USA > Indiana > Clinton County > History of Clinton County, Indiana : With historical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families, Volume II > Part 3
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Joseph Combs was one of a family of ten children, and was born No- vember 15, 1860, on the farm where his parents lived in Washington town- ship, Clinton county. He grew up under the surroundings above stated, and so from his earliest recollection he was inured to toil. He assisted his father and brother in clearing the land, fencing, ditching, and cultivating his father's farm, and this occupied the entire time of every year, except about three months in winter, when he attended the district school at the village of Hamil- ton, and where he acquired a common school education. At the age of eighteen he secured a license to teach, and for the next six years hie taught in the district schools of the county. He made further preparation for teaching by attending several terms of the summer normal school in Frank- fort, conducted by County Superintendent W. H. Mushlitz and R. G. Boone, superintendent of the Frankfort city schools. Later he also attended the the State Normal School at Terre Haute, Ind.
In 1886 he began the study of law in the office of Judge J. C. Suit, in Frankfort, and the next year was admitted to the bar of the Clinton Circuit
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Court. March 1, 1887, he formed a partnership for the practice of law with J. C. Suit, under the firm name of Suit & Combs, which continued two years, and during which time he added to his previous study considerable knowledge of the principles of the law and the practice thereof in the Clinton Circuit Court. During the next two years he practiced alone, having his office in the Heifield building on the east side of the public square. In June, 1900, he was married to Leonora J. Seawright, daughter of James A. Seawright, of the city of Frankfort. In January, 1890, he made his first venture in politics, and announced his name as a candidate of the Democratic party for prosecuting attorney at the spring convention. His opponent was the late Francis M. Goldsberry, of Colfax, Ind., who was then one of the old time shrewd politicians. Combs had then had no experience what- ever politically, and knew very few of the party leaders in the county, but he went industriously to work to get acquainted. The contest in the con- vention was quite spirited, and Combs was nominated by a very narrow margin. Then he had to meet Fred A. Sims, as his Republican opponent in the fall election. The county was then Republican, but the margin was so narrow as to make most elections hotly contested. On account of the strength and popularity of Sims, many of the Democratic leaders expected Combs to be defeated, but when the returns from the voting were all in it showed that he had won in a very close race. The final figures were, Sims 3,000, and Combs, 3,012. He took charge of the office at once, diligently applied himself to a study of criminal law and practice, and soon became a vigorous and effective prosecutor, securing many convictions and allowing very few acquittals of persons charged with crime. The Farley murder case and Freeman Cooper forgery case were two of the notable causes which he prosecuted. The next year he was defeated for re-election by N. P. Clay- baugh, his Republican opponent, along with all of his party on the county ticket.
In Decen.ber, 1892, he formed a partnership for the practice of law with O. S. Brumbaugh, attorney, under the firm name of Brumbaugh & Combs, which was a successful partnership and continuing for eight years, and doing a large business in this and surrounding counties. The Shenken- berger murder case, the Toll Gate cases, and the Cornthiwaite case, were some of the causes they were engaged in during this time.
In June, 1901, he opened an office over the Clinton County Bank, and for the next seven years practiced alone. About the 10th of May, 1908, he announced his name as the candidate of the Democratic party for judge of the Clinton Circuit Court, before the Democratic county convention soon
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to be hield. His opponents were Joseph P. Gray, C. G. Guenther and W. R. Moore. Ile had only three weeks to make any canvass for the nomination. Mr. Gray, his strongest opponent, and his friends, were quite confident that Gray would be easily nominated. Combs made as thorough a canvass as he could in the short time, and when the convention met it was apparent that it would be a close contest. Mr. Gray and his friends were still confident of the result, but were considerably surprised at the strength Combs was de- veloping. When the balloting began it became a neck and neck race, Combs having a slight lead in the first few ballots. On the fourth ballot Gray's friends rallied and had a slight lead, and at the end of the fifth ballot Gray had a big lead and ' is getting close to the nomination. Then Combs' friends made a heroic rally, and the sixth ballot closed with the following result, Gray 133, Combs 136. This settled the contest, and on the next ballot Combs received the number necessary to nominate.
Then Mr. Combs discovered that he was in the fiercest political struggle of his life. Ile was the youngest man that had ever made the race for judge of the court. His opponent on the Republican ticket was Judge Clay- baugh, who had been a life-long attorney and one of the leading members of the bar, and had the prestige of six years on the bench to his credit, and many politicians believed that Combs stood no show of being elected. But general conditions were favorable to the Democrats, and unfavorable to the success of the Republican party, and Combs went quietly to work and assisted his chairman and committee to make a thorough organization of the forces of his party. In addition to organization he made an extensive personal can- vass in all parts of the county, and so was well prepared for the battle when election day came. When the balloting was over and the returns all in, it showed that Combs had won the election by a plurality of 103.
He took the bench on November 12, 1908, a few days before he was forty-eight years old. From the first he has been a diligent worker and close student of the law and of the cases that come before him, always making it the rule to carefully study every case he is called upon to try. He has been impartial and fair in his rulings, always trying to give every one a square deal, regardless of who he is or what his station or position in life may be. He has given quite general satisfaction and fully met the ex- pectations of his friends who placed their confidence in him and gave him their support. He has a strong leaning to the equity side of every case, and to do equity and justice to every one before him is his desire, so far as the rules and principles of the law will permit. He is a strong believer in law ( .orcement, and yet will deal leniently with prisoners if he believes
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the good of society does not demand harsh punishment, and has granted many suspended sentences in cases he thought the circumstances would justify him in so doing, and where it would help to reform the prisoner. He takes much interest in the Juvenile Court and in looking after the betterment of the condition of neglected, mistreated or delinquent children.
In politics he is a life-long Democrat. He has long been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is a member of the Woodmen of the World, and a Royal Arch Mason. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Frankfort and one of the elders in that organization, and an active worker in the Sunday school. His family consists of his wife and one daughter, Eleanor Combs, sixteen years old, now in the third year of the Frankfort high school. Mr. Combs takes much interest in all affairs per- taining to the public schools and the cause of education in general, and in the betterment of the people of the city and county. He is a diligent student of history and general literature, and has a large library.
Nathan B. Combs, veterinary surgeon, and representative in the last session of the Indiana Legislature from Clinton county, at Mulberry, Ind., is a brother ; also John Combs, retired farmer, at Mulberry, Ind., and Martin V. Combs, farmer, in North Dakota. Mrs. Jennie Swadener, Mulberry, Ind., Mrs. J. H. Grover, Frankfort, Ind., and Mrs. A. W. Black, Los Angeles, Cal., are sisters.
EUGENE O. BURGET.
Prominent in the affairs of Frankfort, distinguished as one of the lead- ing men of Clinton county, and enjoying distinctive prestige in business circles far beyond the limits of the community honored by his citizenship, Eugene O. Burget, of the People's Life Insurance Company, is entitled to specific mention in a work such as this volume, which is to present to the reader the life details of the men who have made for the progress of the county, men in every walk of life, and in every profession who have contributed part of their lives for the good of the community of which this is a history. Mr. Burget is a sound business man, a man of excellent ideals, and a man devoted to the duty which has come to rest upon his shoulders. In the financial history of the county Mr. Burget has been especially prominent, and his career in commercial life has been one of steady advancement.
Eugene O. Burget was born January 5. 1869 at Burget's Corner, this county, and he was the son of William M. and Permelia ( Mott) Burget.
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the fall of Atlanta, and later took part in the battles of Columbia, Franklin and Nashville, and was honorably discharged June 6, 1865. Politically, he is a Republican.
William M. Burget was thrice married. His first wife was Permelia Mott, daughter of Sayres Mott, and of this union the following children were born: May, born May 15, 1867, died September 20, 1868; Eugene O., our subject ; Lula, born February 13, 1872; and Sarah, born July 10, 1874. and died the same day. The second marriage of Mr. Burget was to Sarah Long- fellow, daughter of John Longfellow, and of this union was born Leon V., June 10, 1880, died August 14, 1881. The third marriage of our subject's father was to Mrs. Ilester J. McCreary, daughter of John M. and Hester (Mott) Dunn, and this union was blessed with the birth of four children: John P., October 16, 1884; Earnest D., January 2, 1886; Minnie T., April 3. 1887. and George E., May 18, 1888.
Eugene O. Burget received a good education in his youth, and later graduated at the state normal school at Terre Haute. Thinking that his excellent education would be of more value when supplemented by teaching. he entered that profession, and soon became principal of schools at Scircle- ville and again at Hillisburg. In this work Mr. Burget was successful. He was endowed with those qualities which make a good educator, and he had the happy faculty of imparting to others the knowledge he himself possessed. In 1894 Mr. Burget was appointed to the office of deputy auditor of Clin- ton county, and in 1902 was elected to the office of auditor. For four years he filled this position acceptably to all his fellow citizens, performing well the duties required of him. After the expiration of his term he accepted a position in the Clinton County Bank as assistant cashier, and there he stayed one year. In 1907 he took a place with the People's Life Insurance Com- pany as secretary, and since has held that position in a very efficient and capable manner.
On June 28, 1889, he was united in marriage to Carrie Boyle, who was born in Michigantown, Indiana, on December 28, 1875, a daughter of Josiah L. and Mary Boyle, both of whom are now living in Frank fort.
Fraternally. Mr. Burget is quite prominent in Frankfort. Hle is a Mason, a member of the York Rite and the Shrine. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, and the linproved Order of Red Men. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious matters is a Methodist.
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the fall of Atlanta, and later took part in the battles of Columbia, Franklin and Nashville, and was honorably discharged June 6, 1865. Politically, he is a Republican.
William M. Burget was thrice married. His first wife was Permelia Mott, daughter of Sayres Mott, and of this union the following children were born : May, born May 15, 1867, died September 20, 1868: Eugene O., our subject ; Lula, born February 13, 1872 ; and Sarah, born July 10, 1874, and died the same day. The second marriage of Mr. Burget was to Sarah Long- fellow, daughter of John Longfellow, and of this union was born Leon V., June 10, 1880, died August 14, 1881. The third marriage of our subject's father was to Mrs. Hester J. McCreary, daughter of John M. and Hester (Mott) Dunn, and this union was blessed with the birth of four children : John P., October 16, 1884; Earnest D., January 2, 1886; Minnie T., April 3. 1887, and George E., May 18, 1888.
Eugene O. Burget received a good education in his youth, and later graduated at the state normal school at Terre Haute. Thinking that his excellent education would be of more valne when supplemented by teaching, he entered that profession, and soon became principal of schools at Scircle- ville and again at Hillisburg. In this work Mr. Burget was successful. He was endowed with those qualities which make a good educator, and he had the happy faculty of imparting to others the knowledge he himself possessed. In 1894 Mr. Burget was appointed to the office of deputy auditor of Clin- ton county, and in 1902 was elected to the office of auditor. For four years he filled this position acceptably to all his fellow citizens, performing well the duties required of him. After the expiration of his term he accepted a position in the Clinton County Bank as assistant cashier, and there he stayed one year. In 1907 he took a place with the People's Life Insurance Com- pany as secretary, and since has held that position in a very efficient and capable manner.
On June 28, 1889, he was united in marriage to Carrie Boyle, who was born in Michigantown, Indiana, on December 28, 1875, a daughter of Josiah L. and Mary Boyle, both of whom are now living in Frankfort.
Fraternally. Mr. Burget is quite prominent in Frankfort. He is a Mason, a member of the York Rite and the Shrine. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Improved Order of Red Men. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious matters is a Methodist.
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1
JOIIN .1. ROSS.
It is the aggressive, industrious and capable man of affairs who makes the true history of a community, and it is to such men that biography is dedicated. In addition, the history of the community, aside from biography, is largely a record of the institutions established by this same class of men, and also a record of their accomplishments in the business and social life of the locality, and of their influence in the development of the county. With stich values of biography in mind, we here set forth the leading facts in the life record of one of the leading citizens of Frankfort and one of Clinton county's public spirited and substantial men, who has long been prominent in the contracting and banking business circles. His record of a life well spent, of perseverance and steady advancement to a place of honor and dis- tinction in the commercial world, presents an example worthy of emulation by the rising generation. John A. Ross has led a life of integrity and use- fulness and his association with business and civic affairs in Frankfort has been notable and highly appropriate for permanent record.
John A. Ross was born in Tippecanoe county, near LaFayette, Ind., January 26, 1861, and was the son of Alexander and Mary (Johnson) Ross. Alexander Ross was of Scotch extraction, was born in Ireland, and was only thirteen years of age when he came to the United States, locating first at Lafayette, Tippecanoe county, Ind. He was united in marriage to Mary Johnson, a native of Sweden, who came to the United States when twelve years of age.
John A. Ross, the subject of this sketch, is the eldest of eight children. He resided in the city of Lafayette until he reached his majority, and in that place received an excellent education, including a full course in bookkeeping and civil engineering. From the age of fifteen until twenty-one he was of great assistance to his father who was a general contractor. . In 1882, John A. Ross removed to Frankfort and engaged in the contracting business for one year and immediately made a success of his trade in the new location. In 1883 and 1884 he engaged in the same occupation in Lafayette and in Huntington, Ind. After alterating between Frankfort and Lafayette, he permanently located at Frankfort in 1888, and went into partnership with the late James .1. Hedgcock for the purpose of doing a general contracting .business, embracing gravel roads, bridges, street improvement, sewerage and erection of business blocks. The firm was awarded contracts for the im-
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JOHN A. ROSS
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provement of many of the principal streets of Frankfort, miles of gravel road and a large number of the principal iron bridges of the county. In every instance their work has proved eminently satisfactory to all concerned, and stands as a monument to their ability and integrity as, public contractors. They were able at all times to furnish employment to hundreds of laboring men at a just and reasonable compensation, believing that "the laborer is worthy of his hire." The business of this firm was most successful. Street contracting. general contracting and the building of bridges and business blocks occupied the time of the firm from 1888 until 1890, the business amounting to thousands of dollars annually.
In 1890 the firm established the Frankfort Brick works, with a capacity of three and one-half to four million brick annually, giving employment to sixty or seventy men. In the spring of 1894 their brick works were totally destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of sixteen to eighteen thousand dollars which was only partially covered by insurance. Not discouraged by this misfortune, the firm at once cleared the wreck and proceeded to rebuild the works on a large scale and with increased facilities, and had one of the best equipped brick works in central Indiana. During all of these years, thus en- gaged in public works, giving employment to hundreds of men, this firm has never experienced the least trouble on account of strikes or dissatisfaction on the part of the men in their employ. The firm of Ross and Hedgecock was merged into the Frankfort Construction Company, of which our subject is the president and largest stock holder. Many are the evidences of their work in Frankfort and the surrounding cities of the county: The Rossville high school, Michigantown high school, Forest high school, the first ward building at Frankfort, Ross block, Fatzinger block, Palmer hospital. Kelly block, both of the Key's blocks, the American National Bank building. the heating plant, the public library, and several garages stand today examples of their craft. Mr. Ross's firm also has to its credit miles of bitulithic and asphalt streets in Anderson, Evansville, Ind., and other cities. During the last few years they have built approximately four miles of railroad bridges for the C. E. & I. and T. S. & W. railroads besides numerous county bridges. Mr. Ross personally contracts for large land deals, and the business in this line is rapidly increasing.
Mr. Ross has taken an active interest also in many enterprises other than contracting. In the year of 1902 he helped organize the American National Bank of Frankfort, and was elected president. He has continued ever since to fill the position and has built up an excellent reputation in fulfill-
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ment of the duties of that office. Mr. Ross also took a prominent part in the organization of the Frankfort Heatin,, Company and the Peoples Life Insur- ance Company, being the largest stockholder in each at the time they were organized. The people of Frankfort number him among the progressive and capable men identified with their financial interests, and do not hesitate to place full confidence in his ability. Mr. Ross has also invested in land near Frankfort, at this writing. He is the owner of one hundred and thirty acres of fertile and tillable land adjoining the city on the northeast and about six hundred acres elsewhere in the county.
On February 12, 1884, Mr. Ross was united in marriage to Lola A. Curtis, the daughter of Charles P Curtis, who was born in England and Esther (Rinard) Curtis, born in America, but of German extraction. Mrs. Ross was born in Lafayette, Ind., and of a family of eleven children, was the youngest. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ross: Worley A., Carrie Venita, wife of Walter R. Dyer, of Boone, Iowa ; Margaret Zola, and Dorothy Thelma. Mr. Ross's wife was called to her death February 21, 1907, after a beautiful life of religious devotion and love for her family and home.
Fraternally, Mr. Ross is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Religi- ously, he is a Presbyterian and in political affairs is a faithful supporter of the Republican party.
GEORGE Y. FOWLER.
George Y. Fowler, son of William A. and Sarah Fowler, was born in Perry township, Clinton county, March 11, 1860. His parents came to Clin- ton county in an early day, the father being a native of Kentucky and the mother a native of Virginia. They married and settled on a farm near Col- fax, where the subject of this sketch was born and where he spent the early years of his life. The first tragedy in his young life occurred in 1867, when his mother died, and five years later, 1872, he was completely orphaned by the death of his father. The bodies were laid to rest and still repose in the old White cemetery in Perry township, where sleep others of the pioneer men and women who bravely undertook the task of reclaiming from swamp and forest the fertile lands of that section of the county contiguons to Colfax.
After the death of his father. being then at the age of twelve years, Mr. Fowler was given a home with relatives who resided on a Perry township
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farm and there he remained about two years, attending the district school in the winter and making himself useful on the farm during the remainder of the time. While Mr. Fowler's experience in the actual work upon the farm was limited on account of his immature years he nevertheless bore his part and at a time before much advancement had been made in the production of labor saving farm machinery. It was before the day of the riding plow and the riding cultivator, it ante-dated the coming of the self-binder, and nearly all of the modern methods for harvesting the grain and hay crops. It was during that era of strenuous effort when the farmers of Clinton county were putting their muscle to the natural obstacles to agriculture, and to this work Mr. Fowler gave the best that was in him in exchange for the home that was opened to him when a home was sorely needed.
In 1874 came the turning point in his career and decided his course of future usefulness, for in that year he decided to prepare himself for the occu- pation of printing and to that end entered the office of the Frankfort Cres- cent as apprentice. The Crescent at that time was under the management of the veteran journalist, Staley, and located on the south side of the square in rooms over what is now known as the Spray grocery. In due time he com- pleted his apprenticeship and graduated as a journeyman printer, but remained in Mr. Staley's employ for several years afterwards, his connection with the Crescent in the capacities of apprentice, foreman, business manager and news writer extending over a period of eleven years.
During that time Mr. Staley was in the Indiana legislature as repre- sentative from Clinton county and Mr. Fowler was practically in charge of the Crescent, and the experience thus acquired was a valuable asset to him in after years in carrying out his plans and fulfilling his ambition to be a pub- lisher of a successful newspaper.
In 1885 he resigned his position on the Crescent, to go into business for himself. Together with his brother, Finley Fowler, and G. H. Hamilton, he established the Frankfort Weekly Times. Mr. Hamilton had been publish- ing a small weekly paper at Colfax called The Chronicle. This plant was destroyed by fire and new equipment was bought. After Mr. Fowler and his brother acquired an interest in the business the material was brought to Frankfort, making two medium-sized loads. In comparison with the present massive equipment of the Times this statement is interesting. The material was moved into two small rooms over the Epstein store and there the Times office was established in August, 1885. The old Chronicle at Colfax had quite a large circulation and this together with the new list of subscribers that
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