USA > Indiana > Howard County > History of Howard County, Indiana, Vol II > Part 41
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On first presenting the matter to the consideration of the busi- ness men of the city, Mr. Spraker did not meet with the desired encouragement but with faith in the outcome of the enterprise and confidence in his ability to carry it into effect he persevered in the undertaking until 1895 when it materialized in the Kokomo Rubber Company, of which he was made president and manager. In due time a building forty by one hundred feet with two stories and a basement was erected and properly equipped and the year following operations began under very favorable auspices, the first product of the plant consisting of bicycle tires, for which there was soon a large and steadily growing demand. The encouraging success of the enterprise soon rendered necessary the addition of enlarged facili- ties, accordingly the next year a second building was erected of the same size as the first, and equipped with the latest and most ap- proved machinery and appliances, giving the plant one hundred thousand square feet of floor space, and more than doubling its ca- pacity. Since then additional improvements have been made from time to time, new and improved processes adopted and all that sci- entific skill and mechanical ingenuity can devise for the better prose- cution of this important and rapidly growing industry is now found in this plant, which is not only the largest in the West but one of the most successful and liberally patronized establishments of the kind in the United States.
From a rather modest beginning the Kokomo Rubber Com-
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pany has grown in magnitude and importance until it now repre- sents an investment considerably in excess of a million dollars, em- ploying upon an average of two hundred and twenty-five men every working day of the year, whose pay-roll amounts to about one hun- dred thousand dollars anrually. The enterprise which easily stands at the head of Kokomo's industrial establishments, is a credit to the city and a monument to the enterprising and progressive spirit of its founder, who in this as in all other lines to which his mind and ener- gies have been devoted, has proven himself a man whom no ob- stacles can discourage, and a leader who enjoys public spirited asso- ciates, who with himself constitute the company. Since its organ- ization Mr. Spraker has been the company's president and capable and judicious manager, its success being largely attributable to the interest which he has ever manifested in its behalf. The other of- ficers at this time are Milton Krous, vice-president : G. W. Landon. secretary ; D. L. Spraker, treasurer, and John Neary. superinten- dent.
It is not alone by his prominence in business and industrial cir- cles that Mr. Spraker has made his influence felt among his contem- poraries, as he has long been known and esteemed for his qualities of manhood and citizenship, having been prominently before the public in official and other capacities, and taken an active interest in whatever has tended to the advancement of the community. In his political allegiance he is among Howard county's stalwart and ag- gressive Republicans and in his characteristic vigorous way he has done much to further the cause of his party, though never a seeker for preferment or leadership: notwithstanding his diffidence in the latter respect, however he was as already indicated, his party's choice in 1878 for one of the most honorable and responsible posi- tions within its trust, but since retiring from that office he has not asked for nor ought official honors, making every other considera-
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tion subordinate to his business interests and being content with the simple title of citizen.
Mr. Spraker possesses a pleasing personality and is easily ap- proachable. Strong and forceful in his relations with his fellow men, he not only makes his presence felt, but has also gained the good will and commendation of both his associates and the general public. retaining his reputation among men for integrity and high character, and never losing that dignity which is the birthright of the true gentleman.
JOSEPH F. DIMITT.
The gentleman. to a review of whose life the reader's atten- tion is here respectfully directed, is recognized as one of the ener- getic, well known business men of Kokomo, who by his enterprise and progressive methods has contributed in a material way to the commercial advancement of the city, besides at different times fill- ing worthily high and responsible positions. In the course of an honorable career he has been successful in the manifold lines to which his efforts have been directed and enjoying distinctive pres- tige among the representative men of his city and county, it is emi- nently proper that attention be called to his achievements and due credit be accorded to his worth as an enterprising citizen.
Richard Dimitt, father of the subject, was a native of Ken- tucky. but was brought to Indiana when quite young and grew to maturity in Howard county, where his parents settled in an early day. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Hester A. Thorn, and whom he married in this county, was descended from an old Eng- lish family that settled many years ago on Long Island, where her grandfather was born, and where descendents of the same name still
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live. Like her husband. she, too, was brought to Howard county in youth and here received her education, reared her family and spent the remainder of her life, both she and her husband having gone to their reward. Richard Dimitt was a tiller of the soil and a most excellent and praiseworthy citizen. His habits were essentially exemplary and the community in which he resided still feels the good influence he exerted and hold in grateful remembrance the many acts of kindness and consideration which marked his relation with his neighbors and friends. He was a man of considerable local prominence politically, a leader of the Republican party in the township of his residence, and was also deeply religious, having been an active and influential member of the Methodist Episcopal church. to which body his wife also belonged. Mr. and Mrs. Dimitt were the parents of five children, three of whom are now living and re- spected citizens of Howard county.
Joseph F. Dimitt, whose birth occurred December 5. 1852, on the family homestead in Ervin township, was reared to agricultural pursuits and early became familiar with the practical duties of the farm. His childhood and youth passed amid the bracing airs and wholesome discipline of rural life, had much to do in developing his character and shaping his future course of action, as he grew up free from contaminating influences which lead so many young peo- ple astray and the vicious habits, degrading alike to the body and mind. In brief, he grew up to the full stature of well-rounded man- hood. with proper conceptions of life and its duties, and at the proper age was able to assume his share of its responsibilities and to discharge in a worthy manner the obligations which fell to him as an intelligent actor in the world of affairs.
Deprived of a father's counsel and guidance when but eleven years old, young Dimitt was taken into the family of his uncle. where he was reared and cared for, and where his interests were
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looked after with the same consideration that would have been shown him by his parents. At the proper age he entered the dis- trict school, not far from his home, and pursued his studies in the -ame until obtaining a pretty thorough knowledge of the branches taught, after which he turned his attention to farming and followed the same until his removal to the city of Kokomo in 1802.
Meantime, in the year 1876. Mr. Dimitt set up a domestic es- tablishment of his own by wedding the young lady of his choice. Frances M. Tarkington, who has continued to preside over his home with becoming grace and dignity from that time to the present, proving a true companion and helpmeet and bearing her full share of the duties and responsibilities which come to every household. Mrs. Dimitt was born January 24, 1856. in Howard county, her parents moving to this part of Indiana a number of years prior to that date from Tennessee, of which state her father was a native. her mother's people, the Gays, coming from North Carolina.
Immediately after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Dimitt moved to the farm in Clay township, where they continued to live during the ensuing sixteen years, Mr. Dimitt meeting with gratifying suc- cess as an agriculturist. also becoming widely known for his ac- tivity and influence in the public affairs of his township and county. Reared a Republican, he naturally espoused the principles of that party and on attaining his majority became an active member in its ranks. Subsequently he was elected assessor of his township, which office he held for a period of four years, and still later, in 1900, he was chosen to the higher and more responsible position of county treasurer. the duties of which he discharged in an able and emi- nently satisfactory manner for one term, proving a very capable and faithful custodian of the important trust confided to him by his fellow citizens.
In 1802. as stated above, Mr. Dimitt turned his land over to
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other hands and changed his residence to the county seat, but coll- ditions there not being exactly as he had anticipated, he soon re- turned to the country and for some time thereafter devoted his entire attention to the cultivation of the soil. Later he again moved to the city the better to attend to his duties as treasurer and has con tinned to make it his place of abode ever since, owning a beautiful and commodious home on one of the best streets and taking a lively interest in all that pertains to the growth and welfare of the munici pality.
Since the expiration of his term as treasurer Mr. Dimitt has been engaged in the wholesale meat business in Kokomo and com- mands a large and lucrative patronage, the enterprise proving satis- factory from the beginning and still growing. He has shown marked capacity and acumen as a business men, possessing sound judgment and rare foresight, which, with his unswerving integrity and honorable methods, have won the confidence of his patrons and made him widely and favorably known among the substantial men who give respectability and tone to Kokomo's standing as an im- portant business center. His life has ever been directed in harmony with justice and a high regard for the rights and privileges of others and he may be taken as an embodiment of the noblest attributes and characteristics that constitute the intelligent, moral. wide-awake American citizen of today.
Mr. and Mrs. Dimitt have a family of four children, the oklest of whom, a son by the name of William Cloyde, was his father's deputy in the treasurer's office and displayed marked ability in his relations with the public. Minnie, the second in order of birth, has reached her twenty-third year : Dane is twenty years old and Lelia, the youngest of the domestic circle, is eighteen (now 1908). Both Mr. and Mrs. Dimitt have been Methodists since childhood, and the atmosphere of their home has ever been decidedly religious. Their
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activity in all departments of work under the auspices of the local church to which they belong has made their membership influential and valuable, and they stand today among the most sincere and de- vout of their faith in a city where Methodism has long had a strong and permanent hold.
GABRIEL WRIGHT HALL.
To attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is always honored and respected even from childhood deserves more than mere men- tion. It is no easy task to resist the many temptations of youth and early manhood and plant a character in the minds and hearts of associates that will remain an unstained figure for all time. One may take his place in public life through some vigorous stroke of public policy, and even remain in the hearts of friends and neigh- bors, but to take the same position by dint of the practice of an up- right life and without a craving for exaltation and popularity, is worthy the highest praise and commendation. Our subject. G. W. Hall. is a man respected and honored. not because of the vigorous training of his special talents, but because of his daily life, each day being one that is above criticism, and passed upon in the light of real true manhood. His nativity was Switzerland county, Indiana, first seeing the light of day March 20. 1851. and hailed as the son of John and Lucy ( Rodgers ) Hall. His grandfather. Gabriel Hall, was a native of England. coming to this country when he was twenty-one years of age. landing in Pennsylvania, then a part of Ohio. He soon afterwards married and emigrated to Switzerland county. Indiana, and engaged in the trade of his youth, millwright. until his death. The father of our subject was born in this same county and emigrated to Howard county in 1877, where he en- gaged in the grocery business until his death, which occurred in
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1902. His wife is still living in Kokomo, and (in 1908) is seventy- six years of age.
Our subject was raised on a farm in Switzerland county, Indi- ana, and obtained his education from the public schools. Here he lived until 1879, when he was married to Lillie Champion, of Ko- komo. Here she was born and has always lived, cherished and hon- ored by all who know her. To them were given four children, all living at this time. Lucy, a graduate of the Kokomo high school. and now a successful teacher in the Indian school at Fort Totten, North Dakota: Allen, who runs a bicycle repair shop on the west side of the square in Kokomo: Chester, a printer and at present fore- man in the office of the Logansport Tribune, and Russell, a bright lad of ten years, and the pride of his parents.
Mr. Hall's experience with grain and stock on the farm pre- pared him for the business career in which he is now engaged. and in which he has been successful since he embarked in it some thirty years ago. He runs a feed and livery business at No. 108 South Union street, and one can find him busy at any time of calling. 'Tis his steady habits of life that have won for him the place in society he now occupies. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also the Encampment, having passed the chairs of both. He is also a member of the Red Men. He has always been a stanch Republican, although he has never aspired to or held office.
JOHN PITZER.
Of the leading families that have long been identified with the history of Howard county none stand out more prominently than the Pitzers, of whom the subject of this review is a worthy representa-
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tive. His father, George P'. Pitzer, a native of Virginia, came to this part of Indiana and was united in marriage with Clara Shod- grass, whose parents, Samuel and Catherine Snodgrass, about the year 1844 or 1845 moved to Howard county from Ohio and settled on a farm in Harrison township, near the village of Alto. When Mr. Pitzer came to Howard county he engaged in the goods busi- ness at Kokomo, but shortly after his marriage disposed of his stock and moving to the old Snodgrass homestead, turned his at- tention to the pursuit of agriculture, which he followed the remain- der of his life, meantime adding to his real estate until he became one of the largest land owners, as well as one of the most successful farmers in this part of the country. In addition to his beautiful and well tilled place of two hundred ten acres in Harrison township he has one hundred and thirty-four acres of finely improved land in the township of Center, on both of which he carried on stock raising in connection with the cultivation of the soil, having been among the first to introduce shorthorn cattle in Howard county and the first to exhibit this superior breed of animals at the county fair. To him also belongs the credit of introducing among the farmers of his community the noted Poland China hog, and it was not long until his example was imitated by others, his efforts to improve the vari- ous breeds of domestic animals being in due time followed by most signal and beneficial results. Mr. Pitzer was a man of high stand- ing and wide influence and as a farmer and breeder and raiser of fine cattle, horses and hogs had few equals and no superiors in the northern part of the state. He was always deeply interested in agriculture and an earnest advocate of all movements and measures calculated to promote the material welfare of the farmer. To this end he became a leading spirit in the organization and maintenance of the Howard County Agricultural Association and to his activity and influence as much perhaps as to any other agency or combina-
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tion of agencies was due the success of the various fairs during the period of his connection with the association. For a number of years he was a prominent politician and a leader of the Republican party in his township, and at one time served with great acceptance as a member of the board of county commissioner -. in addition to which office he also held various minor positions, to say nothing of his influence as a mokler of opinion among his neighbors and fellow citizens. In all things he was a good man, just in his business transactions, kind and courteous in his relations with others and his death, which occurred on his farm in Harrison township. January 22. 1801, at the age of seventy years, was deeply lamented, not only in his own community, but throughout the entire county as well. Mrs. Pitzer, whose birth occurred in the state of Ohio, is still living, having reached the ripe old age of seventy-nine years, and retaining to a marked degree the possession of her physical and mental pow- ers. The family of George and Clara Pitzer consisted of two sons and five daughters, namely. Francis M., a painter, residing in Ko- komo: Kate ( deceased ), who was the wife of Thomas L. Schilling : John, the subject of this sketch : Marcella, wife of N. G. Hanna, of Kokomo: Mary M .. who married D. W. Martin, a farmer of Center township: Ida. now Mrs. P. L. Thomas, of Kokomo, and Mattie. whose husband. R. W. Dimmitt, of Kokomo, is engaged in the undertaking business.
John Pitzer was born on the family homestead one and a half miles southwest of the village of Alto, Howard county, July 9. 1854. Reared on the farm and early familiar with its strenuous duties. he grew up a strong and vigorous youth, capable of performing his allotted tasks in the woods and field at an age when the services of the majority of lads are considered of little value. Meantime he attended the public schools and after completing the usual course of study in the same entered the Kokomo high school, where in due
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time he obtained a pretty thorough knowledge of the more advanced branches of learning. Reared amid rural scenes, he early mani- fested a decided taste to this ancient and honorable mode of life by taking charge of a one-hundred-and-sixty-acre farm three and a half miles south of Kokomo, in Center township, where he followed his chosen calling with success and financial profit until the year 1906. the place still in his possession. He made a careful study of the science of agriculture, cultivated his land according to the most ap- proved modern methods and by devoting especial attention to the nature of soils succeeded. by judicious rotation of crops, in reaping abundant harvests and within a comparatively short time accumulat- ing a handsome competency. He expended liberal sums in the im- provement of his farm, erecting a fine brick residence two stories high and furnished with all the latest conveniences, also a large and commodious barn and other outbuildings, besides greatly enhancing the fertility and productiveness of the place, as well as adding large- ly to its value by a thorough and successful system of tile drainage.
Having amassed a sufficiency of this world's goods to enable him to discontinue active life and spend the remainder of his days in comfortable and honorable retirement, Mr. Pitzer. in the year 1906. turned his farm over to other hands and moved to Kokomo, where he owns a fine residence and other valuable property, being, as al- ready indicated. in independent circumstances and well situated to enjoy the fruits of his many years of toil and judicious management. Although practically retired, Mr. Pitzer still gives personal attention to his various interests, which are by no means few or small, and also keeps fully abreast of the times on all matters of public concern. being active in promoting the advancement of the city and county and in close touch with all enterprises which tend to benefit society and uplift his fellow men. Politically he gives his allegiance to the Republican party, and while ready to make any reasonable sacrifice
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in its behalf, and rejoicing greatly in the success of its principles and candidates, he has never sought public office nor aspired to lead- ership, although well qualified by nature and experience to fill worthily every position within the gift of his fellow citizens.
Mr. Pitzer's domestic experience dates from the 28th day of October, 1880, at which time was solemnized the ceremony that united him in the bonds of matrimony with Mary F. Sexton, a na- tive of Shelby county, Indiana, but reared and educated in the county of Howard, to which she was brought by her parents when three years of age. Mrs. Pitzer is the second of a family of four chil- dren born to Perry and Malena Sexton, the latter a daughter of the late Dr. Wray, of Shelby county, who was long a distinguished physician and one of the oldest practitioners in his part of the state. As stated above, these parents changed their residence to Howard county when their daughter was a child and here they remained un- til the death of the mother at the age of fifty years, the father subse- quently moving to Minnesota, where he departed this life in 1000 after reaching his seventieth year. Mr. Sexton was a progressive farmer, a most praiseworthy citizen and left the impress of his en- dorsements upon the community in which he resided. He made a number of valuable improvements on his place in addition to clear- ing the land, among which was a fine brick dwelling, erected in the year 1876, and his farm was long considered one of the most beau- tiful and attractive rural homes in the county. His oldest son, E. F. Sexton, is a well known citizen and manufacturer of Alexandria. where he has been in business for a number of years. Edgar Sex- ton. the second son and third child, is foreman of the steel and rod mill at Kokomo, which position he has worthily filled ever since the plant was erected. George L., the youngest of the family, died in childhood.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Pitzer has been blessed with one 36
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son, Lloyd M., who was born on the 21st day of August, 1881. and who is now one of the enterprising young farmers and representa- tive citizens of Harrison township. He lives on the home place and is a married man with a family of two children, John E. and Ken- neth M., the wife and mother having formerly been Pearl McKin- sey, who was born and reared in Howard county.
Mr. Pitzer is an active and influential member of the fraternity of Odd Fellows, with which he has been identified for thirty years, and in which he has been honored from time to time with important official positions. He united with the order in Alto in 1878, since which time he has labored zealously to promote the interests of the brotherhood there and elsewhere. having passed all the chairs in both subordinate and grand lodge, besides holding similar offices in the Grand Encampment. In the latter branch of the order he has been especially active and for many years a leader whose reputation now extends far beyond the confines of his own state, being widely known and greatly esteemed in the higher circles of Odd Fellowship throughout the entire country. He is also an earnest worker in the Order of Ben-Hur and has done much to make the local lodge meet the high expectations of its founders and realize the purposes for which it was instituted. Mrs. Pitzer is a member of the Rebekah Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and like her husband manifests a lively interest in its work and welfare.
FRED KOLLMAR.
The United States can boast of no better or more law-abiding class of citizens that the great number of Germans who have found homes within her borders, and whom this country is always ready
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to welcome to its shores. There have come to this country from the fatherland and other alien lands men of limited financial re- sources, but imbued with a sturdy independence and a landable am- bition to succeed, and who have taken advantage of the wonderful possibilities afforded here. Gradually, step by step. they have risen to places of prominence in various lines of activity. Of these there can be none mentioned who deserves more favorable attention than the gentleman whose name opens this biographical sketch and who has for many years been an honored and industrious resident of Ko- komo. Howard county.
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