USA > Indiana > Carroll County > History of Carroll County Indiana, its people, industries and institutions > Part 60
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From the days of his youth Colonel Crampton has given a good citizen's attention to the political affairs of his state and nation and for many years has been active in civic affairs, ever an ardent exponent of the principles
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of good government. During his residence in Logansport he was elected a member of the city council for three terms, serving from 1873 to 1879, resigning his seat in that body upon his removal to Delphi in the latter year. While in Logansport he also served for six years as chairman of the Cass county Democratic central committee, and for six years was a member of the Indiana Democratic state central committee, two years under Eb. Henderson's chairmanship; two years under the chairmanship of Joseph E. McDonald and two years under the chairmanship of William E. English. and during the first Cleveland administration served very acceptably to the patrons of that office as postmaster at Delphi.
On June 1, 1915. the appointment coming without previous knowl- edge or request of Mr. Crampton or any of his friends and thus being based, supposedly, wholly upon merit. Mr. Crampton was commissioned colonel and was appointed by the national board of managers to the important and highly responsible position of governor of the national home for disabled volunteer soldiers near Marion, this state, and has since then been perform- ing the duties of that position, making his home at the governor's house at the home.
In addition to his life-long activity in the newspaper business Colonel Crampton has been active in various other forms of enterprise. Besides being president and stockholder of the Citizen Printing Company at Delphi and editor of the Carroll County Citizen-Times, he is a stockholder in the following concerns: Citizens National Bank of Delphi, this county; Car- roll County Loan and Trust Company, Delphi; Rockfield Bank at Rock- field, this county; State Bank of Burrows, at Burrows, this county; Farm- ers and Merchants Bank of Logansport at Logansport, this state; Farmers State Bank of Camden, at Camden this county; Camden Grain Elevator and Supply Company, at Camden; Carroll County Loan, Trust and Sav- ings Company, of Flora, this county; Peoples Life Insurance Company, Frankfort, Indiana, and the State Savings and Trust Company at Indi- anapolis.
On September 5, 1856, at Logansport, Indiana, Adelbert B. Crampton was united in marriage to Lovisa Emmaline Alford, who was born at Mead- ville, Pennsylvania, daughter of Dr. Loyal A. and Elizabeth ( Butler) Alford. prominent and highly respected residents of Logansport. The former was a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Pennsylvania, both long since deceased, and they were the parents of four children, Corrington L., Annette Cecelia, Mindwell and Lovisa, the latter of whom is now the only survivor. Doctor Alford was a scholarly gentleman of rare intellectual attainments.
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possessed the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, in addition to his degree as Doctor of Medicine; was a member of numerous learned societies, includ- ing the Society of Science, Letters and Art, of London, England, and was the author of several books which attracted wide attention in scholastic circles. To Adelbert B. and Lovisa E. (Alford) Crampton four children were born, as follow: Adelbert B., who died at the age of seven years; Mrs. Lovisa E. Caulkins, Ph. G., a widow, mother of two children, Tom and Debetha, born, respectively in 1905 and 1902; Mrs. Mindwell Wilson, B. S., A. M., one of the best-known newspaper women in Indiana, who now is acting editor of the Carroll County Citizen-Times, and Charles C. Cramp- ton, Ph. G .. M. D., late president of the Association of Surgeons of the Monon Railroad Company.
In his religious persuasion, Colonel Crampton is a Baptist of the Dunk- ard faith, the faith in which he was reared, but is not now actively affiliated with any church organization. He is past commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, department of Indiana; past commander of Boothroyd Post No. 31. Grand Army of the Republic, at Delphi; honorary member of the United Spanish War Veterans and companion of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Colonel Crampton is a Freemason, his membership in that ancient order including connection with the chapter, Royal Arch Masons; the council, Royal and Select Masters, and the Knights Templar. He also is an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Knights of Pythias. his connection with the latter order including mem- bership in the uniform rank, and in the affairs of all these fraternal organ- izations he takes a warm interest.
DAVID A. McCLEARY, M. D.
Claiming its share of prominence in this age of science, the medical profession is one of the most interesting before the public today, since it sooner or later, interests every human individual. One of the successful representatives of this profession is Dr. David A. McCleary, of Deer Creek, Carroll county.
David A. McCleary was born on August 18, 1856, in Dearborn county, Indiana, and is a son of Samuel and Naomi (Schaff ) McCleary. From the time he was nine years of age he was a studious pupil in the public schools, and later in the high school at Camden, during which time he con- tinued to work on the farm during the summer seasons, and then took up
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the work of teaching, which covered a period of twelve winter seasons and four summers. Making up his mind to follow a medical career, he entered the University of Michigan, taking the medical and literary courses, after which he attended Rush Medical College at 'Chicago, graduating in the class of 1883, and immediately established himself at Deer Creek, where he has since been a successful practitioner. Politically, Doctor McCleary is a stanch believer in the policies of the Republican party, while his religious views are with the Lutheran church, with which he has been offically associ- ated. Fraternally, he belongs to the Carroll County Medical Society, the State Medical College, and the Eleventh District Medical Society, also the Maccabees at Deer Creek.
Samuel McCleary, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in County Clare, Ireland, and was a son of David McCleary. His wife was Naomi Schaff. He entered the Civil War in the Eighty-third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, going out in 1862, and returning in 1864, dying a short time afterward. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel McCleary were the parents of three children, David A .; William, who died at the age of thirteen years, and Isabell A. died when thirteen years old; Samuel McCleary died on December 28, 1865.
David McCleary, the paternal grandfather, was a native of Ireland, `where he lived and died. His sons, David, William and James, all came to the United States at an early date, landing at Baltimore, Maryland. David settled in Butler county, Ohio, and James and William went to Canada and Pittsburgh, respectively.
Dr. David A. McCleary, was united in marriage on September 26, 1891, with Emma C. Grant, daughter of John M. and Catherine (Spangler ) Grant. She was born on June 10, 1864, at Burlington, Indiana. To Doc- tor McCleary and his wife, five children have been born: Ormond, who died aged thirteen months; John, a graduate of the Muncie high school; Mary, who is at home; Mabel, eleven years of age, and Edith, an infant.
John M. Grant, father of Mrs. Emma C. McCleary, was born in But- ler county, Ohio, where he grew to maturity, and lived until his marriage, in 1847. to Catherine Spangler, daughter of Philip and Elizabeth Spangler. Mr. Grant identified himself with the Methodist Episcopal church at Pleas- ant Valley, and officiated in several of the church offices. He organized the Sunday school, and was its superintendent for a number of years. His death occurred on February 16, 1910, in his eighty-sixth year. Mr. and Mrs. Grant were the parents of nine children, seven of whom grew to maturity : Amandus; Sarah E., who became the wife of Ransom Casady,
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of Greensburg, Indiana; Mary E., who died aged seven years; Lydia J., who was married to Andrew Harris, of Burlington township; Margaret T., who died when six and a half years old; "Judge" John, who died on January 26, 1913; Martha C., was married to William Ross, and lives at Advance, Indiana; Daniel P. lives in Chicago, and Emma C. John M. Grant was a prominent man of Burlington township, where he owned seventeen hun- dred acres of land at one time, and was considered one of the wealthiest residents of his community.
Doctor McCleary, in his thirty-three years of active work at Deer Creek, has built up an extensive and lucrative practice, and is considered one of the most skillful surgeons in his district.
CHARLES E. COCHRAN.
Charles E. Cochran is a well-known citizen of Flora, the proprietor of the Flora Saw-mill Company, the owner of several properties in Flora and sixty-three acres of land in Monroe township. He was born in Monroe township on September 21, 1866.
Mr. Cochran is the son of Sanford and Catherine ( Voorhees) Coch- ran. The former was born in Indiana and the latter in Ohio. Sanford Cochran emigrated to Oregon in 1884 and was engaged in farming up until the time of his death. He was accidentally shot while hunting in the moun- tains. Sanford and Catherine (Voorhees) Cochran had four sons, namely : Charles E., the subject of this sketch; Jesse, who is a barber at Holly, Oregon, and the father of six children; Marcellus, a druggist at Cottage Grove, Oregon; and Albert, who is in the bicycle business at Cottage Grove, Oregon.
Charles E. Cochran was eighteen years old when he accompanied his parents to the state of Oregon. During his youth he worked out and gave his earnings to his parents, and in consequence his early education was neglected. He supplemented his meager advantages he enjoyed by home study, and is today a well-informed man and citizen. Mr. Cochran gave his earnings to his parents until twenty-four years old. He remained in Oregon until 1889, when he returned to Flora, Indiana. At this time he was married to Laura Montgomery, of Carroll county, and, after his mar- riage, took his wife to Oregon, where for a short time he was engaged in the lumber business. He owned a portable saw-mill and worked up the
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lumber which he bought into posts and shingles. After four years he returned to Flora, Indiana, where for some time he was employed in the mill owned by his uncle. Mrs. Cochran died in 1895, leaving one son, Everett. He is a graduate of the Flora high school and the University of Illinois at Champaign. He is engaged in the lumber business and is now employed by his uncle at Logansport, Indiana. Everett Cochran is mar- ried but has no children.
Charles E. Cochran was married the second time, April 30, 1903, to Elizabeth Shock, who was born and reared in Carroll county. Mr. Coch- ran is the daughter of Daniel Shock.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Cochran are members of the Christian church and he is a deacon in the church. Fraternally, he is a member of Fountain City Lodge No. 280, Knights of Pythias. During late years he has been identified in politics with the Prohibition party. Although he is aggressive in business, personally he is quiet and unassuming and a man who is very well liked by all of the people who live in Flora and vicinity.
URIAH W. BLUE.
It is not the purpose of biography to voice a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to present the verdict of a man's neighbors and fellows as to his life work and character. In this respect it may be said that Uriah W. Blue, of Carroll county, is a man who has been twice honored by an election to a responsible office in this county and who worthily discharged the duties of the office, leaving it with the good will of the public and the consciousness that his duties had been well performed. He is a progressive, broad-minded and successful farmer and stock dealer.
Uriah W. Blue was born on August 26. 1855, in Carrollton township, Carroll county, Indiana. He is the son of Michael and Susan (Mabbitt) Blue, the former of whom was born in Illinois. Michael Blue's father was Uriah Blue, Sr., a native of Virginia, who came with his family to Indiana and who after remaining here for a short time emigrated to Illinois. Later the family came back to Carroll county and located on a farm in Carrollton township. about 1844. Having entered a quarter section of land, he lived on this farm until his death. Michael Blue was reared in Indiana and was educated in the common schools. Although an active and enthusiastic
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Democrat and a leader in the councils of his party in Carrollton township, he never became a candidate for any office. He was an honorable and upright citizen and well-known throughout the county. Of the eight chil- dren born to Michael and Susan (Mabbitt) Blue, two died in infancy and five are now living. Elbert F. died on November 27, 1914; John A. is a retired farmer of Flora; Uriah W. is the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth is the wife of Walter Brown, of Monroe township; Malinda is the wife of Uriah Jordan, of Flora, who is a retired farmer; Van C. is a farmer in Carrollton township.
Like most of the young men of his day and generation, Uriah W. Blue was reared on a farm. He was educated in the public schools of Carroll- ton township and remained with his father until he had reached his majority. As a matter of fact, he lived at home and rented land of his father until he was twenty-five years old.
On October 26, 1880, Uriah W. Blue was married to Lydia A. Lesh, of Monroe township. Mrs. Blue is the daughter of Christian Lesh and was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Blue have had two children, Lilly and Rosa F. Lilly is a graduate of the common schools and the wife of O. A. Wilter. Rosa F. is a graduate of the common schools and the wife of B. B. Lesh, of Delphi.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Blue rented land for three years and then purchased a farm of forty acres. Still later they added eighty acres They sold this farm and purchased one hundred and sixty acres. Besides this land in Carroll county, Mr. Blue owns a section of land in Dallas county, Texas.
In 1904, Mr. Blue removed to Flora. He built a residence on East Main street and was engaged in the elevator and milling business until his nomination and election as sheriff of Carroll county in 1908. He was re-elected in 1910 and served altogether a term of four years. At the close of his term of office, he moved back to Flora where he engaged in the live stock business and in farming.
Uriah W. Blue is prominent in Masonic circles and is a member of the Knights Templar and the Shrine. He is a member of Fountain City Lodge No. 280, Knights of Pythias and is past chancellor in the lodge. He is also a member of the uniform rank, Knights of Pythias, at Delphi. Today he is regarded as one of the hustling citizens of Flora and vicinity and one of the men who are doing so much in behalf of the development of this great section. He has a host of friends not only in Carroll county but also in adjoining counties.
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JOHN U. SHANKS.
The fact that John U. Shanks has filled with honor and credit many public offices, and that he is the trusted president of the Farmers State Bank, of Camden, is evidence that his record has been a clean one and his char- acter above reproach. In private as well as in public life this gentleman has lived not only so as to reflect credit upon himself and his early training, but so as to be an inspiration to others. Education has meant to him not a means of earning a livelihood, but a means of attaining the culture which recognizes also civic responsibility. Mr. Shanks, who is the owner of five hundred acres of valuable land in Carrollton township, is a native of Cass county, Indiana, having been born in Deer Creek township on May 7, 1858. He is the son of Henry and Mary ( Blue) Shanks.
Henry Shanks was born and reared in Troy, Ohio. His wife, Mary Blue, was a native of Illinois, being the daughter of Uriah and Fanny Blue, both natives of Virginia. Henry and Mary were married in Indiana and lived in Cass county until John U. was seven years of age. They then came to Carroll county and lived near Clymers Station for six months, returning to Cass county, where they lived for many years, finally return- ing to Carroll county, where they spent the remainder of their lives.
John U. Shanks received a common-school education and remained at home until his twenty-fifth year, but about two months before his mar- riage, rented the old Elam Segraves farm of one hundred and seven acres in Carrollton township. By hard work, saving and fortunate trading, Mr. Shanks had accumulated twelve hundred dollars, which he invested in cat- tle and stock, and it was this money that gave him his first start.
On August 19, 1883, John M. Shanks was married to Amy A. Mc- Closkey, the daughter of John and Jane McCloskey, natives of Butler county, Ohio. The month following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Shanks moved to the Segraves farm and the next year Mr. Shanks bought a life lease from the widow of Elam Segraves. He and his wife remained there until fall and then moved into their log house, which had only one window and a shed and kitchen and log smoke house. It was surrounded by woods, the fences were in a dilapidated condition and as for a stable. it had none at all. Such was the problem the young farmer tackled, but out of it he made the fine estate that he owns today. As a result of these improvements he was in debt for two years, but with a stout heart went to work, paid his debts and bought thirteen acres of land, which was a part of the original
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one hundred and twenty acres, of which one hundred and seven acres formed the Segraves estate.
Two years later Mr. Shanks bought forty acres more and located one- half mile west of the one hundred and twenty acres. Subsequently, he sold forty acres, and bought forty acres adjoining the tract of one hundred and twenty acres which he already controlled. He then had one piece of property consisting of one hundred and sixty acres. He then built a barn of forty by sixty feet on the one hundred and seven acres which he had only leased, constructing this barn of his own timber. He then bought out the heirs of the Segraves estate and put the farm in good condition, using modern methods. He again went in debt to the extent of three thousand dollars when he bought an additional eighty acres from a neighbor at a cost of thirty-five hundred dollars. This debt was paid in the course of two or three years, and he added twenty acres to the two hundred and forty acres which he already owned, and soon afterwards purchased sixty acres more. He remodeled the brick house and built a new barn, at the same time becoming owner of eighty acres of land in Cass county. It was by these methods of strenuous work and speculation and trading that he accu- mulated the fortune which he now possesses. He says that it was his theory to handle young colts and cattle and thus make the money which was to clear him of indebtedness.
When business success was assured, Mr. Shanks began the accumula- tion of bank stock and when he had secured sufficient stock in the Farmers State Bank of Camden, he was elected a director and served as such until his election to the presidency of the bank in 1915. At present he holds large interests in this institution, as well as having stock in the Farmers Elevator Company. Recently, he and his wife have bought a beautiful and commodious home on Main street in Camden, and here they delight to wel- come their friends.
To Mr. and Mrs. Shanks have been born five children, Opal, Ora, Belva, Margaret and John A. Opal married Henry Croghan and lives on her father's farm in Carrollton township. She is a graduate of the local high school and taught school for five years after attending school at Otterbein University at Westerville, Ohio, from which she graduated in 1914 in the same class with her husband. She is a talented musician. Ora is the wife of Garfield C. Todd, who lives on the home place. She graduated from the high school, attended the state normal and, like her sister, is a talented musician. Belva married Roy Hunter and lives on a farm in Carrollton
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township. Her education has been similar to that of her sister, Ora. Mar- garet graduated from the high school, attended Indiana University, taught school three terms and studied music at DePauw University. John A. graduated from high school, attended Purdue University and is now assist- ant cashier of the Farmers State Bank.
Politically, Mr. Shanks is a Democrat and has served as township trustee for six years, begining in 1909, and also as road supervisor, having filled both offices efficiently and entirely satisfactorily. Fraternally, Mr. Shanks belongs to Camden Lodge No. 211, Free and Accepted Masons, and to the Knights of Pythias at Young America. Mr. Shanks, as well as his wife, has been sincerely interested in the work of the United Brethren church, and at one time Mr. Shanks was the superintendent of the Sunday school, and has been for twelve years one of its popular teachers. He was also on the building committee of the church.
In Mr. Shanks' success he has been ably assisted by his good wife, and credit is duly given her for the rearing of a family of children who are a credit to the name.
FRANK LESH.
Among the well-known residents of Flora is Frank Lesh, a native of Carroll county, Indiana, and the son of the late Christian and Nancy (Flora) Lesh. The maternal grandfather, John Flora, assisted in the organization of the town of Flora, and it was for him that the town was named.
The late Christian Lesh was a native of Preble county, Ohio, and the son of John Lesh, who was born in Virginia, and who, after coming to the Buckeye state from Virginia, settled in Preble county. Later in life he sold his farm in Preble county, Ohio, and removed to Miami county, Indiana, where he purchased a farm and where he lived the remainder of his life. Reared on a farm in Preble county, Ohio, at the age of twenty- one years, Christian Lesh came to Indiana and located in Howard county, where he was married, February 5, 1852, to Nancy Flora. She was born in Carroll county, Indiana, on November 29, 1833, and is the daughter of John and Sarah (Harter) Flora. John Flora was born in Virginia and came to Ohio after reaching maturity. There he was married to Sarah Harter, a native of the Buckeye state. With his young bride, John Flora
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emigrated to Carroll county, entering a quarter section of land, which he cleared and built his cabin in the woods opposite the present site of the Methodist Episcopal church. Personally, he was a most liberal man, and it was he who donated the land upon which the town, Flora, was estab- lished. He died in his seventy-third year, after rearing a family of nine children. Only two of them are now living, namely: Jonas is a resident of Flora; Nancy is the widow of Christian Lesh. John Flora was a mem- ber of the Church of the Brethren and a deacon in the church at the time of his death. His daughter, Nancy (Flora) Lesh, was reared on the home- stead farm and educated in the log school house. After living in the original log cabin for many years, it was replaced by a more substantial building. Christian Lesh died on July 29, 1883. By his wife, Nancy Flora, there were eight children born, namely: John is a farmer in Idaho; Sarah is the wife of Will Myer, of Carroll county; Lydia is the wife of Uriah W. Blue, of Flora; Rebecca was the wife of Riley Montgomery, but is now deceased; Mary married Frank Landers; Frank is unmarried and lives at home, being a farmer by occupation; Amanda married Albert Niccum; Joseph H., who is unmarried, is a resident of Chicago, Illinois. Mrs. Christian Lesh, the mother of these children, is a member of the Church of the Brethren.
Inasmuch as the coming of the Lesh family and the Flora family dates back to pioneer times, the present generation of the family is well known in Carroll county. Without exception, the various members of the family have been industrious and God-fearing men and women, who have well performed their every duty in life.
ISAAC N. HASLET.
Isaac N. Haslet, a well-known farmer of Democrat township, who served a term of five years as assessor of the township and who has been prominent in Democrat township politics and in the fraternal circles of this community all his life, owns a farm of eighty acres two and one-half miles from Lexington, Carroll county, Indiana, in Democrat township.
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