USA > Indiana > Courts and lawyers of Indiana, Volume III > Part 32
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THADDEUS S. ADAMS.
Thaddeus S. Adams, of Danville, was born in Hendricks county, Indi- ana, November 6, 1853, son of Solomon and Nancy (Griffiths) Adams, both natives of Kentucky. He supplemented his common-school schooling by attendance at the Northwestern Christian University, now Butler College, in 1871-72, and then began teaching school, being thus engaged for six years in his home county. Meantime, in 1875, he began the study of law in the office of Adams & Coffer, at Danville, and in 1878 was admitted to the bar. He entered practice in partnership with his brother, Joshua G. Adams, and was thus connected for a year, or until the latter's election to the bench. For two years, 1897-98, Mr. Adams was in partnership with Solon Enlow and in 1901-02 with Enlow and John McCormick, otherwise he has prac- ticed alone. In 1SSS he was elected prosecutor for the Fifty-fifth Indiana judicial circuit (Hendricks county ) and served for four years. In 1906
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he was a candidate for the Republican nomination for judge of that cir- cuit, but was defeated by twenty-eight votes. Mr. Adams was a member of the board of trustees of the town of Danville, 1882-SS, and since 1908 has been a trustee of the public library. He is a member of the State Bar Association and of the Hendricks County Bar Association, and was dean of the law school of the Central Normal School, 1896-1900. He is a member of the Christian church and of the Columbia Club, and is a thirty-second degree Mason, having been a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite since 1884; also a noble of the Mystic Shrine. On May 6, 1880, Mr. Adams was united in marriage to Effie A. Campbell, daughter of L. M. and Matilda (Hammond) Campbell, the former a Danville attorney, and to this union three children were born. Mrs. Adams died on May 13, 1913.
GEORGE W. CROOKS.
George W. Crooks, of Waterloo, was born on a farm in Dekalb county, Indiana, June 3, 1863. He is the youngest of twelve children born to Matthew and Nancy (Bryan) Crooks. The father was a native of Ohio and moved to Dekalb county, Indiana, in 1833. George W. Crooks received the customary education of the common and high schools of his county, after which he taught school for a time. He was admitted to the bar in 1897. He has practiced continuously since. He was deputy prosecutor fifteen years, and served as township trustee for six years. He is a mem- ber of the Dekalb County Bar Association, a Republican in politics, and is a Presbyterian. Mr. Crooks married Mary Schuman, and they are the parents of two sons, Verne E., and Clifton S., both of whom are graduates of the Waterloo high school, and both farmers. Mrs. Mary Crooks dicd on March 2, 1897. Later Mr. Crooks married Clara Detar.
ORRIN Z. HUBBELL.
Orrin Z. Hubbell was born in Huntington county, Indiana, March 30, 1859. The family moved to Butler, Indiana, and at the age of fourteen Hubbell entered Indiana University, where he graduated in 1877. He studied law under R. A. Franks, of Butler, taught school at Munroeville and Butler, edited the DeKalb County Republican, and began the practice of law in Elkhart in 1882. He continued the study of law at Notre Dame and received the degree of Bachelor of Laws there in 1892. In 1SSS he was elected state senator. He died at Ontario, California, April 17, 1903.
E. RALPH HIMELICK.
E. Ralph Himelick, member of the law firm of Himelick, Frost & Goble, at Connersville, is a native of Indiana, born in Union county, May 5, 1887, son of John W. and Rachel (Dubois) Himelick. He was graduated from the high schol at Bloomington in 1907 and then worked his way through college, receiving his bachelor degree from Indiana University in 1911. For two years thereafter he served as superintendent of schools at Roach- dale and then returned to the university, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1914. He was admitted to practice
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in Fayette county in that same year and entered practice at Connersville, where he was associated with Reuben Conner until February, 1915. In the following August he formed a partnership with George W. Goble, which continued until January 1, 1916, when Hyatt L. Frost became a member of the firm, which has since been known by the firm name of Himelick, Frost & Goble. Mr. Himelick is a member of the Phi Delta Phi fraternity, a member of the Masonic order and a Republican. On September 5, 1912, he was united in marriage to Faye Hamilton, of Brokville, Indiana, and to this union one child has been born, a son.
WALTER OLDS.
Walter Olds, ex-judge of the Supreme court of Indiana, was born in Ohio, August 11, 1846, and is one of eleven children born to Benjamin and Abigail (Washburn) Olds, who were pioneers in their state. Walter Olds received his education in the public school and at Capital University. He served during the Civil War in the One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Regi- ment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and after the close of the war he took up the study of law with his brother, Mayor James Olds, at Mt. Gilead, Ohio. He gained admittance to the bar of the Supreme court of Ohio in January, 1869. In April, 1869, he came to Columbia City, Indiana, and formed a partnership with Senator A. Y. Hooper, which continued until the death of Mr. Hooper six years later. He then practiced alone two years, during which time he was elected state senator, 1876-1880. He was elected Circuit Judge in 1884 and served until 1SSS, when he was elected to the Supreme bench of Indiana, where he served until 1893, when he resigned. He then located in Chicago, but in 1901 he removed to Fort Wayne, where he has since been engaged in the active practice. He is attorney for a number of railroads. He is a member of the Allen County and Indiana State Bar Associations, is an Elk and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He has always been an active Republican in politics. Judge Olds married Marie J. Merritt, and they have one son, Lee M., a graduate of North- western University and a lawyer of the San Francisco bar. The family home is at No. 1206 West Berry street, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
HARRY F. HELWIG.
Harry F. Helwig was born in Kendallville, Indiana, September 18, 18SS. He is a son of A. G. and Rose (Halm) Helwig. His father, now a resident of Kendallville, was a native of Ohio, but moved to Kendallville in 1886, and is connected with the Flint & Walling Manufacturing Com- pany. Harry F. Helwig is a graduate of the Kendallville high school, and an alumnus of the law school of Indiana University, class of 1910. On June 17, of the same year, he was admitted to the Supreme court of Indiana. and the United States Circuit court. He served as deputy prosecutor in 1912, 1913, 1914; also as city attorney of Kendallville in 1914, 1915, 1916. He was elected prosecuting attorney of the Thirty-third judicial circuit, comprising Noble and Whitley counties, on November 3, 1914, on the Democratic ticket. He is a member of the Noble County Bar Association,
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is a Mason, an Elk, a Modern Woodman of the World, and a member of the Loyal Order of Moose. Ile is the senior member of the law firm of Helwig & Helwig, the junior member being his brother, George W. Helwlg. On March 22, 1916, Mr. Helwig was married to Hazel Squires, of Wabash, Indiana.
FREDERICK L. BODENHAFER.
Frederick L. Bodenhafer, of Kendallville, was born on a farm in Noble county, Indiana, September 20, 1875. He is one of a family of seven children born to Lee and Eva (Morgan) Bodenhafer, native Hooslers and farmers. He received the training of the common and high schools of his county, and then prepared for his profession at the Indiana Law School. He was admitted to the bar in May. 1899. He represented his county in the General Assembly during the session of 1905. He is a mem- ber of the Noble County Bar Association, is a member of the Masonic order, and a Republican in politics. He married Nellie Barton, of Cleveland, Ohio.
GEORGE W. SHAW.
George W. Shaw was born in Campbell county, Kentucky, June 20, 1853. He was educated in the schools of Campbell and Pendleton counties and at Georgetown College. For five years he taught and studied law In Pendleton county. In 1879 he located at Vincennes, Indiana, and continued his studies in the office of Judge F. W. Viehe and R. G. Evans. He was admitted to the bar in 1880 and was appointed master commissioner in 1881. The same year he formed a partnership with William A. Cullop, and later the firm became Cullop, Shaw & Kessinger. In 1SSS Shaw was appointed Judge of the Twelfth judicial circuit to fill the unexpired term of Judge Malott. He was elected to the office in the same year and again in 1894. He died at Vincennes, March 23, 1911.
DANIEL D. HELLER.
Daniel D. Heller, of Decatur, was born on a farm in Harrison county, Ohio, and is one of eight children born to Henry B. and Mary A. (Wey- andt) Heller, both natives of Pennsylvania. He got his elementary educa- tion in the common schools of his native county. He then entered the academy at New Hagerstown, Carroll county, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1860. During the next three years he divided his time between teaching and reading law in the office of Stambaugh & Bartleson, of New Philadelphia, Ohio. He was admitted to the bar at Carrollton. Ohio, and began practicing in August. 1863, at Millersburg. Ohio. He remained there until 1867, when he located at Decatur, Indiana, where he has since lived. In 1872 he resumed teaching and was appointed school examiner of Adams county. He was next appointed county superintendent. serving in this capacity until 1874, when he again resumed netive practice. In March, 1881. he formed a partnership with Paul G. Hooper, which lasted until 1SS9. He served as mayor of Decatur in 18S5 and 1SS6. In 1SSS he was elected Circuit Judge of the Twenty-sixth judlelal district, and
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continued in this office until 1901. He then formed a partnership with H. B. Heller, former prosecutor, and in 1910 the present firm of Heller, Sutton & Heller was formed.
Judge Heller married Anna J. Corbus, on July 15, 1869, and they are the parents of four children : Mrs. John W. Tyndall, John H., Henry B. and Bertha C. Henry B. is a member of the firm. Judge Heller is a member of the Adams County Bar Association.
JAMES T. MERRYMAN.
James T. Merryman, of Decatur, was born on a farm in Adams county, Indiana, October 1. 1854. He is one of six children of Charles Wesley and Mary Ann (Archbald) Merryman. He received the full advantage of the district schools and then enjoyed two years of study under Professor Wright, a graduate of Yale. From the age of sixteen to twenty-one he taught school during the winter. In 1876 he was appointed deputy clerk under Bryon Dent. He next served two years as deputy sheriff under Henry Krick. In 18SO he became a bookkeeper in the Adams County Bank. During all this time he had employed his spare time in reading law. In 1SS1 he was admitted to the bar and took up the active practice. He served as the first mayor of Decatur, in 1882. His first law partner was Edgar N. Wicks, with whom he practiced until 1SS3, when he formed a partnership with John T. France. One year later they were joined by William J. Vesey, who moved to Fort Wayne the following year. The partnership with France continued until 189S. In 1903 he was joined by Jesse C. Sutton. In November. 1906, he was elected Circuit Judge and served until 1913. He is a member of the State Bar Association, a Mason and an Odd Fellow.
On August 29, 1878, Judge Merryman married Louisa P. Albers, a native of Willshire, Ohio, and to them have been born five children : Mattie June, Iona Dale (deceased), Charles August, Frances Mildred and Robert Albers. The family are members of the First Methodist church, of Deca- tur, Indiana.
EDGAR M. BLESSING.
Edgar M. Blessing, of Danville, was born in Benton county, Indiana, August 21, 1876, son of George A. and Margaret (Ladd) Blessing, both natives of Ohio and both of English descent. Following attendance at the Goodland high school and the Oxford high school he entered the Indiana State Normal, from which he was graduated in 1899; was graduated from the University of Michigan in 1904, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and took a course in history and literature at Cornell University in 1900, in the meantime having taught school two years in Benton county and two years as principal of the high school at Plainfield. In 1902 Mr. Blessing was admitted to the bar and has been practicing his profession at Danville since 1905, giving special attention to corporation law, and is the local attorney for the Vandalia Railroad Company. Since 1915 he has been assistant professor of law in the
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law school of the Central Normal College. Mr. Blessing is chairman of the Hendricks County Centennial Commission, a member of the Columbia Club at Indianapolis, a thirty-second-degree Masou, a noble of the Mystic Shrine, a member of the Danville lodge of the Knights of Pythias and of the Sons of Veterans. On October 5, 1905, Edgar M. Blessing was united in marriage to Geraldine M. White, a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, who was born at Danville, daughter of Dr. C. A. and Dee M. White. Mr. Blessing is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association and of the Hendricks County Bar Association.
CHARLES M. NIEZER.
Charles Mahlon Niezer, of Fort Wayne, was born in Monroeville, Alien county. Indiana, March 31, 1877. one of a family of six children born to John B. and Sarah T. Niezer. The father Is a native of Indiana, the mother of Pennsylvania .. Charles M. Niezer received his primary training in the common schools of Allen county. After spending three years in Notre Dame University, South Bend, Indiana, he attended Indiana Uni- versity, where he graduated from the arts course in 1899, and the law course in 1900. He subsequently attended Columbia University, recelved the degree of Master of Arts, and was admitted to the bar on September 19, 1901, and began the practice at Fort Wayne, where he has since been located. His first partnership was with Perry A. Randall. Later he was associated with Olds & Doughman, and still later with Mr. Olds. Since 1907 he has been alone. He is a member of the Allen County and Indiana State Bar Associations. He married Rose M. Fox. daughter of Louis Fox, and their home is at 604 West Wayne street. Fort Wayne, Indiana.
CHARLES G. RENNER.
Charles G. Renner was born. November 2. 1853. at Cope. Morgan coun- ty. Indiana. He attended high school at Martinsville. Indiana, and later started a dry goods store in partnership with Milton Hite. Jr. He became interested in law sold his store in 1880 and entered the law school of Michigan University, where he obtained his degree in 1SS2. He returned to Martinsville and formed a partnership with Major Levi Ferguson, which lasted until 1887. He died at Martinsville, June 23. 1910.
SAMUEL L. MORRIS.
Samuel L. Morris, of Fort Wayne, was born in Anburn, Dekalb county, Indiana, September 15, 1849, and is one of slx children in the family of John and Theresa (Farr) Morris. He was educated in the public schools and in Princeton University, where he graduated in June, 1873. He was admitted to the bar in 1874 and located in Fort Wayne. where he has since practiced. He was associated with Robert S. Taylor until 1SS1. This firm was succeeded by Coomby. Belle & Morris: this by Belle & Morris, and this by Bell. Barrett & Morris, who practiced together thirteen years, or until 1914, when the present firm of Barrett,
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Morris & Hoffman was formed. This firm is counsel for a number of railroads, and devotes most of its attention to corporation practice. He is a member of the Allen County, and Indiana State Bar Associations. Mr. Morris married Carrie E. Ambos, and they are the parents of three children : Mrs. Percy G. Olds, Samuel L. and Mrs. J. Lyle Tucker. The family are members of the Episcopal church, and their home is at 1110 Washington street, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
HAROLD TAYLOR.
Harold Taylor was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on January 22, 1862. His father was Napoleon B. Taylor, a lawyer, and Judge of the Superior court for three terms, dying in office on August 12, 1893. His mother was Catherine Brown Taylor. Harold Taylor prepared for college in the schools of Indianapolis. He graduated from Wabash, later being given the Master of Arts degree; also graduated from the University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1891. He served as official court reporter for eight years. He has succeeded in building up a good practice, which he handles alone. He is a member of the Indianapolis, Indiana State and American Bar Associations. He is a member of the University, Democratic and Country Clubs and the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Indiana Club of Chicago, and is a Mason. Mr. Taylor married Anna Elston Blair, and they are the parents of one son, Blair. The family residence is at No. 1235 North New Jersey street.
JOHN F. MCCLURE.
John F. McClure, of Anderson, was born on a farm near Brooklyn, Indiana, December 24, 1852, son of James and Ann (McCaw) McClure, the former a native of County Sligo, Ireland, and the latter of Butler county, Ohio. He supplemented the schooling received in the common schools of Franklin county by attendance in 1872-73 at Brookville Col- lege, after which he entered old Asbury (now DePauw) University, from which he was graduated in 1879, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. During his university course he was active in the work of the college fraternity, Delta Kappa Epsilon, in the affairs of which he still retains an earnest interest. Upon leaving the university he became a student in the law office of Berry & Berry, at Brookville, and was admitted to the bar in 1880, beginning his practice at Brookville. In 1SS1 he moved to Anderson, Indiana, where he formed a partnership with Isaac Carter, now of Shelbyville, which continued for a year. In 1884-86 he was in partnership with Frank P. Foster. In May, 1SS6, he was elected mayor of Anderson, on the Republican ticket, and was re-elected in 18SS, serving four years. In 1894-96 served as city attorney and in 1896 was elected Judge of the Fiftieth judicial circuit (Madison county) ; was re-elected in 1902 and served until 1908. In December of the latter year he was appointed a member of the Indiana railroad commission and in May, 1912, was reappointed by Governor Marshall. Under the
Itavola Taylor.
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act of 1913 creating the Indiana public service commission, Judge Mc- Clure was continued as a member of the latter commission, under the terms of the act, and in May, 1913, was reappointed by Governor Ralston. On December 12, 1888, John F. McClure was united in marriage to Mary Falknor, of Anderson, and to this union three children have been born : James C., born on December 14, 1889, who died on October 25, 1891; Horace R., September 17, 1893, who was graduated from DePauw University in 1915 and is now in charge of the insurance department of the Anderson Trust Company, and Mark F., February 6, 1898, a student at DePauw University. Judge McClure continues to make his home at Anderson. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Elks and the Camels; of the Columbia Club at Indianapolis and the Tourists Club of Anderson.
JOHN W. EGGEMAN.
John W. Eggeman was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, June 12, 1875. He is one of six children born to Peter and Katharine (Niezer) Eggeman. The father is a shoemaker by trade. He served many years as chair- man of the board of public works of Fort Wayne, where he still resides. John W. Eggeman was educated in the parochial school and was also a student of the Methodist College of Fort Wayne. He then entered Notre Dame University at South Bend, from which he was graduated in 1900. The same year he was admitted to the bar and began practice in 1901, and has practiced continuously in Fort Wayne since that time. In 1903 he formed a partnership with James B. Harper, which con- tinued until 1912, when Mr. Eggeman was elected Circuit Judge. He had served as Probate Commissioner from 1903 until 1912. He is a member of the Allen County Bar Association, and is a Democrat in politics.
Judge Eggeman married Mary Wagner, a daughter of John Wagner, of Lafayette, Indiana, and they are the parents of three children. The family resided at 323 West Woodlawn avenue, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
JAMES BYALL HARPER.
James B. Harper, of Fort Wayne, is one of a family of eight children born to John and Eliza (Byall) Harper. The parents were farmers in Ohio, who moved to Allen county, Indiana, in pioneer days, where James B. was born on a farm in 1848. After getting the advantages of his neighborhood schools and Fort Wayne Methodist Episcopal Col- lege he entered Indiana University, where he graduated in 1875, as valedictorian of his class with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was at once admitted to the bar and began the practice in Fort Wayne. He has been a partner at different times of Lieutenant-Governor Robert S. Robertson, Judge John W. Eggeman and Otto E. Fuebler, the last named being his present partner. He has avoided politics and confined
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himself strictly to the study and practice of the law. He is a member of the Allen County Bar Association, a thirty-third degree Mason and a Shriner. He is a Republican but progressive and liberal in politics.
Mr. Harper married Mary E. Rowan, a niece of the late Vice-Admiral Rowan, of the United States navy, and they are the parents of two daughters, Helen and Virginia, the latter only now living. The family are Presbyterians, and have their home at 304 East Washington street, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
DAVID A. KOCHENOUR.
David Archer Kochenour was born in Harrison county, Indiana, Feb- ruary 7, 1844. He attended Hartsville College and received the degree of Bachelor of Laws from Indiana University law school in 1871. He was admitted to the bar the following year and began the practice of law with Major J. Wesley Tucker, at Paoli, Indiana. In 1874 Kochenour moved to Brownstown, where he was city attorney for sixteen consecutive years and then became county attorney.
WILLIAM R. GARDINER.
William Ray Gardiner was born near Seneca Lake, New York, January 18, 1837. He attended Dundee Academy and Starkey Seminary and taught school in Yates county, New York. At Bournville, Ohio, he studied medi- cine two years and then, after teaching, studied in Cincinnati from 1SS5 to 1856. A year later he abandoned medicine, came to Indiana and spent five years railroading and teaching. He began reading law under Judge M. F. Burke, while teaching at Washington, Indiana. He was admitted to the bar in 1863 and opened an office at Dover Hill, then county seat of Martin county. In 1869 he moved to Vincennes and formed a partner- ship with Col. C. M. Allen and Nathaniel P. Usher. In 1872 he returned to Washington and practiced with S. H. Taylor. In 1864 Gardiner left the Democratic party and supported Lincoln. In 1867 Governor Baker ap- pointed him Judge of the Common Pleas court for the Second district. He was a delegate to the Republican national convention of 1884. In 1SSS he was elected to the Legislature from Daviess county. Later the firm of Gardiner & Sons was established.
WILLIAM P. PARKINSON.
William P. Parkinson, of Rensselaer, was born on a farm near Pleas- ant Ridge, Jasper county, Indiana, July 27, 1876, son of Harvey E. and Melvina C. (Moore) Parkinson, both natives of that same county, mem- bers of pioneer families in northwestern Indiana. He received his ele- mentary education in the district school in the neighborhood of his home, supplementing the same by a course in the high school at Rens- selaer and two years at Purdue University, after which he entered the law department of Indiana University. He continued his practical law studies in the office of Foltz, Spitler & Kurrie, at Rensselaer, and when
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he attained his majority was admitted to the bar, although he had tried cases in court before he was twenty-one. On June 15, 1899, Mr. Parkin- son entered into partnership with Judge Mordecai F. Chiicote, which connection continued until the death of the latter in 1900, since which time Mr. Parkinson has practiced alone, with the exception of one year as a partner of John 1. Dunlap. He gives particular attention to practice in criminal cases. On September 7, 1889, William P. Parkinson was united in marriage to Emma Lynn, of Attica, Indiana, and to that union two children have been born, Helen C. and William Lynn. Mr. Parkinson is a Republican and a member of the Columbia Club at Indianapolis. He is also a member of the Indiana Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Foresters and the Loyal Order of Moose.
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