USA > Indiana > Boone County > History of Boone County, Indiana : With biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families, Volume II > Part 6
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Politically, Mr. Wood is a faithful Democrat and is active in the ranks. He is secretary of the Democratic City Committee. Religiously, he is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has remained unmarried and lives with his mother at 924 North Lebanon street. He finds time, although very busy with his large practice, to superintend the valuable family farm
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four and one-half miles east of Lebanon, which is a well-improved and pro- ductive farm, on which stands a substantial set of buildings. Mr. Wood has two sisters, Cora T., now the wife of W. Forest Duff, a farmer of Center township, and T. Jane Wood, who is at home. She is a competent teacher of art in the schools of Waynetown, Montgomery county, Indiana, and is a young lady of talent.
The Wood family is of English ancestry, and the first emigrant of the family came to Virginia, locating in the mountains, before the Revolutionary war, in which struggle members of the family participated, and had many thrilling experiences and conflicts with the Indians. The first land holdings of the family in Scott and Washington counties, Virginia, still remain in possession of the family, being handed down after the English fashion from generation to generation. Our subject, his mother and sisters have made hosts of friends since taking up their residence in Lebanon and are esteemed for their Southern hospitality and culture.
ASHPBELL PARSON WILLARD HOOTON.
It is proper to judge of a man's life by the estimation in which he is held by his fellow citizens. They see him at his work, in his family circle, in church, hear his views on public questions, observe the operations of his code of morals, witness how he conducts himself in all the relations of society and civilization and are therefore competent to judge of his merits and demerits. After a long course of years of daily observation, it would be out of the question for his neighbors not to know of his worth, for, as has been said, "Actions speak louder than words." In this connection it is not too much to say that the several members of the Hooton family have ever stood high in the estimation of their neighbors and acquaintances, for their conduct has been honorable in all the relations of life and their duty well performed whether in private or public life, and they have ever been industrious, never waiting for some one else to do what they should accomplish themselves. These reflections have been especially noticeable in the career of Ashpbell Parson Willard Hooton, formerly an agriculturist and merchant, but at this writing the able and trustworthy recorder of Boone county, and a man active in local public affairs.
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Mr. Hooton was born on a farm in Hendricks county, Indiana, January I, 1859. He is a son of John and Matilda (Worrell) Hooton, both parents also natives of Hendricks county, where they grew to maturity, were edu- cated in the early-day schools and there were married and established their home on a farm, which they made their home until 1872, when they re- moved to a farm in Center township, Boone county, and here became very comfortably established through their industry. The death of the father occurred June 18, 1910, but his widow survives. Politically, John Hooton was a Democrat and was active in public affairs, but never held office. He was well thought of by all who knew him.
A. P. W. Hooton, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm, and he received his education in the district schools, with one year in the high school in Lebanon. He began life for himself by clerking in various stores in Lebanon, continuing thus for a number of years, giving satisfaction to his employers. Then he engaged in the grocery business in Lebanon, which he continued for about four years, then served as deputy sheriff under Sheriff I. T. Davis, after which he again followed clerking in a general merchandise store, where he remained for eleven years. In 1891 he again engaged in the grocery business, which he continued for five years, during which he enjoyed an extensive trade. Selling out he retired from active life for a time, then resumed the grocery business, which he followed until 1901, when he sold out and moved to his brother's farm in Center township and farmed success- fully for seven years. In 1909 he returned to selling groceries, opening a store in Lebanon, and there continued until 1911. He was elected county recorder in November, 1910, and assumed the duties of this office January I, 19II, and is now serving a four years' term in a manner that reflects credit upon his ability and is winning the hearty approval of all concerned, irre- spective of political alignment. He is an active Democrat. He served one term as a member of the city council from the third ward, from 1904 to 1908, although this has long been a strong Republican ward. He has served as a member of the Democratic County Committee frequently and has often been a delegate to county, district and state conventions. He is one of the leaders in his party in Boone county and wields an influence of no little im- portance. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Loyal Order of Moose.
Mr. Hooton was married October 10, 1883, to Effie M. Bridge, a
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daughter of Albert R. and Elizabeth W. (Spencer) Bridge, a highly es- teemed family of Burlington, Iowa, but formerly of Boone county, Indiana. To our subject and wife the following children have been born: John A. is married and is deputy county recorder ; Ada M. married Clyde Stephens, and they live in Florida; Harry R. is married and lives in Lebanon; Frank B., Clarence, Ralph, Catherine and William are all at home. Mr. Hooton and family are members of the Baptist church, and are faithful in their at- tendance and support of the same.
IRA E. CONRAD.
That parents have a wonderful influence upon the minds and hearts of their offspring cannot for a moment be gainsaid, hence the necessity of meas- uring up to the high standard which both nature and the Creator require of fatherhood and motherhood. In matter of birth Ira E. Conrad, one of the leading business men and representative citizens of the town of Zionsville, Boone county, has been fortunate, inheriting as he does the sterling char- acteristics of his ancestors, and he has been most careful to make the most of his innate ability and to keep untarnished the bright escutcheon of an honored family name, which has stood for good citizenship and right living in this section of the Hoosier state since the pioneer days.
Mr. Conrad was born in Hamilton county, Indiana, six miles northeast of Zionsville, July 10, 1869. He is a son of William Conrad, also a native of that county, and a grandson of Martin Conrad, who was born in North Carolina. and was an early settler in Hamilton county, where he experienced the usual hardships of frontiersmen in developing a farm from the wilder- ness. We first hear of David Conrad of Pennsylvania, who finally moved to North Carolina. He was a native of Germany, and he was the father of Martin Conrad, mentioned above. William Conrad married Sarah Brown, a native of Hamilton county, and a daughter of Joseph Brown, a well-known citizen of that county in a past generation. The death of William Conrad occurred in 1869 when our subject was an infant. The latter grew to man- hood on the farm and received a common school education. He worked at various things in order to get a start in life and early turned his attention to
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merchandising, working in a general store several years, finally being ad- mitted as partner in the firm of Mills & Cropper. They carried on a large business until 1913 when the firm dissolved, and John Mills took the dry goods department and Miss Cropper and our subject took the furniture and undertaking end of the business, which they have since been conducting most successfully under the firm name of Cropper & Conrad, and are modernly equipped in every way and have a neat and well-furnished office and carry a complete and well-selected stock of furniture. Honest, prompt and high- grade service is their aim. They have a substantial and ample building and use both the lower and upper floors. Their business is rapidly increasing.
Mr. Conrad was married in 1898 to Anna M. Cropper, who was reared and educated in this community, and she is a daughter of E. S. Cropper and wife, both parents being now deceased. Her father was a successful busi- ness man in Zionsville for many years. His family consisted of the follow- ing children: Ella, wife of John M. Mills, well-known merchant of Zions- ville; Alice, deceased; Nettie, Mrs. Anna M. Conrad and Maggie Sparks; Oliver died in 1913.
Politically, Mr. Conrad is a Democrat and he has served as town trustee. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order, and is treasurer of the local lodge. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men. He is a member of the Christian church.
J. F. BRENDEL, M. D.
The name of Dr. J. F. Brendel, of Zionsville, Boone county will be held in lasting honor as one of the ablest physicians and surgeons that ever gave loyal service in behalf of suffering humanity in this locality, for his life has been characterized not only by the most adroit professional ability but also by the most profound human sympathy which overleaped mere sentiment to become an actuating motive, for when a youth he realized that there was no honor not founded on genuine worth, that there was a vital purpose in life and that the best and highest accomplishment must come from a well-trained mind and an altruistic heart. Those who know him well are unstinted in their praise of his superior ability and his genial and forceful individuality.
DR. J. F. BRENDEL
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Older men in the profession here have often relied upon his judgment and younger ones have frequently sought his counsel, all admitting his eminence.
Dr. Brendel was born in Hamilton county, Indiana, August 9, 1853. He is a son of Frederick Brendel, who was born in North Carolina, and was a son of John Brendel, a native of Germany, from which country he emi- grated to America in an early day and founded the home in the new world. Frederick Brendel spent his earlier years in the old Tar state, and devoted his life to farming for the most part, however, conducted a grocery store for some years and also a general store, and was a successful man of affairs. He married Elizabeth Jones, a native of Kentucky and a daughter of Benja- min Jones, a pioneer preacher and a widely-known man in his day, being one of the picturesque circuit riders in this country. He was of Scotch-English blood. The death of Frederick Brendel occurred in 1871, when past his three score and ten, he having been born in 1800. His wife was born in 1837 and her death occurred in 1856. Two children were born to them, Dr. J. F., of this sketch : and Dr. B. F., a prominent physician of Cass county, Nebraska.
Dr. J. F. Brendel was reared in Hamilton county. He received his early education in the common and high schools and by close home study. In 1881 he went to Cass county, Nebraska and studied medicine with his brother, Dr. B. F. Brendel, and he began practicing medicine in 1883, and has thus been continuously in the practice for a period of thirty years. He studied medicine in the Indiana Physio Medical College, from which he was graduated in March, 1892. He also took a post-graduate course in this institution in 1898. He established himself in the practice in Boone county and he and his son enjoy a large and lucrative practice, maintaining an office at Zionsville, being regarded among the leading general practitioners of the county.
Dr. J. F. Brendel was married January 20, 1878 to Mary Miller, who was born in 1860, in Indiana, and is a daughter of Louis O. Miller, also a native of this state. She has proven to be a most faithful and helpful com- panion, and has borne her husband three children, namely: Mattie, who married Erna Harvey, cashier of the bank at Zionsville ; G. Stultz, the second child lives in Zionsville; and Dr. O. E., the youngest child, who was gradu- ated from the Indiana Physio Medical College at Indianapolis, May 9, 1907. He is building up a large practice, and he and his father have a finely equipped
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office, well-furnished and in a substantial building. The son married Helen Tarlton. The elder doctor and family are members of the Christian church, and fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and Modern Woodmen of America.
JOHN M. MILLS.
In touching upon the life history of John M. Mills, widely-known pioneer business man of Zionsville, the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extravagant praise; yet he desires to hold up for consideration those facts which have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life-a life characterized by perseverance, energy and well-defined purpose. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pronounced upon him by those who have known him so long and well, for Mr. Mills presents in his career an interest- ing study of the manner in which adherence to principle and sturdy endeavor may win worthy distinction in the common pursuits of life. Throughout an active and interesting career, duty has ever been his motive of action, and use- fulness to his fellowmen not by any means a secondary consideration.
John M. Mills was born in Hamilton county, Indiana, seven miles north- east of Zionsville, January 2, 1850. He came with his father's family to Zionsville when seven years of age, began clerking in the store for his uncles, T. and J. D. Swaim, when twelve years old, and has been engaged in selling merchandise for more than fifty-three years, all of the time in Zionsville- with the exception of about ten months in business at Northfield, Indiana.
He is a son of William J. Mills, an early settler in Hamilton county, where he remained a few years, then came to Boone county, and was a soldier in the Civil war. He was born in Granger county, Tennessee, on February 14, 1824, and was the son of Richard and Rebecca ( Worley) Mills. the eldest of ten children born to them.
William J. Mills was married in 18.47 to Martha Swaim, a daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth Swaim, who came from North Carolina to this part of Indiana, about the year 1834. He enlisted in the union army in 1862, and served eighteen months in Company K. Fifty-fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Later he enlisted as a member of Company B, One Hun-
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dred and Fiftieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war.
His family consisted of three sons, John M., of this review; T. P., who is present postmaster at Zionsville; William O., who is engaged in the real estate business in Zionsville.
The mother of the above named children died at the age of sixty-five years, and the father in his eightieth year.
John M. Mills grew up in his native community and received his educa- tion in the common schools. When only twelve years old he began clerking in a general store for his uncles; he remained with them for about seven years, then was with W. C. Vance at Northfield for ten months, then in part- nership with his brother in a grocery at Zionsville for a few years, and then after being connected with three other firms, he in 1879 entered the shoe and furniture store of his father-in-law, E. S. Cropper. This business soon be- came the firm of E. S. Cropper and Company, after a few years Cropper & Mills, then upon the partial retirement of Mr. Cropper, Mills, Cropper & Company. Following the death of E. S. Cropper in 1902, the corporation of Mills-Cropper Company was formed, the stockholders being John M. Mills, Ira E. Conrad and the heirs of Mr. Cropper. John M. Mills was elected president and manager of this business, which position he held until the dis- solution of the corporation in June, 1913. When the corporation was closed Mr. Mills purchased the stock of dry goods, shoes, clothing and furnishings, and has the largest store in the southern part of the county, and a very ex- tensive business is carried on, Mr. Mills taking an active part, being assisted by his son, J. Clark Mills and Harry Pock, his son-in-law. They have a well-arranged and attractive store, and carry a large and carefully selected stock of up-to-date goods, and, dealing fairly and honestly and with uniform courtesy with their hundreds of customers, they have retained their old trade and secured new trade. They carry a twenty thousand dollar stock. This store would be a credit to cities much larger than Zionsville. Having been in business here for a half century the elder Mills is one of the best-known men in Boone county.
John M. Mills was married in 1876 to Maria E. Cropper, who was born in Hamilton county, but was reared and educated in Zionsville. She is a daughter of E. S. Cropper and wife. Our subject and wife have four chil- dren living and three deceased, namely: J. Clark, mentioned above; Ruby,
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wife of Harry Pock; Donald Keith is attending the University of Chicago; Charles W. is a high school pupil; Myron was killed by the cars when eight years old ; Raymond died when sixteen years old; Nona died when seventeen years old.
Politically, Mr. Mills is a Republican. He belongs to the Methodist church, of which he is a trustee. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a gentleman of pleasing address, kind, obliging, and his character is exemplary, according to those who have known him here a half century.
MONTRAVILLE WADDLE.
Fifty years ago when the slaveholders' rebellion broke out in all its fury at Fort Sumter and when it looked as if the Union, which we all now love so well, would be dissolved, Montraville Waddle, a venerable and esteemed citizen of Center township, Boone county, enlisted to do what he could in saving the federation of states, being perfectly willing, notwithstanding the grave dangers and certain hardships. It was a time when there could be no temporizing and no halting-no half-way position -- for all who were not for the union were against it, and both sides hated the man who claimed to be neutral because he had not the courage to go upon the field of battle and had no principles to sustain. Mr. Waddle was alive to the gravity of the national conflict, realizing that the struggle impending was something more than a holiday undertaking and knew that it meant great sacrifices and the shedding of much precious blood before the flag could again wave from Maine to Florida and from the Atlantic to the Pacific seaboards; but he did not hesitate, be it said to his everlasting credit. So for this and many other reasons the name of Mr. Waddle should be included in this history, not the least of the reasons being the fact that he is one of our oldest native-born citizens and that much of his life has been spent within our borders, and he has played no inconspicuous part in the general progress of the locality. He has led a life so free from aught that is paltry or ignoble that its parallel is not frequently met with, and now that the twilight shadows of life are enshrouding him he can look backward over a road well traversed and for- ward with no apprehension.
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Mr. Waddle was born in Boone county, Indiana, March 14, 1838, but when he was two years old he was taken to Kentucky by his parents, Isaac and Polly ( Burns) Waddle, both natives of that state, and soon after reach- ing "the land of the dark and bloody ground" the father died in 1840. He had devoted his life to farming, mostly in Kentucky, from which state he came to Boone county only a few years prior to the birth of our subject. He had four children, namely; Martha is deceased; James, Montraville and Mary are all living. The mother of these children died about 1885.
Montraville Waddle grew to the age of twelve years in Kentucky and he received a limited education in the old-time schools there, for he was com- pelled when a lad to assist in supporting his widowed mother and the rest of the family. He remained in that state until 1850, when the family moved back to Boone county, Indiana, and here he has continued to reside to the present time, devoting his attention to general farming and stock raising.
In October, 1861, Mr. Waddle enlisted in Company A, Fifty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Russell, and he proved to be a gallant soldier, seeing much hard service. He fought in the great battles of Stone River, Franklin, Nashville and those of the memorable Atlanta campaign. He was with the Army of the Cumberland, and was in the march to the sea under Gen. William T. Sherman. He was shot through the thigh at the battle of Nashville, after which he was compelled to lie on his back in the hospital for three months. Nothing daunted, he re-enlisted in 1863 in his old company, and he was in the last battle of the war. He was honorably discharged May 29, 1865.
After returning home Mr. Waddle worked out by the month for a year, or until his marriage, then went to farming for himself. He has been very successful and is owner of a finely improved and valuable farm of three hundred acres in Boone county, all tillable but about fourteen acres. He has a pleasant home, which he built himself. He has managed well, prospered and is now living in retirement from the actual work of the farm. Politi- cally, he is a Progressive. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and, religiously, is a member of the Baptist church.
Mr. Waddle was married September 19, 1867, to Sarah McDown, who was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, June 25, 1842. She is a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Skenks) McDown, and she grew to womanhood in her native locality and was educated in the rural schools. The McDown
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family has been one of the most influential and best known in this section of the state for several generations.
Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Waddle, namely: Elizabeth and Martha are both living; Edward, Fred and Bert are living; the other three died in infancy.
JOHN F. ROUTH.
The specific history of the great Middle West was made by the pioneers; it was emblazoned on the forest trees by the strength of sturdy arms and a gleaming ax, and written on the surface of the earth by the track of the primitive plow. These were strong and true men who came to found the empire of the West-these hardy settlers who built their rude domiciles, grappled with the giants of the forest, and from the sylvan wilds evolved the fertile and productive fields which have these many years been furrowed by the plowshare. The red man, in his motley garb, stalked through the dim, woody avenues, and the wild beasts disputed his dominion. The trackless wil- derness was made to yield its tribute under the effective endeavors of the pio- neer, and slowly but surely were laid the steadfast foundations upon which has been built the magnificent superstructure of an opulent and enlightened commonwealth. To establish a home amid such surroundings and to cope with the many privations and hardships which were the inevitable con- comitants, demanded an invincible courage and fortitude, strong hearts and willing hands. All those were characteristics of the pioneers, whose names and deeds should be held in perpetual reverence by those who enjoy the fruits of their toil, as do we of this generation. The Routh family, of whom John F., well-known retired farmer of Jefferson township. Boone county, is a sturdy representative, was a sterling pioneer family of northern Indiana, and indeed, our subject himself may be said to be a pioneeer, his early life being spent in an early-day environment.
He was born in Montgomery county. Indiana, February 22, 1834. He is a son of Edward D. and Asenath (Wright) Routh, the father born in Ohio and the mother in Pennsylvania. The paternal grandparents were Jesse and Nancy (Douglas) Routh, natives of North Carolina. Samuel Wright, the
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maternal grandfather, was born in County Down, Ireland, from which country he emigrated to the United States when young. He was a mill- wright by trade. He married a Miss Taylor. Edward D. Routh, mentioned above, came to Montgomery county, Indiana, in 1827, and was joined there the following year by his parents, and both these gentlemen entered land from the government near what is now the town of Ladoga. The country was all timbered, but these hardy frontiersmen were hard workers and cour- ageous and minded not the hardships. They cleared and developed their land and became well-known citizens in that locality. The parents of our subject had married in Ohio. In 1840 they removed to Independence county, Arkansas, where they lived three years, then moved to Cape Girardeau, Mis- souri, and three years later came to New Ross, Montgomery county, Indiana. where they remained until 1860, when they removed to Jackson township, Boone county, and lived at different places. Edward D. Routh was a physi- cian, and enjoyed a wide practice wherever he established himself. While making a call his horse ran away, throwing him out of the buggy, and he was so badly injured that he died in 1872.
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