USA > Indiana > Howard County > History of Howard County, Indiana, Vol II > Part 9
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portant public trust he at once becomes a conspicuous figure in the body politic of the community and state. The subject of this review is one of the scholarly men of his county, who, not content to hide his talents amid life's sequestered ways, has by the force of will and a laudable ambition forged to the front in a responsible and exact- ing calling, and earned an honorable reputation as the head of one of the most important branches of public service. His life has been one of hard study and research from his youth and since maturity of laborious professional duty in the several relations in which he has been placed ; and the high position to which he has attained is evidence that the qualities he possesses afford the means of distinc- tion under a system of government in which places of honor and usefulness are open to all who may be found worthy of them.
Ellsworth E. Robey, superintendent of the public schools of Howard county and one of the leading educators of the state, is a native of Indiana, born in the county of which he is now a worthy citizen, and honored official, on the 4th day of December, 1870. His father, David H. Robey, also an Indianaian by birth, was brought to this county by his parents when he was two years old, and grew to maturity in Howard township, where the family settled as early as 1846, moving to this part of the state from Henry county.
Subject's grandfather, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Howard township, purchased a tract of land from the government at the time indicated and at once addressed himself to the task of its improvement, but did not live to finish the undertaking, having (lied the following year while serving as a soldier in the war with Mexico. He was a native of Virginia, but came west in a very early day and lived for a number of years in Henry county, Indiana. where he followed agricultural pursuits and became a most estim- able and praiseworthy citizen. His children, nine in number, five sons and four daughters, were born in Henry county, the youngest
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of the family being David, who, as already stated, was reared in Howard county where he still lives, residing at this time in the city of Kokomo. He spent the greater part of his life in Howard town- ship, where, in addition to farming and stock raising he worked for some years at carpentry and earned the reputation of a very skillful and successful mechanic. Since moving to the county seat, however. he has devoted his attention principally to dealing in timber which he buys and ships quite extensively, doing a very satis- factory business. In his young manhood he married Catherine Learner, of Howard county, who bore him one child. Ellsworth E., the subject of this review, and died when her son was only eight years of age, thus depriving him of a mother's loving care and ten- der guidance.
For sometime after the death of his mother young Ellsworth made his home with his aunt who lived in the country, and while a member of her household he enjoyed all the privileges accorded the rest of the family, making himself nseful as soon as old enough to be of service, during the winter and spring months attending the district schools. Being of a studious habit and fond of books, he made the most of his opportunities in the way of study and by eag- erly reading such books as came to his hand, he made rapid progress and while still a mere youth was far in advance of most boys of his age besides being well informed on a wide range of subjects. After finishing the common branches in the country schools he attended for some time the graded schools of Greentown, the training thus received being afterwards supplemented by a full course in the In- ciana State Normal School at Terre Haute, from which he was graduated with the class of 1897. While prosecuting his studies in the latter institution. Mr. Robey devoted his vacations to teaching and was thus engaged for three years in his home township, during which time he earned an honorable reputation as a successful in-
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structor and strict but kind disciplinarian. Having decided to de- vote his life to educational work, he spared neither pains nor ex- pense in fitting himself for the profession and to this end he at- tended the State Normal where he made a creditable record as a diligent and critical student. With the thorough discipline ac- quired at this institution he entered upon his work with renewed zeal in Kokomo, where he taught very successfully for a period of two years and at the expiration of that time accepted a position as ward principal in Tipton where he also remained two years, to the entire satisfaction of the board of trustees. Resigning his prin- cipalship at the latter place he took charge of the schools of Irving- ton, a suburb of Indianapolis and the seat of Butler University, but after one year there resigned his position to make a race for the superintendency of schools in his own county, to which office he was duly elected in 1899 and to the duties of which he has since de- voted his attention, having been twice re-elected in the meantime.
Prof. Robey's nine years of service as the head of Howard county's public school system have been characterized by a series of advancements in educational methods which demonstrate his ability as a man of progressive ideas besides winning for him an honor- able place among the leading superintendents of the state. Possess- ing great force of character and executive ability of high order. he has brought the schools to a high standard of efficiency and by weeding out incompetent teachers and insisting that only those of recognized scholarship and professional experience be employed, he looks hopefully forward to still greater improvement in the future. As an educator he is widely known throughout Indiana and his sug- gestions pertaining to matters educational command respect in all the institutes, associations and conventions of superintendents which he attends. In recognition of his high official and professional standing he was appointed by Governor Durbin in 1904 a member
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of the state board of education, and so efficient did he prove in this responsible post that he was reappointed by Governor Hanly. and stills holds the place. His duties in this connection include oversight of all educational matters not especially provided for by law, which requires his presence in various counties for purpose of inspecting high schools and Normal schools and lending his influence and educational experience in raising the professional standing of the teachers of the state. In his official capacity he has much to do in mangaging and otherwise working for the best interests of the State Teachers' Association, in addition to which important body he is also identified officially with the National Educational Associa- tion of which he is one of the eleven vice-presidents from as many different states, being Indiana's representative in the greatest body of distinguished educators on the American continent. Prof. Robey has served with marked ability as president of the county superin- tendents' section of the State Teachers' Association where his well known success as a school manager and wide practical experience in general educational matters have been of special value to his fel- low associates, among whom he is held in the highest personal es- teem. He is still a young man in the very prime of vigorous physi- cal and mental powers and in possessing genial manners, superior scholarship, which, with his years of practical experience from coun- try school to city principalship. county superintendency and member- ship with some of the highest educational bodies of the land, it is eminently proper to bespeak for him a future of still greater effi- ciency and distinguished service in his chosen field of endeavor.
Aside from the duties of his office Prof. Robey finds time to devote to the general welfare of the city and county in which he lives, being interested in all laudable enterprises that make for their advancement and an earnest advocate of measures and movements having for their object the moral good of his fellow men. Like all
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enterprising citizens he is a politician and takes an active part in the deliberations of the Republican party to which he belongs, being widely and favorably informed on the leading questions and issues of the day with the courage of his convictions when it becomes nec- essary for him to express them. He has served his party as a dele- gate to the state conventions in which bodies his opinions have been listened to with respect. Although a recognized party leader and an aggressive worker, he does not permit political affairs to interfere with his official duties, being first of all a school man and making every other consideration subordinate to his interests as such.
Prof. Robey, on June 20, 1899, was happily married to Isabel Ross, an accomplished young lady of Heyworth, Illinois, who has borne him one child, a son by the name of David Lawrence Robey, a bright and interesting young American in whom his parents have centered many fond hopes for the future. Prof. and Mrs. Robey are consistent members of the Methodist church of Kokomo. They are deeply interested in the literary and club work of the city, in addition to which he is identified with the Pythian Fraternity.
THOMAS C. MALABY.
Holding distinctive prestige among the enterprising citizens of Howard county is Thomas C. Malaby, whose record here briefly outlined is that of a self-made man who by the exercise of the talents with which nature endowed him successfully surmounted an unfa- vorable environment and rose to the position he now occupies as one of the influential and well-to-do men of the city honored by his res- idence. He is a creditable representative of one of the old and highly esteemed pioneer families of Indiana, and possesses many of the admirable qualities and characteristics of the sturdy Pennsylvania
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ancestors, who migrated to Indiana in a very early day and figured in the history of different sections of the state. His father. William Malaby, was born August 15, 1826, in Fayette county, Pennsylva- nia, and when a child was brought to Tippecanoe county. Indiana, from which the family removed in 1828 to the county of Clinton. After remaining in that part of the state until the spring of 1845 he came to Howard county and for some time thereafter taught in the district schools during the winter months, devoting the rest of the year to farm work or any kind of honorable employment he could find to do. On November 2, 1848, he was united in marriage to Mary J. Kidder, who bore him ten children, of which large family only three survive, namely: Thomas C., of this review : Elmira E .. widow of Henry C. Gordon ; and Martha J., who married Robert Merrill.
William Malaby was a Republican in politics, an influential member of his party in the community in which he lived and cast his first presidential ballot for Zachary Taylor. He was an ardent supporter of the Union during the exciting and trying period imme- diately preceding the great Rebellion, and when the war broke out he enlisted in Company G. One Hundred and Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry, and served with an honorable record until the close of the conflict. A farmer by occupation and a most exemplary and praise- worthy citizen, he did his full share in promoting the growth and development of his part of the county, and his death, which occurred on the 4th day of June, 1878. was deeply lamented by the people among whom he had so long lived and by whom he was held in such high esteem. His wife, who is remembered as a true helpmeet and a lady of excellent character and good social standing, departed this life on March 20th of the year following.
Thomas C. Malaby was born September 4, 1849. in Howard county. Indiana, and spent his childhood and youth on the home farm in Ervin township, attending at intervals the district schools
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until obtaining a good English education. Being the oldest of the family, he early assumed much of the labor and responsibility of the farm, and for this reason was not permitted to prosecute his studies to the extent which he desired. Endowed with a studious nature. however, and when a mere child evincing a fondness for books, he devoted his leisure hours to the perusal of such literature as he could procure, and by this and other means of self-improvement became in time the possessor of a large fund of valuable knowledge and earned the reputation of one of the best informed and most intelli- gent men of the community. Meanwhile he devoted his attention to the pursuit of agriculture, but not as a landowner, the condition of the family and the necessity under which he was placed of con- tributing to its support precluding the possibility of purchasing real estate of his own. His somewhat straightened financial circum- stances did not, however, prevent him from taking that most impor- tant step in a young man's life, the choosing of a wife and help- meet and the setting up of a domestic establishment, which event was duly solemnized on August 16, 1874, when he was united in marriage to Mary E. Beckett, whose birth occurred in Marion county, Indiana. on the 16th day of April, 1857. Mrs. Malaby's pa- ternal ancestors were Virginians, her mother's people being among the early settlers of Ohio. The father came from near Blacksburg. Virginia, was married in Marion county. Indiana, and died when his daughter Mary was about fifteen months old. The mother was reared in that county and died at the home of her daughter in Ko- komo. After the death of her father Mary E. Beckett became an inmate of the home of her grandmother, Mrs. Rhoda White, who sent her to school and otherwise looked after her interest and com- fort until her seventeenth year, at which time the marriage, as above recorded, took place.
Mr. Malaby began his domestic life poor in this world's goods. the sum total of his possessions at that time being a team of mules.
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a few farming implements and barely sufficient household goods to furnish very modestly a small and humble domicile of a single room. Endowed with energy and an inborn determination to succeed, he addressed himself manfully to his labors and in due time was on the rugged but sure highway to ultimate prosperity. For some time he tilled the soil as a renter, but subsequently was able to purchase ten acres of land, the cultivation of which sufficed for his needs until the death of his father, when he fell heir to real estate to the value of about sixteen hundred dollars. Still later, after selling the pa- ternal estate, his holdings were increased to one hundred and sixty acres, from which time dates his success as one of the leading farm- ers and representative citizens of Ervin township, and he continued to add to his possessions until becoming a large landowner also.
At the present time Mr. Malaby ranks among the solid men of his county, owning in addition to his real estate and city property here a valuable tract of two hundred and forty acres in Pulaski county, which, with his various private interests, represent a fortune considerably in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars, every penny the result of his own labor and excellent business management. Some years ago he gave up rural life and removed to Kokomo, since which time he has been one of the enterprising, wide-awake men of the city, manifesting a lively interest in its progress and advancement and taking an active part in forwarding movements and measures to these ends. He keeps abreast of the age in all matters of public import. is well read on the political history of the country, and al- though a Republican and interested in the success of the party, he is not as prominent a worker in political affairs as in his younger days, being content to vote the ticket, defend the soundness of his principles and to be known by the simple title of citizen rather than to aspire to official station or strive for leadership.
Mr. and Mrs. Malaby have a pleasant and attractive home at No. 535 West Jefferson street, where in peace and quietude they are
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enjoying the well earned fruits of their many years of struggle and success, their social standing being such as to win many friends among the best society people of the city, and their hospitality and generosity endearing them to all with whom they mingle. They are the parents of two children, both grown and doing for themselves, the older. a daughter by the name of Daisy B., who was born Feb- ruary 27, 1876, being the wife of William Snyder, Jr., of Kokomo. while Carl .A., the son, whose birth occurred on the 16th day of . Au- gust, 1880, is engaged in the grocery and meat trade at No. 708 West Jefferson street, and is doing a very satisfactory business. The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Malaby is embodied in the Methodist creed and since moving to Kokomo they have been identified with the Grace church and are classed with its most active and consistent members. The subject's career has indeed been an honorable one, and though strenuous there is nothing in it savoring in the slight- est degree of disrepute, his relations with his fellow men having ever been above reproach and his good name beyond criticism. As al- ready indicated, he wears the proud American title of self-made man. and being in the most liberal sense of the term the architect of his own fortune he may well feel a sense of pride in his achievements and the honorable position to which he has attained among the en- terprising and successful citizens of the county in which the busy years of his active life have been passed.
JESSE AULT.
Among the old and respected citizens of Kokomo and Howard county none stand higher in honor and patriotism than the subject of this sketch, who has long maintained his home within the borders
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of the county where he has benefited the community in which he cast his lot by setting a worthy example to the younger generations and by leading a clean and upright life in all his relations with the world.
Jesse Ault is the son of Christopher and Phoebe ( Sparks ) Ault, who came to Marion county, Indiana. in 1827. being among the pioneer settlers of that county. The Ault family emigrated west from Baltimore, to which city they came from Germany. being na- tives of that country. and were noted for their military records. Christopher Ault was a gallant soldier against the Indians in the Black Hawk war. He is described as a sturdy farmer and moved from Marion to Tippecanoe county where he resided on a farm 1111- til his death, having been known as a high class citizen in every re- spect. He and his good life companion were the parents of twelve children, only two of whom are living at the present time ( 1908). They are Jesse, our subject, and Adam. The Sparks family came to this country from France in an early day.
Jesse Ault was born in Marion county, five miles west of Indi- anapolis, October 22, 1835. He spent the major part of his boy- hood days in Marion, Clinton and Tippecanoe counties and he came to Howard county among the pioneers, in 1846, and he was among those who began the real work of clearing and developing the county. Later he moved to Tipton county and it was while living there that the dark cloud of rebellion was hanging over the land, when the Republic was in need of brave men to save its integrity ; then it was that Jesse Ault came forward and offered his services, his life, his all to his country, enlisting in Company C. of the One Hundred and First Indiana Volunteer Infantry, his captain being Alexander McCleary. Mr. Ault served but a short time when the captain was compelled to resign on account of ill health and a Mr. Turpin became captain. While in the thickest of the fight at the
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great battle of Missionary Ridge, our subject was seriously wounded by a ball shattering his left arm which rendered amputation neces- sary, and today he is carrying an empty sleeve, but he does not re- gret his service to his country despite his severe loss. The wound was received on November 25. 1863, and after much suffering in the hospital and other places he recovered sufficiently to be dis- charged June 6, 1864, immediately returning to Tipton county, later coming to Kokomo where he has since resided.
Mr. Ault was married to Mary C. Kelley in Howard county, November 13, 1859, and to this union two children were born, namely: Sylvester E., who is now a resident of Savannah, Georgia : Margaret L. is the wife of William Tapp, who is living in Missouri. Mr. Ault's first wife was called to her rest comparatively early in life, and the subject was again married, his second wife being Mahala J. Dailey. Her parents were of English and French de- scent, the father's people being from the first named country and the mother's from the latter.
Charles Carroll, the great grandfather of Mrs. Ault, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and he also had the distinction of placing the first spade in the ground that raised the dirt for the first railroad in the United States, and he is said to have declared in so doing that this was the second most important act in this country, the signing of the Declaration of Independence being the first. Mrs. Ault was born in Howard county August 5. 1851. and she has spent her entire life here, having been reared on the farm and obtained her education in the common schools of this county.
To this marriage one daughter has been born, Phoebe, whose date of birth occurred November 12, 1892. She is a bright child and is making rapid progress in the schools of Kokomo.
Mr. Ault receives a liberal pension, being remembered by the
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government, which he so faithfully served, by sending him fifty-five dollars per month. He owns a substantial and comfortable resi- dence which is nicely furnished at 1122 East Monroe street.
In politics Mr. Ault is a Democrat, but he has never been es- pecially active in political affairs. However, he is always ready to do what he can to forward the interests of his community whether politically, industrially, educationally or morally. And while living in Tipton county he was called upon by his friends to serve them in the capacity of county recorder.
Mr. and Mrs. Ault are leading quiet retired lives, and they are highly respected by all their many friends and acquaintances for the honorable and praiseworthy lives they have led and for the hospi- tality they have ever shown the poor and needy, having long been worthy examples and an influence for good wherever they have resided.
JACOB A. COCHRAN.
One of the influential citizens of Kokomo is the gentleman to whose career the attention of the reader is now directed, who is ranked with the city's leading councilmen and the county's most representative contractors. A man of excellent endowments and up- right character, he has been a valued factor in local affairs and has ever commanded unequivocal confidence and esteem, being loyal to the upbuilding of his community and ever vigilant in his ef- forts to further the interests of his city along material, moral and civic lines.
Jacob A. Cochran is the son of a contractor and was born in Lawrence county, Illinois, August 26. 1859. His father was an early settler in Adams county, Indiana, following his work as con- tractor in Decatur, where he built many of that city's most sub- stantial buildings, later removing to Hamilton county, Indiana, and
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then to Lawrence county, Illinois, where he and his wife spent the latter part of their lives and where they were called from their earthly labors.
Jacob A. Cochran spent his boyhood days on his father's farm in Illinois, attending the common schools in the meantime until he had acquired a sufficient education to enter the business depart- ment of the Southern Indiana Normal school, at Mitchell, from which department he was graduated in the fall of 1883. standing high in his class and ranking as one of the best students this institu- tion ever turned out.
After finishing his school work the subject returned to his na- tive town in Illinois where he began work in a general store, post office and railroad office which prepared him for a practical business which he later entered.
When the gas boom begun in Kokomo in 1887 he came here, and, being the son of a contractor, having learned a great deal about this work from his father, and after working in this line for a short time he was made foreman and in this capacity he served for eight years with credit to himself and benefit to his employer. So well had he served that in 1896 he began to contract for himself, having mastered all the details of this exacting business. He began in a small way and his business gradually grew until today he is one of the largest and most able contractors in his line in the city of Ko- komo.
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