USA > Indiana > Howard County > History of Howard County, Indiana, Vol II > Part 18
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Messick Draper, a brother of John, joined the army at the 16
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breaking out of the war with Mexico and accompanied his command to the scene of hostilities, where he participated in a number of bat- tles, in one of which he fell pierced by a musket ball, and expired on the field.
Isaac P. Draper was five years of age when his parents left the farm and moved to Sullivan, the death of his mother four years later leaving the lad pretty much to his own resources. His advan- tages for obtaining an education were limited. Nevertheless he ac- quired a fair knowledge of the common school branches, but by far the greater part of his mental training consisted of the prac- tical kind such as schools and colleges fail to impart. On leaving home he turned his hands to various kinds of employment until strong enough to do a man's work, when he assisted in clearing and developing a large amount of land, in this way becoming an expert in the use of an ax and crosscut saw and skilled in all manner of woodcraft. Although a mere youth at the time indicated, he grew up strong, athletic and splendidly developed, and while still young he was able to make a full hand at almost any kind of physical la- bor. At the age of thirteen he engaged with a manufacturer of staves, and during the ensuing three years worked in the factory and became quite proficient at the business. Meantime the national skies had been obscured by the clouds of civil war and on every hand deep interest was manifested, many young men leaving their homes to assist in crushing the rebellion and saving the Union.
„At the beginning of the great conflict and for several years thereafter Mr. Draper was too young to enter the service, although exceedingly desirous of doing so, but in due time he was enabled to carry his desire into effect. On March 16. 1865, when but six- teen years of age, he enlisted in Company D. One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but in the following July while under orders and in the line of duty he contracted a severe
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cold in the head which resulted in the loss of hearing in his right ear, the effects of this and other disabilities which followed soon after remaining through life. Notwithstanding this he saw con- siderable active service, principally in line of guard duty and the guarding of prisoners in transit or between Alexander, Virginia, City Point and Richmond. From April, 1865, to August following the regiment was constantly on guard and garrison duty in the states of Virginia and Indiana, and when the war closed it was mustered out of service on the 16th of the latter month, although the men did not receive their final pay until a week later.
On leaving the service Mr. Draper returned to Sullivan, where he engaged in the liquor business, which he conducted with marked success for several years, and accumulated a handsome property, the meantime becoming one of the well-to-do men of the place. Dis- posing of his holdings in Sullivan in 1890 he came to Kokomo. where some time previously he had bought considerable real estate, which was afterwards laid out in city lots and sold at handsome profits, the proceeds from this source alone resulting in a compe- tency. For a short time after locating in the city Mr. Draper con- ducted a gents' furnishing establishment, but this not being alto- gether to his liking he turned his attention to the manufacture of soft and carbonated drinks, establishing the Kokomo Bottling Works, of which he still is the head, which, under his able and judi- cious management, has continuously grown in magnitude and im- portance until it is now one of the largest and most successful en- terprises of the kind in the state, as may readily be inferred by the amount of business done, which has steadily increased from fifteen thousand to the present large volume of one hundred thousand dol- lars annually. Mr. Draper began the business alone, but in 1893 he took in as a partner his son Harry, and the same year moved to his present location, which is admirably adapted to the purpose and
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which he at once began to enlarge and otherwise improve in order to meet the rapidly growing demand for his product. Still later, Jan- uary 1. 1906, his second son, Frank C. Draper, was admitted to the firm, the style of which from that time on has been I. P. Draper & Sons, a name widely and favorably known in business circles throughout Indiana and other states and second to none on its com- mercial rating.
In the building up of this large and growing enterprise Mr. Draper has displayed ability of a very high order and as a business man he easily ranks among the most energetic and progressive in luis adopted city. Industry and probity have been the chief factors in his steady advance and his position in the world of affairs is such as to reflect the highest credit upon himself and to add to the repu- tation of Kokomo as an important business center. Manifesting an abiding interest in the material advancement of the city, he has given his influence and assistance to all enterprises with this object in view, and he also takes an active part in promoting all worthy means and measures for the welfare of his fellow men. All in all he is a worthy representative of the sturdy. intelligent and progres- sive class that give stability to the body politic and character to the community, being broad-minded, with wide views of men and af- fairs, and a true type of the enterprising American citizen of today.
Mr. Draper on August 17th of the year 1871 was united in mar- riage with Jennie Earnest, of Sullivan county, daughter of Nathan and Margaret ( Osborn) Earnest, both parents natives of Indiana and for many years residents of the county of Sullivan, in the soil of which their bodies now rest.
Mr. and Mrs. Draper have two children, Harry L. and Fred C .. both rising young men of high social standing and fine business ability, and, as already indicated, members of the firm of which their father is the head.
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Although deeply interested in business affairs, Mr. Draper has not been unmindful of his duties to the public, being a careful ob- server of the trend of events and an active participant in those af- fairs that relate to his own community. A Democrat in all the term implies and in touch with the leading questions and issues of the times he has never entered the political arena as an office seeker. having no taste for such a life and no use for the methods of the partisan. Fraternally he holds membership with the Grand Army of the Republic. Post No. 30, at Kokomo, and is also identified with the Pythian brotherhood, in which he has been honored with official positions from time to time.
FRED C. DRAPER.
Fred C. Draper, member of the firm of Draper & Sons and a gentleman of influence and recognized business ability, was born August 24, 1874. in Sullivan, Indiana, being the second son of Isaac P. and Jennie Draper, whose sketch precedes this review. Mr. Draper received a good English education in the schools of his native town of Kokomo and acquired his first knowledge of practical affairs as a clerk in the Strickland Clothing House of the latter city, this experience being, in fact, the foundation of his sub- sequent career as an enterprising and progressive man of affairs, though he had previously intended preparing himself for the den- tistry, and had already taken a course in a dental college at Indian- apolis. After returning from that city he worked for a limited pe- riod in his father's place of business, but later, in the year 1906. became a partner in the concern, which relation he still sustains and in which he has worked rapidly to the front until he now oc-
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cupies an important position in the establishment. besides gaining honorable recognition among the rising young men of the com- munity.
Mr. Draper inherits many of the sterling attributes and sturdy characteristics for which his antecedents have long been distin- guished, and since becoming identified with the business interests of Kokomo has made his influence felt in commercial and industrial circles, being a man of forceful personality and well fitted by na- ture and training to carry to successful issue large enterprises and to discharge worthily the duties of high and important trusts. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Order of Eagles and in politics votes the Democratic ticket, though not a strict party man nor ever an aspirant for office or public honors at the hands of his fellow citizens. Personally he is quite popular, possessing as he does the amiable qualities that attract friends and win close con- fidences among the young men of Kokomo with whom he asso- ciates, and he is held in very high esteem.
Mr. Draper was very happily married on the 15th of January, 1902, to Ice Turner, who has borne him two children-a son, Harry, whose birth occurred July 5. 1903, and a daughter, Frances, who was born July 13th of the year 1907. the former dying in infancy.
HARRY L. DRAPER.
Harry L. Draper, the older of the two sons of Isaac P. and Jennie Draper, and one of the representative business men of Ko- komo, is a native of Sullivan county. Indiana, and dates his birth from the 17th day of May. 1872. He was reared in the city of his birth until the age of seventeen, attended the schools of the same
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and made commendable progress in his studies. Actuated by a de- sire to fit himself for business life he entered in 1888 the commercial department of Notre Dame University at South Bend, where he was graduated two years later. following which he worked a short time for his father, later accepting a responsible and lucrative posi- tion with the Illinois Central Railroad, which he held with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his superiors for a period of two years, resigning in 1893. Immediately after severing his connec- tion with the road Mr. Draper returned to Kokomo, took a third interest in his father's business, later increasing this to a half inter- est and assisting very materially in widening the scope of the bot- tling industry and adding to the honorable reputation which the es- tablishment had already achieved. For the rapid advancement and almost phenomenal success which have characterized the Draper Bottling Works during the past five years Harry L. Draper is largely responsible, as he brought to the business a well trained mind. mature judgment and the ability to foresee with remarkable clearness and accuracy the future oufcome of present action. all of which qualities enabled him to address himself to his undertaking with every assurance of success, the result being such as to more than realize his most earnest expectations. In addition to this firm he is also identified with other local interests, owning a third of the stock in the Kokomo Sanitary Milk and Ice Cream Company, an en- terprise which has proven quite profitable, besides being greatly appreciated by its numerous patrons in the city and elsewhere. Mr. Draper is a Democrat but not a partisan, much less an aspirant for official honors or leadership. Nevertheless he has intelligent views relative to the issues on which men and parties divide and the courage of his convictions on the questions of the day. He takes much interest in secret fraternal and benevolent work, being a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias. the Elks and the Order of Eagles,
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in all of which he stands high and wields a salutary and far-reaching influence.
In the year 1896 Mr. Draper and Maude Alexander, of Rob- inson, Ohio, were united in the holy bonds of wedlock, the union being blessed with two children-Margaret, born June 21, 1898. and Jennette, whose birth occurred on November 21st of the year 1906. Mrs. Draper is a lady of varied culture and refinement, who received her education in the public schools and the State Normal School at Terre Haute and who previous to her marriage was one of the efficient and popular teachers of her native town. She also taught elocution and physical culture in the public schools of Dan- ville and earned an honorable reputation for efficiency in those spe- cial lines of work.
JOHN STOUT.
The subject of this sketch is one of the substantial and well known agriculturists of Monroe township, Howard county, Indiana, where he has long maintained his home, being regarded as one of the leading farmers of this locality, his fine farm representing much hard labor, but the subject is a man of well known energy and de- termination in business affairs. Indolence and idleness are entirely foreign to his nature, and his continued activity in the management and development of this property has made his one of the val- vable farms in this county.
John Stout was born in Clark county, Illinois, January 28, 1842, the son of Sylvanus and Rebecca ( Stanfield) Stout, the for- mer a native of North Carolina and the latter of Kentucky. The subject's paternal grandfather, John Stout, was also a North Car- clinan, who located in Orange county, Indiana, when Sylvanus was
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a small boy back in the pioneer days. They obtained wild land. which they cleared and on which they made a comfortable home and on which they lived and died, having reared eight children, as follows: Iram, who is living in Orange county, this state ; Sylva- 11115, the subject's father; Silas, who came to Howard county in 1848: John lived and died in Orange county ; William came to How- ard county in 1860: Fayette lived and died in Orange county, as did also Amy and Hannah.
The subject's father grew up in Orange county and attended the common schools there. He married and went to Clark county. Illinois, in 1837, where he entered land, being one of the pioneers of that day. This land was cleared in time and a comfortable home made thereon. Selling this land in 1852 the family moved to How- ard county, Indiana, and purchased eighty acres one and one-half . miles north of New London. An old log house and stable were on the place at the time. Being a man of thrift. he added to his land until he had a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He was always a farmer and never aspired to public office. In politics he was a Whig and later a Republican. He was a member of the Friends church and was active in church work. Ten children were born to this family as follows: Elizabeth, Jane and Mary, all de- ceased: John, subject of this sketch; Amy and Rachel, both de- ceased: Thomas is an artist in Whitman county, Missouri; Frank- lin. Hannah and the youngest child are all deceased.
John Stout, our subject, attended the common schools at New London, this county, remaining at home until he was twenty-one years of age. He then worked out two years, after which he rented land for about four years, then buying land, to which he has added by reason of his prosperity resulting from his industry and frugal- ity, until he now has a fine farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres situated in Monroe township, this county. He also owns a
,
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fine home in New London, where he lives and has eight and one- half acres of land. He has always been a farmer and is regarded by his neighbors as one of the best in the township, keeping his place well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He is an ex- cellent judge of all kinds of live stock. He retired in 1905 and has since lived in New London.
Our subject married in 1865 Mary Morris, a native of Jackson county, Indiana, a daughter of Joshua and Mary Morris, pioneers of Howard county. He was a merchant, farmer and stock dealer. coming to New London in 1853 and opening up a store. He died of smallpox the following year. His wife is also deceased.
Five children have been born to the subject and wife, as fol- lows: Emma, the wife of Samuel Thompson, living in Kokomo. this state, and the mother of two children, Blanche and Hale: Min- nie, who is living in Kokomo; Howard, who is a civil engineer, be- ing superintendent of construction on the Northern Pacific Rail- road. located at present at Pasco, Washington. He was a teacher for ten years in Indiana, Kansas and Massachusetts. He married Tessie Waddell. Morris, the fourth child of the subject. is living on the home place, which he manages. He was educated at New London. He attended Earlham College for four years and became a teacher, having graduated at the Chicago University. He studied law over two years and was admitted to practice. He is married. Blanche, the fifth child of the subject, is the wife of N. B. Thorn. of Brady, Texas. They have one son, John T.
Mr. Stout has always been a farmer and stock dealer and a hard worker, and he has been eminently successful as a result of his well directed energy and honest business methods. He started life in a small way with neither influential friends nor inherited wealth to assist him, but he has made good use of every opportunity and is eminently deserving of the success and praise he has attained.
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He has never aspired for offices of trust and emolument at the hands of the public. In politics he is a Prohibitionist and he is al- ways on the right side of every question looking to the betterment of his community, whether in moral, civic or educational lines. He is a member of the Friends church at New London and but few men in Howard county are better known or more highly respected than Mt. Stout, for his life has always been clean and his habits exem- plary. He is a pleasant man to meet, always agreeable and friendly.
THOMAS AYRES.
Distinctively one of the notable men of his day and generation in Howard county, and for many years a leader and authority in lines of endeavor requiring wide intelligence, mature judgment and a high order of business ability, it is fitting that the career of the honorable subject of this sketch be outlined in this connection and that a tribute to his worth as a citizen be accorded him. Eighty- eight years have elapsed into the inexorable past during the lifetime of our venerable subject, who wears the crown of glory befitting old age-a silvery head of hair. The period of time embraced in the life of Mr. Ayres includes the most momentous events, most phe- nomenal growth and development in all the annals of human his- tory. A life of such length, however devoid of tragic event or star- tling feature, is not without its lessons of value, and it is hoped that the following brief outline of a protracted and useful career and the honest tribute to honest, manly worth, may be read with profit by the young man whose achievements are still to be wrought out and whose destiny is yet a matter for the future to determine.
Thomas Ayres was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, March
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2, 1820. the son of Thomas and Frances ( West) Ayres. The sub- ject's father moved to Nicholas county, Kentucky. He came from Virginia to the Blue Grass state, and his wife came from one of the Carolinas. He was a man of many sterling qualities and made a gallant soldier in the Indian wars. He was called from his earthly career in Nicholas county, Kentucky, about 1837, after a busy life on the farm. William Ayres, his brother, lived in the same neigh- borhood.
The subject's parents reared a family composed of two sons and two daughters, the only one living in 1908 being our subject. Thomas Ayres worked on his father's farm, attending the common schools in the meantime, receiving such education as those early times afforded. In 1847 he left Kentucky and came to Rush county, Indiana. After remaining there a short time he returned to his na- tive locality, sold the old home place and brought his widowed mother, her husband having died a short time previous, back to Indiana.
Mr. Ayres was united in marriage May 28, 1848, to Nancy Cross. She was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1826. She has proven a most praiseworthy helpmeet and worthy companion of our subject and her life has been filled with good deeds, her ex- ample having been uplifting and wholesome.
Mr. and Mrs. Ayres lived in Rush county, Indiana, until No- vember. 1880, when they moved to Howard county. They had started life with nothing, but being industrious and energetic they accumulated from the start and in time were enabled to purchase a good farm in Rush county, where they lived in comfort for many years. Upon coming to Howard county Mr. Ayres bought one hundred and sixty acres of good land in Liberty township. This farm, which he still looks after, shows that a man of unusual insight into modern scientific agricultural methods had given it his careful
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attention, having made it one of the most desirable places in the township. The dwelling and outbuildings are comfortable and sub- stantial, having been well kept.
Seven children have been born to the subject and wife, five of whom are living in 1908, namely : Jacob. John. J. H., Mary E .. Saralı 1. ; Minnie and Elizabeth are deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Ayres moved to Greentown in March, 1883. He bought a square in Greentown, but later sold it. However, he still owns property in this place, also in Kokomo, in addition to his farm in Liberty township.
Mr. Ayres has not only been thrifty but he has been able to do the communities where he has lived much good by giving of his time to their advancement. Starting as he did with nothing, and having never received aid from any one, the liberal competence he has shows that he has been a man of unusual business ability and also lias exercised rare soundness of judgment throughout his career. so that in the golden evening of their lives this eminently worthy and honorable couple are spending their closing days in comfort and peace as a result of the industry and thrift of their earlier years. They are loyal members of the Christian church. They are perhaps the oldest wedded couple in Howard county, having been married over sixty years-years of harmony and happiness in the highest degree.
Fraternally Mr. Ayres is a Mason and he has always tried to live up to the noble precepts set by this sublime order. Our sub- ject was formerly a Democrat, having cast his first vote for James K. Polk, but for many years he has been a Republican. Notwith- standing the fact that he has always been popular in his community. he has never held public office. preferring to keep the even tenor of his way aside from the public gaze.
It would be hard to find within the borders of Howard county
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people of more beautiful characters and more worthy of the undi- vided respect and esteem than Mr. and Mrs. Ayres. Their cozy and nicely furnished home in Greentown is the gathering place for numerous friends and admirers, and they are especially well liked by the young people, who delight in according them the praise due such worthy characters.
ALBERT RECKNAGEL.
The biographies of successful men are instructive as guides and incentives to those whose careers are yet to be achieved. The exam- ples they furnish of patient purpose and consecutive endeavor strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish. The gentleman whose life story herewith is briefly set forth is a con- spicuous example of one who has lived to good purpose and achieved a definite degree of success in the special sphere to which his tal- ents and energies have been devoted. As the name indicates, Albert Recknagel is of German origin, although born and reared on Amer- ican soil and a loyal citizen of the state in which he lives. His fa- ther, who also bore the name of Albert Recknagel, came to this country when a young man from his native land of Bavaria and shortly after his arrival married Barbara Buckelmueller, who was born also in Bavaria, both having settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, after coming to this country, where their nuptials were afterward celebrated.
Albert Recknagel was born in the above city on December 31. 1867, and received a good education in the graded schools, this training being supplemented by a course in the Spencerian Commer- cial College, from which he was graduated in the year 1882. His
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natural inclinations being in the direction of mechanism, he early gave free rein to the same by entering the Brand Stove Works of Milwaukee for the purpose of learning stove mounting, at which he was required to serve a four years' apprenticeship. By diligent application he soon became quite a skillful workman, and having mastered the trade within the period specified he entered the em- ploy of the company and continued with the same until resigning his position some time later to take charge of the steel range de- partment of the Eclipse Stove Company at Mansfield. Ohio. After remaining with the latter enterprise until 1900 he severed his con- nection with his employers and went to St. Louis, Missouri, where, in June of that year. he accepted the superintendency of the Artistic Enamel Works, which manufactured the Enamel steel range, a po- sition of great responsibility and trust, calling for much more than ordinary ability and tact, to say nothing of the technical training and practical efficiency required. That Mr. Recknagel fully met these requirements and justified the company in the wisdom of his choice is indicated by the four years of faithful service he rendered the company and the high esteem in which he was held by the man- agement and those under him.
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