USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County Indiana : From its earliest settlement to the present time with biographical sketches and reference to biographies previously compiled, Volume II > Part 6
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On locating in this city, Mr. Taylor founded the Joseph Taylor & Sons wholesale saddlery business, which yet endures, his sons, who con- tinne the business, keeping the original name because of both senti- mental and business reasons. Mr. Taylor was a plain, unassuming, hard- working business man, whose word was at all times as good as his bond and whose bond was always good for whatever he contracted. Upon first coming to Logansport, he established a tannery in partnership with his father-in-law, on the north side of the river, on Fifth street. Later on, this partnership was dissolved, Mr. Dawes assuming owner-
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ship of the tannery and Mr. Taylor the store which they operated in connection with the other business. Saddlery and hardware was a later addition to the regular line.
Mr. Taylor was essentially a business man, and took little interest in the struggles of the political arena outside as to how they affected his adopted community. He was at all times ready to lend his hearty support and co-operation to movements which his judgment assured him would benefit Logansport or its people, and no enterprise of this nature was considered completely organized until his name was secured. For almost his entire life, Mr. Taylor was a member of the Presbyterian church, and his membership meant something more than a mere name, for he endeavored at all times to live and act the life of a Christian gentleman. In his death, which occurred February 8, 1887, Logansport lost one of its citizens to whom the city could point with pride as repre- sentative of its best activities, and he was sincerely mourned, not only by his immediate family and a wide cirele of friends, but by all who had his acquaintance and knew how hard his place would be to fill in the life of the city. His widow survived him until May 2, 1892. They were the parents of nine children, and four of their sons, Zachary, Dawes, Clark and Joseph, are now conducting the business founded by their father.
JOHN M. JOHNSTON. Under our present system of government no office carries with it greater responsibility than that of postmaster. The handling of the mails of a large city entails the possession of abilities of a high order, a reputation that bears not the slightest staiu or blemish, and the confidence that is only secured by the conscientious performance of every public duty. John M. Johnston has been post- master of Logansport since 1906, and during this period has displayed strength, force, character and resolution, qualities necessary to the best public service. He has worked with his hands and trodden the familiar but difficult self-made way to success, and throughout his career has identified himself vitally with the city's interests. Mr. Johnston was born June 3, 1860, in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and is the second son of Robert F. and Sarah A. (Donaldson) Johnston.
Robert F. Johnston was born in Stark county, Ohio, August 31, 1834, and was a son of John and Elizabeth (McDowell) Johnston, also natives of Stark county. The family moved to Wells county, Indiana, when that section was still in its formative state, and there Robert F. Johns- ton grew to manhood and acquired a good practical education, which was subsequently supplemented by years of close observation and wide and varied reading. He was a carpenter by trade, but after coming to Logansport, in 1863, spent a number of years in the butter and egg business, and then became a traveling salesman for wholesale boot and shoe houses of Toledo and Chicago, with which he was connected for twenty-two years. In this he was more successful than the average traveling man, his geniality, unfailing courtesy and good business qual- ifications being the principal contributing canses. On January 1, 1857, he married Sarah A. Donaldson, a native of Mercer county, Pennsyl- vania, and to this union there were born four children, namely: Isaac S., John M., Eben E. and Robert M. Mr. Johnston was a member of the
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Presbyterian church, was widely known in Masonry, and was one of the most stalwart of Republicans. He was elected trustee of Eel township in 1895, and served as such until his death, which occurred September 26, 1898.
John M. Johnston was but three years of age when brought to Logansport by his parents, and this city he has always since made his home. He was educated in the public schools, and for nine years fol- lowing clerked in the drug store of Rodney Strain. At that time, in partnership with Dr. M. A. Jordan, he entered business on his own account, purchasing the business of Mr. Strain, which the partners conducted successfully for eight years and, in 1897, Mr. Johnston be- came district agent for the Mutual Life Insurance Company, a position he was holding at the time of his appointment, June 20, 1906, to the office of postmaster, by President Roosevelt. On June 10, 1910, he re- ceived his reappointment from President Taft, and still continues to act efficiently in this office. His administration of the affairs of this office has been marked by a distinct advance in the service. Needed re- forms have been made, and innovations introduced, and the people of Logansport may congratulate themselves upon his appointment. He has always been a stalwart supporter of Republican principles and for four years served as a member of the Republican county central com- mittee.
Mr. Johnston was married September 8, 1897, to Miss Emma Rosen- thal, and they have had four daughters, namely: Esther; Gertrude; Margaret, who died at the age of seven years; and Frances. Mr. Johns- ton is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being past worthy master of Tipton Lodge No. 33. He also holds membership in the Logansport Commercial Club, and with other earnest and hard-working men has given of his best energies in promoting progressive anl public-spirited movements.
SAMUEL E. HOWE. In the death of Samuel Edward Howe, which occurred November 10, 1911, Logansport lost a business citizen whose activities had for many years had a direct influence upon its industrial importance. A poor young man when he came to this city, his prin- cipal capital a generous amount of ambition and energy, he so directed his abilities that he became one of the city's leading manufacturers and his industry became an integral part of the business life of Logans- port. Mr. Howe was born October 8, 1842, in Dixmont, in the state of Maine, and was a son of Otis Crosby Howe, who was of English descent.
After completing his education in the schools of his native state, Samuel E. Howe secured a position as traveling salesman for an eastern concern, and in this capacity made his advent in Logansport. A man of keen perception and farsightedness, he recognized the opportunity for establishing himself in business in this city, and accordingly started in a modest way to manufacture plow-handles. In the meantime, how- ever, he continued to discharge his duties as traveling salesman, and did so until his own business had grown to such proportions that it needed all of his time and attention. As this business continued to ex- tend over a wider and wider territory, Mr. Howe embarked in other fields of endeavor, eventually becoming interested in the lumber busi-
SE How
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ness, as a holder of timber lands in the South, having been induced to enter this line on account of the growing scarcity of lumber. At the time of his death his holdings were vast in a number of southern states, and since his demise his sons have handled these interests. During the war he served on the side of the Union, a member of the navy and a steward therein.
On November 3, 1870, Mr. Howe was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Herrick, at Delta, Ohio, she being a daughter of James S. and Martha (Sharpstein) Herrick. Seven children were born to this union, as follows: Wilson H., who married Eva Maurson; May E., who married Dr. Terflinger; Abbie C., who married Dr. C. W. Russell; Otis C. and Laura A., who are unmarried; John C., who married Jessie Grant ; and Samuel E., who married Minnie Martin. Mrs. Howe, who was the youngest of a very large family, lost her parents when she was still a child. She survives her husband and resides in her modern residence in Logansport, where she is surrounded by a wide circle of sincere friends. She is a faithful member of the Presbyterian church, and her late hus- band, while not a member, supported all religious movements gener- ously and never refused any just request for financial assistance, for, having succeeded himself, he was at all times ready to help those who had been less fortunate than he. The factory that he first erected in company with his partner, J. H. Tucker, and which was the scene of his early success, is still standing. As a business man Mr. Howe was very thorough in his undertakings, was frank and open, and kind to his em- ployes. He was a man of strict integrity, and was broad-minded and liberal in his views. He contributed in a philanthropic way to all churches. His long and honorable career stands without stain or blemish to mar it, and in his death Logansport lost one whose place will be hard to fill.
FRANK AMOSS is the youngest and the only surviving member of the family of his parents, and he was born in Noble township, Cass county, Indiana, on May 22, 1877. He is the son of Jasper W. and Sarah Stokes (Cox) Amoss, both now deceased. The father was born in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in 1840, and received as a boy in his native state the advantages of the common school. He married in 1865, and they became the parents of three children: Matilda, born in 1866, and died in 1869; John, born in 1868, died in 1893; and Frank, the subject of this brief review.
While he was yet an infant, Frank Amoss moved to Logansport with his parents, and there he lived until he was about eight years of age; his mother died then, and he went back to the country to make his home with Joseph H. Cox, his maternal uncle. He continued to make his home with his uncle until he had completed his high school studies at Logans- port. Soon after this he made a trip to Porto Rico, and was absent in that land for about a year, investigating the opportunities which the country offered in various business lines. He then returned to Logans- port, where he became deputy county treasurer under Owen A. Mc- Greevey, in which post he continued until 1907, when he received the appointment of assistant postmaster, and is still the incumbent of that
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position. He is also connected with the undertaking firm of Chas. D. Chase & Co.
Mr. Amoss is a Republican. He is a member of the Masonic frater- nity, and affiliates with its various bodies as follows: The Blue Lodge, Tipton No. 33; A. F. & A. M., Logan; the Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M .; Logansport Council No. 11, R. & S. M .; and he is the present secretary of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge No. 66.
Mr. Amoss was married on January 8, 1908, to Margaret Estelle Martin, of Logansport, and both he and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian church of Logansport. -
MURDOCK & WISE. The well-known firm of Murdock & Wise opened their men's furnishing store at No. 404 Broadway on October 20, 1902, with William O. Murdock and Claude O. Wise comprising the firm. This firm has continued uninterruptedly to the present time in the same spot in which it was established ten years ago. The partners, young men of old and honored families of Logansport, began their business venture with practically no capital, but with a generous fund of in- herited and acquired common sense and business wisdom. They have in the ensuing years met each and every obligation as it became due and have kept their names commercially clean, their integrity being unmarred by any business shortcomings. The business has been a suc- cess from the start, and much credit is due these young men for the progress which has been theirs.
James H. Wise was born in Canton, Stark county, Ohio, on March 18, 1846, and is a son of William and Isabel (Gregory) Wise, the former a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Stark county, Ohio. The father was a farmer and served in the war with Mexico. In 1846, the family moved to Allen county, Indiana, and ten years later moved to Monmouth, Illinois, where both parents died. Their son, James H. Wise, was reared in Monmouth, Illinois, and there received a common school education. He started out for himself in the buying and butchering of stock, and for two years he was occupied in this manner on the plains of the central west, including the states of Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, part of the time being engaged as a cattle herder, making two trips as night herder of freight trains across the plains. In 1868, he returned to Monmouth, Illinois, and resumed butchering. In the following year he came to Logansport, temporarily, and on January 21st married Margaret Rugh, after which he returned to Monmouth and there continued his residence until 1872, when he moved permanently to Logansport, which has since been his home. For forty years he has carried on, with but slight devia- tions, the trade of a carpenter. He is a Republican and an adherent of Theodore Roosevelt. He is a member of Orient Lodge No. 272, A. F. & A. M., and Logan Lodge No. 40 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in the latter having membership in the Canton, Encampment and Rebekah degrees. He is a past brigadier general of the Patriarchs Militant. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wise: Claude O., of the firm of Murdock & Wise; Maude, the wife of Norman E. Myers, and Ira A. Wise.
Claude O. Wise was born in Monmouth, Illinois, on June 6, 1872,
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the son of James and Margaret (Rugh) Wise, of whom detailed mention is made above. He came to Logansport in his infancy in company with his parents, and there was reared and educated, the public schools of Logansport supplying his education. In 1888, the young man began clerking in the store of Dewenter & Company, dealers in haberdashery, and for fifteen years he continued to be in their employ, during which time he became well versed in methods pertaining to the successful manipulation of such an establishment. When he severed his connection with this firm it was to form a partnership with William O. Murdock for the purpose of engaging in a similar business venture, and the store which they then established has continued up to the present time, and he enjoyed a pleasing degree of success and popularity in the city where both these young men have been known well and favorably all their lives. Thus Mr. Wise has for twenty-five years been identified with the retail men's furnishing business in Logansport, and no business man in the city today is better known or has a better standing than he.
The fraternal relations of Mr. Wise are maintained in the Blue lodge, chapter and council of the Masonic order, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and socially he is a member of the Country Club, of which he was one of the organizers. He is a member of the Logansport Commercial Club, and is a Republican in politics.
On October 14, 1895, Mr. Wise was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte Shroyer, the daughter of Alexander Shroyer, one of the old pioneer merchants of Logansport. They have one son, J. Eugene Wise. Mrs. Wise is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Logansport.
GEORGE W. RICHARDSON. A residence of something like forty-five years, during which time he has been identified with industries which have materially contributed to the importance of his community as an industrial and commercial center, entitle George W. Richardson, of Logansport, to a position among the representative men of Cass county. Although at the present time he has retired from the activities of life, and is now living quietly in his comfortable city home, he still takes a keen and intelligent interest in all that affects his locality in any way, and is known as a citizen who may be depended upon when supporters are sought in movements of a progressive nature. Mr. Richardson is a native of the Old Dominion state, born in Bedford county, Virginia, December 25, 1847, a son of Washington and Jane (Payne) Richardson.
Mr. Richardson was reared in his native county, and there attended the district schools, although he secured only a limited education, as it was necessary that he devote the greater part of his time in his boyhood and youth to helping his father support the growing family. When he was twenty years of age, in the spring of 1868, he came to Cass county, Indiana, and with the exception of one and one-half years passed in Daviess county, this state, Cass county has since been his home. On first coming to this locality, Mr. Richardson was successful in securing work as a farm laborer, an occupation at which he was engaged for some time, and during this period he carefully saved his wages, being industrious and thrifty and having ever in mind the idea of one day owning a home of his own. Eventually, in August, 1909, Mr. Richardson felt that he had earned a rest from his ceaseless labor, and with his wife moved to
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Logansport, where they have since continued to reside in their com- fortable, modern home. In political matters a Republican, he has taken an interest in the success of his party, was at one time known as one of the dependable men of its ranks in Miami township, and there served as supervisor for some time.
On November 10, 1870, Mr. Richardson was united in marriage with Miss Eunice Montgomery, of near New Waverly, Indiana, and they became the parents of six children, as follows: Nellie J., who became the wife of William Mearns, of Cass county ; William Alvah, a resident of Portland, Indiana; Charles E., who makes his home in Logansport; Gertrude, who died at the age of seventeen years; Grace, who became the wife of Elijah Booth ; and Clyde, who is a resident of Keokuk, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson are consistent and liberal members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Richardson has taken some interest in fraternal work, and has many friends in the local lodge of the Masonic fraternity.
CHARLES E. RICHARDSON. Presenting as it does an excellent example of youthful industry, integrity and perseverance conducting to well- earned success, the career of Charles E. Richardson, a successful Logans- port business man, is worthy of emulation by those who are seeking business prestige and financial independence. When Mr. Richardson established himself in business in Logansport, he had little capital other than that which had been supplied him by nature, but this enabled him to found the little business which became the nucleus for his present prosperous enterprise. He has been the architect of his own fortunes and a review of the steps by which he has attained his present position may not be inappropriate in a work which shows so many examples of self-made manhood. Mr. Richardson was born in Miami township, Cass county, Indiana, January 2, 1875, and is a son of George W. and Eunice (Montgomery) Richardson. A sketch of George W. Richardson precedes this.
Charles E. Richardson attended the district schools and remained at home until he was seventeen years of age, at which time he entered the Marion Normal school, where he spent one year. He then began teaching school in Miami and Clay townships in the winter months, and during this time furthered his own studies in the Indiana State Normal school at Terre Haute. Mr. Richardson was so engaged at the time of the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, and April 26, 1898, he en- listed in Company M, One Hundred and Sixtieth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he went into camp. There he con- tracted typhoid fever, and eventually received his honorable discharge, on account of disability, then returning to his home. He left the service as sergeant, February 24, 1899. For about two years thereafter, Mr. Richardson was employed in the capacity of fireman on the Pan Handle Railroad, succeeding which he was engaged in various occupations until July 1, 1908, when he purchased a half interest in the Logansport Dye Works, at No. 218 Sixth street. Four months later he bought the rest of the business, and in 1909 he became the owner by purchase of the building in which the enterprise is located. Since 1908 he has been en- gaged in dyeing and cleaning after the French method, and of more
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recent date he has added the manufacture of soft, stiff and Panama hats to his original business. His operations have proven uniformly prosper- ous, and he is justly rated to be one of the successful business men of his adopted city.
On December 17, 1902, Mr. Richardson was married to Miss Blanche E. Campbell, daughter of the Hon. B. F. Campbell, appropriate mention of whom will be found on another page of this work. One son, Robert C., was born to this union, December 25, 1904. Mr. Richardson is a Republican in his political views, and his fraternal affiliation is with the Masons, among the members of which he numbers many friends. With Mrs. Richardson, he belongs to the Baptist church, in the work of which both are active, while he serves in the official capacity of member of the board of trustees.
GEORGE W. HOFFMANN. Probably there is no more exacting voca- tion than that of the modern pharmacist, for, next to the physician (with whom he must co-operate), the druggist is the one upon whom we rely in sickness and accident. A man of thorough training and ab- solute reliability, he must be also a master of several occupations beside his own, and, to make a success of his enterprise, must be capable in business, courteous in manner, and ready to serve the long hours that the vocation demands. The dean of the drug trade in Logansport, George W. Hoffmann received not only a thorough training in his youth, but has had the additional advantages of attendance in the school of practical experience. He has been a resident of Logansport for almost forty years, and is widely known, not only in his chosen field of en- deavor, but as a man who has rendered signal services to his city in positions of public trust. Mr. Hoffmann was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 31, 1852, one of the three sons born to the marriage of George Louis and Katherine (Kalb) Hoffmann, both natives of Germany, the former of Bavaria and the latter of Hesse Darmstadt. In 1848, George Louis Hoffmann left the Fatherland to escape the compulsory military service of his native land, and some time during the following year arrived in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he secured employment at his trade of mill- wright. Both he and his wife are now deceased.
George W. Hoffmann was reared in his native city, acquiring his education in the public schools and night school. When he was sixteen years of age he embarked upon a career of his own, his first employment being at grinding paint. Succeeding this, for three years he was em- ployed in a drug store, where he received his introduction to the busi- ness, and in February, 1873, came to Logansport, Indiana, here be- coming a clerk in the drug store of G. W. Brown. He was thus engaged but a short time when he left Mr. Brown's services to become a clerk for the drug firm of Leonard, Dale & Company, which was succeeded by E. H. Borgers & Company, a concern with which Mr. Hoffmann continued until March, 1877. At that time he purchased a one-third interest in the firm of Leonard & Company, which then took the firm style of Leonard & Hoffmann, and this association continued until November, 1877, when Mr. Hoffmann became sole proprietor. In 1887, when he sold ont, he became a traveling salesman for a druggists' sundries company of Detroit, but six months later entered the railway
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mail service, in which he also spent six months. He had for some time been interested in Democratic politics, and at this time was assistant county recorder. In 1884, he was elected to the city council of Logans- port on the Democratic ticket, but after one and one-half years resigned to devote all of his attention to his private affairs. He was then in charge of the establishment of Milton Cunningham, but ill health caused his retirement after a few months. He has not been identified with political matters, having devoted himself exclusively to his pharmacy. Mr. Hoff- mann has spent many years in the study of pharmacy, chemistry and the most exacting science of filling prescriptions. He has conducted his business under the policy that from self preservation he must attend to his customers with quality, care and attention; he knows conditions and is familiar with the necessities of his neighborhood, supplying them intelligently, faithfully and with not only professional but personal at- tention. Among his associates he is known as a man of the utmost reliability and strictest integrity, and the manner in which he has ever conducted his transactions has been such as to gain him the unqualified confidence of his fellow-citizens. In his religious belief Mr. Hoffmann is a Universalist. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of the Maccabees.
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