USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 1 > Part 49
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52
In November, 1882, Mr. Tindall married Alice, danghter of John and Catherine Emert. of Greensburg. Mrs. Tindall, who is the fifth of the parents' seven children, is well educated and quite an artist in oil and water colors. She is much attached to her home, over which she presides with grace and kindly hospitality.
MRS. SUSAN DIXON.
Indiana gained and Pennsylvania lost a valuable man when Edwin Toner migrated from the latter to the former state. Born on August 8. 1783. he remained in the place of his nativity for twenty-seven years and then decided on a step which eventually led to fortune. Having been married in 1810 to Susan Updegraff. he came with her three years later into what was then known as Indiana Territory. Locating first at Laurel, Franklin county, he spent ten years in that locality and then decided to push farther west in search of a betterment of condition. Finding a new home in Shelby county, he en- tered land, prospered in his venture and in time became one of the county's wealthiest and most influential citizens. At one period he owned one thousand
455
CHADWICK'S IHISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
acres of Shelby county's best land. and during his long and useful life enjoyed a respect among his fellow men that is never extended to any except those who have proven their faith by their works. For fifty years he was an exemplary member of the Methodist church and during that time was a pillar of strength in the cause of religion. Originally of strong constitution, abstemions in his habits and a pattern of correct living, this worthy pioneer reached the ripe age of eighty-four years before the final summons reached him and his last mo- ments were consoled by the presence of affectionate children and hosts of sin- cere friends. His death occurred in 1868 at Shelbyville in the home of his son- in-law. Susan ( Updegraff) Toner was a woman of qualities nicely adapted to make her a wife such as was best suited to so pious a man as her husband. Born in Pennsylvania on April 30. 1793, she was only ten years old when united to Edwin Toner in sacred bonds that were not to be loosened until death. Sharing all his early struggles, his days of darkness and his prosperity, this good woman left an indelible impress for good on every community that was fortunate enough to enjoy her presence. In 1806, when only thirteen years old, she united with the Methodist church, and for sixty subsequent years of her life that historic religious organization had no more faithful or enthusiastic a member. In fact her house was a home for the clergy. and al- ways a welcome oasis for the hard-working circuit-rider of Southeastern In- diana. They entertained all comers with lavish hospitality and a sojourn at the Toner residence was something never forgotten by those who enjoyed the privilege. Mrs. Toner's death was recognized as a distinet loss to all good causes. To this worthy couple ten children were born, most of whom reached maturity, and left families, whose descendants are widely scattered, but many are still residents of Shelby county. Among the latter may be mentioned the family of John Toner, consisting of three sons who live six miles west of Shelbyville, and John Toner, Jr., who farms the old home place.
Susan Toner. the only surviving member of the family of ten children of her parents, was born at Laurel, Franklin county, Indiana. May 2, 1832, and was consequently about nine years old when her parents came to Shelby county. She was educated in the schools at the county seat and enjoyed every ad- vantage that could be afforded by a home of wealth and refinement.
When she had grown to womanhood she was married to John Dixon, a . man in every way deserving of so worthy a bride. He was a man of affairs. prominent in business circles and one of the originators of the First National Bank of Shelbyville, in which he became one of the largest stockholders. He died at his comfortable home in Shelbyville in 1871. after a life of usefulness and activity. The only fruit of the union between Mr. and Mrs. Dixon was a daughter, long a popular favorite in Shelbyville society, and widely known as Fanny Dixon. In the prime of her attractive girlhood she was united in mar- riage with Dr. H. C. Morrow, a popular and promising young physician who
456
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
enjoyed a wide acquaintance and universal esteem. Their only child died in in- fancy and the mother's all too short life was terminated by an untimely death at Sherman. Texas, April 5. 1882. Her husband is at present and for some years past has been a practicing physician at Austin, Texas. The death of her only daughter was a severe blow to the motherly heart of Mrs. Dixon : one. in fact, from which she was never able to fully recover. For the past twenty- two years she has lived quietly in elegant apartments on North Harrison street. in a building formerly known as the Robins block. She has a handsome in- come, chiefly derived from the bank stock inherited from her husband, which made her the first lady stockholder in the First National Bank. The Ray House was once owned by her father. "Aunt Sne," as she is affectionately called by her many acquaintances, is spending the evening of her life quietly en- joying the society of many friends, both of the younger and older generations.
CHARLES HAMILTON TINDALL.
It was a widely distributed. influential and unusually successful line that sprung from Isaac Neal Tindall, the old farmer and tanner, who located in Shelby county during the days when most of its surface was covered with forcst. John M. Tindall, one of his sons, was born in Kentucky, near Lexing- ton. August 30, 1817, and was a stout youth when his father emigrated to this state. He was trained to work on the farm in the tannery, later ran a saw- mill on Lewis creek, gaining from the rough experience of his earlier years a stock of useful knowledge, which stood him in good stead in after life. . \s a farmer and stock raiser he exhibited energy and thrift. and when the increase of population and rapid development afforded opportunities for making money. John Tindall was equal to the occasion, buying and selling farms in different states and eventually becoming very prosperous. His death occurred at Shelbyville. November 3. 1876. July 6. 1843. he was married to Malinda Thompson, descended from one of the old pioneer families. Her parents were Virginians, and came west in an early day. Her birth occurred after the set- tlement in Indiana, on February 2, 1826. John M. and Malinda ( Thompson) . Tindall were the parents of ten children: Mary, who married Austin Hen- drickson, a prosperous farmer of Iowa, has eleven children: Sarah, who mar- ried Joseph Perry, also became the mother of eleven children, and is a resident of Arkansas: George T., who married twice, is living with his second wife at Corpus Christi. Texas, engaged in the real estate business: Isaac H., who also married twice, is living in retirement with his second wife. Jennie Lin- neaus, at Hot Springs, Arkansas: Fannie, deceased, was the wife of David Nuple, and left one son : Ella married Joseph Bishop, by whom she had one
457
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
son : she is now the wife of William Sandy and resides at Howard, Colorado: Oletta, now Mrs. Wagoner. is a resident of Denver : John W. is a dairy ranch- man at Pueblo, Colorado: Marshall G. married Mamie Young, and is in the undertaking business at Shelbyville.
Charles II. Tindall, youngest of the family, was born in Shelby township. Shelby county, Indiana. October 12. 1871. After the usual routine in the country and city schools he spent a year at DePauw University, and entered the department of law in the University at Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he was graduated in the class of 1894. Returning to Shelbyville, he practiced alone for a while, but subsequently became a full partner with his cousin. John A. Tindall. . The firm of Tindall & Tindall is one of the most prosperous in Shelbyville, engaged constantly in litigation involving large party interests. Mr. Tindall served for two years as City Attorney, and is regarded as one of the brightest of the younger members of the bar. He is quite a lodge man and has been prominent in various fraternal orders, including the Elks. Knights of Pythias. Modern Woodmen. Court of Honor. Ben Hur and Roval Neighbors of America. He is a director of the Court of Honor and official of the Modern Woodmen.
January 22, 1908, he married Cora Elizabeth, daughter of George Wright. formerly in active practice of the law and prominent in Methodist church circles. Mrs. Tindall graduated from the city high schools and was a success- ful teacher in the Shelbyville public schools. She is prominent in religious work of the Methodist Episcopal church, paying especial attention to the Ep- worth League and Women's State Missionary Society. Her only sister, Mrs. Mary Orebaugh, is the wife of a prominent Shelbyville photographer.
EDWARD WAYLAND LEWIS.
Secretary of "The Mutual Loan and Savings Association" of Shelbyville. and one of the city's most accomplished business men. is a native of Shelby county. Indiana, born November 14. 1873. in Noble township. His father. Simpson H. Lewis, whose birth also occurred in the county, followed the pur- suit of agriculture for a livelihood. served in Company K. One Hundred and Twenty-third Indiana Infantry, during the late Civil war, and on being dis- charged. was pensioned by reason of impaired health. His wife. Medora I. Gregory. daughter of Charles S. and Mary Gregory, has spent her life near the place of her birth. Simpson H. and Medora J. Lewis are the parents of five children. four of whom are living, namely : Iva Mary. Ora S. and Edward W .. all residing in Shelby county, the daughters still members of the home circle.
Edward W. Lewis spent his childhood and youth in his native township.
458
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
early learned by practical experience the meaning of honest labor, and while still quite young formulated plans for the future with the object of becoming something more than a mere passive factor in the world of affairs. After at- tending for some years the district school and completing the prescribed course of study, he entered the high school at Sulphur Hill, from which he was grad- nated in due time. the discipline thus received being afterwards supplemented by two years at the Northern Indiana Normal University at Valparaiso. With this excellent training he engaged in educational work and soon achieved more than local repute as a capable and popular instructor and disciplinarian. as the demand for his services by some of the best schools in the county would indicate. He was principal of the county high school at Waldron two years, served in a similar capacity for the same length of time at Blue Ridge, and during the school year of 1896-7 did general work at the State University. his educational experience extending over a period of eight years during which. as already indicated, he achieved an honorable record among the successful teachers of his part of the state.
Discontinuing school work in 1901. Mr. Lewis accepted a position in the Democrat office at Shelbyville, and during the two years ensuing was vari- ously employed reading proof, keeping books, etc., and making himself use- ful to the publishers, as a general utility man. Severing his connection with the paper at the expiration of the time mentioned he entered the Shelby Bank. as bookkeeper, which position he held four years, during which period he ac- quired a valuable business experience and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of the management of the institution. Resigning from the bank he took service with "The Mutual Loan and Savings Association of Shelbyville." in the or- ganization of which enterprise he took an active and influential part and with the subsequent career of which he has been officially identified. contributing much to its continuous growth and prosperity, and looking after its manage- ment and interests with ability and judgment, such as few men of his age possess.
Mr. Lewis on November 14. 1900, was united in marriage with Florence Buxton, daughter of William J. and Eva ( Yount) Buxton, of Iowa. now of Shelby county : the union being blessed with one child, a son by the name of William J., whose birth occurred on December 25th of the year 1904. Mr. . Lewis's residence at No. 65 North Tomkins street. is one of the attractive homes of Shelbyville, and a favorite rendezvous of the best social circles of the city, himself and wife being popular in society and highly esteemed by all who come within the sphere of their influence. As a business man Mr. Lewis is careful and methodical in the discharge of his duties, and it is a compliment worthily bestowed to say that he has few equals and no superiors in his city as an accomplished and reliable accountant. His friends in Shelbyville are as the number of his acquaintances, being agreeable in his relations with his
459
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
fellow men and all with whom he mingles. Fraternally he belongs to Chillon Lodge. No. 129. Knights of Pythias, in which he has filled important official positions from time to time and politically he supports the Democratic party. although more of a business man than a partisan.
His religious views are in harmony with the Methodist Episcopal creed. being with his wife a regular attendant of the First church of that denomina- tion in Shelbyville, and a generous donor to its support. as well as to various other means for the temporal and moral good of those into whose lives for- tune failed to cast hier favors.
The Mutual Loan & Savings Association of Shelbyville, of which Mr. Lewis is the secretary, was organized December 26, 1891, with a capitalization of five hundred thousand dollars, which has since been increased to one million five hundred thousand dollars: the number of depositors at the present time is fifteen hundred, and the assets are four hundred eighty thousand four hin- dred thirty-four dollars and forty-one cents. Loan shares now in force are five thousand three hundred twenty-six at one hundred dollars each, five hun- dred thirty-two thousand six hundred dollars : the gain in loans during the past year ( 1908) being sixty thousand dollars. On these loans a yearly rate of six and one-half per cent. interest is paid and the business under the manage- ment of the able and conservative men at the head of the enterprise has been steady and substantial, comparing favorably with that of the best conducted or- ganizations of the kind in the country. The officers at this time are Judge K. M. Hord. president : A. J. Thurston, vice-president : E. W. Lewis, secretary : An- derville Shard, attorney: Sylvan B. Morris, treasurer. These with Joseph H. Akers, Robert W. Buxton. Joseph B. Randall and Christian Steinhauser, con- stitute the board of directors.
CHARLES ERNEST KARMIRE.
A boy who came from Germany in 1863, proved in time to be a valuable citizen of America. Just as thousands of his compatriots have been before and since. William Karmire, who died in Prussia in 1861. after a farmer's life, left a widow, two sons and three sisters, who decided to try their fortunes in the New World. Charles E. Karmire, the youngest of the family, was born at Ochuhausen, near Minden. Prussia, May 29. 1848. obtained some pre- liminary schooling in his native country and continued his studies after reach- ing the United States. The little family located first in New York City, but soon deemed it advisable to push into the boundless West. Charles took a commercial course at Toledo, and his first employment was in a grocery store in New York. About this time he began to study the English language.
.
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
in which he eventually became proficient. Shortly afterward he found his way to Indianapolis, where he spent a year in the hardware business with Wilson and Gorgas. Next year was spent as bookkeeper in a commercial house at New Orleans, after which he returned to Shelbyville, where he clerked in a hardware store, and kept book- over two years for .A. J. Gorgas. His next venture was in the grocery business on his own account, which, however, was exchanged after two years, for the hardware business. In 1877 he disposed of his interests and started in the agricultural implement business, which he . conducted vigorously and with profit until 18go. In that year he established a lounge factory employing twenty men in the beginning. and did thirty-three thousand dollars' worth of business the first year. This was increased to eighty- seven thousand dollars the second year, when the establishment was incor- porated as "The Shelbyville Lounge and Desk Company." with a capital stock of twenty thousand dollars. It ran smoothly and profitably until 1895. when it was decided to change the output to desks alone. Since then the business has been known as the Shelbyville Desk Company, unincorporated. the sole task being the manufacture of office furniture. Mr. Karmire comes about as near being the "whole thing" as is imaginable, he being the proprietor. general manager, president, treasurer and secretary, and he has proven himself fully ettal to the duties of all these offices. Ninety men, mostly skilled workmen. are employed. and the output in 1907 amounted to one hundred twenty theu- sand dollars. Mr. Karmire ships all over the world and makes the finest desk of its class turned out by any manufactory. The wood used is principally oak and mahogany, and nothing goes out of this factory that is not first class in every respect.
June 2. 1870, Mr. Karmire married Fanny A .. daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Brown, and by this union there were six children: Carl K .. de- ceased : Earl F .. Harry E .. William J .. Charles A .. and one child that died in infancy. The mother died in March. 1892. and on May 9. 1894. Mr. Kir- mire married Justine M .. daughter of John H. and Catherine Leefers. of Shel- byville. The Leefers family is one of wealth and high standing. By his sec- ond marriage Mr. Karmire has one son. John. born June 9. 1895. Mr. Kar- mire is a member of the Masonic Order and the Elks, and the family worships at the Presbyterian church.
THE HOOP FAMILY.
No name has been longer familiar in Shelby county than that of Hoop. and those who bore it have done their full share in the agricultural development that has made the county famous. The western branch of this well known family originated in Virginia, with Peter Hoop, who came to Ohio at a very
461
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
early day and established a home in Highland county. There his son, Philip. was born on March 19. 1816, and both his parents died when he was still a child. He remained in his native state until the completion of his sixteenth year, when he turned his face toward the newer and promising state of In- diana. In 1832 this poor and friendless boy reached the confines of Shelby county, and for want of something better to do became a farm laborer in Moral township. He worked around until 1840, by which time he had saved up a little money and saw improved prospects ahead. August 6. 1840, he married Mary Jane, daughter of William Francis, and removed with his bride too a small tract of rented land near London. A year later he made his first important step towards independence by beginning payments on an eighty acre farm with a view to buying out all the heirs. Prosperity coming his way. he eventually found himself in possession of nine hundred acres of choice farm- ing land. It was not only one of the largest but one of the best farms in Shelby county. The buildings alone on this fine estate cost over ten thousand dollars, and it ranked far and wide as one of the best improved and most valu- able farm properties in the state. Philip Hoop was an unusually good example of the self-made man. Few men achieve so much from so poor a start, and it is impossible to account for it without attributing to this resolute pioneer the possession of strong sense. united with caution and a rare attention to details. Indeed his energy was remarkable, his foresight keen, and his judgment sel- dom at fault.
His first wife having died on May 27. 1876, Mr. Hoop was married in May. 1879. to Susan, daughter of Reason Baker, who came to Shelby county from Kentucky, when Mrs. Hoop was a child. By the last marriage there were four children : Philip E .. Peter. Nellie and Bessie May, who died when eleven months old. The father died January 29, 1895. and Mrs. Hoop. Peter and Nellie, now reside together at Shelbyville. Both of the sons had excel- lent educations, being graduates of the Shelbyville high school and of the phar- macy department of Purdue University. Philip. after a complete course. ob- tained his degree in 1905, and Peter in the same institution, was given his diploma in 1908.
July 1. 1995. Philip bought the interest of Charles Ensminger in the drug store owned by Ensminger & Schroeder, on South Harrison street. July 15. 1908. Peter purchased Mr. Schroeder's interest and the business has since been conducted by the Hoop Brothers, by which name the firm is known. The larger part of the splendid farm left by their father is still held by the family. August 20, 1997. Philip E. Hoop married Frances V .. daughter of Thomas A. and Margaret Walker, all residents of Shelbyville. Their only child is named Philip Earl Hoop. Jr. Mr. Hoop is a member of Shelby Lodge. No. 20. Free and Accepted Masons: Shelby Chapter. No. 26. Royal Arch Masons: Shelby Council. No. 3. Royal and Select Masters, and Baldwin Commandery.
.
462
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
No. 2. Knights Templar. He is also a member of Murat Temple, Mystic Shrine at Indianapolis, and Shelbyville Lodge of the Elks.
Peter Hoop belongs to Shelbyville Lodge. No. 28. Free and Accepted Masons, and Shelbyville Lodge, No. 457, of the Elks.
NORVAN JOHNSON.
On the father's side the family of this name is of North Carolina origin. but identified with Indiana from an early day. Elijah Johnson, born December 4. 1796, came with his parents to Daviess county, and settled on a farm he had bought near Washington. Ile married Mildred Horrall, who was born in Daviess county. March 3. 1802, and by this union there was a large family of children as follows : Anson B., Nancy Mahulda, Malina B., Ezra, Matilda and Nelson ( deceased ). Norvan, Alfred and Lenson. The father died January 13. 1848, as the result of a tree falling on him, and the mother died February 17. 1855. Norvan Johnson was born in Daviess county. Indiana, May 18, 1837. and was about twelve years old when his father lost his life. He was reared on the farm, worked as a farm laborer for some time, and taught thirteen terms of school. In 1861 he enlisted in Company G. Forty-second Indiana Regiment. Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Jones, of Evansville, and Lieu- tenant Colonel Denby, who afterward served twelve years as American Minis- ter to China. Capt. Eli McCarty, of Daviess county, who commanded the company, was assassinate.1 by members of the Knights of Golden Circle, while bringing in drafted men. The traitors shot him with a rifle and sank his body in the river, where it was subsequently found. Mr. Johnson was at the front eight months, but was attacked by pneumonia and after seven weeks in the hospital was discharged at Nashville, Tennessee. Returning home, he farmed for some years, and in 1881 engaged in the drug business at New Philadel- phia, Ohio. After two years devoted to this venture. he came to Shelbyville for the purpose of putting in a telephone plant, and was the first man connected with the telephoning enterprise in this city. He conducted the business with success for seventeen years and sold out to the Central Union Telephone Com- . pany, retiring on account of contimied ill health. Mr. Johnson is a man of quiet disposition, excellent business judgment and conscientious in the dis- charge of all duties. His personal habits have always been regulated by the strictest propriety, among which is absolute teetotalism as to intoxicants and narcotics, never having taken a drink of liquor or smoked a cigar.
July 29, 1859. Mr. Johnson married Hannah Marshall, of Daviess county. by whom he had four children : Sylvester. Sarah J., wife of Jasper Tidwall : Howard, who died September 10. 1902, leaving two children, and Viola, wife
!
---
463
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
of John 11. Butler. The mother dying January 22. 1873. Mr. Johnson was married September. 1873. to Jchannah Purcell, by whom he had two children. Stella E. and Merrill. The mother died December 4. 1879. and Mr. Johnson was married April 16. 1882, to Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Susanna Her, of Tuscarawas county. Ohio. Samuel Her, who was a stone-mason, was lern in Pennsylvania in 1868, married in Ohio, and died at New Philadelphia, March 17, 1861. His wife, who was of Maryland nativity, died in 1878, leaving several children, including James and Margaret, wife of William Brevanghts, of Tuscarawas county. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the First Methodist Episcopal church, and he is a member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.