USA > Indiana > Howard County > History of Howard County, Indiana, Vol II > Part 14
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After leaving school Mr. Hatton devoted his time to the car- penter's trade, doing contracting, in which he was engaged for ser- eral years with splendid success attending his efforts. He aban- doned this line of work May 25, 1899, after which he formed a part- nership and began a general merchandise business at Center, How- ard county, which partnership lasted for three years, terminating September 12, 1902, when he begun business for himself, continuing at Center where he had become well known to the people of the sur- rounding country as an able and courteous merchant who always tried to please his customers and give them full value for their money, handling the best grade of goods obtainable. In connection with his store be conducted a general notion and produce wagon in the country for several years.
In 1904 Mr. Hatton was appointed agent at Center of the Panhandle Railroad and agent for the Adams Express Company. Believing that he would have a wider field for his growing business. he decided to move his stock of goods to Kokomo, which he subse- quently did, at the same time trading his real estate for a farm in Fulton county, Indiana. He secured the okdl MeElwee building at the corner of Union street and Vaile avenue, moving into the place with an excellent stock of goods. Subsequently he moved to his present location on the opposite side of Vaile avenue where he con-
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ducts a large business which is constantly growing. He has pros- pered through his unusual business ability during the past few years until he is not only enabled to carry a large and up-to-date stock of goods, but has also erected an elegant, modern and commodious residence on South Union street where he now resides.
Mr. Hatton was happily married to Addie Eliza Moreland, the accomplished and congenial daughter of Henry L. and Almira J. (Burr) Moreland, of Kokomo, the date of the wedding having been June 20, 1887, and to this union three winsome daughters have been born, namely: Ruth Fern, Zella Madaline and Jenesse Almira.
In politics Mr. Hatton's support has always been with the Dem- ocratic party and he is well grounded in his political beliefs. He has always advocated clean and honest politics and his efforts may always be depended upon to place the best man available in the county offices. He advocates honest politics as well as honesty in business, believing that one is just as essential and no more of an effort to make effective than the other. He is a devoted member of the Christian church and his voice is often heard in the general con- ferences of this denomination.
Fraternally our subject is a member of the Masonic lodge at Center, where he joined April 23, 1887 ; he also is a member of the Eastern Star, in which organization Mrs. Hatton is a conspicuous member.
Mr. and Mrs. Hatton are pleasant and affable people and by virtue of their upright lives, kindly disposition and the cheerful- ness ever dispensed at their home they are popular and highly es- teemed by the people of Kokomo and Center. in fact, by all who know them.
OF HOWARD COUNTY.
JAMES F. MILNER.
That the plentitude of satiety is seldom attained in the affairs of life is to be considered a most beneficial deprevation, for where ambition is satisfied and every ultimate end realized. if such be possible, apathy must follow. Effort would cease, accomplishment be prostrate and creative talent waste its energies in inactivity. The men who have pushed forward the wheels of progress have been those to whom satisfaction lies ever in the future, who have labored continuously, always finding in each transition stage an incentive for further effort. Mr. Milner is one whose well directed efforts have gained for him a position of desired prominence in the com- mercial circles of Howard county, and his energy and enterprise have been crowned by success.
James F. Milner was born in Marshall county, Indiana. No- vember 14, 1864, the son of William Harvey and Emily .1. ( Woods) Milner. The paternal grandfather of the subject was a native of Indiana, having been reared in Randolph county. Grand- father Woods formerly came from Ohio to LaPorte, Indiana, and thence to Plymouth, this state. The ancestors of the subject were of that sterling pioneer stock of which any one might justly be proud, for they were people of much influence and worth in their communities, doing much to prepare the state for the coming gener- ations, in fact, had it not been for the praiseworthy tasks performed by such as these succeeding civilization would have been seriously retarded. There were seven children in the Milner family, four daughters and three sons, six of whom are living in 1908.
The parents of the subject came to Howard county. Indiana, in 1890. They were always regarded as people of influence and up- rightness by all who knew them.
James F. Milner, our subject, was reared in Plymouth, this
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state, and received his early educational training at that place. He assisted his father in his work moving houses, which was the latter's occupation.
The subject was married in 1885 to Lizzie Flosenzier, a native of Adams county, Ohio, and a lady of many estimable traits. The date of her birth is recorded as March 2. 1860. Her father is Val- entine Flosenzier, whose parents were both natives of Germany. ller parents came to Marshall county, Indiana, where they located on a faun and where she attended school. receiving a fairly good education.
Mr. and Mrs. Milner began their happy married life in P'ly- mouth where they remained until they came to Kokomo, Howard county, in 1892. Mr. Milner became a partner with his father in the house moving business, conducting the business jointly until 1800 when the subject bought out the interest of his father and has since conducted it alone. He has a modern and very valuable piece of property on LaFountain street and six other properties besides his moving tools, which are modern in every respect.
The home of the subject and wife has been blessed by the birth of one son, Leon Albertus, who was born December 25. 1889. He is a very promising young man, possessing much business ability. He received a common school education, attending high school in Ko- komo for two years.
Besides the individual property mentioned above which the subject owns, he has half interest in the Kokomo Box Company which manufactures all kinds of shipping boxes. It is a new in- dustry in this city, having been established in April. 1968, but judg- ing from the excellent patronage the business has received the future promises much for it and it will doubtless be among the thriving industries of Kokomo in due course of time.
Politically Mr. Milner is a Democrat, but he never had time
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OF HOWARD COUNTY.
to devote much attention to the work of his party. however, he al- ways stands for clean politics and the best men available for local offices. Ile is a member in high standing of the Masonic fraternity. lodge No. 93. having attained the degree of Knight Templar. Mrs. Milner is a member of the United Brethren church. Mr. and Mrs. Milner are pleasant people to meet and they have scores of friends in Kokomo as a result of their upright lives and kindness of dis- position.
EDWARD J. SHOWALTER.
It is interesting to note from the beginning the growth and de- velopment of a community, to note the lines along which progress has been made and to take cognizance of those whose industry and leadership in the work of advancement have rendered possible the present prosperity of the locality under consideration.
Edward J. Showalter, of this review, is one of the strong sturdy individuals who has contributed largely to the material wel fare of the city in which he resides, being an up-to-date business man, and public-spirited as a citizen, and progressive in all the term implies. For a number of years he has been a potent factor in pro- moting its progress along social, intellectual and metal lines con- sequently his name well deserves a place in the record of Howard county's citizens.
Edward J. Showalter was born in Brookville, Franklin county, Indiana. April 6. 1865. the son of Isaac Showalter. a builder and contractor of that county. Our subject was reared in Brookville. attending the schools there. nearly completing the course. At the age of sixteen he began to learn the tinner's trade at Brookville and Connersville and he came to Kokomo in 1891, working for the
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Armstrong-Landon Company. He went in business for himself that year on the north side of the square. Later he began business at his present stand, 211 West Walnut street. He is engaged in tin- ning and slate roof work. also installs furnaces. He does an ex- tensive business in all these lines, having established a reputation for promptness in filling orders and doing first class work at reasonable rates.
The subject was married at Connersville, Indiana, April 20, 1887. to Louise Reifel, daughter of Philip and Mary Reifel, natives of Germany. Five children, three boys and two girls have added cheer and sunshine to this happy home. Carl F., who graduated from the Kokomo high school in 1906, is a bookkeeper in a rubber company ; the other children are: Stanley, Ruth, Louise and Ed- ward.
Fraternally Mr. Showalter is a member of the Masons, How- ard Lodge. No. 93, having attained the Master Mason's degree. He has also been a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge since he was twenty-one years old. He belongs to Kokomo Camp. No. 3987, Modern Woodmen of America, carrying insurance in the same. He is a Prohibitionist in politics, being the nominee in 1908 for trustee of Center township. He is a member of the Methodist church of Markland avenue and an active worker in the same, being a trustee at this writing.
It would be hard to find within the city limits of Kokomo or within the bounds of Howard county a more upright, public-spirited and pleasant man than Mr. Showalter, who has, by his honest busi- ness principles, built up an extensive trade and by his manly. sober and altogether wholesome life gained the respect and esteem of all and made friends by the scores. Those who know him are not sur- prised that such a worthy gentlemen should be so well and generally liked, owing to his many admirable traits of character.
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OF HOWARD COUNTY.
NEIL THOMAS.
Among the strong and influential citizens of Howard county the record of whose lives have become an essential part of the his- tory of this section, the gentleman whose name appears above occu- pies a prominent place and for years has exerted a beneficial influ- ence in the city where he resides. His chief characteristics are keenness of perception, a tireless energy, honesty of purpose and motive and every-day common-sense, which has enabled him not only to advance his own interests, but also largely contribute to the moral and material advancement of the community.
Neil Thomas, the well known shoe merchant of Kokomo, In- diana, was born in Darke county, Ohio, October 15, 1848, the son of Jacob and Mary ( Warwick ) Thomas, the father having been a blacksmith who lived and died in the above named county, however. he later in life became a storekeeper and was a man of considerable influence in his community. He was postmaster during the Civil war, having been assisted in his official work by our subject. the training he received in that capacity having later been of much value to him.
Our subject was educated in the village and rural schools of his native county and at the age of nineteen he entered a general store at Greenville, Ohio, where he worked for seventy-five dollars a year and board, having remained with the same firm for nine years. While he did not receive much compensation for his services. he mastered the mercantile business which has enabled him later in life to make a pronounced success in this line. After he severed his connection with his first employers he engaged in the mercantile business of his own accord and in September, 1884. he opened a shoe store in the room where he now conducts his large business and which he now owns at 26 West Walnut street, having success-
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fully conducted a shoe store here for nearly a quarter of a century in 1908. He commenced with a very small stock, and by his fair dealing his customers have steadily increased until he has been able to add to his stock from time to time, seldom losing a customer and making hosts of friends through his honest dealing and courteous treatment, having now one of the best and most modern shoe stores in this part of the state. His patrons say that they have always re- ceived the worth of their money when dealing with Mr. Thomas.
Our subject was united in marriage in Kokomo to Mrs. Tem- perance Carter in 1888 and they are the parents of three very prom- ising children, namely: Edith, Clarence and Mary, the first named being a graduate of the Kokomo high school.
Politically our subject is a loyal Democrat. He is a liberal supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church of which his wife is a member. They have both become well known in Kokomo and their pleasant, well furnished and modern home at 158 West Mulberry street, is regarded as the mecca of hospitality and is a favorite gath- ering place for their numerous guests.
Mr. Thomas is a man of sterling qualities and has made his success in business by being honest, strictly square in all his dealings, his upright principles and genial disposition not only winning and retaining numerous customers but hosts of friends as well.
AMARIAH P. SUTTON.
The subject of this review enjoys distinctive prestige among the enterprising business men of the thriving city of Kokomo and as a neighbor and citizen is highly esteemed by all who know him. He has earned the right to be called one of the progressive men of How'-
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OF HOWARD COUNTY.
ard county, having fought his way onward and upward to a prom- inent position in industrial circles and in every relation of life his voice and influence are on the side of right as he sees and under- stands the right.
Amariah P. Sutton was born in Rush county, Indiana, June 5. 1842, the son of Henry and Mary M. ( Wright ) Sutton, people of sterling worth and much influence in their community. The father of the subject came to Rush county, this state, in an early day, and the mother of the subject also came to Rush county when she had reached maturity. They were married there, in Taylor township. in 1838. spending many years of their active and useful lives in Rush county, being the owners of two hundred acres of valuable land. They were members of the Princeton Baptist church, being regarded by every one as people of high character and hospitality. They came to Howard county in 1864 where they both passed to their eternal rest.
They were the parents of only two children, namely: Amos J., who is a resident of California, and Amariah P., our subject, who received a good education in the common schools of Rush county.
Mr. Sutton was united in marriage in 1873 to Alice B. Ed- wards, a native of Rush county and the scion of an influential family. The subject and wife have one child living and one died in infancy, H. C. The child who grew to maturity was born May I. 1881, has received an excellent common school training and he is in business with his father, the firm name being A. P. Sutton & Son. They are interested in the coal business, having been thus engaged since 1906 in which they have made a success, the firm now enjoy- ing a good patronage and gradually increasing their business, as the result of excellent management.
The subject is a believer in the Primitive Baptist church in which he has long taken a delight and where his influence is felt
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for good, being recognized by the local congregation as one of their leading members. In politics he is a loyal Republican, and has been active in the interests of this party for many years, having the in- terests of his city and county at heart and losing no opportunity that presents itself whereby he can do anything to advance the interests of the locality where he has cast his lot. He was postmaster at Center, Howard county, for six years and was also in the employ- ment business there. He was twice a candidate for sheriff of the county.
Mr. Sutton is an example of what a man can do who has the determination and force of character to go ahead in the face of ob- stacles. He was a poor man when he married, but he has prospered until he is at present conservatively worth twelve thousand dollars. But despite his busy life he has found time to do a great deal of fishing and hunting of both of which he is very fond.
The subject belongs to the Napthali Lodge, No 389. at Center, Howard county, having served in all the offices of this order, except that of master. He is well and favorably known in this county. having long been regarded as a man of sound business principles, upright in all his dealings and congenial to his acquaintances, con- sequently he has a host of friends.
EDWARD W. KLUM.
Howard county has been especially honored in the character and career of one who has forged his way to the front by a strong inherent force and well directed intelligence and judgment and who stands today among the representative men of Kokomo. Few men in this locality occupy a more honored place in the estimation of his fellow citizens than the subject of this sketch.
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OF HOWARD COUNTY.
Edward W. Klum, deputy postmaster of Kokomo, was born in Franklin county, Indiana, in 1859, the son of Hiram and Mary F. ( Webb ) Klum, people of influence and sterling worth.
The subject was ten years old when he came with his parents to Kokomo, and after attending the public schools where he re- ceived a good text-book training which has been greatly increased by years of home reading and habits of observation. Mr. Klum secured employment as an accountant which work he has followed all his life, becoming an expert at this very exacting profession.
He was appointed assistant postmaster in 1906 and is still serv- ing in this capacity ( 1908), giving entire satisfaction to all con- cerned, being peculiarly fitted for this kind of work.
Mr. Klum was united in marriage with Purcella Gammons, a native of Floyd county, this state, the ceremony having been per- formed at Kokomo. She is a representative of a highly honored and well known family. Two bright and interesting children have been born to this union.
The subject has been identified with the musical interests of Kokomo in different lines all his life, being regarded as an authority in this branch of the esthetics and well known to the city and com- munity by virtue of this talent.
Fraternally Mr. Klum is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge. Uniform Rank : also a member of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, and his daily life would indicate that he lives up to the noble ideals set forth by the creeds of these orders. In politics he is a stanch Republican and has always been an active worker for his party, making his influence felt in local conventions and elections, lending his influence and time to place the best men in the city and county offices.
The subject is a consistent member of the Christian church at Kokomo, and he is known to be a man who is upright and scrupu-
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lously honest in his intentions and he is a highly respected citizen of Kokomo where he has spent nearly all his active and useful life.
JOSEPH J. SMALL.
The most elaborate history is necessarily an abridgment, the historian necessarily being compelled to select his facts and materials from a multitude of details. So in every life of honor and useful- ness the biographer finds no dearth of incident, and yet in sum- ming up the career of any man the writer needs touch only the most salient points, giving only the keynote of the character, but elimi- nating much that is superfluous. Consequently in calling the reader's attention to the life record of the worthy gentleman whose name heads this paragraph no attempt shall be made to recount all the important acts in his useful life, nor recite every interesting in- cident in his somewhat remarkable career, for it is deemed that only a few of them will suffice to show him to be eminently worthy of a place in this volume along with his fellows of high standing and recognized worth.
Joseph J. Small was born in Franklin township. Grant county. Indiana, October 25, 1846, the son of Gideon and Dinah ( Marshall) Small. The Small family came from North Carolina. The father married in Henry county, Indiana, and came to Grant county in 1845, settling in the woods, which he soon cleared and made a farm. Later he traded for another and cleared it up. He moved to How- ard county in 1865, locating in Monroe township, where he farmed successfully until his death, his first wife having preceded him to the grave. He married again and his second wife is also now de- ceased. He had eight children by his first marriage, four of whom are now living. None are living in Howard county but the subject.
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OF HOWARD COUNTY.
Our subject was nineteen years old when he came to Howard county. He had attended the common schools in Grant county and the New London high school until he had a fairly good education. Jennie Small, a half sister, is assistant superintendent of the school at Elwood, Indiana, which position she has held for fifteen years with great credit. She is highly educated, being a graduate of the State Normal.
On November 18, 1868, the subject was married to Mira Stout. of New London. She was born May 26, 1846, near Paoli, Orange county, this state. The ceremony which made them man and wife was performed in the Quaker church, according to Quaker usages. One son has been born to this union, Daniel E., born September 27. 1869. He is a graduate of the New London high school and mar- ried Ella E. Newlin. They reside in Kokomo, where he is engaged in the real estate business and is considered one of the leading young business men of the city. Both the subject and his wife have birth rights in the Quaker church, and have always borne a reputation for honesty and uprightness, being highly respected by all who know them. In 1883 Mr. Small and family moved to Grant county, where he purchased a farm and lived on the same fifteen years. He then moved to Marion and was engaged in carpenter work until 1901. since which time he has lived in Howard county.
Mrs. Small has four brothers and one sister, all living. the sis- ter being a resident of Marion, Indiana, and the wife of John Q. Thomas. The brothers are: Edwin Stout. who lives on East Syca- more street, Kokomo, engaged in the gardening business: Albert Stout is in the undertaking business at Russiaville, Indiana : Charles is a newspaper man and lives in Georgia : Louis is a Quaker preacher living at Plainfield. this state.
Politically Mr. Small is a Prohibitionist and his influence in
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this work has long been felt for good. However, he has never sought public attention or been especially active in this work. The Smalls have a substantial and nicely furnished home at 711 South Union street and he has a half interest in a feed store on Home ave- nue, where a good business is done, an excellent trade having been built up since the subject began this line. Mr. Small was a thorough farmer, and during his long business career has acquired a com- petency.
Mrs. Small has belonged to the Woman's Christian Temper- ance Union for thirty-five years, being one of the seven noble char- acters who organized the society at New London, Howard county. She is still an active worker and a hearty supporter of the cause. and both she and Mr. Small hold high rank among the public- spirited, generous and kindly citizens of Kokomo.
NATHAN PICKETT.
Nathan Pickett is president of the Howard National Bank. Kokomo. There are many poor men who have good business talent. Some of them have made themselves wealthy in former years by their commercial ability, but have lost their fortune by some acci- dent. as the incompetency or treachery of a partner in business or of a trustel employe, or a fire or flood, or sickness or financial panic overspreading the country : and some there are even who have never made a fortune, though they have the capacity for such an accom- plishment, especially among the poorer classes in the old world. with whom it is impossible to obtain the means by which to start. Some again have inherited talent of a certain kind, but are too far removed from the scene where they can have any opportunity of exerting it.
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OF HOWARD COUNTY.
But in this country, while we must acknowledge in the abstract that there are many poor men of good business capacity, yet the only "standing in evidence" to the average American of such capacity is the actual possession of wealth, or at least of a competency.
The possession of wealth alone, however, is not considered evi- dence of morality. For the ethical and the aesthetic we must look back of all the outward show ; and it is by this scrutiny that we as- certain the character of the subject of this sketch, Nathan Pickett. to be worthy of honorable consideration in this volume. He was born October 26, 1818, in Chatham county, North Carolina, and was ten years old when his parents left that section in search of bet- ter facilities for a comfortable home. His father, William Pickett. a farmer. in the fall of 1828 moved from his Carolina home to this state, locating in Parke county, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, to which he added by entering and pur- chase until he had in the home farm two hundred and forty acres. and he had given several of his sons one hundred and sixty acres each. He continued his residence there until his death, which oc- curred in August, 1837, when he was in his sixty-second year. He was a native of North Carolina, as was his wife, whose name before her marriage was Catherine Maris. She died in October, 1843. aged about sixty-two years. Both were members of the Friends church. They had four sons and four daughters, but of these the only one living is Nathan Pickett, whose name heads these para- graphs.
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