golden Circle, whose training grounds were at Van Buren, that he would be mobbed, but he kept on the even tenor of his way, though his home was fired into and other insults offered. Weighing two hundred and forty- five pounds, he had physical strength in proportion, and very few men were able to handle him.

While never an aspirant for public recognition, he was well qual- ified to fill any post of trust. He assisted in the building and main- tenance of the old Wesleyan church, besides which he erected a church building on a tract of his own, donating its use to the congregation. His home was known far and wide as one where ministers of the gospel would find a royal welcome and a bountiful table always ready. He platted two additions to the city, embracing about fifty acres, and which are now covered with desirable residences. Moses Bradford died January 10, 1898, full of years and honors. He was the father of twelve children, eight of whom reached maturity.

CASSIUS C. BRADFORD. Everybody in Grant county knows big- hearted, genial "Cash" Bradford, and every one knows him to be one of the most progressive and public spirited citizens of Marion. Few men have a wider acquaintance over the county, and few have more loyal friends. Cassius C. Bradford, traveling representative of the Ballard Packing Company, was born in Marion, July 30, 1857, a son of the late Moses and Mary Ellen (Van Horn) Bradford. The career of his father and his high place in Grant county history has been described in preceding paragraphs.

Reared at Marion, the son Cassius when a boy entered his father's store, and was connected with various lines of business enterprise in this county for a number of years. He first became prominent in public affairs in 1898 when he was elected to the office of sheriff. He was again returned to the office in 1900, after receiving nine hun- dred more votes at the primary election than the combined votes of his four opponents. As sheriff he made a model officer. As a mark of appreciation for his activity in the enforcement of law, the W. C. T. U. ladies presented him with a handsome souvenir at the close of his term. Mr. Bradford is a stanch Republican, and has taken much interest in local politics.

For the past seven years Mr. Bradford has been traveling rep- resentative of the Ballard Packing Company of Marion. In 1903 he built his present modern home at Christy and Lawrence Avenue. This is one of the picturesque places of Marion, located on a high eminence which affords a broad view of the Mississinewa river and the little valley below. Mr. Bradford was married February 22. 1881, to Miss Victoria Cochrane of Marion. Their two children are Burr, who is connected with the Marion Street Railway, and Mary, who is at home. Mr. Bradford affiliates with the United Commercial Travelers.

ELIAS B. RENNAKER. The commensurate reward for a life of indus- try and usefulness is an honorable retirement in which to enjoy the

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ELIAS B. RENNAKER

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY

fruits of former years of toil, and the average Indiana farmer when he has reached the evening of life puts aside business cares and retires to a comfortable residence, content in the knowledge of a career well spent. In this connection it is not inappropriate to give a review of the life of Elias B. Rennaker, retired agriculturist and Civil War vet- eran, who is now living on a small property in the vicinity of Sweetser, Indiana.

Mr. Rennaker was born in Carroll county, Ohio, December 14, 1840, and is a son of Michael and Rebecca (Steffy) Rennaker. His parents, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania, near what was later to become the famous battlefield of Gettysburg, removed to Carroll county, Ohio, not long after their marriage, and in 1853 came to Indiana, purchasing 200 acres of land in Pleasant township, there spending the remainder of their lives. They had a family of ten sons and six daughters, and of these children twelve grew to maturity. The early education of Elias B. Rennaker was secured in the common schools of his native county, and this was supplemented by several terms in the district schools of Pleasant township, whence he had accompanied his parents as a lad of thirteen years. After completing his education, he settled down to agricultural pursuits on his father's farm, and was so engaged until the time of his enlistment, in August, 1862, in Company C, Twelfth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which was connected with the Fourth Division of the Fifteenth Army Corps, commanded by Gen. John A. Logan. He continued to serve with this organization until the close of hostilities in 1865, and during his military career partici- pated in some of the fiercest engagements of the great struggle between the North and South, including Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta and Richmond, Kentucky, and took part in the famous campaign of General Sherman, in his "March to the Sea." At Atlanta, Georgia, Mr. Rennaker was seriously wounded in the left hand, still carrying the scar of the bullet wound, and at Richmond was captured by the Con- federates, but was imprisoned only two months, when he received his parole. He was known as a brave and faithful soldier, ever perform- ing ably and cheerfully the duties entrusted to him, and won the admira- tion of his comrades and the respect of his officers. For many years Mr. Rennaker was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, being connected with the post at Marion, Indiana.

After he had recuperated from the effects of army life, Mr. Rennaker resumed agricultural operations, and for many years was actively en- gaged therein, becoming one of the substantial men of his community, and owning an excellent property about three and one-half miles north- east of Converse. He was successful in his general farming operations, and also as a breeder of hogs and cattle, won an enviable reputation for his honorable business methods, and gained a wide circle of friends. In 1900 he retired from active life, and is now residing on a small property near Sweetser, Indiana, although he is still the owner of eighty acres of land in Richland township and four acres in Pleasant township.

In 1867 Mr. Rennaker was married to Miss Martha M. Julian, who was born, reared and educated in Pleasant township, Grant county, In- diana, and was a daughter of Louis and Sarah Julian. Mrs. Rennaker died in 1875, having been the mother of three children, of whom two died in infancy, while the third, Maggie, is still living and the wife of Jacob R. Fisher. In 1883, Mr. Rennaker was married to Miss Abigail Marks, daughter of Thomas and Mary Marks, Mr. Marks being said to have been the first blacksmith in Marion, Indiana.

From the time of attaining his majority until 1889, Mr. Rennaker was politically a Republican, but at that time transferred his allegiance

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to the Democratic party, and has since supported its candidates. He has never engaged prominently in political activities, but held the office of supervisor of Richland township for one term. He has been a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for many years, with his membership in Beacon Lodge No. 320, of Converse. Since his bap- tism as a young man in the Lutheran faith, his religious life has been with that denomination.

OLIVER S. DAVIS. Prominent among the most estimable and pros- perous farming men of Center township and one who has performed a worthy work in advancing the development of the rural districts, a work which was begun by his parents over a half century ago, Oliver S. Davis is a Grant county citizen whose career cannot fail to add a measure of completeness to the biographical contents of this publica- tion. A native son of the county, all his busy life has been spent within its borders, and he is widely known as the proprietor of Walnut Grove Farm and as a breeder of thoroughbred Holstein Friesian cattle.

Oliver S. Davis was born in Liberty township, Grant county, Indi- ana, November 9, 1851, and is a son of George and Charlotte (Baldwin) Davis. His father, a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, accompanied his parents to Wayne county, Indiana, when he was eight years old, while the mother was three months old when her parents left North Carolina, where she was born, and settled in Wayne county. Both par- ents were therefore reared in the latter locality, and were married there December 15, 1841. About seven years after their marriage they moved to Grant county, and arriving in the wilderness of woods and on August 12, 1848, began their residence in a log cabin home. Though for some years they lived with pioneer simplicity and in the midst of a crude and primitive environment, they enjoyed a happy, contented and industrious life. Their home was in the midst of the woods, and for days at a time the howling of the wolves among the trees was ever present. The location which they had first chosen in Liberty township, with constantly growing and increasing improvements and comforts, continued to be the abiding place of the family until the parents fin- ished their earthly pilgrimage. The father died on July 23, 1901, aged eighty-three years, two months and eleven days, and his loved and faithful wife had preceded him on December 6, 1882, aged fifty. nine years, six months and twenty-five days. They were active, sturdy people, and their rugged out-door life doubtless contributed to their length of days, and they enjoyed a splendid measure of health and strength unto the last. Both were members of the Friends church, and the life they led exemplified the simplicity and beauty of their faith. They became the parents of ten children, five of whom are living at this writing, as follows: William F. Davis, of Fairmount, Indiana; Oliver S., of Marion, Indiana; Nathan F., also of Fairmount; Cather- ine, the wife of E. R. Neal, of Liberty township; and Joseph E., of Liberty township.

Oliver S. Davis was reared in Liberty township and as a boy attended the district schools. He shared in the strenuous work of clearing up the farm where his father had settled, and as the years went by he devoted much of his time to the development of the place. He continued to be his father's assistant until he married, when he rented a forty-acre tract and worked it for one year, and then bought it out- right. Since then his prosperity has been on the steady increase, and from time to time he has acquired other lands sufficient to bring his holdings up to ninety-one acres, with an interest in a place of ninety acres in Pleasant township.

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Mr. Davis is a practical and business like farmer, and in many ways has demonstrated his capacity as a successful agriculturist. In the breeding of Holstein Friesian cattle he has accomplished considerable in the way of raising the standard for dairy cows in this district, some of his herd being of pure blood, while others are of high grade, and he has found that the best stock pays better dividends than the inferior cat- tle which some years ago ruled as the favorite among general farmers. The leader of his herd is a registered Holstein bull, said to be one of the best of its breed in Grant county. The success of Mr. Davis has from time to time been measured in terms of practical additions to his farming plant and his home. In 1897 he built a fine barn, and in the following year constructed the comfortable frame residence in which he and his family reside. These improvements were followed in 1899 by the erection of a substantial tenant house on the farm, and in 1905 he erected another residence. His most recent improvement was the building in 1911 of a thousand dollar dairy barn on the farm in Pleasant township.

As a member of the State Grange, Mr. Davis has long been active in Grange affairs, and through that organization has done much to advance community welfare. He is Republican in politics, but gives only the attention of a good citizen to such matters. He and his fam- ily follow the example set by the earlier members and adhere to the Friends church.

On March 14, 1872, Mr. Davis was married to Miss Evangeline Jay, who was born in Mill township, daughter of Denny and Annie (Coggshall) Jay. Mr. Davis and wife have three living children : Herman L., a graduate of the local schools, married Rosamond Cary, and their seven children are Gail, Miriam Marie, George Russell, Anna J., Homer E., Herbert Paul, and Arthur M .; Melvin, the second son, died August 5, 1880; Harvey W., is the third of the family; and Ida F., the fourth, makes her home with her parents. Herman L. and Har- vey W. Davis attended the Marion Normal Institute. Ida F. Davis graduated from the common schools.

The Davis family, through their long association with this commun- ity, occupy a high place in the esteem and regard of the best people in the county.

WILLIAM H. ANDERSON. For a quarter of a century the late Wil- liam H. Anderson was a resident and active business man of Marion. His was from every point of view a successful career, and his death on July 19, 1913, was a distinct loss to the business, civic and social welfare of the city. For a number of years Mr. Anderson had been vice president of the Grant Trust Company, and was recognized as a man of unusual business ability, with the judgment and energy to carry out all his plans. Both for what he did and for what he was William H. Anderson will long be remembered in this community.

William H. Anderson was born at Logansport, Indiana, where the family were pioneer settlers on the third of January, 1851, and was sixty-three years of age at his death. His parents were Peter and Mar- garet (Wright) Anderson, the former a native of the state of Mary- land, and the latter born at Greencastle, Indiana. Peter Anderson came to Logansport in 1829, was one of the pioneer merchants of that city, and lived there until his death in 1868. His widow died there in 1884.

Mr. Anderson grew up at Logansport, had a public school educa- tion, and early in his career engaged in the livery business. That was his vocation until 1888, in which year he established his home at

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Marion and engaged in the electric light and heating business. His interests increased and he prospered steadily, and in 1902 he gave up his management of most of his other affairs and became connected with the Grant Trust & Savings Company. His service with that company was continuous from 1902 until his death, and since 1905 he has been vice president. The late Mr. Anderson was active in affairs of a social and religious nature. He was treasurer of the Presbyterian church, His interest in affairs made him a member of the Masonic Order, in which he had taken thirty-two degrees of the Scottish Rite, and he was a life member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In politics, while supporting the Republican party with considerable regu- larity, he never found time to accept any of the more conspicuous poli- tical honors.

Mr. Anderson was married in 1899, on the nineteenth of July, to Miss Nettie Cameron. Mrs. Anderson was born and reared in Marion, a daughter of Thomas Cameron, one of the well known residents of this county. Mrs. Anderson has no children, and now resides alone in her residence at 918 W. Fourth street.

ANDREW J. FERGUSON. A life of signal integrity, industry and worthiness has been that of Mr. Ferguson, who has been a resident of Grant county from his boyhood days and who has now passed the psalmist's span of three score years and ten, so that he is one of the venerable citizens of the county, even as he is one of its most honored representatives of the pioneer element in this favored section of the state. He has been in the most significant sense. the architect of his own fortunes and is largely self-educated, as he received most lim- ited scholastic advantages in his youth. He is known as a man of mature judgment, fine mentality and exalted character, and thus it may be well understood that in the community which has long been his home he has a host of friends. His active career was one of close and indefatigable application to the great basic industry of agricul- ture, in connection with which he achieved substantial independence and prosperity, and he is still the owner of one of the valuable farm properties of Grant county, this homestead being situated in Monroe and Center townships, the farm aggregating 204 acres. He is now retired from the active labors and responsibilities which were his for many years and in his attractive home he and his devoted wife are passing the gracious twilight of their lives, compassed by peace and prosperity and the most pleasing of associations. Mr. Ferguson is a righteous, generous and high-minded man, is an ordained minister of the Christian church and has been one of the zealous and faithful workers in the vineyard of the Divine Master, with kindly tolerance and with an earnest desire to do all in his power to aid and uplift his fellow men. His standing in the community and his definite achieve- ment in connection with the practical activities of life render most consistent the specific recognition accorded to him in this history of the county in which his friends are equal in number to his acquaintances. He left the farm January 21, 1900, and bought and moved into his present residence, 705 West Second street, Marion.

Though by training and appreciative loyalty Mr. Ferguson is essen- tially and emphatically a Hoosier, he claims the old Buckeye state as the place of his nativity. He was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 25th of October, 1842, and is a son of Drury and Charlotte (Oliver) Ferguson, the former a native of Virginia and of stanch Scottish lineage, and the latter a native of North Carolina. Drury Ferguson devoted his entire active career to agricultural pursuits and applied himself zeal-

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ously, though he was unable to gain more than nominal financial suc- cess, owing principally to the fact that upon him rested the responsi- bility of caring for and rearing a large family of children. About the year 1848 he came with his family to Indiana and he became one of the pioneer farmers of Grant county. He first established his home on Walnut creek, and later removed to land owned by Martin Griffin. He always farmed on rented land and thus was unable to leave any material estate to his children, in providing for whom he had expended his best efforts. He passed the closing period of his life in Monroe township, this county, where he died in 1878, at the age of seventy-six years, his loved and noble wife having been summoned to eternal rest in 1868. Both were earnest, righteous and God-fearing persons and their memories are revered by those of their children who are still living, the while their names merit place on the roll of the honored pioneers of this section of the Hoosier state. They became the par- ents of twelve children, all save one of whom attained to maturity and of whom seven are now living-Josiah, of North Marion, this county ; Mrs. Susan Bole, of Van Buren township, this county; Mrs. Lucy Ann Davis, of Van Buren township; Zachariah, of Monroe township; Edmund, of Carroll county, Missouri; Mrs. Charlotte Palmer, of Black- ford county, Indiana; and Andrew Jackson, the immediate subject of this review and the sixth in order of birth of the twelve children.

Reared under the conditions and influences of the pioneer days, Andrew J. Ferguson received but meager educational advantages in his boyhood and youth, but he has effectually overcome this handicap through self-discipline and through the valuable lessons gained under the direction of that wisest of all head-masters, experience. He was a lad of six years at the time of the family removal to Indiana and thus he has been a resident of Grant county for more than sixty years, during which he has contributed his full quota to industrial and social development and progress and given himself earnestly and effectively to the labors of the farm. In this vocation he is familiar with the vicis- situdes that attended the reclamation and improving of wild land in the pioneer epoch and has stood exponent of the advanced methods and facilities which have attended agricultural pursuits in these latter days of opulent prosperity. He early began to do hard work and to assist in the support of the large family-a discipline which he has never regretted, since it gave to him self-reliance, ambition and a respect for the dignity and value of honest toil. He continued to assist his father until he was nearly twenty-one years of age, when he secured employ- ment on a neighboring farm. He was employed as a farm hand for eight years and in the meanwhile carefully saved the meager earnings received from his arduous work. His really independent career was initiated when he began putting in crops "on shares," as it is designated, and here his energy and close application enabled him to make a profit within the four years of his operations along this line. At the age of twenty-three years Mr. Ferguson married, and with the added responsi- bilities he consulted ways and means for the securing of independence. He purchased on credit a tract of forty acres of land, and of this he later disposed at a profit, after which he went to live on the land of Shadrick Thornburg, where he worked land on shares for that man, who had a distinct liking for him and who manifested this by devising to him by will the sum of one thousand dollars. This generous and timely bequest enabled Mr. Ferguson to gain a substantial footing on the ladder of success, and thence onward he put forth his best energies and ability in working toward the mark of substantial success and prosperity, thus justifying the confidence that had been shown by his

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Centennial History of Grant County Indiana, Part 73

Author: Rolland Lewis Whitson Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1034

Author: Rolland Lewis Whitson
Publication date: 1914
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1034