USA > Indiana > Howard County > History of Howard County, Indiana, Vol II > Part 43
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John Hinkle, our subject, attended the district schools in How- ard county, working on the farm in the meantime, remaining under his parental roof until 1861 when he responded to his country's call for troops to save the Union from disintegration. Severing home ties he enlisted when nineteen years old in Company D, Thir- ty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. The first winter after his enlistment he contracted the measles and they affected his lungs. After returning to his regiment he was put to driving a team at which he remained for two years. When he returned to his com-
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pany it was at the battle of Chickamauga. He later participated in the battle of Missionary Ridge and Ringgold. Georgia. Ile was also in the marches and skirmishes in which his regiment was engaged on the Atlanta campaign. Since his regiment was armed with Spencer repeating rifles it was brought into nearly all the engage- ments. During the siege of Atlanta this regiment at times went entirely around the city and the Confederate army. They were sur- rounded each time, but cut their way through the lines of the enemy with heavy loss. Many of their horses were lost which necessitated a slow movement and the plan of the raid was at one time nearly defeated on this account. They met with heavy loss at the battle of Jonesboro. After this the regiment was on the march to the sea, during which it was engaged at Mud Creek, South Carolina. Mr. Hinkle was mustered out at the close of the war, but he never fully recovered from the disease contracted during the first year of his service. After the war he came to Howard county, settling on the property where he has since resided. He then built a small log cabin eighteen by twenty feet, one story high, in which he lived for thirty years and in which all his children were born and where two of them died. This place consisted of fifty-three acres, most of which he cleared himself. On it now stands a fine modern and commlo- dions farm house, erected by the subject. also a good barn. He has tiled and drained the land. also put it under a fine state of cultiva- tion, set out an excellent orchard of fine fruits of selected varieties. The place is well fenced with wire. Owing to the fact that the subject is not now able to continue active work, the farm is managed by his son-in-law, but the subject brought the place up to its present high state of efficiency through his skillful management.
Mr. Hinkle was married in 1864 to Mary .A., daughter of Samuel and Nancy Whisler, who were natives of Pennsylvania.
Six children have been born to the subject and wife, the first 37
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MORROW'S HISTORY
of which died in early infancy: Alice, the second child, who was born in 1867. is the wife of James Duke, of Howard county, and the mother of eight children: the third child of the subject and wife died in infancy ; Cora, born in 1870, was the wife of a Mr. Sale, and the mother of three children : Loretta, born in 1871, is the wife of Severn Bryan: Christiana A., born in 1887. is the wife of Walter McChristian.
The subject is a member of the Christian church. The wife of the subject, who passed to her rest in 1900, was also a member of this church.
Fraternally Mr Hinkle is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a loyal Republican and was assessor for two years. serving in this official capacity with much credit. It would be im- possible to find, within the bounds of Howard county, a more public- spirited, loyal, high-minded and upright gentleman than Mr. Hinkle.
REV. E. RICHARD EDWARDS.
There is no earthly station higher than the ministry of the Gos- pel. no life can be more uplifting and grander than that which is devoted to ameliorating the human race, a life of sacrifice for the betterment of the brotherhood of man, one that is willing to cast aside all earthly crowns and laurels of fame in order to follow in the footsteps of the lowly Nazarene. It is not possible to measure adequately the height, depth and breadth of such a life for its in- Huences continued to permeate the lives of others through succeeding generations, so the power it has cannot be known until "the sun grows coll, and the stars are oldl and the leaves of the judgment
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book unfold." The subject of this sketch is one of those self-sacri- ficing. ardent, loyal and true spirits that is a blessing to the race, leaving in its wake an influence that ever makes brighter and better the lives of those who follow.
Rev. E. Richard Edwards, pastor of the Main Street Christian church, Kokomo, Indiana, was born in New York City, March 17. 1866. His parents, people of sterling qualities and the highest integ- rity, were natives of Wales.
The subject of this sketch was graduated from the public schools of New York where he made a splendid record, for he was always an ambitious lad and applied himself closely to his work. After leaving school he served as a machinist's apprentice, and dur- ing his service in the shop he took the technical course in civil engi- neering at the Cooper Institute night school. Here, too, he made rapid progress.
For a time our subject was associated with his brother and father in the hardware and house furnishing business. But believing that his mission lay along higher planes he gave up this lucrative business and entered Transylvania University at Lexington, Ken- tucky, and completing the course there, was graduated in June. 1890. having made a splendid record in this school. His first regular charge was in Brooklyn, New York, where he built up the Second church to goodly proportions, having greatly strengthened it. He was in charge of the field at Syracuse, New York, for a period of nearly eight years, after which he was called to a large and flourish- ing church in Bedford, Indiana.
From the latter place Rev. Edwards was called to the church in Kokomo, which is considered one of the most desirable charges in the state. The call was accepted in June, 1907, and since that time the church has leaped into the front rank as one whose growth and progress has won favorable comment throughout the city.
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In addition to his regular collegiate course, Mr. Edwards at- tended Union Seminary, New York, and also did two years of post- graduate work in sociology at Syracuse University under Professor John R. Commons.
Thus amply qualified for his duties this clergyman is especially strong in winning men to his ministry and his first year in Kokomo added one hundred and fifty members to his already large member- ship.
Our subject has an interesting and highly cultured family, con- sisting of his wife, who was formerly Lena W. Lillard, whom he married in Lexington, Kentucky, and two boys, Tyler C. and Ed- ward B., aged sixteen and fourteen years respectively, and no family in Kokomo is more highly esteemed.
REV. SYLVESTER F. WILSON.
One of the well known and revered gentlemen of Howard county with which this publication has to do is the subject of this biographical record, who is a farmer of more than ordinary skill and who has labored long, devotedly and successfully in the noble calling to which he has consecrated the latter years of his life, serv- ing in more or less active pastoral relations in Clay township, where he maintains his home, and being here held in the highest esteem by all who know him, while his name is one honored throughout this section of the state. He supplies many of the various smaller charges and is often called upon to exercise his ministerial func- tions in various ways. He has been a deep student of sociological problems and movements, taking an active interest in such move- ments. Mr. Wilson has been an effective worker in the cause of
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temperance and has ever been found a loyal and public-spirited citi- zen, for he has brought to his life work a mind well disciplined by scholastic training, which, together with his indomitable labors. has won for him a conspicuous place in Howard county, where his labors have been greatly blessed, and having enthusiasm for still greater achievements in the holy office in which his abilities and energies are being devoted, the future yet holds much in store for lim.
Rev. Sylvester E. Wilson is a native of Howard county. In- diana, being born here September 27, 1849, the son of James B. Wilson, a native of New York, who was born in 1803. The sub- ject's mother was Eunice Richmond in her maidenhood, a native of Switzerland county, Indiana. They were married in the south- ern part of the state and settled in Howard county in 1845, being among the pioneer element of those days when the great resources of the county were yet undeveloped. They made their subsequent home in Ervin township, where they both departed this life, rear- ing four sons and three daughters, our subject being the third child in order of birth and the eldest son. He was reared in Ervin town- ship and lived on the old homestead until he was thirty-two years old. when he was married, August 23, 1884. to Electa A. Tarking- ton, daughter of John E. and Amanda A. Tarkington, and a native of Clay township, where she was called from her earthly career May 17. 1898. after a faithful and consecrated life. Two children were born to the subject and wife-Earl, who died in infancy, and Eva A., born March 13. 1895. The subject was again married August 24. 1904. to Margrett I. Johnson, who was a native of Orange county. Indiana. They have one child. Ernest F .. born October 31. 1906.
While farming has been the chief vocation of Mr. Wilson he has taught seven very successful terms of school in Howard county.
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and he has taken an active part in township offices. He was deputy county treasurer for two terms. He is a supporter of the Repub- lican ticket in national elections. He held the position of township trustee for six years most creditably. He has also taken an active interest in church work from his youth, having been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years. He has been a local preacher in the Methodist church since 1891 and an ordained elder since April, 1906.
Mr. Wilson owns a valuable farm of one hundred and eleven acres, all of which are well improved and under an excellent system of cultivation, receiving the careful attention of the subject. al- though he has been a very busy man in recent years. He is regarded as a man of the highest principles and staunchest integrity and justly merits the deep regard in which he is held in Clay township.
WILLIAM B. HELMICH.
In any vocation of life there may come success, sometimes achieved by wealth, but oftener simply by grit and brains. In fact. the basis of true manhood lies not so much in the accumulation of wealth and honor as in the purpose and determination to do some- thing for self and family. Success has come to our subject through a source for which he has long had a peculiar liking, and one which has had to do with the uplifting of humanity by appealing to the higher elements of nature. The stage has done a great deal toward making true men and women. It is through it that character is best demonstrated and the different traits brought to such a high pitch of emphasis that the lessons are not soon forgotten. Nor is character alone emphasized : great principles are often evolved. new
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theories presented and explained, and teaching of a high standard is often effectually done through this play of life. The stage of to- day does not appeal to the sensual. Its purpose is higher, its aim for good. It is through this channel that Shakespeare, Johnson and others still live in the hearts of the cultured, and the imagination is drawn on to picture the greatest lessons of life. Mr. Ilelmich in his management of the Sipe theater has studied to please the masses and has made an especial effort to place the best obtainable in the business to the front. It has been his aim to place only the best pre- ductions of the day before the people, so that a lasting impression for good would be left on their minds, and mriny are the lessons that have been taught through this source that have been helpful to the community.
William B. Helmich, as already indicated the manager of the George Sipe theater, is a native of Howard county, having been born in Kokomo, November 27. 1866. Hle is the son of A. J. and Mary J. ( Morgan) llelmich. The former was a soldier during the Civil war and died several years ago: the latter is still living in Kokomo. Our subject was reared in the city of his birth and at- tended the public schools of the place until his thirteenth year, at which time he left school to learn the brickmaker's trade, at which he worked several years, both in this city and in Kansas. Later he engaged in the contracting and building business with his uncle. W. B. Morgan, the firm thus constituted meeting with a fair degree of success, doing business under the firm name of Morgan & Helmnich. After abandoning that line of work Mr. Helmich launched out into the theatrical world. joining Mr. Sipe, of Kokomo, and for a num- ber of years was advance agent for the Sipe shows. after which he assumed the management of the opera house at Kokomo. Ile be- came connected with Mr. Sipe on the opening night of his new opera house nine years ago and has continued in connection with this ven-
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ture ever since. Mr. Helmich has been untiring in his efforts to place the business on the highest possible plane, and that he has been successful is evidenced by the high class of entertainments he is continually bringing to the local opera house for the amusement of the many patrons.
Mr. Helmich's beautiful home in this city is presided over by the estimable lady of his choice, to whom he was married in 1887 at Kansas City, Missouri. Mrs. Helmich, who, before her mar- riage, was Fannie Rivers, of Kansas City, Missouri, has a large cir- cle of friends in Kokomo, among whom she is very popular.
Mr. Helmich is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks; also of the Eagles and Bricklayers' union. Politically he is a Republican.
GEORGE W. SIPE.
In touching upon the life history of the subject of this sketch the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extravagant praise : vet he desires to hold up for consideration those facts which have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life-a life characterized by perseverance, energy, broad charity and well de- fined purpose. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pro- nounced upon the man by the people who have known him so long and well, for the subject presents in his career of merchant, theat- rical manager, and many other lines of business, an interesting study of the manner in which adherence to principle and sturdy endeavor may win worthy distinction in pursuits diverse and ennobling. Throughout an active and interesting career duty has ever been his motive of action, and usefulness to his fellow men not by any means a secondary consideration. Standing today among the most intel-
OF HOWARD COUNTY. 585
ligent, enterprising, progressive and alert of his contemporaries, he has performed well his part in life, and it is a compliment worthily bestowed to say that Howard county is honored by his citizenship, for he has achieved definite success through his own efforts and is thoroughly deserving of the proud American title of self-made man, the term being one that, in its better sense, cannot but appeal to the loyal admiration of all who are appreciative of our national institu- tions and the privileges afforded for individual accomplishment, and it is a privilege, ever gratifying. in this day and age, to meet a man who has the courage to face the battles of life with a strong heart and steady hand and to win in the stern conflict by bringing to bear only those forces with which nature has equipped him, self-reliance, self- respect and integrity.
George W. Sipe, owner and manager of the Sipe Theater in Kokomo, was born in Connelsville, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1856, the son of Aaron and Rosa (Chorpenning) Sipe, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of England, who came to America when she was a child with her parents and was reared in Clarksburg. Vir- ginia. The father of our subject was a German Baptist preacher during the major part of his life, coming to Miami county, Indiana, in 1860 and in the spring of 1865 he moved to Howard county, In- diana, where he lived until his death in March, 1872, at the early age of forty-six years. His wife passed to her rest in December. 1903. at the age of seventy-six years. The subject came to In- diana with his parents and spent his youth in Miami and Howard counties, having received a good common school education. Be- ing an ambitious lad from the start he applied himself in a most as- siduous manner and outstripped many of his less energetic con- temporaries.
After the death of his father our subject engaged in the butcher business at Bunker Hill. and later launched in the livery business,
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still later the grocery and dry goods business, operating all these lines in a most successful manner, which resulted in a comfortable income for several years. He sold out in 1878 and went to Fowler. Indiana, where he engaged in the hardware business for a period of two years, building up a good trade, but believing that Kokomo offered greater advantages, he sold out and in 1880 located in this city. He became a member of the hardware firm of Ellis & Sipe. where he remained with flattering success for a period of five years. when he sokl out to engage in the livery business, in which he con- tinued in a most successful manner until 1894. During that time he erected a large brick barn sixty-seven by one hundred and thirty- two feet, on Washington street, and owned the business until 1897. Believing that he saw a good opening in the circus business, Mr. Sipe also engaged in the circus business, in which he traversed the country until 1904. visiting every state and territory in the Union. showing in all the large cities and many of the smaller towns, and during that time he was in various business organizations, first as Sipe & Dolman for three years, then he was alone, having two shows in 1900, which he sold to Gentry Brothers. In 19of he organized a stock company with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars, ninety-two thousand dollars of which was paid up, and the company was known as Sipe's Educated Animals and Liliputian Shows. The first year was very successful, but the business of the second year was seriously interfered with on account of weather conditions, it having rained every day but twelve during the twenty-seven weeks, which resulted in a loss to the company of seventy-two thousand dollars. This show was later soll, and our subject organized another, which he successfully managed until the fall of 1904. In 1900 our subject built the Sipe Theater in Kokomo, which is one of the neatest, up- to-date and popular play houses in the state. It is sixty-six by one hundred and thirty-two feet, the brick and stone of which cost thirty-
OF HOWARD COUNTY. 587
seven thousand dollars, and its seating capacity is one thousand. one hundred and eighty-two, the size of the stage being forty-five by six- ty-six feet back of the curtain line, which is the largest in the state. The interior is beautifully decorated, modern in every appointment. and safe. Useless to say that this theater is well patronized by the people of Kokomo and vicinity, often numerous patrons come from surrounding towns to shows of extraordinary excellence. In March. 1906. Mr. Sipe established himself in vaudeville and the house was conducted as a vaudeville theater every week in the year, three shows a day. this being a most successful venture. It is practically the only theater in the city, and it plays all leading traveling first-class attractions in addition to vaudeville. Mr. Sipe, associated with W. B. Helmick, also has the lease of the Broadway Theater at Logans- port, which forms no small portion of his income. He is one of the most thorough show men in the state and has a wide reputation with members of this profession.
Our subject was mited in marriage February 2, 1882. to Ada B. Duckwall, a native of Bunker Hill. this state. the accomplished and refined daughter of Daniel and Zilla ( Reader) Duckwall, na- tives of Ohio, early settlers of Miami county, and influential people in their community. One child, Earl D., has been born to the sub- ject and wife. He is a bright boy and gives every promise of a suc- cessful future.
Mr. Sipe in his political relations is a loyal Republican, and in his fraternal relations is a member of the Elks at Kokomo. The career of Mr. Sipe is interesting from the fact that he started his eminently successful career without a dollar, having earned his first money when sixteen years of age by cutting three hundred rods of ditch on a farm eight miles east of Kokomo. Ile then cleared eight acres of ground: he then split ten thousand rails at one cent each for Henry Metz in Howard township. But by the exercise of sound
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business principles, and by being energetic at all times, he has forged to the front in spite of all obstacles and is today one of the most deserving and worthy business men of this county, where he is held in high esteem by all classes because of his honesty of pur- pose, his industry, genuine worth, courtesy of manners and his public spirit.
JOHN LOUIS PEETZ.
Success has universally been an attendant of that person whom judgment and discrimination have enabled to suit a proper action to every situation in life. The past career and present position and character of John Louis Peetz, the subject of this brief article, in- dicate how well he has appreciated and acted in the circumstances that have surrounded him. The ancestry of Mr. Peetz was German. His father. George H. Peetz, a native of the fatherland, came to the United States a number of years ago, and for some time lived in Ripley county, Indiana, removing thence to Howard county when the subject was eight years of age, settling on a farm in Taylor township, about seven miles southwest of Kokomo, near the Tip- ton county line. The subject's mother, who bore the maiden name of Bachman, was also born in Germany, and. like her husband, in- herited many of the sterling qualities for which her nationality has for ages been distinguished.
In Ripley county, Indiana, on a farm, John Louis Peetz first saw the light of day, March 16, 1867, and at the age of eight years was brought by his parents to Howard county, where he remained until the removal of the family to the county of Tipton, in the year 1883. Meantime he became inured to the duties of farm life, grew to young manhood with a well developed physique and a spirit of
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OF HOWARD COUNTY.
self-control which, in due time, enabled him to bend circumstances to suit his purposes, in the laying of a foundation for his future course of life.
In. the district schools Mr. Peetz received a practical English education, and such was his progress in his studies that at the age of nineteen he successfully passed the examination for a teacher's license, and for a period of three years taught in the schools of Tipton county. Subsequently he took a partial course in pharmacy at Purdue, and for four or five years clerked in a drug store, in ad- dition to which he was for some time engaged in the grain trade at Nevada, where he also acted in the capacity of station and ticket agent for the Cincinnati division of the Pan Handle Railroad.
From early boyhood Mr. Peetz manifested a decided taste for mathematics, and his remarkable aptness in the same finally in- (luced him to take the civil service examination, which he passed successfully. Shortly after receiving his returns he was appointed to a position in the United States Census Bureau at the national capital. Within a comparatively short time he was promoted sec- tion chief, and afterward detailed for special work in gathering sta- tistics for the department. Mr. Peetz entered the government service February 1. rooo, and resigned this position January 1. 1907, at which time he was appointed chief deputy in the office of the Indiana Bureau of Statistics, at Indianapolis, where he remained nearly one year, and then resigned for the purpose of competing for the nomination for state statistician, in the contest for which he was ably assisted by his wife, who by means strikingly original and tactful proved a worthy and influential ally, as the sequel amply demonstrated.
Mr. Peetz was married on the 27th of January, 1904. in Gar- rett. Indiana, to Cora R. Weeks, a native of Dekalb county, and a highly cultured and refined lady, who has achieved enviable dis-
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tinction as a teacher in various institutions, among them being the Northern Indiana University, at Valparaiso, in the scientific depart- ment of which she was graduated in the year 1894. Subsequently she added to her scholastic training by taking a full classical course at Valparaiso, receiving her degree in 1902.
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