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 60
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Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Loveless, three sons and four daughters ; Rebecca J., married to Mr. Harshbarger ; Mrs. Viola Rairdon,
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Mrs. Sylvia Gheer. Mrs. Sarah Robinson, Joseph (twin brother of Sarah), Adam Frederick, and Ben C. Our subject and wife have seventeen grand children. They have lived to see their children well settled in life, all good citizens and highly respected wherever they live.
Politically, Mr. Loveless is a Republican and is more or less active in public affairs. He is a member of the German Baptist church.
W. MONROE SCHLOSSER.
In taking up the personal sketch of Mr. Schlosser it is highly appropriate that adequate space should first be given to the business in which he is in- terested, a business which easily ranks among the largest and foremost of Frankfort's commercial body. The Schlosser Brothers, creamery butter manufacturers, have one of the largest institutions of the kind in the world, and places the state of Indiana in the running as the leading state in dairy manufacturing.
The Frankfort plant is the fifth of a group of creameries owned and operated by the Schlosser brothers; the other branches being at Plymouth, Indianapolis, Bremen and South Chicago. The building at Frankfort is three stories high, seventy-two by one hundred and thirty feet long. It is of mill type construction and consists of slow burning material. The machinery and arrangements are of the latest designs and plans. Westerlin & Campbell Company, of Chicago, were the engineers and architects, and A. W. O'Keefe, of Plymouth, Indiana, was the contractor. The building cost approximately, fifty-one thousand dollars. The intrinsic value, however, does not nearly cover the value of the plant, to itself or to the city in which it is located. The Schlosser brothers estimate that they manufacture two million pounds of butter every year.
The company was organized at the town of Bremen, Ind., in the year 1884, by Henry, Phillip and Jacob Schlosser. In the beginning, at Bremen, the yearly output amounted only to a few thousand pounds, and since that time, by force of economy, perseverance, and systematic methods, the busi- ness has grown to its present mammoth proportions.
The first extension of the business came with the purchase of the creamery at Wanatah in 1890, Hanna in 1892, and North Liberty in 1895, these plants being consolidated with that of Plymouth in 1901. The South
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Chicago house was opened in the year of 1893, and the Indianapolis creamery in 1908.
Creameries are usually operated on one of the following plans: Whole milk creamery, with skimming stations, direct shippers, receiving stations, or the gathered cream system. The Schlosser brothers sought a system by which they could get the cream to the creamery most economically for the farmer and also for themselves. They finally decided on the gathered cream plan, and route system. This is the most economical system for the producer, as cach wagon makes a regular trip over a given route, gathering in one day the cream from twenty-five to fifty farmers, thereby eliminating the enor- mous waste of time and energy required in order that cach farmer might de- liver his own cream to the factory. Another advantage is that the cream is delivered regularly by this method, whereas, if each farmer was respon- sible for his own delivery, the deliveries would be irregular. To the Schlosser brothers belongs the credit for having perfected the gathered cream system; they were the first in Indiana to work out the idea; and now all other cream- eries in the country have adopted their plan.
The work on the routes is done in the following manner: The driver is supplied with cans, weigh pails, scales, and sample boxes containing sample tools, and report blanks on which to report to the office the amount of cream received from each customer. Upon arriving at the farm, the driver empties the vessels containing the cream into his weigh pail. It is carefully weighed and the number of pounds received is then entered upon his report blank with the name of the patron from whom it was received. His next step is taking the sample to be tested for butterfat. To do this, he first stirs the cream thoroughly in order to have the proportion of butterfat the same throughout the entire body ; he then pours the sample quantity into the sample bottle. This is placed in the sample rack opposite a number which corresponds with the number of the customer on the cream report blank. This operation is repeated at all the stops. The cream is then shipped to the factory in ten gallon cans together with sample case containing the cream sample to be tested.
Butter making in a creamery does not differ greatly from that on the farm, excepting the up-to-date creameries have the very latest designs of machinery to do the work on a larger scale than could be done by the farmer. As each route is delivered at the factory it is weighed to check the number of pounds of cream brought, and it is then emptied into cream vats where it is weighed and sampled, to ascertain the percentage and amount of butterfat which were gathered by the driver. The cream is next run through a pateurizer, which is a machine that heats the cream to a degree of about
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one hundred and sixty to sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit. By heating the cream to this temperature and hokling for a short time the undesirable gerins and bacteria are destroyed. After being run through this machine, the cream it is then delivered in large vats. However, the Frankfort creamery has dispensed with the pasteurizer, and has purchased an improved vat and all pasteurizing will be done in the vats. The vats are equipped with hot and cold water connections so that any temperature can be obtained for the desired length of time.
The cream is next taken from the vats and placed in the churns. When the churning is completed, the buttermilk is drawn off, and a quantity of water is placed in the churn. The churn is then run a few minutes to wash the milk out of the butter, and the wash water is then drawn off. The butter is now prepared for working. The proper quantity of salt is added, and then the churn is run on slow gear, the rollers in the churn revolving and the butter is worked between them. After this process, the butter is removed and put in large trays and taken into the printing room, where a temperature of forty degrees Fahrenheit is maintained. In this room the butter is packed to suit any trade in the United States.
Strangers who pay a visit to the Schlosser brothers' creameries are at once impressed with the strict cleanliness and sanitary conditions. Every thing is spick and span, not only because dirt is quickly eliminated, but be- cause the sources of dirt are done away with. The factory is equipped with motors which does away with necessity of a large amount of line shafts and belting, and the steam is obtained from a boiler which stands two hundred feet from the building, thus eliminating the possibility of coal dust. The water used is from deep wells, and is chemically pure. The factory is also furnished with refrigerating and cold storage rooms, where a uniform tem- perature is maintained.
Henry Schlosser is the president of the corporation and is manager of the Indianapolis branch. Gustave Schlosser is the vice president, and manages the South Chicago branch. Samuel Schlosser holds the office of secretary- treasurer, and is general manager of the creameries. W. Monroe Schlosser, the immediate subject of this sketch, is manager of the Frankfort branch.
W. Monroe Schlosser was born April 22, 1886, in Bremen, Ind., and was the son of George and Emma ( Martin) Schlosser. George Schlosser is a native of the same town, and is still living on his farm. Mrs. Schlosser was born near South Bend, Ind.
Our subject graduated from the Bremen high school in 1905, and in- mediately entered the creamery business. As mentioned before, he is manager
,
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of the Frankfort branch. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Grangers. Politically, he is a Republican.
On June 4, 1913, Mr. Schlosser was married to Madge M Barnett, of Frankfort, Ind. She was born in Kirklin, Ind.
GEORGE BRITTON MCCLELLAN HINTON.
It is a pleasure to us all to look over in passing such a splendidly kept place as Woodland Farm, owned by George B. Hinton and which lies in Section twelve, Perry township, Clinton county. He has farmed so scientific- ally that he has made his eighty acres produce more than most farmers of a much larger acreage. He has done this by making a careful study of local conditions and by wide reading of agricultural journals, being keen to dis- cern when an article would be applicable to a farm in this locality and when it would not. In short, he is a man who thinks as well as works, thus his large success is not to be wondered at, for to farm with more than mediocre success, one must plan carefully and work persistently, nowadays.
Mr. Hinton was born on February 23, 1862, on the farm where he now lives and here he has been content to spend his life; in fact, has regarded it as a privilege to remain on the home place. He is a son of Rev. Jeremiah Hinton, an old-time local minister in the United Brethren church, in which he was an honest worker and did a great deal of good among the carly settlers. Jeremiah Hinton was born January 27, 1817, and died at the age of sixty-eight years.
He came to Indiana in the days of the frontiersmen and purchased land of the government, receiving a sheepskin patent for same signed by President Andrew Jackson. April 5, 1833. This land he developed from a wilderness into an excellent farm. He married Eliza J. Willey, daughter of Amos Willey, January 26, 1842. She dying November, 1896, at the age of seventy- five years. The following children were born to Jeremiah Hinton and wife, three of whom are deceased, namely: Valentine P., was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, and he died in Colfax this county in 1897, aged fifty-four years. Barbara E., was born March 6, 1845, and is now living in Frankfort, this county. Napoleon 11., was born July 3, 1854, died August 21, 1908, at Frankfort. this county, aged fifty-four years. Eliza J., was born February 3, 1857, died March 24, 1857, age one month and twenty- one days, and our subject, George B.
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George B. Hinton was reared on the home farm, where he did his share of the work, and he received his education in the district schools. When thirty-two years old he married Arminta M. Caldwell, who was born in Boone county, Indiana, where she grew to womanhood and was educated in the public schools. She is a daughter of Robert and Miranda J. ( Blacker) Caldwell. To our subject and wife, eleven children have been born, four sons and seven daugliters, namely: Musa Marie, Rachel, Samuel, Ruth, Ruby, Geneve, Mabel, Earl, Agnes, Charles M. and Herbert.
Politically, Mr. Hinton is a Democrat and fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Robert Caldwell, mentioned above, was born in Indiana as was also his wife. To them ten children were born, three of whom are deceased. The names of those who are living are as follows: Franklin C., living in Frankfort; Arminta M., wife of Mr. Hinton, of this sketch; Ada, Ava, Ray, Nolan and Edna. The father of these children is still living at the age of seventy-six years and the mother at sixty-five years.
Greenberry Blacker was born in Ross county, Ohio, September, 1822, and came to Indiana when a small boy, locating in Clinton county. He died at the age of eighty-eight years. Isabell (Hinton) Blacker, wife of Green- berry Blacker, was born in Ross county, Ohio, September 5, 1825.
Michael Hinton, father of Isabell (Hinton) Blacker, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, spent his earlier years in Virginia, but in 1835 moved to Indiana, locating in Clinton county and here the family has been known ever since.
WILLIAM RUCH.
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By words and by actions the personality reveals its quality, its force, its direction of purpose. The invisible spirit embodies itself in signs of service and in language. Words also are deeds and actions are symbols of the inner being which we can not see, nor touch, nor weigh. Hence the value of a biography, which writes out a life by telling a story of one's deeds and sometimes, of one's words, also. But since speech is usually forgotten and actions fade away in the clouds of a distant past, we also listen to those who have been witnesses of the conduct, companions of the journey, shares of the benefits and benedictions of those whom we have lost a little while, to find again. With such values of biography in mind, we here set forth briefly
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the salient facts in the life record of one of the well known and estimable citizens of Clinton county of a past generation, the late William Ruch, than whom it would have been hard to have found a more obliging, high-minded, industrious and public-spirited gentleman.
Mr. Ruch was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1832. Ile was a son of Peter Ruch, also a native of the old Keystone state and a son of a Revolutionary soldier, of that state. In a very early day Peter Ruch left Pennsylvania with his family and four horses, driving overland to Clinton county, Indiana, and here purchased four hundred acres of land and estab- lished the future home of the family and became a prominent citizen herc. He gave each of his sons one hundred acres of land. They were, William, of this sketch; George, the second in order of birth; Joseph, who was a soldier in the Civil war; and Martin, the youngest. They are all now deceased but Joseph, who lives on the old home farm. Peter Ruch and wife spent the remaining years of their lives in Clinton county. They are buried in St. Luke's cemetery. They were members of the Reformed church.
William Ruch grew to manhood on the parental farm and he received such educational advantages as the early-day schools afforded. He was three times married, first, to Sarah Miller, a native of Pennsylvania, and to this union three children were born, Edmund W., who lives in this county ; Mrs. Alice Beil, of Salina, Kas .; and Charles, of Washington township Clinton county. After the death of his first wife, William Ruch married Caroline Kohler by whom one son was born, Harvey L., of Union township, this county. After the death of his second wife our subject married Sarah E. Beisel, who was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania where she grew to womanhood and received her education. She is a daughter of Benjamin Beisel, also a native of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. He was a brother of Solomon Beisel, of Ross township, this county; and Henry Beisel, also of Clinton county, both prominent citizens and early settlers here. Benjamin Beisel, the father, was a mechanic by trade, and he spent his life in Lehigh county, dying at the age of seventy-three years. His wife died at the age of thirty-three years. To them five children were born, four of whom are living, namely: John, the eldest ; Andrew lives in this state; Frank is deceased; George was next in order; and Sarah E., who married the subject of this memoir.
Four children were born to William and Sarah E. ( Beisel) Ruch, viz .: Newton A., Eva H., and two that died in infancy. Newton A. was born October 12, 1879. He was reared upon the farm and educated in the common schools. In May, 1905, he was united in marriage with Ethel
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Moyar, who was born in Saunders county, Nebraska, in ISSo, the only daugliter of Jolin and Emma (Anderson) Moyer. Eva H., the fourth chik!, was born August 21, 1884, and is now the wife of George Rothenbarger, the mother of two children, namely: Irene and William R.
William Ruch devoted his life successfully to general farming, and owned ninety-five acres of well improved and valuable land in Washington township, on which stands a good eight-room house and substantial out- buildings. He left his widow well provided for, as a result of his industry and good management and his honest dealings with his fellow men. Politic- ally, he was a Republican, and he was an active and worthy member of St. Luke's church, and was one of the prime movers in building the church here. He was a deacon and trustee in the church for many years. His widow is also interested in the work of the church.
The death of Wililam Ruch occurred in 1899, after an eminently useful and commendable life.
FRANK M. WAYT.
Prominent among the stockmen of Clinton county is the subject of this sketch. He is comparatively young in the work, but has already built a reputation for honesty in trade and proficiency in the discharge of the duties incident to his vocation. It is to such solid workers for the common good in all lines that the county can attribute her prosperity and high rank among the ninety-two of the state.
Frank M. Wayt was born February 3, 1880, in Clinton county, Indiana, in Michigan township, and was the son of John F. and Clithie (Miler) Wayt. Both parents were born in Clinton county and are still living in Michigan township. They received limited education in the public schools. and the father took up farming. He was a Republican. Eight children were born to the union, the four living being: Frank M., Chalmer, Gard and John
Mr Wayt, our subject, attended the common schools of this township. He was married on December 18, 1900, to Lydia Jenkins, who was born in Michigan township, January 26, 1883, the daughter of Howard and Mary (Clark) Jenkins, and received a good common school education. One child, Beryl, born December 4, 1905, has blessed this union.
For four years after his marriage, Mr. Wayt lived on a farm and then moved to Michigantown, where he has since engaged in the stock business,
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buying and selling all grades of blooded animals. He deals in live stock, wool, junk, etc. Mr. Wayt owns his own commodious home here.
Mr. Wayt has always loved the fraternal side of life, and he is an ardent and loyal member of the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically, he is a Republican; although he has never run for office, he has given the party his heartiest support.
ERASMUS M. MERRITT.
Although the man who forms the subject of this sketch has passed to the land of his Creator, the result and proof of his handiwork, in the field of agriculture and business, remains. He was among the first men to cultivate the lands of Clinton county, and prepare them for the prosperity of future generations. Mr. Merritt obtained the successful means in life by simple and honest efforts; his dealings in the business world were without conceit or deceit, and thus he retained a merited esteem and confidence of the men with whom he was associated.
Erasmus M. Merritt was born on December 12, 1849, in Johnson town- ship, Clinton county, and was the son of William and Rachel (Keever) Merritt. William Merritt was a native of Ohio, but died in this county April 12, 1905; the mother also came from Ohio, and she departed from this life on April 9, 1911. Both parents obtained a common school education in their youth. William Merritt spent his life in agricultural work, and was a Re- publican politically. Five children graced his home: Mary, Erasmus (de- ceased), John (deceased), Margaret, and Clinton (deceased).
Erasmus Merritt obtained an education in the grade schools of this county. On November 13, 1884, he was married to Elizabeth Stroup, who was born on July 30, 1850, in Johnson township, and was the daughter of Jacob and Naomi (Debington) Stroup. Mrs. Merritt is a sister of Jacob Stroup, of Kempton, Ind., whose life history is written on other pages of this volume. No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Merritt, but a niece, Elgie, who married Lon E. Johnson, lives with Mrs. Merritt on the home farm. Our subject was called to his rest November 30, 1910, at the age of sixty-one years.
Mr. Merritt's life was occupied solely with farming, and he was a lover of his green fields and bounteous crops. Besides general farming
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activities, he raised several varieties of stock including Poland-China hogs and a common breed of cattle. The estate comprises one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land, fairly well tiled. Fifteen acres of the land is in timber. The home was built by Mr. Merritt.
Fraternally, Mr. Merritt belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men. Politically, he was a sup- porter of the Republican party.
JOHN W. BELL.
The upbuilding of the soil is a time-consuming process. A change in farming methods will not work an immediate benefit to the soil. Runout land can not be renovated in a day. The depletion of soil fertility was a slow process, extending through years, and it is to be no more expected that the land can be restored to its original condition in a year than that the individual whose system has deteriorated through abnormal excesses extending over a period of years, can be built up and made as good as new by a few doses of medicine.
Among the farmers of Washington township, Clinton county, who not only understands the proper methods of building up worn-out soil, but also of how to keep the soil virgin and from becoming thin through years of cropping is John W. Bell, who has lived in this vicinity all his life and has made a careful and long study of local conditions. He was born in this township and county, June 26, 1863, during war times. He is a son of Joseph Bell, now deceased, who, for many years was a leading citizen here, having come to this locality in 1837 from Virginia, being of an old family of that state, noted for its hospitality and honesty, industry and courage. He is of Scotch descent, from sturdy Highland people. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Thomas Bell, who was born in Virginia. When twenty- eight years old Joseph Bell married Sarah McKinzie, daughter of John Mc- Kinzie.
To Joseph Bell and wife eight children were born, an equal number of sons and daughters, nanicly: Thomas, who died in 1911; Rebecca, Joseph, Mary (deceased), the next child died in infancy, John W., of this sketch: Essie, Harry and Hattie, twins; the last named is deceased.
Joseph Bell devoted his life to general farming, owning a valuable place of one hundred and ninety acres. Politically. he was a Democrat. His widow
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is living at the old homestead, being now eighty-five years of age. She has proven to be a most worthy helpmeet and mother.
John W. Bell was reared on the old home place and there he worked when a boy during the summer months, and in the wintertime he attended the common schools in his neighborhood. Also attended the University at Valparaiso, Ind., after which he taught school for a period of five years, and was very successful.
He was married in 1895 to Anna Miller, who was born, reared and educated in this township. She is a daughter of John H. Miller.
Mr. Bell is the owner of a finely improved and productive farm of one hundred and five acres, on which stands a good home, barn and outbuildings. He keeps a good grade of live stock.
He has served his township very acceptably as trustee for four years, being elected on the Democratic ticket.
FRANK ERNEST PENCE.
Of the many successful farmers around Frankfort, none are of more prominence than our subject, Frank E. Pense. He has employed all of the latest methods in the cultivation of his acres, and has a model farm in every respect. Moreover, he has cooperated with his fellow citizens in every en- terprise which meant a benefit for the community.
Frank E. Pence was born on March 25, 1869, and was the son of Charles R. and Martha Jane (Gaskill) Pence. The Pence family has been prominent from the earliest settlement of the county, and were leaders dur- ing pioneer days. Our subject obtained a good common school education, and immediately began farming, which occupation he has followed ever since. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of good land, all tillable with the exception of twenty-five acres which is in timber. Besides general farm- ing, Mr. Pence carries on breeding, owning several valuable Belgian draft stallions and mares. He has made a reputation for the quality of his animals.
Mr. Pence married, on November 29, 1894, Cora A. Devault, a daughter of Strauder and Sarah (Ferrier Devault. The father was a valiant soldier in the Civil war, and made a good record. Both parents are now deceased.
Frank E. Pence, in politics, is a Democrat, and in religious matters is a Methodist. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order. third degree, also Knights of Pythias, member of Grand Lodge.
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DAVID LANUM.
Examples that impress force of character on all who study them are worthy of record in the annals of history wherever they are found. By a few general observations the biographer hopes to convey in the following paragraph, succinctly and yet without fulsome encomimus, some idea of the high standing of David Lanum, of Colfax, as a business man and public benefactor, one of the representative citizens of Clinton county, where he maintained a continuous residence for a period of thirty-five years. Those who know him best will readily acquiesce in the statement that many elements of a solid and practical nature are united in his composition and which during a long series of years have brought him into prominent notice throughout this locality, his life and achievements earning for him a conspicuous place among his compeers.
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