USA > Indiana > Howard County > History of Howard County, Indiana, Vol II > Part 44
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The circumstances under which Mrs. Peetz entered the political arena and outgeneraled some of the more skillful and astute poli- ticians in the state furnishes an interesting chapter without a paral- lel in the history of Indiana politics. Briefly stated, the facts lead- ing to her becoming an effective instrument in her husband's contest for the office of the state statistician and her victory in the conven- tion were as follows: In April, 1907, she took charge of the office of the Monon News, a weekly paper, which had been established at Monon, Indiana, by her brother. George T. Weeks, under whose management it continued to be published until failing health obliged him to give up the enterprise. Under the management of lessees the office had become sadly run down. At this juncture. however, Mrs. Peetz took control, and under her management the paper soon more than regained the prestige it had lost. and within the brief space of a year not only became self-supporting, but estab- lished a reputation as one of the best edited and most popular papers in the northern part of the state. Mr. Peetz was triumphantly elected in November, 1908. When Mr. Peetz decided to enter the race for the nomination of state statistician it was through the columns of The News that his candidacy was first given publicity. In an ably prepared editorial in which his peculiar fitness for the position, as well as his excellent standing as a man and citizen. were fully set forth, Mrs. Peetz demonstrated her ability and adroitness as a campaigner by sending marked copies of the paper to each (lelegate to the convention. In this way her influence became as effective as if she had resorted to the much more difficult task of a
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personal canvass. She attended the convention and after the ballot by which her husband was nominated had been taken she was called to the platform, where her presence was greeted with tumultuous applause, and her graceful bow of acknowledgment created an en- thusiasm seklom witnessed in such assemblages.
Mr. Peetz has made his home in Kokomo, where his wife also retains her legal residence, and for some time past he has devoted considerable attention to the real estate business, in which his suc- cess has been encouraging. At this writing he is making an active though honorable canvass of the state, in which he is ably assisted by his wife through the columns of The News, and should he prove successful in the coming campaign, which now appears probable. much of the credit will be due the faithful ally, who, since the time she exchanged her name for the one she now so worthily bears, has been his inspiration in all laudable and honorable endeavors.
Mr. Peetz and his accomplished wife have many warm friends and admirers in Kokomo, and move in the best social circles of the city. Thus far his life has been one of strenuous activity and by reason of the success with which it has been attended, his friends are justified in predicting for him a future of still greater useful- ness and distinction.
REV. FRANCIS LORDEMANN.
lloward county has been the home and the scene of labor of many men who have not only led lives which should serve as a les- son and inspiration to those who follow them onto the stage of life's activities, but who have also been of important service through im- portant avenues of usefulness in various lines. The honored and
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highly esteemed subject of this sketch is a man of well rounded character, sincere, devoted and loyal, so that there are many salient points which render consonant a tribute to his memory in this com- pilation. Standing as he does today, the head of one of the most important churches in Howard country, where his labors have long been directed for the amelioration of the people of this community with such gratifying results.
Rev. Francis Lordemann, pastor of the St. Patrick's church, Kokomo, Indiana, was born in Germany and received the founda- tion of his education in his native land. He came to America in 1869 and entered St. Francis' Seminary at Milwaukee, where he completed his education. In 1873 he was ordained to the priesthood. being ordained by Bishop Dwenger, and in September of the same year was appointed to take charge of St. Patrick's church in Kokomo.
During his early years here he also did much missionary work. attending the missions at Tipton, Noblesville, Buscher, Mullin's Sta- tion and Frankfort. He still attends the mission at Bunker Hill, fif- teen miles from Kokomo, driving thither once a month to celebrate high mass and preach a sermon. This mission has a neat and com- fortable frame church built by Father Kelley, but has never had a resident pastor. Father Lordemann has attended this mission for a period of seventeen years. For a period of thirty-five years at this writing ( 1908) our subject has been in charge of all advance- ment and building of church edifices and school houses, all due to his efforts. In 1904 he built an addition to the school house cost- ing four thousand dollars, and in 1905 four lots were bought front- ing on Fremont street, and two years later the old church was torn down and a new building started, which, when completed. will cost about one hundred thousand dollars, and will be one of the finest church edifices in the state. The basement, which is completed, and
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is used temporarily for worship, is one hundred and fifty by eighty- five feet. He has purchased all the church property except where the church stands and has made many improvements on the build- ings from time to time, and the property is entirely clear of debt. It was no small task to do all this, and especially when we consider that at the time the church was built the congregation was not rich and was comparatively small. It required much hard work and a zeal and perseverance that only those who were closely connected with and took active part in the work of the parish can clearly un- derstand and appreciate. Besides this he has been active in building up the parish and raising the spiritual standing of the congregation. which is now in an excellent condition, both temporal and spiritual. In the purchase of property, the erection of the buildings and in looking after the many transactions and duties devolving upon him he has shown business tact and energy, as well as a devotion to the church.
St. Patrick's church, which occupies a position of prominence in the city and vicinity of Kokomo, is the result of over a half cen- tury of faithful Catholicity in this locality. The good people of this church have cheerfully made many sacrifices to provide means to erect the commodious quarters they will soon occupy in the new building. At the present time there is a large congregation in Koko- mo. but fifty years ago it was quite different when Catholics first be- gan to settle here, but in this period of time its advancement has been remarkable. In the fifties Kokomo was only a mission, being visit- ed from time to time by priests from Indianapolis and other points for the celebration of mass and the baptism of infants. The first efforts at establishing a mission was begun by Father Hamilton in 1859. A lot was donated by Doctor Richmond to the congregation. an adjoining lot was purchased and the two were used for church purposes, and Father Hamilton, in the following year, erected the
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old church, a small, unpretentious frame building, but sufficiently large for the few Catholics here at that time. During the ten years following the mission experienced numerous changes in spiritual direction. The first resident pastor was Father Patrick Frawley, in 1869, who added a vestry to the mission church. When Father Lordeman took charge the congregation had considerably increased and comprised about forty families. He at once began to improve the property, and in 1874 the commodius parochial residence was built, which he still occupies. He also organized the parish and got the affairs of the congregation running on a more business-like basis. On March 11, 1875. he purchased the lot north of the residence.
The old church now became quite inadequate to increased num- ber of Catholics, and it became imperative to erect a larger one, and ( ur subject at once began to take subscriptions to erect a new one, and the following year the old church was removed to an adjoining lot and work on a new structure began, which was completed in 1877 at a cost of twenty thousand dollars. At that time it was the largest church in the city and a credit to the town. But it is now to be supplanted by the mammoth and imposing new edifice in course of erection.
Shortly after Father Lordemann came to Kokomo he began to realize the necessity of a school, where the children could acquire a good Christian education. The first school was organized in 1874. when a part of the auditorium of the church was partitioned off for that purpose. In 1877 the old church building was remodeled and fitted up for a school house, the number of pupils having doubled. now being over sixty. A school building was begun in 1893, all cost- ing eleven thousand dollars, and the attendance now numbers over two hundred pupils.
The acts of our subject, both spiritual and temporal. have met with the united approval of his own people and all others as well.
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The good he has accomplished does not stand alone in the splendid buildings he has caused to be raised, but they are deeply engraven on the hearts of the people of Howard county and the approval of his own conscience and that of the Divine Master are all the reward he wished for his labors in behalf of the church.
OLIVER CLINTON HEADY.
Oliver Clinton Heady, the well known liveryman of Kokomo, Howard county, was born in Hamilton county. Indiana. January 29. 1868, the son of George and Jane ( Ashbrook) Heady, both na- tives of Hamilton county, Indiana. They were the parents of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the youngest, namely : Ellen, wife of John R. Hickman : Thomas: Claretta, wife of Cyrus Klepher : Calvin, deceased. When seven years old our subject was brought to Harrison township, Howard county, where he soon be- gan working on a farm, which he continued until he was twenty-one years old. He worked out by the month and farmed for four years. He came to Kokomo believing that better opportunities there await- ed him, and he first began farming, which he followed with success until 1902, when he engaged in the livery business, having carried on the same with gratifying results ever since, becoming known as one of the most obliging and conscientious men in this line of busi- ness in this locality. He has a large number of excellent carriages, buggies and other vehicles and many horses of a good quality, good drivers and saddlers, and the traveling public as well as pleasure seekers are his constant patrons, knowing that here they will receive the best of treatment.
Mr. Heady was united in marriage in Center township. this
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county, to Oda May Hanna, daughter of T. J. and Louisa ( Moore) Hanna. She was born in Center township and received her educa- tion there. The ceremony that made them one was performed in Center township. This union has been blessed by the birth of one child. Thomas Carl. a twelve- year-old lad.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Heady is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ben-Hur. He is a man of excellent qualities, sincere, industrious and always kind, which facts have won him many friends in Howard county, and he is regarded as one of the most promising young men in the business life of the county.
RONOLDO MEREDITH COOPER.
It cannot be other than interesting to note in the series of per- sonal sketches appearing in this work the varying conditions that have compassed those whose careers are outlined, and the effort has been made in each case to throw well focused light onto the indi- viduality and to bring into proper perspective the scheme of each re- spective career. Each man who strives to fulfill his part in con- nection with human life and human activities is deserving of recog- nition, whatever may be his field of endeavor, and it is the function of works of this nature to perpetuate for future generations an authentic record concerning those represented in its pages, and the value of such publications is certain to be cumulative for all time to come. showing forth the individual and specific accomplishments of which generic history is ever engendered. The bar of Howard county has ever maintained a high standing. and among the able young members of the same is he whose name introduces this para- graph. With a natural predilection for the law, and endowed with
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an analytical mind and ready faculty of assimilation, Mr. Cooper was led to adopt the profession, and he has exemplified in a signifi- cant way the value of concentration, while the future of such a career cannot fail to be gratifying. Ile is established in the practice in Kokomo, retaining a representative clientage and holding the esteem of his professional confreres, at the same time leading such a life as to gain the confidence and respect of all classes. Therefore it is consistent that mention be made of Mr. Cooper in this volume for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that he was one of the gallant soldiers who offered their services in the name of humanity during the Spanish- American war.
Ronoldo Meredith Cooper was born in Burlington, Indiana. July 13. 1871, the son of William and Eliza ( Newcomb) Cooper, the former a native of Preble county, Ohio, and the latter of Cass county. Indiana. The subject's father is a well known and popular physi- cian and surgeon, for a period of forty-five years being one of the oldest practitioners in Howard county, having located in Kokomo in March, 1875. and was very successful in all his professional career. The subject was four years old when he came to Kokomo. and he was reared and educated here. Being ambitious from the start he studied hard and obtained a good education in the local schools. When only fifteen years old he entered Michigan Military Academy at Orchard Lake, where he remained for a period of two years, and in which institution he made a splendid record. He later entered the University of Indiana, taking a course in the literary department. He afterward entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Harbor, in 1891, taking a literary course. later completing the law course, graduating from that department with high honors in 1895. After leaving school Mr. Cooper entered the law office of his brother-in-law. John Worth Kern, of Indianapolis, the candi- date for Vice President of the United States in 1908 on the Demo-
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cratic ticket, and he remained in this office as clerk for a period of three years, giving entire satisfaction in every respect.
When the Spanish- American war began our subject responded to the patriotic feeling that possessed him, desiring to see active service at the front in the cause of humanity, and enlisted in the Twenty-seventh Indiana Battery in 1898, the battery having former- ly been known as Battery A, which for a time took all national prizes in drilling, and Mr. Cooper served with credit and distinc- tion in the same until the close of the war, under Major General Brooks, in Porto Rico. After his experience in the army he re- turned to Indiana and located in Kokomo and engaged in the prac- tice of law, his success being instantaneous. Becoming well known, and having taken an active part in political affairs, he was elected city judge in 1906 for a term of four years, during which time he faithfully performed the duties of this responsible office with a clearness of judgment that would have done credit to a much older man, his opinions being popular at all times, having been fair to all, his motto being, "charity to all-no malice." He never sent a man to jail for minor offenses who had a family to support. In politics he is a loyal Republican and has the interests of his party at heart.
Mr. Cooper was happily married February 26, 1900, to Mar- garet Cushing, a native of Washington, D. C., and at that time a resident of Toledo, Ohio. She is the accomplished and re- fined daughter of Henry and Mary ( Bell) Cushing. Her brother, Digby Bell, was for a number of years collector at the port of Detroit. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper are the parents of one winsome and bright daughter, seven years old in 1908, who bears the name of Sarah Cushing Cooper.
Mr. Cooper in his fraternal relations is a member of the Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Eagles and also the college fraternity
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Sigma Chi. Because of his genuine worth, which everybody recog- nizes, his public spirit, pleasing address, integrity and loyalty to all high ideals and principles, he is one of the best known and likable young men in Howard county.
JOSEPH DE ARMOND ROSS.
Joseph De Armond Ross was born in Clay township, Miami county, Indiana, September 30, 1870, the only son of George W. and Elizabeth ( Stevenson) Ross who lived to maturity. George W. Ross was the son of Richard De Armond Ross, whose parents were natives of Botetourt county, Virginia. Originally the Ross family came from Scotland, two brothers coming to the United States. One settled in Virginia, the other in North Carolina. Eliza- beth Stevenson was the daughter of Joseph Gaskill and Esther Ann ( Rogers) Stevenson, who were natives of New Jersey and of a Quaker family, and who, with the Ross family, were early settlers of Miami county, Indiana. The father of the subject was a soldier in the Civil war, serving almost three years in Thirty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which was later organized into the Eighth In- cliana Volunteer Cavalry and was honorably discharged. His serv- ice was mostly served under General Sherman and was in the famous march to the sea. He is now living a retired life in the city of Kokomo, Indiana, and is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and is a Republican in politics.
Our subject first attended the district schools of Clay township. Miami county. Indiana, later attending Normal School, and also taught mathematics therein, after which he entered Earlham College at Richmond, Indiana, the Friends institution, where he pursued a
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special course, after which he studied law and spent a year at Dayton, Ohio. In 1891 he came to Howard county, where he has resided ever since. He was admitted to the bar in 1895 and prac- ticed law in connection with the abstract business, in which he was already interested. In 1899 he retired from the abstract and law business and has given his attention mostly to the farm upon which he is now residing, in section 10, township 25, range 4 east, in How- ard township. Mr. Ross owns one of the well improved farms of the county, consisting of one hundred and forty acres, all of which is under plow but twenty acres, which is left for a timber reserve and which he guards with zealous care, knowing the value of a timber tract with a farm.
Mr. Ross has been married once and has a son, William De Armond Ross, who was born April 25, 1894. a bright lad, who was graduated from the district schools of Howard township before four- teen years of age, and who is now a student in the high school of Kokomo, and who gives promise of a brilliant career.
In politics our subject is a Republican, but is independent in his voting, supporting men whom he knows to be competent to fill an office. He has held the office of justice of the peace in his town- ship for three terms. He is a public spirited man and always ready to do his part in furthering the interests of his community, where he is highly respected, owing to his uprightness and honorable prin- ciples in all his dealings with his fellow men. He is pleasant. so- ciable and uniformly agreeable.
The ancestors of our subject were in the Revolutionary war. One ancestor, Robert Hanna, was an early settler of Franklin coun- ty. Indiana, and was a neighbor and playmate of Thomas Jefferson. in Virginia, and they were life-long friends, keeping friendship alive by correspondence.
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EZRA SPENCER HUNT.
A review of the life of the honored and lamented subject of this sketch must of necessity be brief and general in its character. To enter fully into the interesting details of his career touching the struggles of his early manhood and successes of later days would far transcend the limits of this article. He filled a large place in the ranks of the enterprising and public-spirited men of his day and generation and the luster of his deeds and the memories which attach to his name and character form no inconsiderable chapter in the history of the various communities where he did his work and achieved success such as few men attain. Sufficient is sub- mitted. we believe, to prove him entitled to the honorable position he long occupied among the brave and energetic self-made men of Indiana, who by enterprise and unswerving integrity forged to the front despite all opposition and won for the grand old Hoosier com- monwealth a place second to none other in the bright constellation comprising the Union of American states. That he did his part nobly and well cannot be gainstid, and though dead, he yet speak- cth in the work which he accomplished and in the many kindly deeds and wholesome influence which not only his friends, but the community as well, prize as a grateful heritage.
Ezra Spencer Hunt was born in Henry county, Indiana, De- cember 13. 1841, the son of Nathan and Caroline ( Hosier) Hunt. natives, respectively, of North Carolina and Indiana. Nathaniel Hunt came to Indiana in an early day and settled at New Lebanon, Monroe county, where, in addition to working at the carpenter's trade, he taught school and in due time became a man of consid- erable local prominence in the town and a leader in the carrying out of a number of important enterprises. Later he removed to Henry county, thence about 1844 to the county of Howard, and there he
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spent the remainder of his life, dying a number of years ago at a ripe old age, honored and esteemed by all with whom he came into contact. In religion he was a member of the Society of Friends and always lived in harmony with the plain, simple teachings of his faith, besides doing much by his activity and influence to disseminate the truths of the Gospel among his kind. His good wife was a Methodist and sincerely attached to her church, in the faith of which she lived, and it afforded her great satisfaction and consolation in the hour when she exchanged the mortal state for a blissful immor- tality. Eleven children were born to this couple, their names being as follows: Julia Ann. Rachael, Henry, Madison, Achsa, Alswida. Jane, David. Exalnia, Sarah and Ezra. the majority of whom have long been sleeping the sleep that knows no waking.
Ezra S. Hunt grew up in his father's shop, and under the lat- ter's direction early developed marked mechanical ability, which he subsequently utilized as a carpenter and builder. Such was his effi- ciency in the use of tools that at the age of eighteen he planned and erected the largest barn at that time in Howard county, and after its completion the demands for his services were so great that he could by no possible means meet them. He continued his chosen calling with success and financial profit until 1862, when he ex- changed his mechanical tools for the death-dealing implements of warfare, enlisting that year in Company G. Eighty-ninth Indiana Infantry, with which he served until transferred the following year to the Third Indiana Artillery, of which he was made quartermaster sergeant. Still later he was promoted first lieutenant, in which ca- pacity he continued until made captain of a company in the First Tennessee Colored Militia, a position he held during the remainder of the war, and in which he rendered valuable service to the cause of the Union in many campaigns and on a number of bloody fiekls of combat. . After receiving an honorable discharge at the close of
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the rebellion Mr. Hunt returned to his home in Howard county and resumed his trade, which he prosecuted with encouraging results for several years, the meantime purchasing a threshing outfit, which he operated very successfully in connection with his regular occu- pation. After devoting seven years to threshing and carpentry he and his brother became partners, operating a planing mill at New London, later removing the plant to Russiaville, where they en- larged it and conducted a very satisfactory business until exchanging the business for a sash, door and furniture factory, which, under the firm name of H. and E. S. Hunt, soon became the leading man- ufacturing enterprise of the town and one of the most successful of the kind in the county, representing at the time the brothers took possession a capital of sixteen thousand dollars.
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