USA > Indiana > Grant County > Centennial history of Grant County, Indiana, 1812 to 1912 : compiled from records of the Grant county historical society, archives of the county, data of personal interviews, and other authentic sources of local information > Part 58
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" This plan is at least worth considering. Once get such an organiza- tion and the factories-good factories, substantial factories, successful factories will come. Then with the factories come countless other things in addition to the increase in population- better school facilities, better church facilities, better public facilities of all sorts. This plan will cer. tainly win if carried out, and it can be carried out if only there is sutti- vient interest in the subject.'
One day later the same typewriter clicked off the following after- thought :
"The purpose in going after factories is overlooked even by many a successful business man. It is not merely to induce the manufacturers to become residents, although as a rule they are desirable citizens. It is the fact that every one of these manufacturers mean the addition of a score or a hundred or more others who come here to obtain employment. And it is not merely that these men come here, but that they make a market for commodities. If they were not employed, if they were mere idlers or loafers, the town would be better off without them, but. these men must live, and in order to live they must buy the necessaries of life, and most of them buy not only necessaries but comforts and luxuries. The presence of these buyers makes business.
"This is the kernel of the whole matter. It sounds gross and coars . and materialitic, it is true, to say this, but it is the fact, nevertheless. These industries and the men they employ are wanted because they make a demand for everything that there is to be soll. They make a demand for the time and energy that other workingmen have to sell; they make a demand for building materials and for dry goods and for clothing and for groceries and for all the infinite variety of things that. are in use in the households.
"If these manufacturers and their employes went to Indianapolis, or to Chicago or Kalamazoo for these things, no one would care to have them. They would not be classed as desirable citizens. Their chief valne to the town is the home market that they help to build np. With this in mind it is well to consider the industries we have. Some of there are already crowded to the utmost to fill the orders they have. Some of them could do twice the business they do now if they had more room, or if they had a larger plant, and most of these things could be had if they had more capital.
"We know that there are at least some cases of this kind already in Marion, and it would not be amiss if these cases were thoroughly con-
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sidered. This would mean the employment of many more persons, and this itself would make additions to the home market.
" But, says the superficial thinker, this is not getting factories. It is true that this is not going to Mishawaka or elsewhere and moving a factory, at great expense, but on the other hand it is adding to the num- ber of persons that are given employment, and so far as building up the home market is concerned it is exactly the same as bringing in a new factory.
"Suppose one of the home industries is now employing fifty men. Suppose the business it is already doing would justify the employment of fifty more. Suppose additional stock would be raised to enable this coneern to employ that additonal fifty. The result in the one essential sense is exactly the same as bringing in a new factory to employ fifty men. Some persons seem unable to understand this, simple as it seems to be, but it is true, nevertheless, and just now it suggests a chance for immediate investigation.
"A little more than twenty years ago Marion had barely Tour thou- sand people. Today it has twenty thousand or more. It has Facilities also that compare in the same way with the facilities it enjoyed then. The cause of this difference is the home market. Anything that contrib- utes to his home market contributes to the growth and general well-being of the city. Much of this has come from the additional growth of the Factories already here. This should be encouraged in every way, and right here is a field for immediate action that might very profitably be investigated.
"At any rate, yon can't build up an inland town without manufac- turing industries. The way to get them is to go after themt. The way to build np Marion is to get factories. One way to get them is to help build up the factories that are already here."
As the years go by the student of economics is apt to find the fore- going logie stands the test of time. All of the labor employed must be one of the secrets of municipal prosperity. When all the people are busy there are no demands upon charity.
Some one inclined to boost a little on his own account has recently given expression to "The Advantages Marion has to offer" by saying :
"Population of Marion 20,000. The shopping center of 100,000 people living within twenty minutes ride. The territory from which the merchants can draw trade is unlimited in extent and one of the richest in the state.
"The bank clearings for Marion in 1912 aggregated about $26,277,- 821.66. The city has three banks and two trust companies, with deposits of abont $5,000,000.00.
"The Marion Normal College is one of the largest independent nor- mals in the country. The buildings accommodate 1,500 students, who attend this institution from all parts of the United States. The Marion Business College, another institution, is devoted to the training of young men and women in actual commercial work. The Horace Mann and High School rank among the best in Indiana.
"Marion possesses its full quota of places of worship, meeting the needs of all the religious denominations found in this section.
"Marion has unsurpassed transportation facilities-four steam roads and three electric lines.
"Marion is in the heart of the manufacturing world, which makes it convenient to big markets. Has plenty of labor, exceptionally cheap fuel, low rents and good shipping facilities.
"Marion is known as the Electric City of Indiana. This is due to the progressiveness of the merchants and the excellent facilities offered
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by the fighting company. Another thing that Marion enjoys is the cheap rate for electric power for factory purposes. Generally, the first people seen by prospective locators in a city are the power generators. Any demand can be taken care of and at a moment's notice. At night the streets are well illuminated by five-light ornamental electrie posts throughout the business seetion."
The slogan of the recent industrial exposition and automobile show : "Business is good. Make Marion move, " as furnished by the Marion Civic Assembly, was in harmony with the general spirit of the com- munity-reflected the sentiment of all Grant county. There have been merchants' associations in the different towns, business men intensely loyal to their own communities whose families umst do all their shopping at home, and yet they have offered special inducements to customers, paid the car fare of those coming a distance, and the retail stores of the entire county, Marion the center, are a source of pride to all. Among them are modern, well lighted buildings-gigantie monuments to local enterprise! The good store equipment is not all in Marion, and Swayar balances Van Buren and holds its local patronage the same as U'pland, Matthews-and then across the center of the county, Marion, Jonesboro, Gas City and Fairmount-cheap transportation brings all the people to- gether, and yet all are loyal to home merchants --- the county limitations -- and business men do not enjoy reading in the society cohmmmns about the wives of other men "shopping" in the cities.
The material interests of the community are well taken care of, and business blocks are added and changed as required until there are but few landmarks in evidence, only a few places that are recognizable by prodigals who return after long sojourns in the " far country." Marion hotels are well equipped and wayfarers are glad of an over-Sunday stay in the town. Although prompted only by mercenary motives, the transportation facilities contribute to the weal of the community, and the churches offer friendly shelter to the "Stranger within the gates." When a city's advantages are heralded abroad-the Marion newspapers always second every motion that is for the upbuilding of the community -all roads lead to Grant county's social and business centers-Grant county first and then the rest of the world, and loyalty to home indus- try and advancement is the watchword- the slogan.
When the first census was taken in 1840 in Grant county the popula- tion was 4,875; in 1850 it was 11,092: 1860, 15,797: 1870, 18,847; 1880. 23,618; 1890, 31,493; 1900, 54,693, and in 1910, 51,426, show- ing that high tide in local population was about the Century year. In that year there were 17,767 voters, many men being attracted to the oil fields who had no families -- floating population-and the failure of gas and oil caused the subsequent decrease in population. A stranger would be told by any citizen that the population of Grant county is greater than shown by the census reports, and since from the card index system in use at the Marion post office showing to whom mail is delivered there is a difference of more than 5,000, it would seem that the entire county population is underestimated in the census reports. The 1910 census gives Marion 19,359 while the post office record of mail delivered gives it 24,500, and local enthusiasts naturally quote the latter estimate. As an industrial center Grant is one of the most important counties in Indiana, and tall smoke stacks ceaselessly belch forth from blazing fur- naces the visible evidence of the great activities going on in factories and workshops, and these " Booster" clubs have had their part in revo- Intionizing industrial conditions in Marion and in all the towns of the county.
On the basis of one hundred it is said that ninety-five per cent fail
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in business, three pull through by strenuous effort and two have easy sailing, but that rule must apply in some other county -not in Grant. There are comparatively few business Failures, although that word is in the Grant county dictionary. It is interesting to note the increase of population by decades From 1840, a gradual growth, until after the dis covery of natural gas when it increased rapidly ; look back over the figures, a gain of almost 25,000 in the last decade of the nineteenth con- tury, but there is a limit to all things. While many industries were attracted to Grant county during the halyeon days of natural gas, the location is so favorable-so near the markets-that they have remained and continued operations without interruption. Every ageney encour- ages the factory. The banks accord liberal treatment to legitimate enter- prise, and organized effort is continually alert to secure new institu- tions and to enlarge those already located-bonus meaning as much in increasing facilities as adding new industries.
While no statistics of manufactured products are at hand, all the plants are running, and there is little labor difficulty. There are perhaps 125 factories in Grant county that employ six or more operatives, with 6,000 people on pay rolls constantly. There is a wide range of manu factured articles: Stoves, ranges, grain drills, chairs, chains, tables. office desks, iron beds, bed springs, mattresses, brass and iron castings, glass molds, glass bottles, chimneys, lantern globes, glass tableware, glass novelties, mission furniture, writing tablets, paper, paper boxes, paper pie plates, shoes, automobile motors, blank books, kitchen cabinets, tour, catsup, chili sauce, brick, tile, piano benches, canvas gloves, boilers, steel tools, insulated wire and cables, rubber goods, carpet sweepers, wagons. grey iron products, ive, bread, clothing, hats, and so many things on smaller seale that it is easily understood why the pay roll should reach thousands of dollars every week in the entire county, The diversity of manufactured produets render the community practically immune against the periodical depression in different lines of trade due to overprodue- tion or stagnant business, and a temporary dull season in any particular line is not so noticeable as in some comummities.
The products of Grant county factories are carried to every point of the compass, and thus the whole world contributes to local prosperity. Many live, energetic salesmen travel about the country heralding the virtues of Grant county products and spreading abroad the many ad- vantages and resources of the entire county as a manufacturing and commercial center. The wholesale and jobbing houses are active and the aggregate vohimne of business is difficult to estimate. It is hard to find a citizen who is not a "Booster," and the "Stand up for Grant county" spirit is well implanted in the breasts of all. To write in detail of all Grant county's varied industries would require time and space, and this chapter is only a suggestion of the spirit of enterprise everywhere manifest.
LX. GEN. FRANCIS MARION CHAPTER D. A. R By Miss Frone 1. Case
In the city of Marion, Grant county, Indiana, Jaimary 15, 1910, in the club room of the Mation library, a meeting of patriotic women was held preliminary to the organization of a chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
As a result of this meeting on February 22. 1910, at the residence
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of Mrs. J. T. Giles, was perfected an organization to be known as the General Francis Marion Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revo- lution, officered as follows: Regent, Mrs. Giles; vice-regent, Mrs. E. H. Wolcott; secretary, Mrs. James E. Sisson; treasurer, Mrs. Maud Howard Gaines; registrar, Miss Lou Charles, and historian, Miss Prone A. Case.
The objects of this society are: First, to foster a spirit of true patriot- ism; second, to emphasize our indebtedness to the men and women who during the Revolutionary struggle counted no sacrifice too great if it contributed to the attainment of Independence; third, by historical study, to deepen our reverence for the sagacity, wisdom and courage of the forefathers of the Republic ; fourth, to diffuse a wider love of the principles for which they contended; fifth, to preserve to memory the lives of the women who did so much to inspire men to larger endeavor in the larger cause of Freedom.
Any woman may be eligible for membership who is of the age of eighteen years, and who is descended from a man or woman who with unfailing loyalty rendered material aid to the cause of Independence; from a recognized patriot or sailor, or civil officer in one of the several colonies or states, or of the United Colonies or States, provided that the applicant be acceptable to the society.
With the exception of the anniversary, February 22, the meetings of the General Francis Marion Chapter occur on the last Friday of cach month from February to November, inclusive. The Chapter observes Flag day, June 14, with appropriate ceremonies.
To every daughter of the American Revolution is accorded an au- cestor who aided in establishing American Independence, but to very few daughters is granted the honor of having not only a great-great- grandfather, but on September 30. 1910, when in response to roll call brief biographies of Revolutionary ancestors were given, Miss Minnie Patterson told of a great-great-grandmother who had shouldered ber musket, and how on every 30th of May her grave is decorated the same as her husband's, where they lie buried side by side. At this meeting Mrs. Candace Zombro Goldthwaite gave a thrilling account of the murder by the Indians of her great-great-grandfather and of the capture of her great-great-grandmother and her children-of their escape, and re- turn to their friends, and one of these captured children was the great- grandmother from whom she is lineally descended. No doubt others who have never enrolled as members could establish records equally interesting.
In 1912 enrollment of the General Francis Marion Chapter, D. 1. R. is: Mrs. Clarinda Hazzard Sims Armstrong, Mrs. Lota May Batchelor. Miss Edith Carlile Baldwin, Miss Winnie Butler. Mrs. Gertrude Marshall Beard, Mrs. Elna M. Campbell, Miss Sophronia Amelia Case, Miss Ethel Harris Case. Miss Bessie Case, Miss Florence Case, Miss Lulu Charles. Mrs. Edith Eskey Charles, Miss Merle Dean, Mrs. Ley (. Esler, Miss Aline Esler, Mrs. Esther Strange Eckhart, Miss Donna Flinn, Miss Evan- geline Flinn, Mrs. Louise Fliun Ford, Mrs. Mand Howard Gaines, Mrs. Georgetta Bowman Giles, Miss Alice Goldthwaite, Miss Emily Goldth- waite, Miss Mary Agnes Goldthwaite, Mrs. Candace Goldthwaite, Mrs. Adelia Gage, Mrs. Clara West Hayes, Mrs. Bessie Charles Higher, Mrs. Georgiana Brickner Hawkins, Miss Regina Cooper Hawkins. Miss Mary Howard, Mrs. Addie Carter Johnston, Miss Mary Love, Mrs. Adelaide Smith Miller, Mrs. Adah West MeGiuffin, Mrs. Grace Cornell Miller. Mrs. Bernice Butler Newhouse, Miss Minuje K. Patterson, Mrs. Nettie B. Powell, Mrs. Martha J. B. Presnall. Mrs. Jeanette Torrence Price. Mrs.
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Nettie E. Sims Sisson, Mrs. Mary L. Woods Sweetser, Mrs. Anna Burr Swezey, Mrs. Oliva Davis Thompson, Mrs. Katharine E. Ball Thomas.
One of the objects of the D. A. R. is to foster a spirit of true patriotism. With this object in view the chapter offers every year a two dollar and a half gold piece for the best essay on a patriotic sub- jeet written by an eighth grade pupil of the city schools. Since the organization of the General Francis Marion Chapter of the D. A. R. in 1910, the historian has been reverently seeking the graves of our Revolu- tionary soldiers known to be in Grant county. It is altogether fitting that we recognize our obligation to our heroes dead and to honor those who in the darkest days of the Revolution, days that tried men's souls, fought so willingly, so valiantly, for that freedom which is ours today --- for the protection of that flag loved by every loyal heart, honored in every land and on every sea-Old Glory-of which every star has a tongne-every stripe is artienlate. There is no language nor speech where their voice is not heard.
The D. A. R. of the General Francis Marion Chapter, inspired by patriotism and desiring to preserve in fitting form a testimonial of the' living appreciation of the valorons deeds performed and to perpetuate the memory of the spirit of the hero who so bravely assisted in the achievement of American Independence, placed a marker over the grave of Barnabas Vandeventer, Revolutionary soldier, who lies buried in the abandoned Friends cemetery two miles east of the Soldiers' Home. By placing this marker, a visible evidence of heroie deeds and hard won victories before the present and the future citizens of the United States, the D. A. R. hopes to foster the desire to give their best to the service of their country, and the inspiration may come to strive for the highest patriotie ideals of American citizenship. "Lest we forget." Barnabas Vandeventer, aged 103 years, nine months and ten days, and his wife, Elizabeth, aged ninety-four years, eleven months and twenty days, lie buried side by side, and their daughter, Elizabeth, also lies buried there. These three graves have been enclosed with a wire fence and shall be decorated every 30th of May. Other Revolutionary soldiers known to be buried in the county are:
Isaac Suddeth, aged ninety-nine and buried in the Old Bethel ceme- tery above Jonesboro and John B. Campbell, aged ninety-six, and buried in Maple Grove cemetery north of Sweetser. In time the General Francis Marion Chapter hopes to seeure markers for all of these graves. When the stone furnished by the government was placed at the Vandeventer grave on the Paxton farm there were many friends of the chapter in attendance, and it was an impressive ceremony.
The Chapter has made an exhaustive study of Colonial history which has been both pleasant and profitable. The last official roster is: Regent, Miss Emily Goldthwaite: vice regent, Mrs. Anna B. Swezey ; secretary, Mrs. Clara W. Hays; treasurer, Mrs. Gertrude M. Beard ; registrar, Mrs. Adelia Z. Gage; historian, Miss Frone A. Case. The General Francis Marion Chapter, though only three years old, is a strong, progressive, patriotie society with a membership of seventy. The members appre- ciate the honor of being part of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, with a membership of 100,000, in which are the descendents of the best and most honored names on the pages of our national history, while the names of thousands of humble heroes before unhonored and unsung have been brought to light and carefully filed with the application papers of their patriotic descendants. The National Society, D. A. R., has 1,000 chapters in the different states in the American Union, and is the strongest and most influential body of women in the world. The one impelling thought of the American
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Revolution is that it gave to the American people a patriotie event that was the common property of the whole nation, around which all could together come into the glorious accord which exists today.
Addendum. By Miss Frone Case. On September 22, 1913, the Gen. eral Francis Marion Chapter, D. A. R., conducted a memorial servier in honor of James Campbell, already previously mentioned in this chapter -- the Revolutionary soldier buried in Maple Grove cemetery two miles north of Sweetser.
About fifty patriotic citizens of the county attended the ceremony, and after the singing of America a fervent invocation was prononneed by the Rev. Rollin A. Bennett. Miss Emily Goldthwaite, regent of the chapter, in well chosen sentences conveyed the thought that the General Francis Marion Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution feels deeply the sense of its obligation in patriotic work. The lag is the symbol of our national salvation, and a people without traditions lo inspire patriotism is unthinkable. After a brief biography of James Campbell by the chapter historian, the marker was placed by .1. Walter Buchanan. John Otho Campbell, a great-great-grandson of this Revolu- tionary soldier, placed beautiful flowers on the grave.
Chaplain D. E. Myers, of the Soldiers' Home, spoke in behalf of the Grand Army of the Republic, and J. O. Batchellor, in the interests of the Sons of the American Revolution. The Loyal Legion was ably repre- sented by Captain Woodson S. Marshall. County School Superin- tendent C. M. Terrell spoke in behalf of the schools, saying they are surely doing their part to kindle patriotism in the hearts of the American boy's and girls. Judge Marshall Williams spoke inspiringly on American patriotism. The addresses all breathed patriotism, and the Daughters are truly grateful for such inspiration, believing that their obligations in patriotic work are more readily fultilled by this interest of their friends.
To James Campbell. Revolutionary soldier: "The longer on this earth we live, the more we feel the high, stern-featured beauty of plain devotedness to duty, steadfast and still, nor paid with mortal praise. but finding ablest recompense for Life's ungarlanded expense in work done squarely and unwasted days." In giving this brief biography of James Campbell, Revolutionary soldier, the D. A. R. historian has no deeds of wondrous valor to recount. no mighty act of bravery. no illus- trious achievement met single handed. I merely tell you of one who in the Hush of his early manhood gave seven years, seven long, weary, dis- couraged years of his life, struggling heroically for that freedom which is ours today, bravely battling for the defense of that flag loved by every Royal heart. Since the organization in 3910 of the General Francis Marion Chapter, the historian has endeavored to verify the record of the Revolutionary bero who lies buried here in Maple Grove cemetery. The Revolutionary record in the war department at Washington con- tains the name James Campbell seven times, rendering the identification of our Revolutionary soldier somewhat difficult.
The United States government willingly furnished markers for unmarked graves of all of its soldiers where the verification is satis- factorily established. The Daughters of the American Revolution of the General Francis Marion Chapter, animated by patriotism, wishing to preserve in suitable form a testimonial of their appreciation for valiant deeds done, and to keep for all time the memory of the hero who so gallantly aided in the victory of American Independence, do place this marker over the grave of James Campbell, Revolutionary soldier, who lies buried here. The name only is recorded on this marker. I shall give you briefly the record of the life and the service that this man
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rendered to his country in the great contest, the result of which was the dawn of our Republic. James Campbell was born at Glasgow, after- wards called Blandford. Berkshire county, Massachusetts, April 16, 1763. In March, 1781, at the age of eighteen years, he enlisted in the Conti mental army with the rank of private, and under the following officers: Captain Job Wright and Colonel Marimus Willett, he rendered con tinuous service to his country for seven years.
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