History of Hamilton County Indiana, her people, industries and institutions, Part 87

Author: John F. Haines
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1051

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ROBERT J. FOLLETT. --

Specific mention is made in the following paragraphs of one of the worthy citizens of Hamilton county, Indiana-one who has figured in the growth and development of this favored locality and whose interests have . been identified with its progress, contributing in a definite measure in his par- ticular sphere of action to the well-being of the community in which he re- sides and to the advancement of its normal and legitimate growth. Addi- tional interest attaches to his career from the fact that he has passed a quarter of a century within the borders of this county. Earnest purpose and tireless energy combined with mature judgment and everyday common sense have been among his most prominent characteristics and he has merited the respect and esteem which are accorded him by all who know him.

Robert J. Follett. the proprietor of the prosperous flour mill at Carmel, Indiana, was born in Edinburg, Indiana, December 29. 1868, and is a son of Nathaniel F. and Martha J. (Duncan) Follett. His father was born April 2, 1839, in Devonshire, England, and his mother was a native of this county, her birth having occurred November 16, 1844.

Nathaniel F. Follett. who is still living in Carmel, has an interesting history. He is the son of Nathaniel and Joanna (Wills) Follett. Nathaniel Follett, Sr., was a foreman in the clay pits of England, working fifty-two years for one firm. He and his wife were the parents of two children, Nathaniel Jr., and Elizabeth Ann. who married William Sampson, and is

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still living in Burslam, England. Nathaniel Follett, Jr., came to this country in April, 1851, landing in New York city, where he lived the most of the time until 1858. During this period he made two trips back to England. In 1858 he came to Indiana and located at Zionsville, where he worked for the United States Milling Company. Mr. Follett answered the first call of Presi- dent Lincoln for troops and enlisted for service on April 19, 1861, in Com- pany K, Tenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, being a corporal in his company. He saw service in the West Virginia campaign under General McClellan and immediately after the end of his first term of enlistment, re- enlisted August 4, 1862, in Company A, Seventieth Regiment Indiana Volun- teer Infantry and served with this command until the close of the war. It was the Seventieth Regiment which was led by Benjamin Harrison as colonel when it was mustered into the service. Mr. Follett participated in many of the hardest fought battles of the long and bloody struggle. He took part in all of the battles of eastern Tennessee and those which Sherman fought while making his memorable march through the state of Georgia.

Immediately after the close of the war Mr. Follett returned to Indi- anapolis, and after his marriage in 1866 removed to Edinburg, Indiana, where . he worked in a flour mill until 1879. He had previously worked in a flour mill at Fortville, Indiana, and while working there had met his wife. From Edinburg Mr. Follett moved to Kansas, but returned a year later to Indi- anapolis, where he remained eighteen years, about seventeen years with the Blanton Milling Company, and for a short time engaged in milling on his own account. He then went to Franklin. Indiana, where he worked in a flour mill for three years and from thence he removed to Carlinville. Illinois, where he remained for the next two years. Cambridge City, Indiana. be- came his next home and after working for two years in the latter place he located in Shelbyville, this state, where he remained for five years. His last change of residence was from Shelbyville to Carmel, in Hamilton county. and here he is still living. He has followed the miller's trade all of his life with the exception of the four years which he spent in the service of his country. Nathaniel Follett, Jr .. was married July 29, 1866, to Martha J. Duncan, the daughter of Hiram and Martha J. ( Reddick) Duncan, both of whom were natives of North Carolina. The Duncans were early settlers of Hamilton county, and in this county Martha J. was reared. Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Follett were the parents of eight children, four of whom are still living, Johana, Robert J., whose history is here presented; Elizabeth Ann, Jennie T .;

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Martha Jane; Julia: Nathaniel and Charles W. The mother of these chil- dren died October 14, 1909.

Robert J. Follett received a good, common school education, being edu- cated in the schools of the different towns in which his father followed his occupation as a miller. He remained at home until 1890, and by that time was already an expert miller, having worked with his father from his boy- hood. From here he went to Westfield, in this county, and started to work in a flour mill, remaining there for a little more than three years. During this time he acquired an interest in the Westfield mill and he and his partner shortly afterwards purchased the mill in Carmel. 'In 1894 Mr. Follett bought his partner's interest in the mill at Carmel, and for the past twenty years has operated this mill alone. His mill has enjoyed a steady and prosperous growth from the beginning of his management and now has a capacity of fifty barrels daily. His flour is known as the "Eureka" brand of flour and finds a ready sale in this and surrounding counties. He does a large amount of custom work among the farmers in this section of the county.

Mr. Follett was married May 6, 1893, to Ada P. Coffin, daughter of Levi and Sarah ( Murphy) Coffin. Mrs. Follett was born December 16, 1869, about one and one-half miles southeast of Westfield. Sarah Murphy was the daughter of William Murphy and wife. early settlers of this county. Levi Coffin was a native of this county, as was his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Follett are the parents of three children, Sarah M., a graduate of the Carmel high school, and now living at home with her parents; Marguerite, who is attending school in Carmel; and Nathaniel, who died at the age of sixteen months.

Fraternally, Mr. Follett is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mrs. Follett is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, while both are members of the Pythian Sisters. Mrs. Follett is an earnest and loyal mem- ber of the Friends church at Carmel, and takes an active interest in the various departments of church work in her denomination. During the many years of his residence in this county, Mr. Follett has always taken a deep and intelligent interest in all local movements tending to advance the best interests of his fellow citizens, morally, socially or intellectually. He is a man of social tendencies, kind, unassuming and straightforward in all the relations of life and is universally respected and popular in the community where he lives.

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WILLIAM E. DUNN.

One of the most difficult tasks that confronts the biographer is to write an unexceptionable review of a living man. If the life is worthy of record there is always danger of offending that delicacy which is inseparable from merit; for even moderate praise, when it meets the eye of the subject is apt to seem fulsome, while a nice sense of propriety would not be the less wounded by a dry abstract containing nothing but names and dates. To sum up the career which is not yet ended would appear like recording events which have not yet transpired, since justly to estimate the scope and meaning of the his- tory of a life it is important that we have the closing chapter. In writing biographical notices, therefore, the chronicler from the moment he takes up his pen should consider the subject as no longer among his contemporaries. for thus he will avoid the fear of offending by bestowing praise where it is merited and escape the risk of giving but a fragmentary view of that which must eventually be taken as a unit. At some risk, therefore, the writer as- sumes the task of placing on record a review of the life and character of a man, who, by the force of strong individuality, has achieved eminent success in the vocations to which he has addressed himself and has won for him- self an enviable place among the leading men of the city and county honored by his citizenship.

William E. Dunn, who, for the past twenty years, has been president of the Citizens State Bank, of Noblesville, Indiana, was born on a farm in the northeastern corner of Boone county, Indiana, on July 7, 1855. the son of Nathaniel and Ann (Hogan) Dunn, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. Nathaniel Dunn was born in Jessamine county, this state, and his wife in Garrard county, and they were married in the latter county. Shortly after their marriage in Kentucky, they came to Crawfordsville, Indiana, arriving there in 1851. Nathaniel Dunn was a cabinet maker by trade and followed his profession in Crawfordsville until 1855, when he moved to a farm in Boone county, this state. where William E. was born. The Dunn family lived on the farm in Boone county until 1860, the father farming and also working at his trade at intervals. In 1860 the family moved to Hamilton county, where they settled on a farm. At the opening of the Civil War Nathaniel Dunn enlisted in Company A. One Hundred First Regiment, In- diana Volunteer Infantry, and served for two years as second lieutenant. He was then discharged from the service on account of total disability, and returned to his farm in Hamilton county. The family then moved to Jolliet-

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ville, in Washington township, this county, where Nathaniel Dunn served for a few years as township trustee. In 1868 he was elected treasurer of Hamil- ton county and at the beginning of the term the family moved to Noblesville. After leaving the office of treasurer the family continued to reside in Nobles- ville, where Mr. Dunn died September 13, 1876, his widow surviving him many years, not passing away until September 26, 1913. Nathaniel Dunn was a Republican in politics, a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Grand Army of the Republic. He and the members of his family were members of the Presbyterian church and active in their support of that de- nomination.

William E. Dunn was thirteen years of age when his parents moved to Noblesville and he continued his education in the schools of this city. In 1872, when he was only seventeen years of age, he became a bank clerk and thus early in life was initiated into the profession which subsequently became his life work. In 1878 he engaged in the hardware business in Noblesville with W. H. Loehr, under the firm name of Loehr & Dunn. This firm con- tinued in business for four years, and in 1884 Mr. Dunn became connected with the Citizens State Bank of Noblesville as bookkeeper.

The Citizens State Bank of Noblesville was established in 1871, and for more than forty years after its organization was the only bank in the city. The bank has a paid-up capital of one hundred thousand dollars ; deposits of more than four hundred thousand dollars and surplus and undivided profits of more than thirty thousand dollars. Its officials at the present time are as follows : President, W. E. Dunn ; vice-president, H. L. Craig; cashier, E. S. Baker ; assistant cashier, O. G. Patterson. Mr. Dunn has been connected with this bank for the past thirty years, rising from the position of bookkeeper to that of president. After serving for a short time as bookkeeper he was promoted to the position of teller, and from that position he was made cash- ier. Subsequently he became vice-president and in 1893 was elected by the directors for president, a position which he has held now for more than twenty years. He is recognized as a man of more than ordinary business judgment, well versed in the theoretical and practical side of banking. In ad- dition to his duties as head of the bank, Mr. Dunn is treasurer and a director of the Indiana Building and Loan Association.

Mr. Dunn was married January 18, 1888, to Fanny Ross, the daughter of George W. and Elizabeth (Coon) Ross, of Clinton county, this state. George W. Ross was born in Preble county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn have three children, all of whom are still living with their parents, Mabel, Frank

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H. and Ross R. The family are all earnest members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Dunn is a member of the board of trustees of his denomina- tion.

In politics, Mr. Dunn is a stanch Republican, but has never been an office seeker. He has always taken an intelligent interest in measures which had for their object the improvement and advancement of the welfare of his city and county and has been a hearty advocate and supporter of all move- ments leading to the civic betterment of Noblesville. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Dunn is an excellent financier, and while he has been interested in adding to his own material resources, he has not neglected taking his full share in the public life of his community. He has performed his full part as a man among men and has earned and retains the sincere regard and confidence of his fellow citizens.

JAMES M. GWINN.

Among the successful self-made men of Hamilton county, Indiana, whose efforts and influence have contributed to the upbuilding of the com- munity, there is no one who is more prominently known in this county than James M. Gwinn, proprietor of five hundred acres of land in Jackson town- ship. Being ambitious from his boyhood, but surrounded with none too favorable environment his early youth was not especially promising, but resolutely facing the future he gradually surmounted the difficulties in his way and in the course of time has risen to a prominent position in the life of his township. He realized early in life that there is a need for a definite goal if one wishes to be a man of influence in his community. His life and labors have been worthy because they have contributed to a proper under- standing of life and its problems, and for this reason he is eminently entitled to representation in this history of his county.

James M. Gwinn, one of the most substantial farmers of Jackson town- ship. in this county, was born September 13, 1869, in this township, and has lived his whole life within its borders. He is the son of Sylvester and Eliza- beth (Keck ) Gwinn, his father being born in Stony Creek township, Madison county, this state. Sylvester Gwinn is the son of James Gwinn, who was born in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, and the first of the family to come to this state. Sylvester Gwinn and wife were the parents of six children.

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Jesse and Harvey, deceased; James M., whose history forms the theme of this narrative; Mrs. Anna Hobb; Mrs. Alta Robinson and Mrs. Sarah Sower- wine.

James M. Gwinn attended the schools of his home neighborhood and during the years he was attending school assisted his father on the farm dur- ing the summer vacations. In this way while securing a good, common- school education he also acquired the rudiments of agriculture, so that when he began farming for himself he was fully acquainted with all the details of successful agriculture. Upon his marriage in 1893, Mr. Gwinn rented a farm, but shortly afterwards purchased his present farm of five hundred acres, all of which is in Jackson township. He has always been a man of great industry and determination and is richly deserving of the success which has come to him because of his well planned efforts.

Mr. Gwinn was married July 8, 1893, to Stella Devaney, the daughter of Jesse and Martha (Loucks) Devaney, and to this union have been born three children, Harry, Martha and Grace, who are still living with their par- ents and are now attending school in their home neighborhood.

NICHOLAS QUICK.

The twentieth century farmer knows very little of the disadvantages which surrounded the pioneer farmers of this state. No longer is he com- pelled to rise early in the morning and continue his labors far into the even- ing. The farmer of today can do twice as much work in half a day as his father could do in a whole day fifty years ago. The rural mail service leaves the daily newspaper on his door step each morning. The telephone puts him into instant communication with his neighbors, while the interurban cars and automobile enable him to participate in all the active features of city life. Surrounded by such conditions, the farmer of today can have all the ad- vantages of the man in the city, with few of the latter's disadvantages. No state in the Union possesses better transportation advantages than Indiana, and with the interurban railway lines threading the country in every direc- tion from our capital city, the farmers are put into close touch with the life of the city.

Nicholas Quick, a retired farmer of Indiana, was born in Johnson county, this state, on September 30, 1859. He is the son of Nicholas and Catherine (Davis) Quick. Nicholas Quick, Sr., was born in Ireland and was fifteen

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years old when he decided that he wanted to come to America to seek his fortune. With him, to wish was to act; and, accordingly, he ran away from home to come to this country. Although several attempts have been made to locate his aunts and other relatives in Ireland they have all proved unsuc- cessful. When Nicholas Quick, Sr., arrived in this country from Ireland, he had a very meager education, but he possessed a hearty constitution and a great capacity for hard work. His history is somewhat obscured by the mists of the past, but it is known that he came to Indiana and worked in this state on a farm. He is also known to have been a painter and to have fol- lowed that trade at intervals. He was married to Catherine Davis, who was born in Iowa, but it is not certain whether he went to Iowa to marry or whether she came to Indiana. At any event, shortly after his marriage, Nicholas Quick, Sr., purchased a farm in Johnson county and lived there until his first son was seven years of age. He then disposed of his Johnson county farm and purchased two hundred and thirty-six acres of land in Hamilton county about four and one-half miles southeast of Noblesville, where he lived until his death, April 12, 1874. His wife died a few years before his death. He was a Democrat but never was very active in any of the deliberations of his party. He was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons at Westfield and he and his wife were lifelong members of the Christian church.

Nicholas Quick, Sr., and his wife were both twice married. His first wife was a member of the Smart family, one of the pioneer families of John- son county. To this first union were born three children : Hezekiah, Samuel and Sarah Jane. The second wife of Mr. Quick had been previously married to a man of the name of Bristow and to her first marriage was born one son, Thomas, who lives at Smiths Valley in Johnson county. To the marriage of Nicholas Quick and Catherine Davis were born nine children, as follows: Jennie, the wife of Davison White, of Illinois; Mary and Marion, twins, Mary is the wife of David Brock of Noblesville township, and Marion mar- ried Hannah Burnaw and lives at Merkle, Indiana: James, who married Nora Purcell and lives at Noblesville; Annie, who is the widow of William Power and lives at Pleasant Grove; Nicholas, Jr., of whom more is told be- low; William, a physician of Delphi, who married Etta Rice; Frank, who is married and lives at Dexter, near St. Louis, Missouri; and George, who is married and lives in Montana.

Nicholas Quick, Jr., lived at home until his father's death and then went to live with his half brother, Thomas Bristow. and made his home with him until his marriage. He then located on the farm which his wife owned, one-

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half mile north of Carmel, and lived there eleven years. He then bought his present home in Carmel in 1904 but did not move into it until a few years later. Mr. Quick has been a successful farmer and a good business man and now owns two hundred and forty acres of good land and keeps his farm up to the highest state of efficiency. He has a fine country home and commodious barns and outbuildings, his farm being fully equipped with all of the latest agricultural machinery. A few years ago he retired from active farm life and moved to Carmel, where he is now living surrounded by all the comforts of life.

Mr. Quick has been twice married. His first marriage occurred Febru- ary 28, 1885, to Elizabeth Wilkinson, a native of this county, and the daughter of William and Elizabeth Wilkinson. The Wilkinsons were natives of North Carolina and came to Indiana early in this county's history. They entered government land in this county at a time when there were Indians roaming the woods. To this first marriage of Mr. Quick were born two children : Charles, who married Ethel Jones and lives on his father's farm at the north edge of Carmel and is engaged in the lumber business in Carmel, and Raymond, who died at the age of two years. The mother of these chil- dren died October 10, 1889. Mr. Quick was married a second time, Septem- ber 4, 1894, to Abbie Stafford. She is the daughter of Noah and Mary (Stanbrough) Stafford, and was born March 3, 1865, near Gray, Hamilton county, Indiana. Her parents were both natives of Indiana, her father being the son of Daniel and Rachel Stafford. Noah Stafford and wife were the parents of seven children ; Guilaelma, Sarah Ann, Jennie, Delia, Ashley, Abbie and Clemma. Mr. Quick has one daughter by the second marriage, Esther, who is still living with her parents.

Mr. Quick is a Democrat on national issues, but when it comes to local politics he votes for the best men regardless of their party affiliations. He was for many years a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows while he and his wife are both members of the Friends church and take a great deal of interest in the work of the church and Sunday school. Mr. Quick is a man possessing a strong sense of justice, to which he adds firm- ness, combined with courtesy and affability. He always has been ready to lend 'a helping hand to those who are in distress and to assist those in any way who are more unfortunate than himself. He has spent his whole life in this county and no man is more highly respected and honored than Nicholas Quick. It is a satisfaction to record the life of such a man, one who is eminently fitted to be accorded a place in the list of the representative men of his county.

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SYLVANUS CAREY.

One of the earliest pioneer families of Hamilton county, Indiana, was the Carey family and Sylvanus Carey, whose interesting history is here re- corded, has been a resident of this county for eighty years. He has seen this county emerge from a virgin wilderness to its present prosperous condi- tion He has seen the Indian trails give way to graded highways and the swamps to highly cultivated fields. In all of this change the Carey family has played an important part, its members having borne their full share in bringing the light of civilization to this county.

The Carey family is of English descent and came to this country early in the eighteenth century. The great-grandparents of Sylvanus Carey were Samuel and Mary Carey, who lived in Pennsylvania, where they reared a family of seven children, John, Elias, Samuel, Jonathan, the grandfather of Sylvanus, Rachel, Cynthia and Sarah.

Jonathan Carey, grandfather of Sylvanus, was born on a farm in Penn- sylvania and on reaching manhood went to Virginia, where he married Ruth Bond. Jonathan Carey was a man of unusual attainments, and although he only attended school a few weeks, yet by his own efforts acquired a liberal education and obtained a good knowledge of the higher mathematics and of medicine. He taught school and practiced medicine for many years, but was a cabinet maker by trade. His wife was a woman of a high order of intellect and held the position of secretary in the Friends church for many years. Early in the settlement of this county Jonathan Carey and his family settled in the dense forest two miles west of where Carmel now stands. He entered a large tract of land from the government, carried on cabinet making and also established the first wagon and repair shop in the neighborhood. His wife was a direct descendant of the noted George Fox, of England, who was the founder of the Friends church. Jonathan Carey and wife were the parents of twelve children.

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History of Hamilton County Indiana, her people, industries and institutions, Part 87

Author: John F. Haines Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1051

Author: John F. Haines
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1051