USA > Indiana > Howard County > History of Howard County, Indiana, Vol II > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
As a teacher Prof. Barngrover has met with merited success and in his capacity of principal his record presents a series of successes and advancements such as few attain. He pursues his chosen calling with all the interest of an enthusiast, is thoroughly in harmony with the spirit of the work and has a proper conception of the dignity of the profession to which his life and energies are so unselfishly de- voted. A finished scholar. a polished gentleman and possessing the traits of character necessary to insure success the services thus far rendered and the laurels gained bespeak for him a wider and more
148
MORROW'S HISTORY
distinguished career of usefulness in years to come, should he see fit to continue the noble calling which he has heretofore followed with such signal and happy results. Unlike so many of his calling who become narrow and pedantic, the professor is essentially a man of the times, broad and liberal in his views and has the courage of his convictions on all the leading public questions and issues upon which men and parties divide. He also keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought along its various lines and being a man of scholarly and refined taste his acquaintance with the literature of the world is both general and profound ; while his familiarity with the more prac- tical affairs of the day makes him feel at ease with all classes and conditions of people whom he meets.
Prof. Barngrover has a comfortable and attractive home at No. 240 South Main street, which is a favorite resort of those with tastes and tendencies similar to his own and in which such a spirit of hospitality obtains that all who cross its threshold are desirous of re- peating the experience. The home is brightened by the presence of an intelligent lady whose gracious presence and cordial greetings add not a little to the welcome extended the visitor or guest. the in- terest of the household being also heightened by the three children who with their parents contribute a mutually agreeably and con- tented domestic circle. Mrs. Barngrover was formerly Vernie Stam- ley, a native of Howard county, the ceremony by which her name was changed to the one she now so honorably bears having been sol- emnized in the year 1893. Genevra, the oldest child of Prof. and Mrs. Barngrover, is an interesting young miss of ten years ; Guy the second in order of birth, is eight years of age, and the youngest, Verneta by name, has reached her sixth year, all of them being pupils in the public schools and making commendable progress in their re- spective grades.
Prof. Barngrover, though deeply interested in the work to which his life is being devoted, has not been unmindful of his duties
149
OF HOWARD COUNTY.
as a citizen and to this end takes an active part in municipal and other public matters and lends his influence and support to all enter- prises having for their object the material advancement of the city and the intellectual and moral good of the populace. A reader and thinker he very naturally gives considerable thought to politics, his studies and investigations along this line leading him to espouse the Republican party, although he by no means is a partisan, nor seeker after the honor or emoluments of office.
Fraternally Prof. Barngrover holds membership with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen, and reli- giously subscribes to the Methodist creed, belonging with his wife to the Marleand avenue church, in the work of which both are actively and prominently interested. Personally Prof. Barngrover is quite popular, possessing to a marked degree the characteristics that win and retain warn friendships. By his kindness and courtesy he has won an abiding place in the esteem of his fellow citizens and by his intelligence, energy and enterprising spirit has made his in- fluence felt among his friends and associates during his residence of twelve years in the city of Kokomo, and as a result occupies no small place in the favor of the public.
EDGAR . SIMMONS.
Edgar .A. Simmons, postmaster of Kokomo, and ex-sheriff of Howard county, is a native of Indiana, born in the county of Shelby. on the 6th day of September, 1859. His father, Augustus Simmons, a resident of Shelby county, died when Edgar was five years old : his mother, who hore the maiden name of Catherine Giles, was born July 16. 1819. in Bourbon county, Kentucky, accompanied her par- ents to Shelby county, Indiana, when fifteen years of age and was
150
MORROW'S HISTORY
there married a little later to James Thompson, who moved his tam- ily to Howard county in 1844, settling about five miles west of Ko- komo, near what is known as the "Indian Springs Picnic Grounds." After residing in that locality one year Mr. Thompson took a claim one mile nearer the county seat, but he did not live long enough to improve his land, dying the year following his arrival. After the death of her husband Mrs. Thompson returned to Shelby county, where in due time she was married to Mr. Simmons, with whom she lived in that county until again becoming a widow in the year 1865. In 1872 she brought her family to Howard county and here con- tinued to reside until her death which occurred in Kokomo, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Frank Todhunter, on the 7th day of April. 1908, at the ripe old age of eighty-nine years. Of her family there remains three living children namely: Leonidas, late postmas- ter of Young America, Cass county, but now a resident of Kokomo; America, wife of Frank Todhunter, who also lives in the city of Kokomo, and Edgar A. Simmons, whose name introduces this sketch.
The early life of Edgar A. Simmons, amid the healthful in- fluences and wholesome discipline of the farm, was in most respects similar to that of the majority of country lads. As soon as old enough to be of service he was set to work in the woods and fields and in this way spent the spring and summer months, while the win- ter seasons were devoted to study in the district schools, where, in due time he acquired a fair knowledge of the ordinary English branches. In 1872 he came to Howard county and located on the place known as the old Indian Spring farm about five miles west of Kokomo where he remained until his twenty-fourth year, in the meantime spending three years in town attending school. In the year 1883 he was united in marriage to Belle George, daughter of W. W. George, who came from Fayette county, Indiana, in 1873
151
OF HOWARD COUNTY.
and settled three miles west of Kokomo on the Peet's Rum pike. where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. The three years follow- ing his marriage Mr. Simmons farmed in Ervin township and at the expiration of that period was appointed deputy sheriff by Isaac Wright under whom he served four years, during which time he rode over every part of the county, became personally acquainted with almost every man in his jurisdiction and discharged his duties with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his superior as well as to the general public.
So faithfully and well did Mr. Simmons attend to his duties and so capable did he prove as an officer of the law that in 1890 he was nominated by his party to the responsible position of sheriff, and triumphantly elected by a handsome majority, receiving one of the largest votes cast for any Republican candidate that year. After serving one term he was re-nominated without opposition and again elected by an unusually large majority, his triumph in two cam- paigns being a compliment to his ability as an official as well as to his high personal standing among the people of the county irrespect- ive of party ties. At the expiration of his second term Mr. Simmons became a partner of Scott Armstrong, ex-mayor of Kokomo, and ex-County Clerk Ellis in the hardware trade, but after two years in that line of business severed his connection with the firm to engage in the real estate business, to which his attention from 1898 to 1906 was directed. In the latter year he was appointed postmaster of Ko- komo, his commission dating from February 7th, and since that time he has given his attention wholly to his official duties, proving in this as in his former trust. both capable and popular and fully equal to the demands of the public in one of the most responsible and onerous branches of the government service. The post office at Kokomo does a larger amount of business perhaps than that of any other city of the same size in the state, requiring the services of
152
MORROW'S HISTORY
a deputy and ten clerks, twelve city carriers, nine rural free delivery carriers and four substitutes in addition to this force, there being also one Star route. Recently congress has made an appropriation of nine- ty thousand dollars for the erection of a government building in Ko- komo and ere long it is to be hoped the office will have more com- fortable and commodious quarters in keeping with the growth of the business and the dignity of one of the most thriving cities of which Indiana can boast.
For a number of years Mr. Simmons has been one of the leaders of the Republican party in Howard county and for six years was chairman of the county central committee.
Fraternally he holds membership with the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, aside from which he is identified with no other secret organization, though deeply interested in all lines of good work for which such societies stand. Mr. and Mrs. Simmons have a pleasant home in Kokomo and are highly esteemed by the best social circles of the city. Their family consists of three children. two sons and one daughter, namely Herbert. Catherine and George N.
THOMAS HARRIS.
It is by no means an easy task to describe within the limits of this review a man who has led an active and eminently useful life and by his own exertions reached a position of honor and trust in the line of industries with which his interests are allied. But bi- ography finds justification, nevertheless, in tracing and recording of such a life history, as the public claims a certain property interest in the career of every individual and the time invariably arrives when it becomes advisable to give the right publicity. It is then with a
153
OF HOWARD COUNTY.
certain degree of satisfaction that the chronicler essays the task of touching briefly upon such a record as has been of the subject who now comes under this review. Mr. Thomas Harris, superintendent of the Steel & Wire Company of Kokomo, is a man of high stand- ing and influence in the industrial circles with which he has long been identified.
Mr. Harris is an American by adoption, being a native of Wellington, England, where his birth occurred on the 18th day of January. 1870. After receiving an elementary education in the schools of his native place, he entered at the early age of thirteen a rod and wire mill, where in due time he became proficient as a rod roller besides gaining a practical knowledge of other branches of work connected with the establishment. After devoting the ensuing four years to his trade he decided to go to America, where he was led to believe better opportunities and more favorable openings for advancement were to be found. Accordingly in 1887 he bade fare- well to his native land and shortly after arriving at his destination. secured remunerative employment in a mill at Howard, Pennsyl- vania, where he remained one year. Resigning his position at the expiration of the time indicated he went to Joliet, Illinois, thence after a brief period to Anderson, Indiana, where he became head roller in a rod mill, which position he held to the satisfaction of all concerned until accepting the higher and more responsible post of superintendent of the rod and wire mill in Kokomo in the year 1901.
Mr. Harris brought to his position in this city a mind thor- oughly disciplined by technical training and practical experience and it was not long until he infused new life into the plant by en- larging its capacity and greatly increasing its efficiency for effective work. He also became a stock holder in the concern as well as a member of the board of directors and in these different capacities the establishment entered upon a new era, and soon was on the high
154
MORROW'S HISTORY
road to prosperity. All of his time is required to look after the interests of the mill, the business of which has steadily grown in magnitude and importance until it is now one of the leading indus- tries of the kind not only in this city but in the West, its continued advancement and prosperity being largely due to the technical abil- ity, wise discretion and well balanced judgment of the enterprising and gentlemanly superintendent, who has made every other consid- eration subordinate to the one idea of placing the plant upon a solid financial basis and making it meet the high expectations of the pro- moters and stockholders.
Mr. Harris is a thorough mechanic, a master of the trade to which his life and energies have been so conscientiously devoted, and it is but natural that success should crown his efforts and for- tune reward him with her choicest and most glittering favors. for such a man as he knows not the meaning of the word fail. while the term discouragement is not found in his vocabulary. His command- ing position in the industrial world has been fairly and honorably earned and though still a young man he has achieved success such as few in a much larger life attain, and in the broad sunlight of prosperity with every inducement to still greater effort. he is not content with laurels already won, but looks forward to a future in which a wider sphere of usefulness and greater distinction await him.
Mr. Harris is a married man and the father of an interesting family of three children, whose names are Thomas, Robert and Ralph. their mother, whom he married in Joliet, Illinois, having formerly been Edith B. Chesnut, of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Harris live in a beautiful home in the suburbs of Kokomo. known as the Grange Hall Farm, where a spirit of true hospitality reigns and where they enjoy the companionship of the many warm friends who have learned to prize them for their estimable qualities of mind and
155
OF HOWARD COUNTY.
heart, their popularity being limited only by their acquaintance. Mr. Harris is a Mason of high standing and is also identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, being an active worker in both organizations and at different times has held important official positions in each.
HON. JOHN NICHOLAS LOOP.
The subject of this sketch is a worthy representative of one of the oldest and best known families of Howard county, and since his childhood, which was passed amid the stern experiences of the pioneer period, he has been actively identified with the growth and development of this part of the state.
John N. Loop was born September 25, 1845, in Preble county, Ohio, but when when quite young was brought to Howard county by his father, Joseph M. Loop, who entered land in what is now Liberty township, making the journey to the new home in the un- broken wilderness in a two-horse wagon and meeting with many difficulties and not a few hardships before arriving at his destina- tion. Henry Loop, the subject's grandfather, came a short time previous and also entered land from the government which in the course of years was cleared and developed into one of the best farms in the township of Howard. Reared amid the stirring scenes of the early times and subjected to the inconveniences peculiar to the period. young Loop grew up a strong, sturdy lad, familiar with the labor required in clearing the farm, such as felling timber, piling brush, picking trash and the many other ways in which boys made themselves useful in removing the dense vegetation from the soil and fitting it for tillage. When not thus engaged he attended the
150
MORROW'S HISTORY
public schools and such was his progress that he was soon enabled to pass the required examination and obtain a teacher's license. In 1866 he entered upon what proved to be a long and eminently suc- cessful career as an educator, covering a period of eighteen years in Howard county, during which time he achieved enviable repute as a teacher and was influential in raising the standard of the various schools under his charge. Mr. Loop while engaged in educational work devoted the spring and summer months to agricultural pur- suits and in connection therewith spent considerable time assisting his father in the manufacture of wooden measures, which business the latter had followed prior to his removal to Indiana, and in which he became a very successful workman. His grandfather was also a skilled mechanic and for years the measures made at the Loop shop had a wide reputation and the demand for them became so great that the father, son, grandson and the latter's two elder brothers were frequently obliged to work almost day and night to meet it. These measures were hand-made and under favorable circumstances the average monthly out-put amounted to about five hundred dol- lars. the greater part of which was purchased by wholesale dealers for the Eastern trade. In addition to shipping, a profitable trade was also carried on by means of wagons being driven to all parts of Howard and neighboring counties which supplied the large and con- stantly growing local demand.
From his childhood the subject has been familiar with the mak- ing of the celebrated Loop measures and it may be said that he liter- ally grew up in the shop with tools in his hands. At a very early age his services were utilized and in due time he became an expert workman, keeping pace with his father and grandfather in the manu- facture of an article that required high-grade mechanical skill. Henry Loop established the business in the county in 1853 and con- tinued it until his death when the shop passed into possession of his
157
OF HOWARD COUNTY.
son. Joseph M., who, with the limited facilities at hand, carried on a prosperous trade for a number of years, establishing the reputation of his product among the leading wholesale houses of Indiana and other states. Satisfied that much more could be accomplished in a larger place and with increased facilities for manufacture, John N. Loop bought out his father in 1877 and. moving the plant to Ko- komo and equipping it with machinery of his own invention, greatly increased the out-put and within a short time made the manufacture of measures one of the important industries of the city.
The superiority of the Loop measure over all other consists in so shaving the material as to retain the grain and the original ap- pearance of the wood, this being a discovery of the elder Loop and for fifty years a secret of the family. Until 1903 the bottoms as well as the sides were cut by hand, but in that year Mr. Loop per- fected a device to be operated by machinery, which does not inter- fere with the grain of the wood, and by the means of which the capacity of the plant has been increased many fold. Since moving his business to Kokomo Mr. Loop has built up a lucrative patron- age which taxes the plant to the utmost to meet. The measurers which are as popular as ever find ready sale in the local as well as the general markets, and a number of skilled artisans are constantly employed in their manufacture. They range in capacity from one to sixteen quarts, and under the name of. "The New Hoosier." have become widely and favorably known. being admittedly superior to any other on the market.
In connection with his manufacturing plant Mr. Loop is also engaged in the coal business which he established in 1902 and which he has since carried on quite extensively, his yards on the corner of Jackson and LaFountain streets along the line of the Pennsylvania tracks being among the largest as well as most liberally patronized in the city. Here are kept upon an average of two thousand tons of
158
MORROW'S HISTORY
hard and soft coal which he wholesales and retails and in addition to which he also handles large quantities of wood, upwards of fif- teen hundred cords being always on hand. By square dealing and courteous treatment the J. N. Loop company has come into a large and growing business which from present indications promises to increase in magnitude and importance as the years go by.
Mr. Loop has been one of Howard county's enterprising citi- zens, active in public affairs and for many years one of the influen- tial Republican politicians of Kokomo. He has served as chairman of the city central committee and in 1887 was elected to the legis- lature and was re-elected in 1889. His career as a lawmaker was creditable to himself and satisfactory and fully justified the wisdom of his election.
He was placed on a number of important committees where his services were of special value, and also took an active part on the floor, in the debates and general deliberations of the house. He introduced and secured the passage of several important bills among which was one for the protection of "The Old Soldier's Button." similar bills being afterwards passed by other states until the matter became of national interest and gave rise to much favorable comment in Grand Army and other military circles. Wherever seen the sol- (lier's button and uniform are now badges of honor and respectabil- ity and any unfavorable comment or mark of disrespect shown to either, subjects the offender to the penalty of the law. He also se- cured the passage of a bill bearing upon child labor, which em- bodied the same idea afterwards advocated so earnestly and elo- quently by Senator Beveridge, and assisted in bringing to pass other legislation of great interest to the state.
In 1893 Mr. Loop was the Republican candidate for state sen- ator, but after a very animated campaign was defeated by a small majority for the nomination. He also made the race for county
159
OF HOWARD COUNTY.
treasurer in 1900, but owing to alleged fraudulent means and the lavish expenditure of money by the opposition aided by disgruntled members of his own party, failed of election. Notwithstanding this defeat he has always been intensely Republican, never for an instant wavering in his allegiance to the party, but all the influence and means at his command, advancing its interests and contributing to the success of its candidates.
Mr. Loop united with the Pythian Order in 1884, and since that time has been one of the leading and influential members of the Kokomo lodge : he has been active in all the work of the frater- nity, besides being honored from time to time with important official positions, in all of which his record has been creditable and above reproach. His domestic life dates from his thirty-second year, when he was united in marriage with Alzora Johnson, whose death in 1884 terminated a mutually happy and agreeable wedded expe- rience. Two years later, 1886, he entered into marriage relation with Ozilla Bradley, who has borne him three children, Ruth E., Bessie A. and Etta Marie, the two older being graduates of the Kokomo high school and the younger a student of the same institu- tion, who will complete the course in the spring of 1900.
Joseph M. Loop, father of the subject, died at the age of eighty- one years, his wife, Elizabeth Link, following him to the grave six months later, in her eighty-second year. She was descended from ancestors that came over with the first English colony, the family history being directly traceable to Jamestown, Virginia, Mr. Loop's antecedents having been among the earliest settlers of Maryland and of Quaker stock. This excellent couple were the parents of twelve children, seven of whom survive, the subject of this review and James Loop, an ex-soldier, whose homes are in Kokomo. The others are Elijah, Noah, Anna, Mahala and Maggie.
160
MORROW'S HISTORY
ULYSSES GRANT MADDOX.
Holding prestige among the successful business men of today, the subject of this review has had much to do in advancing the ma- terial interests of Kokomo, Howard county, and making it one of the important commercial centers of this section of the state. The study of such a life cannot fail of interest and incentive, as he is distinctively representative of his sphere of activity and has contrib- uted in no small measure to the prosperity of the city which is his home and field of operation, at the same time establishing a lasting reputation for honor and integrity.
Ulysses Grant Maddox, a native of Howard county, has pre- ferred to devote his life work to his native heath, believing that here were to be found greater opportunities than elsewhere, and, judg- ing from the admirable manner in which he has succeeded, he was wise in remaining at home. He was born June 29. 1876, the son of James T. Maddox, a Kentuckian, who was a man of influence in his day.
The subject was reared near the city of Kokomo and attended the schools of this city. receiving a good education, remaining with his father until he was twenty years old, when he began driving a wagon for the Standard Oil Company, having been thus continu- ously employed until 1903, when he became general manager of the local office and is still in that capacity in 1908, having shown by his fair dealings with the company and the public and his intrinsic busi- ness ability that no better man could be found for this position.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.