USA > Indiana > Howard County > History of Howard County, Indiana, Vol II > Part 31
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At the close of the war Mr. Hogg returned to his home near Point Pleasant and during the ensuing two years devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits in which his success was grat- ifying. At the expiration of the time indicated he disposed of his interests in Virginia and moving to Howard county, Indiana, in 1867, purchased the farm in Center township, which he still owns and cultivates and which, by his efficient labor and successful man- agement, has become one of the most productive and valuable places of its area in the county, as well as one of the country's most beau- tiful and attractive rural homes. The farm contains one hundred and twenty acres, about half of which is under cultivation, the rest being devoted to pasturage. The fertility and productiveness of the soil have been greatly enhanced by a thorough and successful system of tile drainage, while the elegant and stately brick residence con- taining all of the latest and modern improvements, together with the
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artistic and attractive lawns, gardens, beautiful trees yielding both shade and fruit, commodious barns and other substantial outbuild- ings, bespeak the presence of a proprietor who is a master of his calling and whose efforts in all of his undertakings have been crowned with abundant and happy results. The model farm is just one mile and a half from the court house and extends to within a very short distance of the city limits, the close proximity to Ko- komo adding much to its value and desirability as a place of residence.
In connection with farming Mr. Hogg handles live stock on quite an extensive scale, devoting especial attention to blooded horses, and fine cattle, hogs of the superior Poland-China breed. which he buys and ships in large numbers, and for which he never fails to receive the highest prices the markets afford.
By the judicious rotation of crops and a plentiful use of natural and artificial fertilizers he not only retains the soil's original fer- tility, but increases its productiveness and seldom if ever does he fail to realize liberal returns from the tinie and labor expended on his fields. Although primarily interested in his own affairs Mr. Hogg manifests an abiding regard for the advancement and welfare of the community and for any measure or enterprise by which his fellow men may be benefited. He encourages churches and schools. is a respector of law and order and has no use or sympathy for any calling or business which tends to lower the moral status of the country or degrade the youth of the land. Fraternally he is identi- fied with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has long been an active member and influential worker in the Grand Army of the Republic.
On the 20th of March, 1868, Mr. Hogg was united in the bonds of wedlock with Eliza Price, daughter of Franklin and Sarah ( Hobson) Price, of Virginia, the father a near relative of General
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Sterling Price, a distinguished Confederate leader in the late Civil war. Mr. Price came to Howard county in an early day and was the first man elected to the office of clerk of the circuit court. He bore an influential part in public affairs, and for many years was one of the enterprising men and prominent citizens of Kokomo.
Mr. and Mrs. Hogg are the parents of thirteen children whose names are as follows: Frances, wife of Daniel Oldham: Nora. de- ceased ; Ardilla ; Camden ; Jennette June, deceased : Mary, now Mrs. L. Dye, of Indianapolis : Walter Earl, and Susan Viola, and others dying in infancy unnamed. Before her marriage Mrs. Hogg was one of Howard county's successful and popular teachers and her oldest daughter, Frances, was also engaged in educational work for some time prior to her marriage.
Mr. Hogg occupies a conspicuous place among the leading men of Howard county and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him. His record demonstrates that where there is a will there is a way and that obstacles to success may be overcome by courage and self-reliance. His career though strenuous has been fraught with good to his fellow men and his example is cordially commended to the youth of the land whose life work is yet a matter of the future.
CHARLES W. GRAU.
That life is the most useful and desirable that results in the greatest good to the greatest number and, though all do not reach the heights to which they aspire, yet in some measure each can win success and make life a blessing to his fellow men : and it is not necessary for one to occupy eminent public positions to do so, for in the humbler walks of life there remains much good to be accom- plished and many opportunities for one to exercise one's talents and
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influence which in some way will touch the lives of those with whom we come in contact, making them better or brighter. In the list of Howard county's successful citizens, the subject of this review has long occupied a prominent place. In his career there is much that is commendable and his life forcibly illustrates what a life of energy can accomplish when his plans are wisely laid and his actions governed by right principles, noble aims and high ideals.
Charles W. Grau was born in Darke county, Ohio, September 13. 1864, the son of John A. and Rosa ( Kaufman) Grau. Grand- father Grau lived in Germany where he died. His widow subse- quently came to America, first to Ohio, later to Indiana, where she spent the balance of her days, dying at the age of seventy-seven years, having been born in 1800. She was a church member and an exceptionally good woman.
The father of our subject came to America from Germany when a young man, after having served in the army of his native land, and settled in Darke county, Ohio. Being a wagon maker by trade, he followed this in connection with farming, buying a farm of timbered land, which he cleared and improved and on which he re- mained until 1875, when he sold out and came to Indiana, settling in Howard county, Howard township. buying a farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres, which was partly improved. He subsequently improved this land and lived there for exactly eight years, having (lied on the same day of the month he came there, at the age of sixty years. In his youth he was a Lutheran, but later in life was a mem- ber of the Evangelical church, as was also his wife. The former had received a good education in his native land, and he spoke the English language exceedingly well. He was a large man physically, having been very strong. He was known to every one as a man of high moral principle and pure character. His first wife was also a native of Germany, who came to America when a girl, having
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made her home in Ohio, in which state she married Mr. Grau. By this union she became the mother of three children who lived to reach maturity. She died early in life and Mr. Grau was again married. luis second wife being Rosa Kaufman in her maidenhood, and she was the mother of our subject. Nine children were born to this union, seven of whom are living in 1908, and all have families. The mother of the subject was a member of the Evangelical church. She was called to her rest at the age of seventy-two years.
Charles W. Grau first attended the district schools of Ohio, and afterward the public schools of Howard county, Indiana. He left school in his eighteenth year and worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years old. He then worked his mother's farm on the shares until he was twenty-six years old. He then purchased forty acres, but continued to manage his mother's farm for three years. He then moved on a farm belonging to his father-in-law. where he has since resided working it and the forty acres of his own. He bought eighty acres of his mother-in-law which joined his own. making him a farm of one hundred and twenty acres of very pro- (luctive soil. The home farm where he resides being well improved and well drained, the soil being in a high state of productiveness and well fenced with modern wire. He feeds most of the corn that the place produces to cattle and hogs. He has a comfortable and sub- stantial dwelling and good out buildings and his farm indicates that he is an excellent manager and a man of thrift and good judgment.
Mr. Grau was united in marriage May 25, 1890, to Mary E. Fisher. daughter of Isaac and Catherine ( Strome) Fisher. Her people came to Indiana in 1874, settling on the farm owned by Mr. Gran. Mrs. Gran's father died at the age of seventy-two years. His widow is living in 1908 at the age of seventy-six years. She has been a useful woman and believes in the higher ideals of life. She makes her home with our subject, who delights in administering to her declining age.
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Mr. and Mrs. Grau are the parents of nine chiklren, their birth having occurred in the following order: Ozvoe Clay, who was born March 27, 1891 : Merle, born April 20, 1892; May, born May 8, 1804: Albert and Alberta ( twins), born February 20, 1898; Gladys, born April 4, 1900 ; Miriam, born April 17, 1902 ; Theodore Charles, born July 3. 1904: the last child is an infant, born June 4, 1908.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Grau are members of the Evangelical church, to which faith Mr. and Mrs. Fisher, father and mother of Mrs. Grau, also subscribed. In politics our subject is a loyal Re- publican. He has hosts of friends in Howard and adjoining town- ships owing to his honesty in business and his upright social private life, and he is much admired by all who know him for his wholesome living as well as for his industrial success.
ADOLPHUS E. HOON.
It is not an easy task to describe adequately a man who has led an eminently active and busy life and who has attained a position of relative distinction in the community with which his interests are allied. But biography finds its most perfect justification, neverthe- less, in the tracing and recording of such a life history. It is, then, with a full appreciation of all that is demanded and of the painstak- ing scrutiny that must be accorded each statement, and yet with a feeling of satisfaction, that the writer essays the task of touching briefly upon the details of such a record as has been that of the hon- ored veteran and venerable subject of this sketch whose eminently honored and successful career now comes under review.
Adolphus E. Hoon is one of those sturdy and thrifty foreign citizens, who have been of such great value in the upbuilding of our
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country. He was born January 27. 1828. on the Atlantic ocean. while his parents were emigrating from Germany to the United States. His father was John Hoon, a native of France, and his mother, Mary Snyder, a native of Prussia, in which country they were married and from which they emigrated to America. John Hoon had the distinction of being Napoleon's chief bugler in the great armies of France, serving under Napoleon in several cam- paigns. He was a noted musician. After coming to America he organized a band in Philadelphia, where the family first settled after coming to this country. He later organized the first band known in Pittsburg. He died in the latter city, where he had gone to attend a celebration, leaving his family on the farm in Butler county. When news was sent the family of his pending death, they made an effort to reach Pittsburg but arrived after the end had come to the noted musician. This was in 1828, the same year he landed in America. He was a member of the Lutheran church. He and his good wife were the parents of the following children: Charles. William, Christopher. Caroline and Adolphus.
After the death of John Hoon his widow settled in Sarvest- ville, Pennsylvania, with her father, who was Nicholas Snyder, a native of Prussia and a tailor by trade. She raised her children by hard work as a seamstress and dressmaker. She married a second time, her last husband being Godfred Frank, a tanner. by whom she had five children, namely : Mary, Christian, Edward. a soldier : Emily and Charlotte.
Our subject remained with his mother until he was ten years of age, when he went to Pittsburg to learn the tinner's trade, but the work was not suited to his nature, so he returned home and in 1838 he was taken to Paris. Kentucky, through the kindness of a friend of the family. Here he worked three years learning the cabinet maker's trade. He then went to New Orleans. After working there
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awhile he came back to Pittsburg, later going to Philadelphia and New York City, also worked in many places in Kentucky, remain- ing there until 1873, having become an expert at his trade and mak- ing considerable money in the meantime. In the year mentioned above he came to Kokomo, Indiana, where he engaged with Alex- ander & Kelly, furniture manufacturers. This firm failed and the subject got control of the factory, which he successfully operated for two years, then the Hunt Brothers bought the plant and he has since worked at the carpenter's trade and contracting, but of late years he has been retired from active business, feeling that he has earned a just respite from life's arduous duties. He made a success at all his work as a cabinet maker, being regarded as one of the best in the country, for which he was always well remunerated.
Mr. Hoon was united in marriage in 1849. at Ruddles Mills, Kentucky, to Emily Mcclintock, who was called from her earthly labors three months after her marriage. The second marriage of the subject was solemnized in 1854 with Josephine E. Bander, who was born in Utica, New York. She passed away in 1900. after be- coming the faithful mother of eight children as follows: Charles E .. deceased: Francis is a preacher: Orian, deceased: Caroline Emily is the wife of Brice Williams, of Kokomo; Elmer lives with his father: William Lincoln Grant lives in Kokomo; Harriet is de- ceased : Alice Hope is the wife of Edwin Baugher.
Mr. Hoon during the dark days of our nation's history showed his patriotism and pride in the stars and strips by enlisting in her defense, having rendered the Union forces valuable service at the battles of Nashville, by assisting in the fortifications. He also rendered inestimable service while in the engineering department of the Cumberland.
The subject has been a life long Republican, and he has been a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal church for many years.
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having accomplished a great amount of good in this manner. He has been an active worker in this denomination during the major part of his life. He is a faithful member of the Masonic lodge and he is a Knight Templar. He is a strong temperance man, having taken the pledge as early as 1849 and has kept the same ever since. In all the relations of life Mr. Hoon has been found faithful to every trust confided in him, and because of his genuine worth, courteous manners and genial disposition he has won and retains the warm regard of all with whom he associated, the latter including the best people of the county.
JOSEPH D. VANSICKLE.
Biographies should not be published unless there is something in the life and character of the individual worthy of emulation or imitation by others under like circumstances-certainly not for self- aggrandizement, but sufficient has been drawn from the life history of the gentleman whose name appears above to show that there is something in the inner life of this man worthy of more than inci- dental mention. He began life practically at the bottom of the lad- der, which he has climbed to the top with no help but a brave heart, industrious hands and an intelligent brain, and is a living example of what may be accomplished in this country by thrift and persever- ance. even under discouraging circumstances.
Joseph D. VanSickle was born in Marion county, Indiana, Feb- ruary 9. 1867, the son of Gilbert and Ellen ( Hoover) VanSickle. Grandfather VanSickle was born in Pennsylvania. He was of Irish «lescent and his ancestors lived and died in the Keystone state. There were three sons in the family, all lived to raise families of their own. Grandfather VanSickle died in 1849. after having become a success-
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ful farmer in Ohio, to which state he moved in 1849 from Pennsyl- vania. The father of the subject lived at home until he was thirteen years old. having come to Indiana at that time on his own account and without funds. He stopped near Indianapolis where he re- mained with a family as a farm hand until he was twenty-six years old. At that age he was married and soon afterward rented a farm in that neighborhood, having worked rental land in a very success- ful manner until 1869, when he came to Tipton county, this state, where he made his home until his death in 1904. which occurred when he was sixty-nine years old. He attended school only a few weeks, but read extensively at home. He owned a good farm in Tip- ton county, where he raised a family of six children, four of whom lived to maturity : three of them raised families of their own. Their mother passed to the silent land when she was forty-four years okl. Both father and mother were Newlight Christians. The father was also a Mason. They were both people of many excellent traits and had hosts of friends.
Joseph D. VanSickle, our subject, attended the district schools in Tipton county until he was eighteen years old. working on his father's farm. He then taught school in a most acceptable manner for a period of five years. Being ambitious to learn from the start he studied hard and secured a liberal education, but he finally de- cided to devote his life work to agricultural pursuits, having begun farming on his own highly productive farm in Tipton county, re- maining on this place for a period of seven years and then moved to Miami county, buying a good farm which he successfully worked for six years, when he sold it and purchased the one in Howard township. Howard county, on which he has since resided. It con- sists of two hundred and sixty-three acres, all being under a high state of improvement. About fifty acres are in woods-pasture, on which is a fine set of blue grass, the balance is under the plow. He
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has excellent fences, partly of wire and partly of wood. The fields are all under an excellent system of drainage and the soil is kept in a high state of productiveness through the skillful management of the owner. He rotates his crops with clover and uses home ferti- lizers. It is Mr. VanSickle's intention to feed all the corn on the place that he produces each year. He prepares both cattle and hogs for the market. He raises Duroc hogs, and usually has a large herd of registered short horn cattle, which are fine specimens of the best bovine type. He has a fine orchard of a variety of excellent fruits. All the surroundings show that this is an exceptionally well cared for farm and that the owner is a man of thrift and excellent judg- ment in agriculture, horticulture and stock raising. His residence which is a substantial. commodious and nicely furnished one is re- garded as among the best farm houses in the county. Several con- venient out buildings stand upon the farm.
The domestic life of our subject dates from September 9. 1888. when he was happily married to Orpho O. Duncan, the refined and accomplished daughter of Francis M. and Hannah E. ( Runk ) Dun- can, natives of Indiana. They lived on a farm and were people of mitch influence in their respective community. Mrs. VanSickle's father was called from his earthly labors in 1905. at the age of sixty years, after an active and useful life. He had been a soldier in an Indiana regiment during the war between the states, having enlisted when only eighteen years old and served till the close of the war. He came home disabled from disease contracted while in line of duty. His government later remembered his gallant services with a liberal pension. There were five children in his family, three of whom lived to maturity. The mother of the subject's wife is living at the age of sixty-four in 1908. She is a member of the Newlight church as was also her husband.
Our subject and wife have had eight children born to them as
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follows: Hazel E., born July 23. 1889, is still a member of the happy family circle ; Grace H. was born March 2, 1801 ; Herman D. was born November 14, 1893: Maggie L. was born July 20. 1805: Samuel and John ( twins), were born December 6, 1807: Joseph O. was born October 23. 1900; Franklin was born April 6. 1908. . \11 these children are interesting and give promise of successful futures.
Fraternally our subject is a member of the Masonic organiza- tion and his daily life would indicate that he is living up to the sub- lime precepts which it fosters. In politics he is a loyal Democrat. Mrs. VanSickle is a member of the United Brethren church and both she and Mr. VanSickle are highly respected by a large number of friends and acquaintances for their even tempered kindly natures and their upright lives.
ROBERT ALEXANDER OGG.
Of high professional and academic attainments and ranking among the foremost educators of the state, Robert Alexander Ogg. the efficient and popular superintendent of the Kokomo public schools has achieved marked distinction in the noble work to which his talents and energies have so long been devoted, and judging by the past it is safe to predict for him a future of still greater useful- ness and honor. Not only as a teacher and manager of schools has he made his presence felt but as a citizen in the daily walks of life. his influence has tended to the advancement of the community and the welfare of his fellow men, while the several responsible public positions to which he has been called from time to time bear testi- mony to his ability to fill worthily high and important trusts. His name with eminent fitness occupies a conspicuous place in the pro- fession which he adorns and his career presenting a series of suc-
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cesses such as few attain has gained for him much more than state reputation, as a successful organizer and manager of educational interests.
Superintendent Ogg is a native of Noble county, Ohio, born near the town of Summerfield on December 14th, of the year 1848. Paternally he is descended from sturdy Scotch ancestry and traces his genealogy back a number of years to Ireland from which coun- try his grandfather, Alexander Ogg, in 1770. emigrated to the United States, and settled in Maryland, where in due time the family became widely known. Robert Washington Ogg, the superin- tendent's father, was born in the above state, but spent his early life in Belmont county, Ohio, and moved to Noble county, Ohio, when he married, thence in 1866 to Greene county, Indiana, where he located on a farm near the town of Solsberry. His life was devoted to agricultural pursuits.
Superintendent Ogg spent his childhood and youth in the state of his birth and at the proper age entered the public schools in the county, where he early displayed the powers of mind and desire for study which subsequently won for him honorable distinction as a scholar and success as a teacher. When seventeen years old he ac- companied his parents upon their removal to Indiana, and the fol- lowing year entered the State University at Bloomington, where he prosecuted his studies until completing the prescribed course and receiving his degree in 1872, the meantime devoting part of his vacations to teaching, by means of which he was enabled to finish his education, according to prearranged plans. His record as a stu- (lent was in every respect creditable and he was graduated with an honorable standing in a class composed of an unusual number of bright and ambitious young men, among whom were Hon. George W. Cooper, of Columbus, who served his district with distinguished ability in congress, and Hon. Pierce Norton, late of Indianapolis.
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and for some time a leading lawyer and jurist of that city. besides others equally renowned in their respective vocations and pro- fessions.
After completing his university course Superintendent Ogg de- cided to devote his life to educational work for which he had already manifested a strong predilection, and having made up his mind to this end. took advantage of every opportunity of adding to his knowledge and increasing his efficiency for the practical duties of the noble calling in which he had engaged. Following his gradua- tion he took charge of the schools of Elletsville, and three years afterward of those of Mitchell, which under his management made rapid advancement and won for him honorable repute as an able in- structor and later he was chosen principal of the New Albany high school, which position he filled with credit to himself and to the satis- faction of superintendent, students and public, for a period of eight years. Superintendent Ogg served eleven years as superintendent of the public schools of Greencastle and gained recognition among the leading educators of the state. Resigning his position in the latter city in 1898, he accepted the superintendency of the public schools of Kokomo, which he has since held, and in which perhaps the greatest of his labors as an educator and manager have been thus far accomplished. His great force of character and ripe scholarship. together with his ability as an organizer enabled him to bring to his work in this city the results of his professional experience with marked effect, and it was not long until the schools under his super -. vision advanced to the high standing of efficiency for which they are now noted. The teaching force during his incumbency has been increased from forty-nine to seventy-four and the enrollment of pupils from two thousand two hundred and ninety, to two thousand nine hundred and fifty-one, while many things tending to lessen the teacher's labors and at the same time make them effective have been
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