USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 2 > Part 29
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Mr. Drake is a member of Kenton Lodge. No. 207. Knights of Pythias: Lewis Creek Lodge, No. 808. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past noble grand. He is a member of the Grand Lodge: also belongs to the Modern Woodmen. having passed all the chairs in the same and he car- ries five hundred dollars insurance in this lodge. He takes a great interest in lodge work. In politics he is a Democrat, and he has served two years as a member of the Township Advisory Board. He was elected Assessor of Wash- ington township in 1908. and is at present holding this office to the entire sat- isfaction of all concerned. He has long been an active worker in the party, and is known as one of the county's most public-spirited men, always doing his full share in its development along all lines.
CHARLES M. DRAKE.
The Drake family has long been a well known one in Shelby county and vicinity, and Charles MI. Drake is one of its most representative members. He was born in Washington township. Shelby county, Indiana, October 16, 1864. the son of George W. and Eliza ( Hawkins ) Drake. George W. Drake was born in Washington township. Shelby county. January 9. 1843. and he died June 2, 1905. Ephraim Drake, grandfather of Charles M., was born in Ohio.
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CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND. 743
He married Sarah Fultz, and they came to Shelby county, Indiana, in an early day. Mr. Drake having walked from Ohio and entered land from the govern- ment in section 11. Washington township. Shelby county. He then returned to Ohio and brought his family to his new home. Ile had a coin of the de- nomination of thirty-seven and one-half cents when he reached here, and that was all the money he had the first year of his residence in this county. He had a hard time getting a start. for the forest was dense, and the only meat he had for himself and family was obtained from the woods, which abounded in all kinds of wild game, but he finally prospered and lived on that place all the remaining years of his life, building the brick house known as the old Drake homestead. which is still standing. He burned the brick for the same. nearby. He and his wife both died there, and are buried in the Patterson cem- etery in Jackson township. To them were born, John, Elizabeth, Hiram, Mary A .. Ephraim, Sarah E. and George W.
George W. Drake was reared on the old farm and educated in the com- mon schools. He was never out of the state but once, making a trip then to Dayton, Ohio. He married Eliza Hawkins, and to them were born the fol- lowing children : Charles M., Hiram T., George Wilfred. deceased: Ithanier, Willis E., Joseph W., Benjamin T .. Albert C. and Eva J., wife of Herman Weinantz. George W. Drake died June 2, 1905, and his wife. July 9. 1893.
Charles M. Drake was reared on the farm and assisted with the work on the place during the summer months, attending the district schools during the winter, remaining at home until he was twenty-six years old. Ile married Mary Nail, the daughter of John Nail : she was born in Washington township, July 13. 1870, and she received a common school education.
Mr. Drake has been a successful business man. He first bought property in Lewis Creek, and engaged in merchandising there for some time. He owns three lots, a good house and barn therc. He was ticket agent in that town from 1896 for seven years. He organized the Lewis Creek Telephone Ex- change in June. 1899. for William Minger. and started with twelve subscribers. Mr. Minger became dissatisfied with the project and sold out to Mr. Drake, who has conducted the business successfully, now having one hundred and teir subscribers, with about four hundred miles of wire and forty miles of poles, and this individual concern of Mr. Drake's is a paying investment.
To Mr. and Mrs. Drake the following children have been born: Jacob T., born June 2. 1893: Claude P .. June 26, 1895: Floyd B .. November 3. 1897 ; Delpha D .. April 27, 1901 : Lorene, November 1. 1905: John N .. Feb- ruary 7, 1908. The oldest child. Katie M .. died at the age of four years.
Mr. Drake is a member of Lewis Creek Lodge. No. 808. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Kenton Lodge, No. 207. Knights of Pythias : Modern Woodmen of America. No. 4580. of Lewis Creek. He takes a great interest in lodge work. In politics he is a Democrat. He served for some
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time as deputy postmaster of Lewis Creek. He is a well known and influential man in Washington township, and has many friends throughout the locality where the Drakes have so long been known.
DR. E. E. ISRAEL.
One of the noticeable tendencies of modern times is the disposition of men of training. culture or specific preparations for the professions, to get away from the busy whirl of life in our cities er towns and mingle with the freedom offered by nature in the varions occupations of rural life. This ten- dency is aided by the rapid advance of improvements and facilities for the farmer of today may have most all the advantages offered to the resident of the cities. In the case of Dr. E. E. Israel we have a gentleman who has successfully combined his professional work with the duties incumbent on one who is charged with the management of farm lands. Doctor Israel was born in Shelby county. Indiana. September 4. 1864. and was the son of Joseph B. and Lucinda ( Moore ) Israel. Joseph B. Israel was born in Greensburg, this state, in 1842. He responded to his country's call during the War of the Re- bellion and joined the Seventh Indiana Infantry. He continued in the ser- vice for two years, returning, at the close of the war, to the family home- stead. He and his companion became the parents of two sons. W. W. and Dr. E. E. Israel. The latter received his early education in the district schools of the neighborhood. Later he entered Franklin College and lacked but one year in completing the work of the school. Soon after this, he decided to take up the study of dentistry, and accordingly associated himself with Doctor Clayton, at Shelbyville, and later entered the Ohio College of Dental Sur- gery, at Cincinnati. He entered thoroughly into his work and pursued the course to completion, graduating from the institution in 1891. having ob- tained the decree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. Upon his return to the county he opened up an office in Shelbyville, and began the practice of his profession at once, meeting with encouraging success at the start. He later removed his office to Hope, where he continued his work for nine years.
Upon the death of his grandparents Doctor Israel took charge of the ok homestead and arranged an office room on the farm. He soon attracted a lucrative practice and since that time has continued to carry on his dental work. as well as conduct the affairs of the farm. He thoroughly enjoys the out-of- door experience, and is a firm advocate of fresh air as being the reme- dial agents for many of our ills and he. himself. is a good example of one who has thus been benefited.
In literary lines, too, has Doctor Israel shown a searching spirit, having
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read estensively on various topics, becoming thas thoroughly familiar with the world's best literature. He has in his library many of the world's best masterpieces, besides a full equipment of volumes dealing upon his profession. To these the Doctor adds from time to time such works as are new and up-to- date, and thus keeps in touch with the progress made in trades and professions.
The modern vehicle, the automobile, has also so attracted him that he now owns an excellent machine, which, owing to his bent for mechanics, he has been able to take care of himself, thus saving considerable of the cost of maintenance. Doctor Israel is a member of Farmers' Lodge, No. 247. Free and Accepted Masons, and affiliates politically with the Republican party.
OSCAR HOWARD.
Among the progressive farmers of the younger generation in Noble township, none have ma le a better record than Oscar Howard. In addition to his agricultural pursuits, in which he has shown good judgment and a desire to keep up with the head of the procession, Mr. Howard has developed taients for business in other lines, and when called en by his neighbors to look after official duties has shown that he was fully competent to do it well. Naturally fond of politics he has figured prominently and influentially as one of the local leaders of the Democratic party. He is consulted in campaign times, and his advice as to the best way to meet "the enemy" and wrest victory for his own side is listened to with attention. Altogether he is a fine type of the business farmer, as well as the progressive citizen and numbers his friends by the score. Oscar is a son of John and Mary ( P'ullen ) Howard, both of whom represent old and well established families in this part of Shelby county. He was born in Noble township. Shelby county, Indiana. December 20. 18;2. His brothers and sisters were Dennis, James W .. Sarah J., Jesse, Mattie and Othor, all of whom lived in the county excepting James W. and Jesse. Oscar grew up on his father's farm and was given the training for work which proves invaluable in after life. He attended the excellent district schools of Noble township. securing a good education and was fitted at an early age to engage in busi- ness for himself. At the age of twenty-one he was married to Nora Fiscus. one of the neighborhood girls, the ceremony being performed on January 24. 1894. Mrs. Howard was born in Noble township, October 1. 1877. her par- ents being J. A. and Maria ( Peak ) Fiscus. Mr. and Mrs. Howard have one son, Russell, who was born January 1. 1901. In November. 1904. Mr. How- ard was elected to the important office of Trustee of Noble township, and served until January 1. 1909, discharging his duties in a way that was entire- ly satisfactory to his constituents. He succeeded Fred Metzier in this office.
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and was one of the youngest men ever elected in Noble township. Mr. How- ard owns eighty acres of good land and his principal business is farming and stock raising. He lives in a large and comfortable brick house that was built by his father, and is always ready to extend an old-fashioned hospitality to his many friends. He has served as a member of the Democratic Central Committee of Shelby county and for years has been one of the active party workers. He is a member of Sulphur Hill Lodge. No. 241. Knights of Pythias, is past chancellor, and has served as a member of the Grand Lodge.
STEPHEN HOWARD.
The records of this family take us back over a hundred years, to the close of the eighteenth century, the stirring pioneer period of the carly nine- teenth century, in the upper Ohio Valley, with incidents occurring in the states of Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. Aaron Howard. found- er of the western branch of this family, lived through the most dramatic part of modern history, his long career stretching from the administration of the elder Adams to the Presidency of Chester A. Arthur. Born in Kentucky, August 21, 1795. he emigrated in early manhood to Ohio, located on a farm in Butler county, which he cultivated for many years, and in 1834 removed to Decatur county. Indiana. Purchasing a farm of eighty acres, two miles west of Greensburg. he became prominent in local affairs, was a local leader of the Democracy, and served for nine years as Assessor of the county. I 1870 he came to Shelby county, purchased eighty acres of land in Noble town- ship, and spent the remainder of his days here. He was noted for his wonder- ful memory of facts and faces, his power to recall long distant occurrences. and altogether, he was a fine sample of the western pioneer. After a long, eventful and useful life, he ended his days January 19. 1881, at his home- stead in Shelby county. Martha Baldridge, who was born in Westmoreland county. Pennsylvania, October 17. 1798, was a cousin of Aaron Howard. but they did not meet until both were grown. There was a mutual liking, and a marriage. after which she accompanied her husband to the West and shared his sorows as well as his joys, with a fidelity peculiar to the self-reliant women of the pioneer period. This worthy couple became the parents of ten chil- dren, of whom the only surviors are Stephen and a son named Nicholas, who lives in Missouri.
Stephen Howard was born in Washington township, Decatur county. Indiana. February 6. 1843. He assisted his father on the farm as he grew up, acquired a limited common school education and qualified himself for his chosen avocation, as a tiller of the soil. April 13. 1865. he married Sarah E.
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Barclay, a member of one of the well known families of her community. She was born in Decatur county. Indiana, February 24. 1847, five miles south- west of Greensburg. Her father, E. D. Barclay, was a member of an exten- sive family connection, embracing some of the chlest representatives of this section of the Hoosier state. When his father removed to Shelby county, in 1870. Stephen came with him as a member of the househohl, and after his death, inherited his home place. He has met with success in his farming oper- ations and belongs to the class that is described as "well fixed." Honest in his dealings, straightforward in his methods, and believing in the square deal, no man in Noble township stands higher as a citizen than Stephen Howard. He is a member of Farmers' Lodge, No. 247. Free and Accepted Masons, and of Sulphur Hill Lodge, Knights of Pythias. Mary A., his oldest daughter, is the wife of Benjamin Wasson, of Noble township: Harry, who has been a teacher for fifteen years, married Huldah Mitchell. of Noble township: Grace L. is with her parents.
JAMES R. HOWE.
The progress and high standing of Shelby county, in the state of Indiana, is largely owing to the wide-awake and energetic spirit of her citizens, and among these the younger farmers are recognized as being the very important factors in promoting the development of the natural resources of the state. One of these who deserves a record of the kind here attempted is James R. Howe.
Mr. Howe was born in Noble township, this county. May 23, 1876. and is the son of George W. and Permelia ( Peek ) Howe, both of whom were born in the county, also. George W. Howe ranks among the most successful farmers in the county, having accumulated, through hard work, lands to the amount of over four hundred acres, in this and Bartholomew county. He was the father of two boys and two girls, of whom James, our subject, was the oldest. The second child. Bertha, became the wife of G. W. Chesser, of Noble township. The third. Arra C., is at home, and the youngest, Mary E., became the wife of Charles Ketner, also living in Noble township.
James was reared on the farm, learning early in life to persevere in his work and to rely largely on his own resources. He finished the common school course as offered in the district schools, and upon the completion of this course he entered the high school at Geneva, and graduated from there in 1894.
In December, 1899. Mr. Howe was joined in marriage to Flossie P. Mc- Cain, daughter of George W. McCain, of Washington township. One daugh- ter has been born to them. Lola M., born April 23. 1908. Mr. Howe is a
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member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Winchester, while his wife still has her membership in the Christian church. Mr. Howe is actively connected with the Lewis Creek Lodge. No. 80S. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is one of its efficient members, demonstrating in his intercourse with his neighbors and friends the principles of fraternity promulgated by that noble order. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen, at Geneva.
Mr. Howe is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and fifty acres and farms it after the most modern and scientific methods. He deals in high grade stock and keeps fully in touch with all that is up-to-date in regard to experi- ment and equipment.
GEORGE W. MCCAIN.
This estimable citizen was born in Noble township, this county, October 2. 1852, the son of Absalom and Mary ( Bailey) McCain, the former having been born in Decatur county, Indiana, while the latter was a native of Shelby county ; both are now deceased. Mary ( Bailey ) McCain. Absalom McCain's first wife. died in 1856, having become the mother of five children, George W. being a little over four years old at the time of his mother's death. The chil- dren in the order of birth were: William S., Margaret E., deceased : George W .. Sabina J. and John F. Absalom McCain's second wife. Louisa Miller. bore him two sons-James C., of St. Joe. Indiana, and Harry F .. now in Ar- kansas.
George was reared on the farm in Decatur county, and at the age of eighteen came to Shelby county. He was a boy of studious habits, and was thorough in his work. He took a deep interest in school affairs, and. upon reaching maturity, turned his attention to teaching. He became well known in the county as a teacher, and took an able part in the township and county institutes. His scholarship was such that his opinions on educational and related topics commanded respect and confidence, and he easily obtained the highest grade of certificate offered at that time. He was for many years con- nected with the school at Norristown and Flat Rock, but in 1893 he retired from the work and has since given his time to his farming interests. In 1875 Mr. McCain was joined in marriage to Fannie M. West, daughter of W. C. and Maria West. There were four children born of this union, viz: Flossie P., who was born December 24. 1877. and married James A. Howe, whose biography is found elsewhere in this work: George B. was born January 18. 1880, and married Lillian M. Gray : Alonzo F., born April 22, 1882, married Carrie A. Bruner : Elmer H. was born July 23. 1887. Mr. McCain has a farm of eighty-six acres of excellent land in Washington township. He is a man of miimpeachable integrity, and is widely known as a Sunday school
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worker and has held various offices in the county and township associations. He holds his church membership in the Cave Mills Christian church. He has been a life-long Republican and can be relied upon to be true to his conviction.
ANDREW J. MONROE.
Dividing his time between the pursuit of agriculture and the imagement of a flouring mill. Andrew J. Monroe naturally leads a very busy life, but as he is the possessor of a large fund of energy, he seems to derive pleasure from , the fact that he is kept busy. Mr. Monroe was born in Shelby county. No- vember 5. 1846, and he has been identified with many enterprises that had for their chject the furtherance of the interests of the community. His par- ents were John and Amelia ( Slye) Monroe. His father was born in Ohio county, West Virginia. June 14. 1803. In 1809. when he was but six years of age, his parents removed to the state of Ohio, taking up their residence in Clermont county. It was here that the youth developed into manhond, and eventually married. He and his wife came to Shelby county in 1832, and entered two hundred acres of land in Noble township, which, by dint of hard work, he brought up to a high state of cultivation. He lived on this farm until his death in December, 1887. his wife surviving him but a few years. Of the thirteen children that were born to the couple, eight are living. The father of the subject as a public-spirited man was far in advance of his time, and was always to be found at the head of any movement that had for its purpose the advancement of Shelby county. He was a Republican, and ma. ie his influence felt in every campaign. He also had strong religious convictions and was a member and regular attendant upon the services at the Methodist church.
Andrew J. Monroe was the youngest of the boys. Ile began work on the farm just as soon as he had completed a short course in school. He re- mained at the home of his parents until he became of age. and then worked for different farmers in the immediate neighborhood. He was twenty-six years old when he married Caroline Maple, the alliance being contracted in 1872. She died in 1897, and was the mother of four children, Elzy, Clarence. Jessie and Oma. The former is a high school graduate and is now at Rich- mond.
Mr. Monrce married a second time, his bride being Linnie Deiwert. daughter of William M. Deiwert. of Washington township. As the fruits of this umion there are four children, namely : Esther, Lloyd. Eugene and Ralph. They all live at home with their parents, and give promise of developing into very bright men and women.
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Mr. Monroe is a member of Waldron Lodge, No. 217. Free and Accepted Masons. Ile is past master and represents the lodge in the Grand Lodge ses- sions. Mrs. Monroe is a member of the Eastern Star. In 1893 he bought the Cave Flouring Mills, and he has conducted this enterprise ever since. It has a perfect roller system, and is one of the best equipped establishments of the kind in the state. In connection with the mills he owns ten acres of land lying along the bank of Flat Rock river. Mr. Monroe is a Republican, al- though he does not give a great deal of attention to politics, his business re- quiring most of his time.
M. J. YOUNG.
Prominent among the citizens of Washington township, who, by lives of probity, honest dealings and industry, are entitled to the admiration and re- spect that is accorded them by their fellow men is the subject of this sketelı. Mr. Young is a native of Washington township, and was born June 30. 1861. His parents were John and Martha ( Drake), nee Ogden. Young.
Joseph Drake, maternal grandfather of the subject, was born in Mary- land in 1774. his wife being Mary White, whose birth occurred February 23, 1778. Some time after their marriage the Drakes removed to Ohio, and kept what was then known as a tavern on the road between Cincinnati and Read- ing, Ohio. It was in 1833 when they transferred their belongings to Shelby county. Indiana, settling in Washington township. Shortly after his arrival there Mr. Drake engaged in the business of a miller. Eventually. however, he disposed of this establishment, and removed to Hope, Indiana. where he remainedl until he moved to Shelbyville, where he died October 11. 1861. his wife following him to the grave September 3d of the same year.
Martha Drake. daughter of Joseph and Mary, was wedded to Henry Ogden in May. 1837, and he died September 27. 1856. Three years later she entered a matrimonial alliance with John Young. father of the subject. John Young was born in Yorkshire, England. in March. 1812, and came to America in 1830, locating at Cincinnati, where he lived until 1836. He was a gardener by trade, and a man of small means. Believing that he could better his finan- cial condition by engaging in agricultural pursuits, he decided to give up city life, and he betook himself to Washington township. He had sufficient capi- tal to purchase eighty acres of heavily woodel land, and, through seemingly endless toil. succeeded in clearing a large portion of it. He prospered and kept adding to his possessions until he was the owner of two hundred twenty acres of the most fertile land in Shelby county. He died at Shelbyville, March 11, 1890. He was a man of clean personality and the strictest integrity. He had been married previously to his alliance with Mrs. Ogden. His first wife. who was Frances Hargrove, died after having given birth to eight children.
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M. J. Young, in common with other lads of his day, attended the district schools, and received a fair education. He was married December 21. 1880. to Melissa E. Fateley, who was born March 25. 1856. One childl. Arthur. was born to them. his birth having occurred December 3. 1890. He received a common school education, and resides with his parents.
When Mr. Young began farming he was the owner of but forty acres. He purchased more land from time to time until now his farm consists of one hundred and forty acres of splendidly improved soil. He is considered one of the most successful agriculturists in this section of Indiana. He does not give his entire time to the farm by any means, however, as he is an ex- perienced breeder of high grade stock. and has on his place a number of fine colts and horses. He takes an interest in fraternal orders, and is a member of Chillon Lodge. No. 120. Knights of Pythias, of Shelbyville, and Modern Woodmen. 3372. Shelby Camp. In politics he has always been identified with the Democratic party, although he is inclined to be independent in local elec- tions. Mr. Young has a high respect for truth and honesty, and is noted among those with whom he has frequent business transactions to be thorough- ly fair and straightforward in all of his dealings.
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