USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 1 > Part 46
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ROBERT T. STEWART.
Robert T. Stewart, partner of Clande F. Fix in the undertaking business. was born in Orange township, Rush county, Indiana, October 22, 1863. His father, Joseph Stewart, who was born in Ohio March 20. 1842, died September, 5. 1906. He married Sarah Meek, a native of Decatur county, Indiana, and she became the mother of seven children : Robert T., Nettie. now Mrs. Gos- nell; Nancy, now Mrs. Young: Martin E .. Guy: Rebecca married Carl Gif- ford, is deceased, and Leslie, deceased. Robert T .. the oldest of the family. worked on the farm until he was twenty-three years old and later studied em- balming in the Cincinnati Embalming College, at Sullivan's school, and that of Doctor Barnes, in Chicago, and Myer's school of embalming at Indianapolis. He took a full course and received a diploma from each of these schools. also a license from the State Board of Embalmers. Mr. Stewart has been in this business for nine years, including his partnership with Mr. Fix. The firm is unusually well equipped for their business, carrying a complete outfit of fu- neral goods, everything of the best and up-to-date in make. Their embalming work is strictly in accord with the latest scientific discoveries in that line. Both being excellent business men. always on hand and prompt in their attention to calls day or night. the public is sure to get excellent service by calling on Stewart & Fix. Mr. Stewart belongs to the Red Men. Maccabees. Elks. Ben Hur and the Eagles. His family is a long-lived one. there being representa- tives of five generations now living. Thomas Meek, the maternal grandfather. is a resident of Greensburg. Indiana, and sprightly at the age of ninety-four years. A native of Kentucky he removed to Indiana and became wealthy as a farmer. owning eight hundred acres of land. Mr. Stewart was married twice. First to Louisa Mahan, who died in 1891. In 1903 he married Emma Meek.
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JOHN JOSEPH WINGATE.
When Shelby county was quite young and population sparse, the scat- tered pioneers were joined by Smith Wingate, a Kentuckian by birth and a carpenter by trade. He came in as early as 1823, and proved to be a great acquisition to the community as he was skilled in his trade. enterprising and resourceful, and became a factor in the development and upbuilling. Many of the early dwellings were erected by him, and the first jail of the county. consisting of logs, was built by himself and brother-in-law. Elisha Baker. They also built the first grist-mill, and Mr. Wingate continued as a carpenter and builder until 1852, when he turned over the business to his son. Elisha B. Wingate, after which he engaged in farming and dealing in live stock until the death of his wife in 1855. A year or two later he removed to Bartholo- mew county and farmed near Taylorsville until his death in 1878. Before coming to Indiana he married Catherine Titus, of Scott county, Kentucky, by whom he had nine children, seven of whom grew to maturity. Elizabeth married Jacob Brown, and died at Shelbyville. Mary married Reason Robins, and died in Jasper county, Illinois. Rebecca first married Middleton Burton, and after his death became the wife of Elisha Worden, being now a resident of Shelbyville. Elisha B., after a long and busy life as a builder and con- tractor. died at Shelbyville in 1908. Martha, deceased, was the wife of Wil- liam McHenry. William, also deceased, was for many years a merchant at Shelbyville. Robert died at the age of eighteen and Julia, the youngest, died in infancy. In 1856 the father married Mrs. Elizabeth McConnell, daughter of Benjamin Irwin, former president of the Jeffersonville. Madison & Indian- apolis Railroad, which is now a part of the Pennsylvania system. By this second marriage there were two children. Edward and Jennie, both married and living near Taylorsville.
John J. Wingate, the eighth child by his father's first marriage, was born at Shelbyville. July 1, 1839. He received a common school education, and when seventeen years old became an employe of Solomon Alter, publisher of the Independent Banner. where he learned the printer's trade.
After the suspension of this publication, some four years later. Mr. Win- gate became foreman of the Vounteer office, and from 1863 to 1865 was en- gaged in the grocery business. In January. 1866, the Shelby Republican. which thereafter was conducted by J. M. Cumbach until 1875. then sold to Simeon J. Thompson, who published the same until 1884. Mr. Wingate was made business manager during these years. the business increased from year to year. In June, 1884. the paper passed into the hands of the Shelby Printing Com- pany, with Mr. Wingate as manager. The original capital stock was four thousand dollars, which under Mr. Wingate's management paid an annitil dividend of eight per cent. From time to time he purchased stock until even-
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tually he became owner of nearly all of it and on October 21. 1905. sold the plant for twelve thousand dollars. In February, 1908. he purchased a half interest in the Jeffersonian, daily and weekly, formed a stock company and incorporated as the News Printing Company, changing the name of the pub- lication to the Daily and Weekly News and the politics from Democratic to Independent.
Mr. Wingate became a Republican in early life and since his eighteenth year has taken an active part in the politics of old Shelby. He frequently acted as delegate to district and state conventions, and in 1904 was honored by elec- tion as a delegate to the national Republican convention from the Sixth Indi- ana Congressional district. and took part in nominating Roosevelt and Fair- banks. He is a charter member of Chillon Lodge, No. 39. Knights of Pythias. and has always taken an active interest in the affairs of this popular fraternity. September 3. 1861, Mr. Wingate was married to Lucy A., daughter of Wil- liam and Rachael Lacy. She was born in Covington. Fountain county. In- diana, in April, 1845. and came with her family to Shelbyville in 1859 Mr. and Mrs. Wingate have an only son. William, who was born June 18, 1867. and is now a traveling salesman for the Oneida Community, of New York. with headquarters at St. Louis, Missouri. He married May, daughter of Major Asa Clark, a popular family in the social circles of Shelbyville. They have two children by this marriage, a daughter named Hazel, and a son named William. The Wingate home is pleasantly located at of West Broadway, and is the center of an extensive visiting circle made up of relatives and friends of the family. Mr. Wingate is the dean of the newspaper fraternity in Shelby county, and full of interesting reminiscences of the "ups and downs" of the profession during the last half century.
JOHN HOOP.
An interesting man to talk to on any subject. religion. politics, business. or literature. is the veteran insurance and real estate dealer, who may be found at any time during office hours in his regular place of dealing with the public. He has accumulated a vast store of information on various questions, including ancient history, scientific development and the progress of the world along all lines. A cursory examination of his library furnishes one an idea as to the source of much of his learning as well as his tastes, the conspicuous works being "Volney's Ruins of Empires." the standard Encyclopedias, biographical and historical books. Homer's Illiad. Campbell's Poems and many others. The parents were easterners who came west in what is called "an early day." and took part in the trials and struggles characteristic of the pioneer period.
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twenty years. Mr. Hoop has three children: Horatio, who married Mrs. Doolittle, is in the newspaper business at Indianapolis: Elizabeth, who mar- ried Thomas Murray, is in the hotel business at Indianapolis; Eleaser, who is the present County Recorder, married Maggie Plunkett, and their only son, Donald, is six years old, in 1909. Mr. Hoop did a great deal of news- paper writing in his day, and as an editor was regarded as a controver- salist of ability.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WHALEY.
Despite "ups and downs" incident to every occupation in this uncertain world. market gardening. perhaps, has more attractions than any other pur- suit. It is an out-of-doors life and as such. conducive to health ; it possesses a delight all its own. for those who like to see things grow and the planting and replanting. the experiments with new varieties, the nature study essential to produce the best results, all bring about that peculiar pleasure known as the joy of creating. Mr. Whaley, who has followed this business at Shelbyville for about ten years, has shown that it may be made profitable with small capital and a narrow acreage. His paternal relatives were all Kentuckians and identi- fied with that state during most of the first half of the last century. Edward Whaley, who came from Palmyra, Missouri, had a son named Benjamin, who in early manhood married Jane, daughter of Vivian Bush. of Clark county, Kentucky, and to this union we are indebted for the subject of our sketch. Benjamin Franklin Whaley was born at Sharpsburg. Bath county, Kentucky, January 6. 1855. His father owned a farm in the county of his nativity, and on this he grew up. learning considerable about the routine agriculture as it was carried on in that part of the South. His father died about the time he became of age, and the son abandoned farming for the more agreeable busi- ness of merchandising. He conducted a general store at Sharpsburg for about fourteen years and then came to Shelbyville to accept a position as traveling salesman for all the furniture factories of the city. His duty was to introduce the goods throughout the Southern states, and as each factory made a different line of furniture it was an object to effect combination sales. Mr. Whaley did good work in extending the reputation and field of the Shelbyville factories, but eventually, on account of ill health. decided to go into business for himself. So he finally quit the road. leased a small quantity of land in the northwest section of Shelbyville and began raising vegetables for market. The work proved congenial, was gradually expanded and the proprietor pros- pered. In three years he was able to buy a home, has added annually to his possessions, and at present owns eight acres of valuable ground within the city limits of Shelbyville. His aim is to cover his lots with substantial houses
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before selling. with a view to getting a better class of tenants and congenial surroundings to attract the same. He still continues his market gardening and talks enthusiastically of it as a health-giving as well as a profit-producing pursuit.
In 18-8 Mr. Whaley married Lena E .. daughter of Hugh and Melissa ( Miller ) Anderson, of Cynthiana, Kentucky. . To this union two children were born, Benjamin F. and Hugh Elgin. The latter is deceased. October 2, 1882, the mother died. and on December 17. 1888. Mr. Whaley married Minerva, daughter of John and Ann ( Swetnam) Arnold, of Owensville, Ken- tucky. The children by this marriage were Arnley and Estella, deceased : Camille, Gendron, Opal. Braxton Burpee, Birely Whitcomb and Edward Orvis. Mr. and Mrs. Whaley are members of the Christian church, with which he united at the age of sixteen years.
MARTIN JONES.
Holding prestige among the successful farmers and enterprising citizens of today, the subject of this sketch has had much to do in advancing the ma- terial interests of Brandywine township, and making it one of the most pros- perous sections of the highly-favored county of which it forms a part. He has also achieved signal success in business circles, and to him and such public- spirited men as he, the thriving town of Fairland is indebted for much of the prosperity by which its recent history has been characterized. Martin Jones is a native of Fleming county. Kentucky, and the sixth of a family of eleven children, whose parents were John F. and Lucinda ( Myers ) Jones. He was born March 4. 1847. and when about three years old was taken by his parents to Brown county. Ohio, where he grew to maturity on a farm and received his education, and where he continued to reside until 1864. In August of that year he enlisted in Company D. One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Infantry, with which he served under General Thomas until the close of the war. although suffering much the meanwhile by reason of impaired health. which necessitated his retention for nearly eleven months in the army hos- pital. and two months and two days at Nashville. Tennessee, and nearly two months at New Albany, Indiana. Receiving an honorable discharge at the ex- piration of his term of service in 1865. he returned to Ohio, but the following year came to Shelby county, Indiana, where he supported himself during the five years ensuing as a farm laborer. working for different parties in various parts of the county and earning an honorable reputation as a steady, indus- trious and reliable hand. A young man of steady habits and much more than average energy, he never failed to secure employment at the highest wages
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MR. AND MRS. MARTIN JONES.
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paid for his kind of labor, and by carefully saving his earnings he was enabled at the expiration of the period indicated to engage in farming upon his own responsibility.
On March 16. 1870. Mr. Jones entered the marriage relation with Miss Elizabeth Boles, who was born in Brown county. Ohio, March 17. 1850, being a daughter of David and Mary J. (Jackson ) Boles, both parents natives of the Buckeye state. Mrs. Jones came to Shelby county. Indiana. with her grandfather, Thomas Deckson, when a child, and it was here that her marriage was solemnized, immediately after which the young couple settled in a part of the old Hankins farm in Brandywine township, which Mr. Jones cultivated as a rented property during nine years following. At the expiration of that time lic moved to another farm in the same township, where he resided for one year, and then rented the Kent farm on which he lived until purchasing eighty acres of his own. four years later.
Without noting in detail Mr. Jones' varied real estate transactions, suffice it briefly to state that he has added to his original purchase from time to time. until he now owns in the township of Brandywine. two hundred acres of as fine land as Shelby county can boast, all in one body, and constituting one of the largest and best farms in this part of the state. Admirably situated in sec- tion 28, and composed of parts of the old Watts. Pope and Bradley farms. which have long been noted for fertility and productiveness. the place being especially adapted to agriculture and stock-raising. and with its many im- provements, inchiding a splendid modern dwelling. commodious barn, out- buildings, fences and other evidences of advanced prosperity. is today, the cqjutal of any other farm of its area in the county, and far superior to the ma- jority. On taking possession of his place Mr. Jones found it in very poor con- dition. the buildings being dilapidated. the fences low and badly decaved. the soil run down and depleted, and a general air of mismanagement and neglect pervading the entire premises. Addressing himself resolutely to its restora- tion. it was not long until a marked change was effected. and from one of the poorest and most indifferent it became within a few years one of the best and most attractive among the many desirable rural homes of Brandywine town- ship. Mr. Jones is a progressive farmer in the most liberal meaning of the term, and his career presents a series of successes which have gained for him · distinctive precedence among the leading men of his calling in his township and county. He is interested in live stock, his cattle. horses and hogs being of the finest breeds, and from this important branch of farming he derives the greater part of his income. In addition to his chosen calling, he has been identified with the material progress of the county in a business way, having been one of the promoters and original stockholders of the Fairland National Bank, and a member of the board of directors of the same. Starting in life in the humble capacity of a farm laborer, with no capital save the sound sense,
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well balanced judgment and energy with which nature so plentifully endowed him, his triumph over obstacles and discouragements and advancement to his present position among the successful men of his day in his adopted county. have been commendable, and he is deserving of great credit as well as the high esteem of his fellow citizens.
Mrs. Jones died in 1890. after bearing her husband two daughters. Ele- nora ( deceased ), and Andra M., who was born January 1. 1879, and who is now the wife of Herbert Bassett and the mother of one child by the name of Martin. In the year 1897 Mr. Jones was united in mariage with Miss Sarah Hankins, whose birth occurred on the 4th day of March. 1847, being a daugh- ter of William and Huldah G. ( Salla ) Hankins, whose family history appears elsewhere in these pages.
Mr. Jones is a Republican and one of the stalwart leaders of his party in Shelby county. With the exception of several minor township offices he has never aspired to public position, being content with giving his party the bene- fit of his counsel. In their religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Jones subscribe to the Methodist creed. but belong to different local societies, the former holding membership with the Ray Methodist Episcopal church, and the latter being identified with the Brandywine congregation.
JAMES MCCLOSKEY.
Among the worthy sons of the famous Emerald Isle, as his name implies. is the well known jeweler of Shelbyville. James McCloskey, who was born in County Derry, Ireland. June 1. 1880, the son of William and Margaret ( Cas- sady ) McCloskey. also> natives of County Derry. Ireland. When James was two years old this worthy family emigrated from those distant shores to America, finding their way westward. locating in Shelbyville, Indiana, where friends and relatives had preceded them. There were seven children in this family, of whom two are deceased : the five living are Mary, a teacher in the public schools of Shelbyville. being at this writing in school No. 1 : Katherine is the wife of Henry Friday, a native af Union township. Shelby county : his parents. Valentine and Elizabeth Friday, were natives of Germany, who came to Shelby county in early days. living for a period of about forty years in Union township, where they became well known and prosperous, owning four hun- ' dred and ninety-five acres of land. Since 1888 Mr. Friday has been proprietor of the bakery, confectionery and restaurant at the southwest corner of the public square in Shelbyville. He has been a member of the local City Council for a period of fourteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Friday are the parents of two children. Joe and John Day. Lucile, the third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wil-
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liam McCloskey. is the wife of Leo Herring. an expert accountant and auditor. with headquarters in Shelbyville, but his business takes him to various parts of the country : they are the parents of two children. Margery and Catherine. Martha McCloskey. the other daughter, lives at Osakis, Minnesota, and is in business as a dressmaker. James McCloskey, the youngest member of the family. attended the public schools of Shelbyville, after which he worked at two different trades before learning the jeweler's art. When about fifteen years old he went to work for C. Steinhauser, who is in the jewelry business on the public square. Being ambitious to learn the jewelry business thoroughly he applied himself carefully to his work and noted the many details incident to carrying on the same in a successful manner. Being quick to learn he mas- tered this art in a short time, and on April 9. 1906, he bought out the jewelry store of Frank Glab and went into business for himself. . He was successful from the first owing to his thorough preparation for this line of work and his courteous treatment of customers. On February 1. 1908. he moved to his present location in South Harrison street, where he has established a neat, well-kept and attractive store, always stocked with an excellent grade of goods. Ile has a good location and in it he carries an excellent assortment of all kinds of jewelry-as already intimated-watches, clocks, china. cut glass, diamonds, silver ware, etc. : his store compares favorably with those of much larger cities, and it is liberally patronized by people from all parts of the county.
In the year 1899 the father of James McCloskey died, and three years later his mother joined the great majority in the silent land.
In his fraternal relations Mr. McCloskey is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Lodge No. 822, of which he is a charter member. He is also a member of the fourth degree Knights of Columbus. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He belongs to the St. Joseph's Catholic church. In his business life he makes it a point to not only thor- oughly understand his work but to please his patrons at all times. He conducts his business in a clean, honorable way, and is known as a man of integrity, and he is highly esteemed both by his patrons and personal friends.
ORVILLE LESLIE BISHOP.
Cyrenius Bishop was a man' beloved by everybody. genial in manners. courteous in address and a friend-maker as well as a friend-holder : of com- manding presence, quiet demeanor. he naturally drew people about him and none enjoyed higher standing with all classes of people. He was born in Smyth county. Virginia, in 1825. and was first engaged in farming after com- ing west. Coming to Indiana in 1835 he settled in Moral township. Shelby
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county. In 1859 he was elected Recorder of Shelby county and served a term of four years, after which he purchased an interest in the drug store of S. P. McCrea. The firm of MeCrea & Bishop was at one time the oldest in the city. having continued for eighteen years at the same place, and the names of the proprietors became household words. There was a dissolution of partnership at the end of eighteen years and Mr. Bishop engaged in the stove and tinware business with his son-in-law. Joseph C. Pearson. This firm continued until a short time before Mr. Bishop's death. He married Mary Johnson, a native of Decatur county, by whom he had eight children, six of whom are still living.
Orville L. Bishop, his son and successor, was born in Moral township. Shelby county, Indiana. May 25. 1859. He attended the Shelbyville public schools for some years and finished at a seminary. His first employment was as a clerk in his father's drug store and he put in his leisure time to perfect himself in all branches of the business. When the Indian law to regulate the practice of pharmacy was passed. Mr. Bishop became a registered pharmacist, and is recognized as one of the best qualified men in the profession. He spent five years in the drug store of John H. Leefers, but aside from this sought no outside engagements. His place of business is at No. 22 Public Square, in a building containing one floor and a basement. Mr. Bishop has inherited much of his father's suavity and may without flattery be called a worthy son of a worthy sire. He is sociable in disposition, accommodating to all and ready at all times to do favors for his friends. Mr. Bishop married Jennie, daughter of Jolin M. and Sarah Haehl, who died October 27, 1907, leaving two chil- dren. Jennie Ethel, the eldest, died in her eighth year. and Anna Orvilla makes her home with her father.
REV. JOHN PETER MYERS.
The western branch of the family of this name originated in Ohio. We first hear of Louis Myers, who was a mechanic and farmer in Columbiana county. His son, John, was born at Salem, Ohio, became a shoemaker, and his brother being a tanner, they did a wholesale business at Bucyrus. John's health failing he abandoned his other business to engage in farming, near what is now known as Ridgeville Corners. Though reared a Lutheran. John MIvers had been converted at an early day to the Mennonite faith, and became a leader among these people, a settlement of whom developed in the neighbor- hood of his home. Being a man of advanced views and teaching strict tem- perance. evening preaching. Sunday schools and evangelistic campaigns. he fell into disfavor with the simple and honest. but somewhat fanatical sect to ` which he had given his allegiance. The result in the end was his ex-com-
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munication as a "disturber of the peace." During the twelve years of his preaching he continued to manage his farm, but finally retired to Wausem, Ohio, and for several years past has been a resident of that place. He married Magdalene Rich, a native of Alsace. Loraine, who came with her parents to Ohio when three years old. Her father became a prosperous manufacturer of Swietzer cheese in his native town, but after he had built up a good trade. lost his fortune as a result of an epidemic of disease among cattle. He then came to the United States and settled at Canton. Ohio. John and Magdalene Myers were the parents of nine children. all of whom are living. The mother died at Wausem, Ohio, November 15. 1907, aged sixty-six years, her husband be- ing fourteen years her senior and their birthdays both being on September 5.
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