USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 1 > Part 51
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making from the old water-wheel process to the present steam and roller process. In 1896. after a busy and useful career. he practically retired from active business, though he takes an interest in all that is going on and does some dealing in a quiet way. He owns one hundred sixty acres of land west of the city and with his son cares for a large number of mules. In 1864 Mr. Kent enlisted in Company E. One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment In- diana Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Stephen Mien and Col. Sam Vance. of Indianapolis. The regiment was on guard duty during its entire service. and Mr. Kent was discharged in the fall of 1864 as a sergeant of his company. He receives a pension as the reward of his service, and holds membership in Post 18. Grand Army of the Republic. He is a member of the First Pres- byterian church and has held the position of elder for many years. Shelby- ville has few citizens of longer residence than Mr. Kent, and none more highly respected for the probity, upright dealing and fidelity to all duties arising dur- ing an active business carcer.
March 28. 1866. Mr. Kent married Hattie Hill, of Shelbyville, who died in February. 1873 : Frank H. Kent. the only child by this marriage, was born May 4. 1871. and is engaged in the stock business on the paternal farm. Mr. Kent's second marriage was to Nettie C. Harter, widow of Joseph H. Kent. who died November 28. 1894, after becoming the mother of four children : Helen, who was born October 12, 1883. died when fifteen years old : Laura. who was born June 23. 1886. is in school at Oxford, Ohio: Harry, born in August, 1888, and Mary, born in May. 1890, died in carly life. Anna H. Kent, a step-daughter. lives at the old homestead.
HON. WILLIAM A. YARLING.
Among the young men elected in 1908 to the Legislature was a represen- tative of an old family, long identified with the agricultural interests of Shelby county. As a legislator and lawyer he can be relied upon to look after the in- terests of the farmers. as his ancestors for several generations have followed that occupation. The family is of German origin. the great-grandparents being John Yarling and wife, who came to the United States many years ago, and died in Shelby county, both being buried in the Union township cemetery. Among the children they left a son, Peter Yarling, who was born in Germany in 1810, and came to the United States in early manhood. His first stopping place was in Cincinnati, where he obtained employment. and soon became ec- quainted with Mary Miller, an attache of a doctor's household where he was employed, and whom he subsequently made his wife. Coming to Shelby county, Peter Yarling and wife entered land in Marion township and passed
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the remainder of their lives in the pursuits of agriculture. They reared a large family. George Yarling, one of the sons, was born in 1840 and married Mary A. Pickett. a native of Ireland. brought to the United States by her parents when a child. and reared to maturity in Shelbyville. After marriage the couple settled on a farm, devoted their attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits and eventually became the owners of one hundred and fifty acres of land. Ile died in 1879. but his wife survived until 1886. To this union were born eight children, of whom Mary E., the oldest, is the wife of Doctor Joseph Bowlby. now deceased: Burnett H. resides at Kokomo, and John E. is a physician at Peru. Indiana : William A., subject of this sketch, was the fourth child : Mag- gie, the fifth. died in 1894. at the age of twenty-one. Zora K., who married Walter Hungerford. died some years ago at Shelbyville. Virgil G. died in 1895. when seventeen years okl, and Emma D. is the wife of Otto Billman.
William A. Yarling was born in Liberty township. Shelby county. In- diana, January 17. 1871. He grew up on the farin, attended the local schools and later took a course in the Normal College at Marion, Indiana. The four succeeding years after leaving this institution were spent in teaching. the last one being devoted to principalship of the graded schou! at Blue Ridge. His ambition all the time was to become a lawyer, and the first step in this direc- tion was taken as a student in the office of Love & Morrison. Subsequently he entered the law office of Judge Byron K. Elliott, at Indianapolis, from which he went to the Indiana Law School, where he graduated, obtaining his degree in 1895. Forming a partnership with David L. Wilson, at Shelbyville, the next five years were spent in the practice under the firm name of Wilson & Yarling. After two years in association with A. E. Lisher. the partnership was dissolved on account of Mr. Lisher removing from the state. Mr. Yar- ling has since prosecuted his profession alone. His office is equipped with an excellent working law library, and he devotes his time to the general practice. He has a decided leaning toward fraternities and has risen to the rank of thirty-second degree Mason, the first being taken in 1895. He is past master of the Shelby Lodge, No. 28, Free and Accepted Masons : past eminent com- mander of Baldwin Commandery. No. 2. Knights Templar. at Shelbyville, and is connected with the Scottish Rite and a member of the Mystic Shrine, at In- dianapolis. He still owns his father's old homestead of one hundred and fifty acres in Liberty township, besides real estate in Shelbyville. From earliest boyhood Mr. Yarling has been associated with the Democratic party and an earnest worker for its principles. In 1908 his party honored him with the nomination for the office of Senator from the district composed of Johnson and Shelby counties, and he was elected by a large majority at the ensuing election in November.
December 10, 1895. Mr. Yarling married Elva A., daughter of Lewis and Minerva (Rhoads) Bass, who was born in Marion township, June 8. 1872.
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Mrs. Yarling owns a farm of one hundred and ten acres in her native town- ship, where hier family have long been regarded as among the most substantial people of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Varling have two children, Maurice B., born January 28, 1901, and William E., born July 8, 1903.
JOSEPII BENEDICT RANDALL.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Warren county, Ohio, but since his fifth year has been a resident of Indiana, moving with his parents, James M. and Sarah Ann ( Petitt ) Randall, to Shelby county in 1846. These par- ents were born and married in Loudoun county. Virginia, migrating from that state to Ohio in an early day, thence as indicated above to Shelby county. In- diana, where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying January 18, 1883. when sixty-nine years old, the mother in 1902. at the advanced age of ninety-two. The family of this estimable couple consisted of seven children whose names are as follows: William H., Thomas J., Rebecca J .. Joseph B .. John W .. Mary A. and Sarah E., all of whom grew to maturity and became widely and favorably known in the county of Shelby.
By occupation James M. Randall was a blacksmith and wagon-maker, and later in life turned his attention to the manufacture of buggies and carriages. in which he met with encouraging success. By reason of reverses sustained in the panic of 1857, which seriously crippled his business, he was obliged to close his establishment, and it was not until 1861 that he was enabled to re- cuperate from his losses by engaging in another line of trade. Forming a partnership with his son. Joseph B., that year. he began dealing in produce, the firm thus constituted building up a large and lucrative patronage, and founding an establishment which in due time became one of the solid business concerns of Shelbyville. At the time of his death Mr. Randall owned -a beau- tiful suburban residence and seventy-acres on West Washington street, which he made attractive by a number of valuable improvements, and in addition thereto, was the possessor of one hundred and fifty acres of fertile farm land. the greater part of which was under a high state of cultivation.
In his religious belief Mr. Randall was a Methodist. He was sincerely and deeply pious, served his church for a number of years as a class leader, besides filling various other official positions. and in all of his relations with his fellow men his life was in strict accord with the sublime principles upon which his faith rested. Fraternally he was an influential member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he was also honored from time to time with official positions, and aside from his connection with the church and lodge, he always gave a hearty and generous support to whatever tended to the advance-
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ment of the community and the general welfare of his fellow citizens. In the language of the Holy Writ, "He was a good man and just," and his loss was deeply mourned by all who knew him.
Joseph B. Randall. whose name introduces this review, was born May 27. 1841, and as aiready stated spent the first five years of his life in his native state, removing at the expiration of that time to Shelby county, with the sub- sequent development of which he has been closely identified. After complet- ing the public school course he perfected plans to enter college, but the break- ing out of the Civil war at this juncture very materially interfered with his plans, obliging him to look after his father's business interests, which were in quite an unsettled state. In 1861. as stated in a preceding paragraph. he be- came associated with his father in the produce business, but three years later he retired temporarily from the firm for the purpose of entering the army, which he did ir 1864. enlisting in Company E. One Hundred and Thirty-sec- ond Indiana Infantry. After spending four months with his command he was mustered out of the service. immediately after which he resumed his business interests and continued the same with his father until the latter's death. From January, 1883. to 1904. he conducted the business alone. and built up an ex- tensive patronage, becoming during the time not only the largest produce dealer in Shelby county, but one of the most successful in the state.
In the meantime he instructed his sons in the business, and in 1904 gave each of them an interest. reorganizing the enterprise in that year and incorpo- rating under the laws of the state. In 1907 Mr. Randall disposed of his in- terest in the business, and since that time has devoted his attention to other lines of activity. meeting with success in some of his verres and reverses in others. In partnership with William Rice he was engaged for some time in the dealing of clover seed. the business under their joint management grew to large proportions, but for various reasons it did not prove satisfactory as is indicated by the loss of Mr. Randall of twenty-five thousand dollars before it could be drawn to a close. Despite this reverse, however, Mr. Randall, in the main, has been prosperous, and is now one of the solid men of the city, where he owns valuable residence and other property, besides a hundred and sixty acre farm in Jay county. His former residence at 96 West Broadway, which he occupied for eighteen years, was at one time among the finest and most pre- ' tentious homes in the city, but since disposing of it at the expiration of the period indicated he has lived on South Harrison street. where he owns a com- fortable and commodious residence rendered attractive by the spirit of content and hospitality which reigns therein.
Mr. Randall was married May 21. 1868. to Cornelia C. Jennings, a union blessed with six children, namely: Albert Vernon, Burnett C. (deceased) ; Walter S., Charles ( deceased) : Gertrude and Bertha, who is now the wife of Otis Powell. In his political affiliations Mr. Randall is a Republican, but not
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a partisan in the sense of seeking office or aspiring to public prominence. He is an esteemed member of the Masonic fraternity and the Grand Army of the Republic, and with his wife belongs to the First Presbyterian church of Shelby- ville.
NORMAN HURD STRONG.
For more than forty years the name of Strong has been familiar in the business world of Shelbyville. During that time there have been changes in the business, the death of partners and going of clerks, bat the head of the line of hardware still remains, conducting the business at the old stand. It is a story of earnest work, business sagacity, integrity of character and enter- prise in the various pursuits of life that is well worth recalling. The family originated in Connecticut with Walter Strong, who moved west at an early day and located in Ohio: there his son. Samuel, was born, and in later life removed to Northern Indiana, which was the scene of operations during his productive period. He married Harriett B. Stillman, a native of Indiana. by whom he had six children, of whom three are living. Charles is a Justice of the Peace in Elkhart county: Walter is a furnishing goods merchant in Chi- cago.
Norman H. Strong. the eldest of the children, was born in Elkhart coun- ty, Indiana, August 31. 1845. He attended Wabash College for a while, and came to Shelbyville in 1869. shortly afterward engaging in the hardware busi- ness in partnership with his two brothers-in-law. By the death of Thomas K. Wilson, the firm became known as that of Gorgas & Strong, under which name it stood for many years, as the leader in its line at Shelbyville. Albert J. Gorgas, the senior partner. was one of the genial and popular men in the county. Everybody liked him and his name was a talisman in drawing busi- ness to the store, which was long a landmark on the southeast side of the pub- lic square. Albert J. Gorgas was elected Clerk of the county in 1882. on the Republican ticket. by a majority of over four hundred, which was decidedly revolutionary as up to that time Shelby county had not been in the habit of electing Republicans to office. After his untimely death in 1888, Mr. Strong conducted the business alone for a few years, but in 1890 took his son. Frank. as a partner. In one respect Mr. Strong may be considered a pioneer, as he is the only business man in the city who has occupied the same room, No. 44 pub- lic square. since 1870. The building is of two stories and basement with a large warehouse in the rear. and the firm handles all kinds of heavy hardware.
May 21. 1868. Mr. Strong married Emma A., daughter of Solomon .1. and Mary ( Vier) Gorgas, the latter a native of France, who came to Ohio when twelve years old. Mr. Gorgas was a pioneer hardware merchant in
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Shelbyville and a man of the highest rank in all the walks of life. Mr. and Mrs. Strong became the parents of two children: Frank G., now his father's partner, married Emma Schroeder. of Shelbyville: Ursule, the only daughter. married Rev. B. M. Nyce, pastor of the First Presbyterian church at Muncie. Indiana, and has two sons. During the Civil war Mr. Strong enlisted in Com- pany 1. Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. under Capt. Albert Heath. and Col. Hugh B. Reed. He enlisted when sixteen years old and was dis- charged for sickness.
He is a member of the Dumont Post. No. 18. Grand Army of the Re- public, and also belongs to the Masons, having taken degrees in the lodge, chapter, council and Baldwin Commandery, Knights Templar. He is a di- rector of the Union Building and Loan Association, and was its first treas- urer. At one time he served as member of the City Council from the Second ward, though his tastes have never run in the direction of politics. The fam- ily are members of the Presbyterian church.
HORATIO C. SENTON. D. D. S.
The name of Sexton has long been a familiar one in Rush county. Many who bore it have risen to eminence in the various walks of life, some in busi- ness, some in politics, others in the various professions. H. G. Sexton, who was one of ths widely distributed connection, was born at Rushville in 1844. went in young manhood to Cincinnati and engaged in the wholesale tobacco business. After various "ups and downs" he met with success before his death. which occurred before he reached the prime of life. He married Fannie Mad- dux, also a native of Rush county and born in the same year as himself and who is now numbered among the dead. They were the parents of five solls. of whom three are now living : Louis N., who is cashier of the Rush County Bank, and has a family consisting of a wife and one daughter. Albert E. re- moved to California some years ago and is at present engaged in the lumber business at Pulaski, in Fresno county.
Horatio C. Sexton, the other surviving son, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. . June 18. 1869. He attended the public schools in Rush county and then spent some time with his maternal grandparents in New York City, where he con- tinued his studies. Grandfather Maddux was a coffee importer, in which line he seems to have done a profitable business for many years at the port of New York. When sixteen years old Mr. Sexton was sent to the Naval Academy at Annapolis and received valuable training in the classes of that admirable school for cadets. When seventeen years old he entered the Ohio Dental Col- lege at Cincinnati, where he was graduated in the class of 1889. Shortly
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afterward he came to Shelbyville, opened an office and entered upon the active practice of his profession. During the course of the succeeding years Doctor Sexton has "made good" in all of his ambitions. At present he is president of the State Dental Association, and has held other official positions with the organization. Many years ago he became a member of the Wi-Hub Club, a social and literary organization of the city, and ever since has been one of its most prominent features. Attractive in manners, genial in address and having a mind well stored with useful information, few excel him in the art of entertaining.
March 22, 1890. Doctor Sexton married Mildred Bookwalter, one of Shel- byville's most popular and accomplished daughters. She is the only child of Levi and Mary Bookwalter, the former for many years in charge of a book, stationery and toy store, and a well known man in the city's business circles. After a useful and profitable career he is now passing the evening of his days in retirement. "Millie" Bookwalter is pleasantly remembered by all the older citizens of Shelbyville as the happy-hearted girl of unusual talents and an ambition to succeed. Having a natural taste for music. She early mapped out for herself a career in that line and as a preliminary studied hard both at home and abroad. After a course at the Cincinnati Musical College she began teach- ing music at Shelbyville and soon became recognized as one of the city's most accomplished pianists. This congenial occupation was interrupted by her marriage. but she has never lost her fondness for the great masters, or pleas- ure in executing their grand and inspiring compositions. The Sexton's live in a comfortable home at 17 East Mechanic street, which is permeated by hos- pitality and love of the fine arts, both on the part of Doctor Sexton and his accomplished wife. To spend a few hours with them in the evening is sure to prove a social delight. not the least of which will be an introduction to Horatio Clay Sexton, Jr., a bright-faced boy, whose birth occurred on August 8. 1897. Doctor Sexton was reared an Episcopalian, but his wife has been a long time member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
WILBUR WINTER ISRAEL.
Attorney-at-law and a life-long resident of Shelby county, the gentleman whose name appears above has achieved success not only in his profession but in the wider domain of citizenship. Wilbur W. Israel is a native of Noble township. Shelby county, and the younger of the two sons of Joseph B. and Lucinda ( Moore) Israel, both parents born in Indiana, the father in Decatur county, the mother in the county of Shelby.
Joseph B. Israel whose birth occurred on the 12th day of February, 1842,
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was reared to manhood in Decatur county, and at the age of seventeen en- tered the service of the government, enlisting for three months at the breaking out of the Civil war. at the expiration of which time he re-entered the army as a member of Company B. Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for thirty days. Subse- quently he tendered his services for three years, during which time he shared with his connades of the Seventh Indiana, the fortunes and vicissitudes of war, until the expiration of his period of enlistment, when he returned to his native county and resumed the peaceful pursuit of agriculture, to which he devoted his attention until his retirement from active life.
Joseph B. Israel and Lucinda Moore became husband and wife in the year 1863. and as already stated, their marriage resulted in the birth of two children, the older of whom. Doctor Ehmer E., practices dentistry in Shelbyville. the younger being the gentleman of whom the biographer writes in this connec- tion.
Wilbur W. Israel was born September 20, 1868, and spent his childhood and youth on the family homestead in Noble township. where amid the bracing airs and wholesome discipline of farm life he learned the lessons which had such a marked influence in shaping his future. While still a mere lad he manifested a taste for books and study. and after finishing the common school course he entered Franklin College, from which he was graduated in 1889. at the early age of twenty years. On quitting the above institution he engaged in educational work, and for some time thereafter taught in Hope College. being one of the youngest instructors in that old and justly famed school. Later he served as superintendent of the public schools at Tyndall, South Dakota, and after resigning his position in that town. returned to In- diana. and for one year was principal of the school of Geneva. Shelby county.
Not caring to make teaching his life work. Mr. Israel, at the expiration of the time spent at Geneva. came to Shelbyville and entered the office of Love & Morrison, one of the leading law firms of the city, where he prosecuted his legal studies until engaging in the practice of his profession. two years later, his admission to the bar bearing the date of June 30. 1894. Ilis early ex- perience, like that of the majority of young lawyers, was characterized by the usual struggle against difficulties until his abilities were recognized by liti- gants and older members of the bar. Since opening an office in Shelbyville he ยท has gained a conspicuous place among the legal lights of the city, and his fif- teen years of practice present a series of successes. He commands an extensive and lucrative practice in the courts of Shelby and neighboring counties. He is one of the founders, and now treasurer and director of the Shelbyville Foun- dry and Machine Works, manufacturers of gasoline engines and feed mills.
Mr. Israel is a Republican and one of the leaders of his party, not only in county affairs but in state politics as well. being an able adviser in formulating policies and an influential factor in the more active work of campaigns. Ile
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was nominated for Prosecuting Attorney in 1894. but the overwhelming strength of the opposition prevented his election, although he made a gallant fight and carried much more than the strength of his ticket.
Mr. Israel has gratified his literary tastes by accumulating one of the finest private libraries in the city. His reading takes a very wide range, his acquaintance with the world's best literature being general. He was reared by picus parents and has strong convictions and decided views on matters re- ligious, believing in the great mission of the church and giving to each of the various sects the credit of wielding a strong and abiding influence for the up- lift of humanity. He is a Mason. Belonging to Shelby Lodge, No. 28, Free and Accepted Masons, and Shelly Chapter,, No. 20. Royal Arch Masons, in both of which branches he takes an active interest and is recognized as an authority. Mr. Israel is unmarried. He stands high in the social circles of Shelbyville.
ANDREW C. BOWLBY.
A gentleman who is well remembered throughout Shelby county for his fine personal characteristics as well as his indomitable energy and cumulative industry is Andrew C. Bowlby, whose career has been closed by the hand of death, but whose influence still pervades the lives of those it touched. He was born December 1. 1849. in Richland township. Rush county. Indiana, the son of Dennis and Eliza Ann ( Crieger ) Bowlby, natives of Hunterdon county. New Jersey, in which they grew up and married. The former farmed there and remained with his father and mother. John and Mary ( Bonnell ) Bowlby, until 1844, when they came to Rush county. Indiana, where John Bowlby secured two good farms which he cleared and improved and on which he lived until his death. His wife died in Addison township, this county. They were the parents of four sons and three daughters.
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