USA > Indiana > Huntington County > History of Huntington County, Indiana : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume II > Part 10
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of commercial endeavor he had reached his chief business prosperity and success, and early in his career built up the largest establishment of its kind in the county seat. His has always been a record of business integrity and fair dealing, and his judgment, diligence and promptness in meeting all obligations have been chief causes in his advancement.
On March 1, 1914, Mr. Stults was elected president of the Huntington Trust Company, one of the prosperous banking concerns of Huntington. He is also a director of the Huntington Commercial Club. At the present time he is a member of the Indiana State Board of Embalmers, having been appointed in November, 1908, by Governor Hanley, and reappointed by Governor Marshall, who is now vice president of the United States.
In politics Mr. Stults has long been active in the interests of the Republican party in Huntington county. Besides his service as county school superintendent, thirty years ago, he has served as a member of the city school board, from 1895 to 1898, and in that connection did much important work for the welfare of the school. In 1902 he was elected representative of Huntington county, as a republican, and con- tinued to serve by reelection in the sessions of 1903, 1905 and 1907. He was a member of several important committees, such as insurance and education, and was chairman of the committee on rights and privileges of the inhabitants of the state, and also on banks. Mr. Stults has taken a prominent part in Masonic affairs, and his affiliations are with Amity Lodge No. 483, A. F. & A. M .; Huntington Chapter No. 27, R. A. M .; Huntington Council No. 51, R. & S. M .; Huntington Commandery No. 35, Knights Templar, and he is also a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and belongs to Mizpah Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Fort Wayne. He has affiliation with Huntington Lodge No. 93, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Stults is also an active and prominent member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Huntington, and was elected by the North Indiana Conference as a lay delegate to the General Conference of 1912 held at Minneapolis, Minnesota. In December, 1879, occurred his marriage with Miss Lydia Mishler, of Clear Creek township. Her father was Jacob Mishler, a well known farmer in that section of the county. Two children, Clarence and Mae, were born to their marriage. Both are deceased, Clarence dying in infancy. The daughter, Mae, was married to Field A. Short.
HON. HARMON MONTGOMERY PURVIANCE. Few men in Huntington county have a better record for all around efficiency in public and pri- vate life than Hon. Harmon Montgomery Purviance, a resident of the county and of the City of Huntington all his life. Besides a business activity as a furniture dealer and a funeral director, in both of which fields he has been especially successful, Mr. Purviance has entered large- ly into political activities, is one of the ablest republicans of his district, and became state senator for Huntington and Whitley counties in 1902, In all his enterprises Mr. Purviance has shown himself to be a man of exceptional character, and is in every way worthy of the position that is so readily accorded him in his native city and county.
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Harmon Montgomery Purviance was born in Huntington, March 30, 1857, and is the second son of Samuel Hilory and Mary E. (Mont- gomery) Purviance, both of whom were among the earliest settlers of Huntington. His father was long a leading citizen, and for years actively and prominently identified with the banking interests of the city. He was one of the chief organizers of the Purviance Banking Company, which in later years became known as H. Purviance & Company, and still later was chartered and re-organized as the First National Bank of Huntington. In 1863 Samuel H. Purviance became president of the bank, a position he continued to hold until his death on April 20, 1873. He was one of the strong men financially and civically in his community during his generation, and in all things was reckoned as a successful and progressive man.
Harmon M. Purviance gained his early education in the public schools of Huntington. On finishing the local high school course he attended Franklin College at Franklin, Indiana, finishing his studies there in 1876. After that he became identified with various business interests in and about Huntington county, and at Huntington and Mitchell was engaged actively in the lime business. On January 13, 1902, Mr. Purviance disposed of his lime business and bought the furni- ture and undertaking establishment of the A. Q. Kenower estate in Huntington. His store is located at 446 North Jefferson Street, and carries a fine line of furniture together with a thoroughly modern mort- uary and a full line of supplies for the undertaking business. At the present writing Mr. Purviance is remodeling his establishment and the improvements classify it as one of the finest of its kind in northern Indiana. The basement of the building occupied will contain the morgue, while other departments will occupy the upper floors. Mr. Purviance is himself a licensed embalmer, having gone into the business with a determination characteristic of his every enterprise, and he has equipped himself in the most thorough manner for the important service he renders the people of Huntington county. His special training in em- balming he acquired in the Renouard Training School of New York City, and his work demonstrates his capability as a practical and skillful embalmer.
In addition to his various business interests Mr. Purviance has found time to devote himself to politics and has been an active republican for a number of years. A special paragraph should be devoted to his work as senator, an office to which he was elected in 1902 from Huntington and Whitley counties. The first point to be noted is that he was the first republican elected to the Senate from that district in twenty years. While in the upper house at Indianapolis he was assigned to membership with a number of important committees, and in various ways showed his fidelity and his capacity as a legislator. In 1903 he was appointed by Governor Durbin a member of the commission to investigate the care given to epileptics in other states. This commission prepared a report submitted during the session of 1905, recommending the establishment of a special institution for epileptics in Indiana. In line with that report
JOHN FRASH
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Mr. Purviance introduced the bill during the session of 1905 asking for a specified sum of money to purchase land for an epileptic village. This bill was passed and Governor Hanly appointed a commission, and they purchased 1,240 acres northeast of Newcastle. Since then the Legislature has appropriated specific sums for the erection of buildings, which are constructed on the cottage plan. During the same session Mr. Purviance was active in securing funds for the care of the state insane. He was instrumental in getting the bill through which resulted in the erection of the settlement of cottages for the insane at Madison, Indiana. At the completion of the entire group, one and one-half million dollars had been expended for grounds and construction work, and the creditable phase of this was that the entire outlay had been accomplished without increasing the tax levy. These references are briefly cited out of many evidences of Mr. Purviance's aggressive and disinterested work as a public official.
Though always a busy man he has found leisure to identify himself with various fraternal orders, among them the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Lafontaine Lodge, with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. On October 20, 1892, Mr. Purviance married Miss Belle Brown, daughter of Captain Ashley and Emily (Brice) Brown, both of Dayton, Ohio. To them has been born one son, H. Montgomery Purviance, now a student in the Huntington High School.
JOHN FRASH. The distinction of being the oldest living merchant in Huntington county is now possessed by Mr. John Frash, who though no longer actively identified with detailed management of his business, still retains full financial control of the large store operated under that name at Huntington. Mr. Frash has been a Huntington business man for over thirty years, and was for a number of years previously in busi- ness at Warren.
John Frash was born in the city of Zanesville, Ohio, November 28, 1836, and is now approaching the venerable age of four-score years. His parents were William and Eve (Klein) Frash. William Frash was one of the pioneers of Zanesville, Ohio, was a native of Germany, where he learned the trade of watch and clock making, and on immigrating to the United States came direct from New York City to Zanesville, where for some time he followed his trade. From Zanesville he moved his family out to Marion, Indiana. That was in the early days, and the country was new, and environment was malarial, and on account of the sickness of his wife William Frash soon returned to Ohio. On recov- ering his health he returned to Indiana, and settled at Hartford City, in Blackford county. There his enterprise was directed to the management of a small store, and with the increase of population his business ex- panded until he became one of the leading merchants. His death occurred in Hartford City in 1879, where his wife had passed away some years previously.
John Frash grew up in Hartford City, where his education was ac- quired in the village schools. Since boyhood he has been familiar with
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the details of merchandising, having entered his father's establishment at an early age, and working under his father's direction until he was grown. After his marriage he formed a partnership with his brother George under the name of George Frash and Brother, and together they conducted a flourishing enterprise for ten years. Finally selling out his interests in Hartford City, John Frash moved to Warren in Huntington county, and established a store in that village. His career as a merchant at Warren lasted for six and a half years. In the meantime his son Wilfred had located and engaged in business at Huntington, and his promising career had met with no discouragement until the development of lung trouble, when it became necessary for him to leave his business and spend some months in Colorado. With health apparently restored, he returned to Indiana, but the progress of disease was not to be arrested, and he went out to California, where in spite of all care and the liberal use of means, he died at Pasadena. After the failure of his son's health John sold out his Warren interests and took charge of the store at Hunt- ington. The Frash store at Huntington comprises a large stock of dry goods and ladies' wear, and has been steadily prosperous and popu- lar with the general trade for thirty years. Its active management is now in the hands of two sons, George and Eugene Frash.
Mr. John Frash is a stanch republican, a "stand patter," but has never shown any interest or desire in practical politics. For one term he was a member of the city council, and also served on the library board. Fraternally his relations with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows have been continuous for a period of forty years. As a result of his long activity as a merchant he is the owner of valuable real estate. His own home is at 959 N. Guilford street.
In 1857, at the age of twenty-one and about the time he started his career as a rising young merchant of Hartford City, John Frash married Miss Esther S. Stahl. Their companionship was one of unusual duration, and happiness, and was unbroken and unmarred until the death of Mrs. Frash on February 11, 1910. They had lived together as man and wife for a period of more than fifty-two years, and the influence of the sweet and noble character of Mrs. Frash extended much beyond the limits of her home circle, so that the entire community mourned her loss. Esther S. Stahl was born in Pennsylvania, and was seventy-four years of age at the time of her death. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Abram Stahl, also natives of the same state, came to Indiana, when their daughter Esther was a girl, settling near Hartford City. Her father was a blacksmith, a trade he followed for many years, and took a prominent part in the affairs of Blackford county, serving as sheriff and later as treas- urer and auditor. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. John Frash were born three sons: Wilfred, whose death has already been mentioned; and George and Eugene, now active managers of their father's business. Mrs. Frash was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, very active in church affairs, especially in the Ladies' Aid Society, and as a wife and mother she wielded an influence for good that made her character known and appreciated in all the better circles of Huntington society.
Mr. Frash's only hobby is fishing and at this sport he is an expert.
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CHARLES ARNOLD. One of the old and reliable business houses of Huntington, Indiana, which has grown in size and public confidence with the growth of the city, has shared in its prosperity and has aided in the development of this progress, is that of H. H. Arnold & Son, dealers in dry goods, carpets, ladies' ready-made garments, etc. For more than thirty-three years this enterprise has catered to the trade of the people of Huntington, the house has come down from the manage- ment of the father to that of the son and changes have been made in business methods and ideals, yet through all the vicissitudes of com- merce and trade and the varying fortuncs of other ventures, this con- cern has maintained its same rigid policy of giving the people a fair deal and honest goods, and has retained its reputation for its connection only with legitimate transactions. The present head of this house, Charles Arnold, is known as a business man of excellent ability, who has spent his entire life in the line in which he is now engaged and is intimate with its every particular. He was born at South Whitley, Whitley county, Indiana, December 12, 1866, and is a son of Henry HI. and Anna . C. (Cleveland) Arnold.
Henry H. Arnold was born at Greenville, Darke county, Ohio, and there received a public school education and passed his youth. He early chose mercantile lines as his field of endeavor, and shortly after attain- ing his majority moved to South Whitley, Indiana, where he received his introduction to business life as the proprietor of a small but well- managed general store. By the year 1880 he felt ready to enlarge the scope of his operations, and accordingly came to Huntington, where he established what was the nucleus for the present business. He built up a large and prosperous trade, became known as one of the leading mer- chauts of his day and locality, and gained the respect and esteem of his associates for his strict integrity and his many sterling qualities of mind and heart. When he died, in 1893, Huntington lost one of its most representative men. Mr. Arnold married Miss Anna C. Cleveland, daughter of Thomas and Phoebe Cleveland, old and honored residents of Whitley county, Mrs. Arnold, a lady of culture and refinement, still survives the father and makes her home in Huntington, where she is widely known for her many acts of charity. She is also an excellent business woman, and still retains her interest in the firm of H. H. Arnold & Son.
Charles Arnold acquired his education in the public and high schools of Huntington, following which he took a commercial course at East- man's Commercial College, Poughkeepsie, New York, on the Hudson River. This prepared for his entrance into business life, and upon his return home he became connected with the dry goods house of his father in the capacity of clerk. When he had acquired a thorough knowledge of all departments of the business, his father admitted him to partnership, and thus was founded the firm of H. H. Arnold & Son. When his father died, Charles succeeded him as head of the business, but the firm name, known to the people of Huntington for so many years as a synonym for honest and straightforward dealing, has remained unchanged. The son
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has inherited many of the admirable characteristics of the older man, and his management of the business has been beneficial to it in the same way. At present they are enlarging their business, increasing their selling space 44x110 feet, three stories, which will connect with their-present store and give them one of the largest stores in northern Indiana. Modern methods and appliances have been brought into use, and modern stock installed, but the time-honored and practical policies have remained, and the people of Huntington have shown their appreciation of them by bringing their trade to this establishment.
In addition to his business prominence, Mr. Arnold is widely known in social and fraternal circles, belonging to the Knights of Pythias and the Elks, as well as to the Huntington Commercial Club. During Gov- ernor Durbin's first term, Mr. Arnold served as a member of his staff.
MORITZ EBERHART. Of the many lives which entered into the pioneer history and early development of Huntington county, one of the most honorable and most useful was that of the late Moritz Eberhart, who spent many years on a farm in Warren township, where he died July 3, 1901.
Moritz Eberhart came from staunch German stock, and was himself born at Haigerloch, Hohenzollern, Wuertemberg, Germany, September 22, 1824. He was the oldest in a family of five children whose parents were Michael and Barbara (Henger) Eberhart. The two brothers were Damascus and Linus, and the two sisters were Christina Rigger and Mary Hauenstine. Moritz Eberhart was the last survivor of the family, with the exception of Mrs. Rigger.
His early life was spent in Germany, where he attained a good edu- cation, and served an apprenticeship to the weaver's trade. He was still young when the family left Germany and came to America. After landing in New York City, the father died of cholera. The mother with her sons Moritz and Damascus and the two daughters continued the journey westward as far as Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and a short time later moved to Indiana, locating in Section 17, Chester town- ship, in Wabash county. Moritz Eberhart lived there a number of years, prospered as a farmer and in 1860 moved to Huntington county, and bought a farm two miles east of Bippus. The land when he took possession was a dense forest, and he labored many years to clear off the woods and long before his death had made it a valuable and pro- ductive homestead.
The late Moritz Eberhart during the Civil war spent six weeks in camp at Indianapolis, but was finally rejected for service because of defective hearing from which he had suffered from young manhood. In addition to his farm work, he and his brother Linus for a number of years were extensive dealers in timber, and also conducted the manu- facture of staves, most of their product going over the canal route to Toledo. His name also deserves mention in connection with the found- ing and growth of the village of Bippus. After the survey of the route of the Erie Railroad, he built the first business structure on the
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site. In politics Moritz Eberhart was more or less independent in voting. He was the last survivor of the eleven charter members of the St. John's German Evangelical Church, now located at Bippus, and enjoyed the distinction of aiding in the building of three church homes during his membership. He was a profound student of the bible, and in character was a man of quiet disposition, always earnest and honorable, and his business efficiency was that of a leader among men. On January 27, 1858, at the home of her father, John M. Brodbeck, in Warren county, where Bracken (formerly Clayville) is now situated, Moritz Eberhart was united in marriage with Catherine Brodbeck, and her home is now in Bippus. To this. union ten children were born: Michacl, Jr., and a daughter died in infancy. The living are : Caroline, now Mrs. John F. Young; Minnie Barbara, now Mrs. Alvin I. Ream; Hannah C., now Mrs. Thomas Hopwood; Emma R., now Mrs. George Harter; Ella S., now Mrs. William H. Tillman; Ina R., now Mrs. Charles E. Miller ; George M. Eberhart, a prominent Huntington attorney; and Addie I., now Mrs. Howard F. Miller.
PATRICK M. MCCARTY. The career of Patrick M. McCarty, of Hunt- ington, has been marked by constant advancement from earliest boy- hood, his energetic and ambitious nature carrying him upward from comparatively humble circumstances and obscurity to the head of a responsible business and recognition among the leading politicians of his city. He was associated with the Huntington Publishing Company, and holds a firmly established position in business circles. His service in public offices of responsibility and trust have gained him the confi- dence and esteem of his fellow-citizens in such a degree that in the fall of 1913 lie was nominated as the democratic standard-bearer for the office of mayor of Huntington. Mr. McCarty is a native son of this city, having been born in his present home on Jefferson street, July 22, 1862, and is a son of John and Ellen (Brauders) McCarty, natives of County Wexford, Ireland. In May, 1850, the parents emigrated to the United States, landing in New York City, and came thence direct to Hunting- ton, Indiana, where both passed away. The father was a contractor and builder of public works, which he followed during active years of his life, his death occurring in 1891, while the mother died in February, 1896.
Patrick McCarty received his education in the Old Rock schoolhouse and St. Peters parochial school, presided over by the Sisters from Mil- waukee, Wisconsin. On completing his studies, he associated himself with his father in business in the City of Huntington, thus becoming familiar with contracting on public works, but in 1880 again took up his studies in St. John's College, Lafayette, Indiana, where he was graduated October 24, 1881. At that time he began to learn the trade of horse- shoer, and for three years was employed by H. Zell, becoming eventually one of the best workmen in his line, and an expert in all pertaining thereto. On January 1, 1885, he formed a partnership with Mr. Zell under the firm style of Zell & McCarty, in horseshoeing and general Vol. II-6
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blacksmithing, the old place of business near the old Court House being largely patronized. Mr. McCarty went to Omaha, Nebraska, in 1890, and subsequently moved on to Denver, Colorado, and Colorado Springs, but in 1892 returned to Huntington and formed a partnership with Ed Beaver, under the firm name of McCarty & Beaver, horseshoers, an association which continued until 1898, in which year Mr. McCarty entered actively into political affairs as a democrat. He was elected city marshal, a position in which he served until 1902, at which time he was nominated by the democrats as their candidate for sheriff, and was elected in the fall, serving in this capacity for two years. At the expiration of his term he entered the employ of the Erie Railroad Com- pany, as captain of the Erie police, and had charge of the division from Marion, Ohio, to Chicago, Illinois. Mr. McCarty continued to act in this capacity for four years, and in 1908 was again nominated and elected sheriff of Huntington county, continuing to serve four years in all. He entered the employ of the Huntington Publishing Company as bookkeeper on June 11, 1913, and continued in this capacity until December 1, 1913. Mr. McCarty is widely known among politicians of Huntington county. He is mild and affable in manner, yet behind this exterior there is a courage and doggedness that made him one of the best sheriffs the county has ever had. He is known as a "good mixer" and it matters little what a man's station in life may be, he can always be sure of a "square deal" at his hands. On September 23, 1913, Mr. McCarty was made the nominee of his party for the office of mayor, in which office he will probably continue his excellent record as a public servant.
On June 26, 1894, Mr. McCarty was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Gorman, of Logansport, Indiana, a daughter of Patrick and Margaret Gorman. Three children have been born to this union : Edwin P., Helen M. and Marie J. Edwin P. is now connected with the United Telephone Company. Mr. McCarty is a popular member of the Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge No. 805, and the Catholic Benevolent Legion. His pleasant modern residence, is situated at No. 1332 North Jefferson street.
BERT J. BARTLETT. One of Huntington's active and progressive business men is Bert J. Bartlett, proprietor of the Bartlett Trucking Company, since its organization in the early nineties. He has been variously identified with a number of business enterprises in Hunting- ton in the last twenty years, but his principal success has come to him through the channels of his present business, which has in recent years reached generous proportions, making necessary the employment of a good many men and teams. Other activities, it is true, claim a share of his time and attention, but the Bartlett Trucking Company is his principal business interest.
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