USA > Indiana > Howard County > History of Howard County, Indiana, Vol II > Part 19
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Resigning in June, 1904. the place which he had so ably and conscientiously filled, Mr. Recknagel came to Kokomo and became superintendent of the mounting department of the Globe Stove and Range Company, which he held until January 1. 1908. when he was promoted to the higher and more responsible post of general super- intendent. the duties of which he has since discharged with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the firm, his career since coming to this city presenting a series of continued successes that have won him honorable repute and high standing among the rep- resentative men of his calling throughout the country.
When a young man Mr. Recknagel not only aimed to be a
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master of his craft, but to prove faithful to his employers by always making their interests his own. To these ends he has given at all times loyal and conscientious attention, and to all details of the work in his charge, which accounts for the pronounced success that has characterized his administration of the different plants where he has been engaged and for the confidence that has always obtained between himself and his superiors. At this time he is considered one of the most trusted and valuable employes of the large com- pany with which he is identified, standing high in the confidence and esteem of the officials, while his relations with those under him have always been pleasant and agreable and devoid of the friction that is frequently engendered in the large industrial establishments by the arbitrary manner of those intrusted with the power of management and leadership. Mr. Recknagel is a shrewd reader of human nature and a natural leader. his ability begetting confidence on the part of the employes, while his thorough mastery of his trade and fa- miliarity with every detail of the stove business make him especially valuable as the manager of large and important interests.
Mr. Recknagel possesses strong domestic tastes and takes much pleasure in his beautiful home at No. 28 West Broadway, which is presided over by the intelligent and estimable lady whom he mar- ried in Milwaukee, and who previous to her marriage bore the name of Julia Wortkotter. She was born and reared in that city and re- ceived her educational training in Notre Dame Convent at Mil- waukee, and her intelligence and culture fit her to move in the best social circles of the city in which she now lives. She, too, is of Ger- man descent and belongs to one of the well known and widely es- teemed families of Milwaukee, where her people have resided for a number of years.
Mr. Recknagel takes great interest in secret fraternities and benevolent work and has attained to high standing in several or-
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ders, notably the Masonic brotherhood, in which he has reached the thirty-second degree, besides holding important official stations in the intermediate branches of the order. At this time he has the honor of serving as worshipful master of Howard Lodge, No. 93. and also holds the office of scribe of the chapter, conductor of the council and the position of third guard in the commandery. His deep interest in and close study of Masonry is attested by the fact of his having attained to his present eminent standing in the order within the past two and a half years, his rapid advancement bearing evidence of his energy, faithfulness and the love he has for the most ancient and honorable of all fraternal societies. He is also identified with the Knights of Pythias, and manifests an abiding interest in everything that makes for its advancement, being an active and in- fluential worker, besides holding official positions from time to time. Politically he is a Republican, but not a partisan ; neither does he take a very active part in the councils of his party beyond voting his principles and defending the soundness of his opinions on the ques- tions of the day. Personally he is affable and popular with the peo- ple of his adopted city and ready at all times to encourage and aid all laudable measures and enterprises for the general good. By a life consistent in motive and because of his many fine qualities he has earned the sincere regard of all who know him, and his success in his chosen field of endeavor bespeaks for him continued advance- ments and the higher sphere of usefulness in the industrial world to which in due time he will doubtless be called.
VALENTINE ARNETT.
Whether the elements of success in life are innate attributes of the individual or whether they are quickened by a process of cir- cumstantial development, it is impossible to clearly determine. Vet
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the study of a successful life, whatever the field of endeavor, is none the less interesting and profitable by reason of existence of this same uncertainty. So much in excess of those of successes are the records of failures or semi-failures, that one is constrained to at- tempt an analysis in either case and to determine the measure of causation in an approximate way. But in studying the life history of the well known resident and popular citizen of Liberty township. Howard county, whose name forms the caption of this article, and who is now living in retirement, we find many qualities in his make- up that always gain definite success in any career if properly directed. as his has evidently been done, which has resulted in a life of good to others as well as in a comfortable competence to himself.
Valentine Arnett was born in Wayne county, Indiana, January 24. 1845. the son of James H. and Phoebe ( Baldwin) Arnett. The Arnett family, as far as is known to the present generation, is of Irish descent. the great grandfather of the subject having come from the Emerald Isle and located in Baltimore, Maryland. The father of the subject was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, Septem- ber 9, 1816. When a young man he came to Indiana and settled in Wayne county where he worked for wages until he had saved enough money to purchase land, which he eventually did and became a suc- cessful farmer. He married in 1839, having lived on his farm there until 1854 when he moved to Monroe township. Howard county. where he resided many years, settling on the Collins Jones farm. In 1857 he traded his farm for a store in New London and con- tinued in the merchandise business for a period of forty years mak- ing it a pronounced success. His death occurred October 5. 1897. He was at one time wealthly but lost considerable money at the close of the war by unfortunate dealing in hogs. Eight children were born to James H.Arnett by his first wife, four of whom are still living in 1908. He was twice married, his second wife being Mar-
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tha Wiltsie, their wedding occurring in 1863. Six children were born to the second union, four of whom are living at this writing.
Valentine Arnett, our subject, attended the country schools and later the schools at New London. Having been ambitious from the start and a close student. his thirst for knowledge was not appeased until he attended Earlham College for two terms where he made a splendid record for scholarship and deportment. He was a teacher for three terms, having been very successful as an instructor. When twelve years old he entered his father's store and was a clerk there for years, during which time the trade increased rapidly.
In 1864 Mr. Arnett was united in marriage to Caroline Holl- ingsworth, who was born in Union county, Indiana, February o. 1843. She received a good common school education.
In 1866 Mr. Arnett went into the woolen factory at New Lon- don, having purchased one-fourth interest in the same. His con- nection with this institution was a successful venture. In 1872 he moved to Kokomo, believing that here was a larger field for the exercise of his industrial talents. Here he entered the dry goods store of Robert Colt and went with him to La Porte, Indiana. where he remained with him for three years. In the fall of 1876 he re- ยท turned to Kokomo. He was later connected with Dixon & Com- pany in the hardware business with whom he remained during the period that firm continued in business.
In all these various lines of business Mr. Arnett showed re- markable aptitude and was uniformly successful in each, being a man of inherent business ability and of pleasing address. so that his dealing with the general public was made easy and was fairly suc- cessful at all times.
Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Arnett, all of whom are now deceased except Hon. Will H. Arnett. the present efficient mayor of Kokomo.
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The subject's second marriage was to Louisa Nixon, who was born in Henry county, Indiana. She came to Howard county in 1845. She was the daughter of Richard and Asenath H. Nixon. Her parents were members of the Friends church. Mrs. Arnett is one of the stockholders of the Howard county National Bank of Kokomo. Her father was one of the original stockholders of this bank, being the instigator of the institution and was its first vice- president. He died October 10, 1891, and he is remembered as a man of much business ability and of excellent traits of character.
Mr. Arnett is a loyal Republican in politics, but he has never taken a prominent part in his party's affairs. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, lodge No. 93, of Kokomo, and his daily life would indicate that he adheres strictly to the sublime precepts which this great order advocates.
Mr. and Mrs. Arnett are quiet unassuming people, hospitable and kind, and their well regulated lives and wholesome influence renders them the recipient of the friendship and good will of all who know them, and they are spending their lives in peace and serenity in their comfortable country home, one and one half miles west of Greentown, Liberty township.
WILLIAM H. HIGGINS.
William H. Higgins is a native of the great Empire state, New York, having been born at Kendall, Orleans county, October 5. 1841, the son of Henry and Hannah ( Eddy) Higgins. The former was born at Williamstown, Massachusetts, and the subject's grand- father and great-grandfather were born on Cape Cod. and the name was formerly spelled Higginson, but later the "on" was dropped
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from the name. The Higginses have Puritan blood coursing through their veins, for the first members of this family were among the famous band that came to the new world in the Mayflower, some four centuries ago. The mother of our subject was born at Saratoga, New York.
William H. Higgins was reared on a farm and attended the country schools, securing a fairly good common school education.
When the dark clouds of the Rebellion hung over this country, his father. being a man of much military ability, urged his son, our subject. to enlist his services in defense of the flag. William, being small in stature, could hardly pass the required examination, but after a time he was accepted and on August 25, 1862, he enlisted in the Twelfth Independent Battery of New York Volunteers and was in the Army of the East. His father, who was then seventy years old. was a Brigadier General of the State Militia. and he raised a company in New York, but on account of his advanced age he was not permitted to go to the front. Just two years after the subject enlisted. on the same day of the month, he was captured and during the next seven months was held as prisoner by the Confederates, having been confined in three different prisons during the time, Libby. Belle's Island and Salisbury, North Carolina. During his incarceration his health was seriously depleted and he came near dy- ing. He with many others was liberated when Sherman's army passed through that country on its famous march to the sea. He was set free February 22. 1864, and taken back to New York where he lay between life and death for some time, but he was a man of much fortitude and stoical courage and finally regained his health. his great desire being to rejoin his regiment, which he was per- mitted to do and had the opportunity of participating in the grand review at Washington City where all were discharged at the close of the war. Mr. Higgins then returned to his wife and baby in
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New York, he having been married previous to his enlistment to Mary L. Brown, a native of the Empire state.
Four children were born to this union, three of whom are now living and have all been married.
Our subject has been in the gas business for many years, first in the East, later in Kokomo where he at present ( 1908) holds the position of manager of the Kokomo Gas Company, which he has acceptably held for the past twenty-four years.
Mr. Higgins is a Republican and he cast his first vote for Lin- coln and during several campaigns he was one of the enthusiastic and active members of the Lincoln Club. He has never aspired to office, but at the close of the war he was elected town clerk, but not liking public office resigned the place before he had served out his full term.
Fraternally Mr. Higgins is a member of the Masonic lodge, having attained the degree of Knight Templar. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge, having passed all the chairs in the same. He is treasurer of the Eagle lodge. He is also a member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Kokomo.
JOE R. MYERS.
The record of the gentleman whose name introduces this article contains no exciting chapter of tragic events, but is replete with well defined purposes which carried to successful issue have won for him an influential place in business circles and high personal standing among his fellow citizens. His life work has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance and the systematic and honorable methods which he has ever followed have resulted not only in gaining the
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confidence of those with whom he has had dealings, but also in the building up of a large and profitable industry and the accumulation of a handsome competency.
Joe R. Myers, proprietor of the largest marble and granite works in the state, and a business man of sterling worth and honor- able repute, is a native of Jasper county, Illinois, and the son of Lewis and Margaret ( Shires ) Myers. He was born May 9, 1875. and after spending about fifteen years in the state of his birth, ac- companied his parents in 1890 to Kokomo, Indiana, where during the ensuing five years his father was engaged in the provision and meat trade. Joe R., who is the seventh in a family of eight children. received a practical education in the public schools of his native place and Kokomo, and while still quite a young man was attracted to the marble trade which in due time he decided to make his life work. After carefully considering the matter in its every detail and being convinced that Kokomo afforded a favorable opening for the business, he started in January. 1900, the establishment of which he is still proprietor and which under his judicious and cap- able management has grown into the largest and most prosperous concerns of the kind in the state. Although beginning in rather a modest way and in competition with other and long established firms. Mr. Myers devoted himself assiduously to the building up of his business and by consulting the tastes of his customers and keep- ing in stock everything in the way of monuments the public might demand. together with the most skillful artisans obtainable to do his work, it was not long until his efforts were crowned with success and he found himself on the high road to prosperity and affluence.
Mr. Myers' establishment at this time is not only the largest of the kind in Kokomo but there are few in the state which do such an extensive and profitable business, being thoroughly equipped with the most approved modern machinery for the dressing, finishing,
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polishing and engraving of marble and granite and operated by cut- ters whose artistic abilities and practical experience have made them masters of their vocation. The lettering is all executed with pneu- matic tools which are operated by compressed air, enabling the oper- ator to perform a greater amount of work and a better class than can be accomplished by hand. One of the most convenient and serviceable features of the establishment is an immense traveling crane of fifteen tons capacity, which makes it possible to raise and put in place large blocks of marble or granite with rapidity and ease. He also owns a portable crane of a similar character for placing monuments in cemeteries. While doing everything in the line of marble and granite work Mr. Myers makes a specialty of the larger grades of monuments in which he takes high rank among his fellow dealers throughout the state, many of the finest and most artistic memorials in the cemetery at Kokomo and other cities being the re- sult of his workmanship and skill. Neither pains nor expense are spared to make the product of his work acceptable and it is a fact worthy of note that ever since the business was started customers, have been made so pleased as to render any form of dissatisfaction impossible, all contracts being fullfilled, in letter and in spirit, and in not a few instances the expectations of purchasers have been so greatly exceeded, the desire to please, together with fair and honor- able methods, being among the influences that have built up the large and lucrative patronage which the establishment now com- mands.
A business man in the full sense of the term and making all other considerations subordinate to the successful prosecution of his chosen vocation, Mr. Myers is also public-spirited and fully in touch with means and measures for the advancement of his city and for the welfare of the populace. He is mindful of the duties he owes to the community, discharges the same as becomes a man of character
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and influence and as citizen is fully abreast of the times, having decided opinions and the courage of his convictions on all the lead- ing questions of the day. He is an active member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the order of Ben-Hur.
On the 5th day of September. 1906. Mr. Myers united in mar- riage with Maude Jackson, of Howard county, the accomplished and popular daughter of Rev. Jacob H. and Emma Jackson, of Clay township, the father being a well known and successful min- ister of the Methodist Episcopal church and for over a quarter of a century a member of the conference within the bounds of which he still resides. Rev. Jackson served his church faithfully and effec- tively during the long period indicated and the various churches to which he ministered in holy things prospered greatly under his labors, and parted most regretfully with his services. After a use- ful and honorable career in the sacred office to which his energies and talents were so conscientiously devoted, he discontinued the work on account of ill health in the year 1900 and since that time has lived a life of retirement in the pleasant and attractive rural home in Clay township which he owns. Mr. and Mrs. Myers are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Kokomo and deeply interested in its various lines of religious and benevolent work. Socially they are among the most highly esteemed people in the city, possessing as each does, the qualities of head and heart that inspire respect and confidence and win warm and abiding per- sonal friendships.
GEORGE KINGSTON.
Theories look well on paper, and have a mellifluous sound when proclaimed from the platform, but in the present rushing age the
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value of things is tested by the stern rule of experience, it is the practical man who makes his influence felt and whose services and discourses are largely sought. The present is essentially an age of progress and in every line of activity the man of practical ideas is in evidence. The world of industry owes him a debt beyond esti- mate, and to him is due the credit of bringing to humanity, priv- ileges and blessings, which, if simply hinted at a half century ago, would have subjected the one uttering them to the charge of harm- less lunacy or perhaps brought about his incarceration in an asylum for the hopelessly insane. But times have changed as the world has moved and the wild dreams and vague chimeras of yesterday have become the familiar facts of today. To the clear brain, trained mind and skilled fingers of the wide-awake, far-seeing, practical artisans, therefore, who inaugurate these conditions and crystalize into the probable and actual, what appears to be the wildest flights of fancy or imagination, all honor be due. It is of such a one the chronicler essays to write in this connection but with little hope of rendering adequate justice to his achievements or to the usefulness accomplished in his various spheres of endeavor.
George Kingston, a native of Michigan, was born March 22, 1863, and spent his early life on a farm near the town of lonia. where his parents, Daniel and Hannah Kingston, had settled a number of years before. Studious and of an investigating nature from his youth, he made the most of his opportunities for obtaining an ed- ucation, but being unable to prosecute his studies to the extent de- sired, he gave free rein to his natural mechanical ability by taking up the trade of carpentry in which from the beginning he displayed much more than ordinary proficiency and skill. After working at the trade for some time under the direction of others, he began tak- ing contracts in his native county, but impressed with the idea that a more favorable opening could be found in the West, he disposed
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of his interests in Michigan and during the ensuing five years he traveled over several western states and territories, going as far as Puget Sound, Washington, where he was instrumental in establish- ing a lime industry, besides being employed for some time as super- intendent and overseer of several large manufacturing plants.
Endowed by nature with mechanical tastes and ability of a high order and anxious to develop and cultivate the same, but being without sufficient means to take the technical training desired, Mr. Kingston did the next best thing by opening negotiations with a correspondence school under the direction of which he soon entered upon a course of mechanical, electrical and gas engineering, which being completed in due time, he was not long in securing a remuner- ative employment. Returning east, he finally made his way to In- diana and in 1901 came to Kokomo, where he was first employed by Ford & Donley, to make patterns for the wire drawing machinery of the new rod mill, but after a brief period with that firm. he re- signed his position to start in business for himself. The same year. therefore, in which he severed his connection with his employers, he embarked in a new and. for this part of the country, an untried en- terprise, namely, the manufacture of carburators, instruments for the generating of gas from gasoline and air to be used in gas- engines, for manufacturing and other purposes. After a few months by himself he became associated with Charles 1. Byrne who. to facilitate operations and enable the business to be carried on more extensively purchased the plant now occupied by the Kokomo Brass Works, which the firm fully equipped and in due time the enterprise was on a solid financial basis and more than meeting the expecta- tions of the proprietors. Subsequently a company under the name of Byrne, Kingston & Company, was duly incorporated for the manufacture of several lines of carburators, which had been placed on the market in addition to which all kinds of automobile acces-
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sories were made, also several useful instruments and appliances which Mr. Kingston invented and for which he is fully protected by patents, the plant growing from a modest beginnning until it is now the largest and most important establishment of the kind in the world.
Subsequently Mr. Kingston was instrumental in establishing a company for the manufacture of spark-coils, plugs for gas engines, ignition appliances and various other devices of his invention, the incorporation of which was effected in 1904 under the name of the Kokomo Electric Company. The capital of the concern at the present time is twenty-five thousand dollars, which has been fully paid, the stockholders being as follows: Charles T. Byrne, James F. Ryan. J. W. Johnson, J. P. Grace, George Kingston and Fay Beal, all except the first two named being citizens of Kokomo, and well known in the business and industrial circles of the city. Like the former company, this undertaking has fully realized the expec- tations of the promoters, and its continued success has made it one of the leading enterprises of the kind in the United States, its pros- pects of future growth and enlargement being in every respect most encouraging.
The original firm of Byrne & Kingston was incorporated with a capital of three thousand dollars which has since been increased to fifty thousand dollars and has paid over one hundred thousand dol- lars in dividends since its organization, a growth unparalled in the industrial history of Kokomo. The stockholders at this time are George Kingston, president and manager; James F. Ryan, vice- president : J. W. Johnson, secretary, and Charles F. Byrne, treas- urer. The Kokomo Brass Works, with which Mr. Kingston is also identified. is the legitimate outgrowth of the manufacturing inter- ests to which reference has been made, and is one of the successful and growing industries of the city, having a paid-up capital of
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