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 14
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Concerning the building and its facilities some very high honors have been paid to the Huntington library. The building has been chosen as a model three different times, with respect to its size and plan. Photo- graphs and floor plans have been printed in the report of the Public Library Commission of the State, and similar illustrations of the Hunt- ington institution have been published in a book of small model library building, compiled and issued in Wisconsin. A Norwegian magazine recently printed a lengthy article accompanied by illustrations and the floor plan of the Huntington Library, and containing also a report of the Huntington system of cataloging, and other features of the service. The Huntington Library was chosen as a type representing the best small library for the money in Indiana.
The practical beginning of this institution was the organization in 1874 of the Public School Library Association, comprising life members and yearly members. The life membership fee was twelve dollars, and the yearly fee was two dollars. The first president of the association was James Baldwin, then superintendent of the city public schools. Room for the collection was afforded in the Central school building, and in a short time there were twelve hundred volumes in the collection. Many of these were descended from the Mechanics and Working Men's Library, a historic institution of early Indiana. That library was estab-
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lished by William McClure, and a number of the old books, bound in sheepskin and bearing on the cover the words "Mechanics & Working- men's Library," are still to be found in the Huntington Library collec- tion. The first librarian was Miss Melinda M. Embree, a public school teacher, who was succeeded by Eliza A. Collins, and she in turn by James' Roche, after whom Miss Mary Hawley was librarian.
In 1889 the library was reorganized under state laws, and became a free library, its use being extended to the people. Miss Maggie C. Dailey was the first librarian under the new law, and held the office until 1898. She was succeeded by Miss Lyle Harter, who served until 1904, when Miss Winifred Ticer, the present librarian, began her duties. The first and second assistant librarians at the present time are: Priscilla Mc- Arthur and Katherine Hartman. The members of the library board at various times since the reorganization in 1889 have comprised the follow- ing well known citizens of Huntington : B. F. Ibach, Dr. B. H. B. Gray- ston, E. T. Lee, John Frash, O. W. Whitelock, S. M. Saylor, Miss Mary B. Cox, Mrs. Edna B. Felter, Miss Josephine Cox, J. W. Ford, S. E. Cook, W. A. Branyan, J. W. Cline, M. L. Spencer, Dr. Helen K. McIlvaine, Herman E. Taylor, Mrs. Ida C. Reichenbach, Mrs. Ella H. Sexton, Mrs. Anna Balfour, James Kennedy, H. I. Young, C. K. Lucas, I. H. Heaston, Eben Lesh, Mrs. Emma R. Gibney, M. W. Moore, Peter Martin, C. E. Smith, E. E. Woolery, Thomas Burns, F. S. Bash, J. C. Altman, Mrs. G. H. McLin, Mrs. John Wallace Caswell, R. I. Hamil- ton, and W. P. Hart. The present board of trustees is as follows: J. M. Studder, chairman; Horace Weese, vice chairman; E. E. Woolery, secre- tary ; Mrs. A. E. Abbott, Mrs. Charles McGrew, Mrs. J. W. Caswell, Mr. C. A. Small, Mr. Theodore Torborg, Mrs. Crawford Hathway, Mrs. Curtis Merriman, and Mr. A. J. Wilhelm.
In December, 1901, the Huntington school board was offered the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars by Mr. Andrew Carnegie for the erection of a library building. The offer was accepted in January of the following year, and a suitable site donated for the building. At the present time the building represents an investment of about $34,000. The contract price of the building was $19,288.69, which of course did not include the heating plant, light fixtures, plumbing, decorating, and other furnishings.
MICHAEL WEIS. One of the solid and well established business men of Huntington, Indiana, is Michael Weis, a native son of the county of which he has always continued a resident, and for many years a resi- dent of Huntington. Though reared to farm life, he was still young in years when he demonstrated his fitness and aptitude for other fields, and he has worked his way upward to his present position through years of constant endeavor and honest ambition. Today he is one of the most successful and prosperous grocerymen in the retail trade in Huntington, and he ranks among the most progressive and popular men in the com- munity.
Michael Weis was born in Huntington, August 15, 1857, and is the son of Henry and Caroline Weis, both natives of Baden-Baden, Ger-
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many. While yet quite young Henry Weis emigrated to the United States and from New York City he came direct to Huntington county, locating soon thereafter in Warren township on a farm. There the father died in his fortieth year of life. It was on this farm that Michael Weis was principally reared. He went to the country schools until he was about thirteen years old, at which time he took up work in a general store in Huntington. There he acquired a fairly good practical business education in the several years he continued to be so occupied. The experience he had gained as a salesmen in a general store as a boy and young man called him to embark in business on his own responsibility, and he launched out into the retail grocery business in Huntington. In the same year he was united in marriage with Miss Amelia Kuhlman, the daughter of William Kuhlman of Huntington.
Mr. Weis has since become an independent operator in the retail grocery field, and he is one of the best established men to be found in the business in the county. His store is located at No. 1612 North Jeffer- son street, and there he has a wide and well selected stock of staple and fancy groceries. He caters to a fine trade and enjoys a prominence of which he is well worthy as a reliable and progressive merchant. Not only is Mr. Weis popular as a merchant and business man, but he is much esteemed for his admirable character and his pleasing social qualities. His fine residence is located at 633 West Tipton street.
JONAS E. BIXBY. One of Huntington county's honored citizens and business man at Andrews, is Jonas E. Bixby, now retired after a long and successful career as a farmer and wholesale grocer. While his success as a business man is a matter of note and has been gratifying, Mr. Bixby has also made a record as a soldier and as a public spirited citizen which will always reflect honor on his name, and his descendants may well be proud of the worthy part he took during the war of the Rebellion.
Jonas E. Bixby was born in Knox county, Ohio, January 29, 1841. His parents were Aaron and Maria (Martin) Bixby, his mother a daughter of Joel Martin, a native of Knox county and representing one of the very earliest families located there. Aaron Bixby moved from Knox county to Defiance county in 1843, and spent the rest of his life near Defiance. He died April 29, 1847. He was born April 27, 1790. He wife was born in 1810, and she subsequently married a Mr. Stacy as her second husband. Aaron Bixby had four children, all of whom are now deceased except Jonas.
The latter's boyhood was spent on a farm in Ohio, and he had the training and environment of a farmer boy until two years before the be- ginning of the Civil war. His education was acquired by attendance at the country schools and the city schools at Defiance, and he also profited by the' fact that his father was a teacher.
When he was little more than twenty years of age, on April 23, 1861, he enlisted for service in the war of the Rebellion in Company C of the Fourteenth Ohio Infantry. This was a three months' regi-
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ment and at the expiration of his term of enlistment was mustered out on August 13, 1861. However, not satisfied with his part as a soldier, and still eager to brave the hardships and dangers of cam- paign, he enlisted during the Fall of 1861 in the Sixty-eighth Ohio Infantry in Company B. He had enlisted for a term of three years, and continued with his regiment in the various operations in the Missis- sippi valley until after the fall of Vicksburg, and on December 9, 1863, he veteranized, and then continued a soldier of the Union until mustered out and given his honorable discharge on July 10, 1865, some weeks after the close of hostilities, and after he had fought with the boys in blue for more than four years. He was in the great Atlanta campaign, and at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain on June 18, 1864, was wounded in both hands. Altogether he saw active service in fourteen important engagements. Entering as a private, he was promoted sev- eral times, and made a splendid record as a soldier. Mr. Bixby is now a member of the Andrews Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and has served as a commander in New Haven, Indiana.
After the war he returned to Defiance, Ohio, and bought land and engaged in farming for several years. While at home on a furlough during the war he was married on May 5, 1864, to Anna Braucher. She was born and reared on a farm near Defiance, Ohio, and they lived together, as man and wife for seventeen years until her death. She was the mother of five children, two of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Bixby died in November, 1881. On October 6, 1882, he married Ida M. Morse. She was born near Defiance April 4, 1858, was reared on a farm, and received a good education. After their marriage Mr. Bixby and wife lived on his farm five years, then sold out and moved to 'the city of Defiance, where he entered the wholesale and retail grocery trade with his brother-in-law. Subsequently their enterprise was developed into an exclusive wholesale and jobbing business, the company was incorporated, and he became one of the principal stock- holders.
Of the second marriage of Mr. Bixby three children were born, and only one is now living. One passed away in infancy, and a son died while serving with the United States navy. Raymond O. is cashier of the State Bank of Andrews.
Mr. Bixby and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Andrews, and he is a trustee and steward in the church or- ganization, and has served as Sunday school superintendent fourteen years. His wife is vice president of the ladies' aid society. He is one of the stockholders in the State Bank of Andrews, has twelve shares in the Lagro-Andrews Telephone Company, and is a stockholder in the Wasmuth-Endicott Company at Andrews, and also still has stock in the Defiance Wholesale Grocery Company. Raymond O. Bixby, the only living son of Jonas E. Bixby, was born at Defiance, Ohio, October 17, 1888, and though a very young man has already acquired a sub- stantial position in business affairs and is cashier of the State Bank of Andrews.
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Hc acquired his education in the public schools of Ohio and Indi- ana, and in 1906 graduated from the Huntington Business University. His first business experience was as stenographer with the Erie Rail- road Company in their offices at Hammond, and on January 1, 1907, he took the position of assistant cashier in the State Bank of Andrews. In February, 1912, he was promoted to cashier, and has made himself popular and efficient in that position.
Raymond O. Bixby married Miss Josephine King, of Andrews. They have one son, Robert O., Jr., born July 14, 1911. Mr. Bixby and his wife are members of the Methodist church of Andrews, and he affiliates with Antioch Lodge No. 410, A. F. & A. M., with Andrews Chapter No. 110, R. A. M., and Andrews Council No. 64, R. & S. M. He is now the Master of his lodge. The State Bank of Andrews, of which he is cashier and director, was organized June 1, 1908, and the other officers are E. M. Wasmuth, president, and E. V. Fitch, assistant cashier. The directors are : E. M. Wasmuth, H. R. Wasmuth, A. D. Was- muth, C. E. Endicott, John H. Sell, William Shinkel, C. E. Fults, and R. O. Bixby. In politics Mr. R. O. Bixby is a Republican, and is serving as town treasurer of Andrews. He is an energetic and honorable young business man, and has made an excellent record since entering upon his career only a few short years ago.
EDWIN W. POINIER, M. D. The doctor of medicine who would suc- ceed in his profession must possess many qualities of mind and of heart not included in the curriculum of the schools and colleges which he may have attended. In analyzing the career of the successful practitioner of the healing art, it is invariably found that a broad-minded sympathy with the sick and suffering and an earnest desire to aid his afflicted fellow man has gone hand in hand with skill and able judgment. Dr. Edwin W. Poinier, engaged in practice at Andrews, Indiana, fortunately embodies these qualities, and through energy and ambition has built up a solid reputation in his honored calling.
Doctor Poinier is a native of Chicago, Illinois, and was born April 30, 1879, a son of William J. and Harrict (Hosier) Poinier, the former born in Chicago and the latter in Ohio, and both now residents of the Illinois metropolis. The doctor received his early education in the Chicago public schools, following which he entered high school, and after his graduation therefrom, in 1897, became a student in Northwest- ern University, at Evanston, where he took the preparatory course in medicine. Later he became enrolled as a student of the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago, and was graduated from that well- known institution in 1902. His advent in Andrews occurred in August, 1903, since which time he has been able to build up a lucrative pro- fessional business. He is a member of the Huntington County Medical Society, and the high estcem in which he is held by his medical brethren is shown by his service as president of that institution. He also main- tains membership in the Eleventh District Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, keeps fully
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abreast of the progress made in the profession, and has never ceased being a close and careful student. He has gained public confidence through his ability and his abiding sympathy as a physician, and for his sterling and public-spirited citizenship.
Doctor Poinier was married in October, 1903, to Miss Lela Peet, of Chicago, a graduate of the public and high schools of Chicago and of the Cook County Normal school, and for five years a popular educator in the schools of her city. Two children have been born to this union: Emmett W., born in 1904, and Norman E., born in 1907.
Doctor Poinier has been very active in fraternal affairs and few men have a wider circle of friends. He belongs to Lodge No. 410 (Antioch), F. & A. M., Andrews Chapter No. 110, R. A. M., Andrews Council No. 64, R. & S. M., Fort Wayne Consistory, S. R., and Mizpah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .. In Masonry he is high priest and thrice illustrious master of the council. He belongs also to Golden Rule Lodge No. 108, Knights of Pythias; and to Andrews Tent No. 167, Knights of the Maccabees. In all public affairs, affecting his own community or the country at large, he has always been interested, doing his share toward progress and advance- ment. In politics he is a republican. He has been honored by being appointed as health officer for five years, and secretary of the Andrews school board for three years.
JOHN G. GRETZINGER. In preparing the sketches of the living repre- sentative men of any community, the biographer meets with many dif- ficulties, because of the prevailing modesty of the average man of busi- ness, who almost invariably manifests a certain repugnance for any- thing that smacks of notoriety or prominence, and thus discourages even friendly attempts to uncover the secret of his success. Genuine success is not likely to be the result of mere chance or fortune, but is something to be labored for and brought out with consecutive effort. Therefore, there is satisfaction in tracing, even briefly, the salient points in the career of such a man as John G. Gretzinger, not alone for the success he has gained, but because he is widely and favorably known in all walks of life.
Mr. Gretzinger has the distinction of being a native son of Hunt- ington county, having been born in Dallas township, in 1874, a son of George and Alice (Sell) Gretzinger, natives of Ohio. The parents were both children when they came to Huntington county, and the father grew up in Dallas township and the mother in Warren. After their marriage they settled in Dallas township where they resided until mov- ing to Andrews, and here his death occurred in 1889, while the mother still survives. They were the parents of eight children, all of whom are living at this time: Joseph, a resident of Andrews; John G .; Anna R., the wife of C. E. Knee, of Andrews, Indiana; Jacob, a resident of Peru, and a conductor in the service of the Wabash Railroad; Mary L., the wife of A. L. Long, of Andrews; Lizzie, the wife of Chester Brown, of Andrews; William H., who is employed by the Wabash Railroad at Peru; and Tracy M., who is the wife of Earl Jefferson, of Polk town- ship.
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John G. Gretzinger was reared on his father's farm in Dallas town- ship, and while growing up attended the district schools of that vicinity and the Andrews High school. He completed his studies in the Hunt- ington Business College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1899, and thus prepared embarked upon his career, first in the barber business, to which he devoted four years. He then successfully passed a Civil Service examination, and for two years was carrier for Rural Frec Delivery Route No. 3, at' Andrews, following which he entered the clothing business and spent two years therein. He is now part owner and general manager of the dry goods establishment which bears his name, and through strict attention to business, honorable dealing and good judgment has built up an excellent trade. He is known as a business man of foresight and acumen, and has the full confidence of all who in any way have been associated with him.
Mr. Gretzinger is a member of the German Lutheran church. He has been prominent in fraternal circles, belonging to Antioch Lodge No. 410, F. & A. M., Andrews Chapter No. 110, R. A. M., Andrews Council No. 64, R. & S. M., Fort Wayne Consistory, and Mizpah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., Fort Wayne. He belongs also to Golden Rule Lodge No. 308, Knights of Pythias, and the Uniform Rank of that order; and to the Order of the Eastern Star. His political views are those of the republican party, although he has not been an office seeker. He is a thoroughly progressive public-spirited citizen, and as such is worthy of the confidence and regard reposed in him.
MARCUS B. PARK. A resident of Andrews since 1896, Marcus B. Park has during the period of seventeen years been connected in im- portant capacities with some of this city's leading industries and by reason of his business acumen, skill and foresight has done much to further the commercial interests of his adopted community. In the position of chief clerk of the Wasmuth-Endicott Company he is widely known in business circles, while he is equally well known as a public- spirited citizen and as a popular figure in fraternal life. Mr. Park was, born in the city of Cleveland, Ohio, April 21, 1869, and is a son of Boyd S. and Katie (Flagg) Park.
Boyd S. Park was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and was a young man when he emigrated to the United States, first settling in Connecticut, where he met and married Katie Flagg, a native of that state, about the year 1867. They soon moved to Cleveland, and from that city to Kokomo, Indiana, subsequently going to Logansport, and finally locating in Andrews, where both still reside. Mr. Park was for many years en- gaged successfully in business, but has now retired from active affairs and is living quietly, enjoying the fruits of his long years of well-directed labor. Mr. and Mrs. Park had three children: Marcus B., Harry W. and Charles A., all well known business men of Andrews.
Marcus B. Park was about five years old when his parents moved to Kokomo, and there he commenced his education in the public schools. Later he attended school in Logansport, where he was graduated from
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the Logansport High school and the Logansport College, and then took a course in the Marion Business University. With this thorough prepara- tion, he embarked upon his business career as a paymaster in the em- ploy of the firm of P. & F. Corbin, hardware manufacturers at New Britain, Connecticut, with whom he remained for some three and one- half years. He then returned to Indiana, and during five years was manager of the firm of F. O. Gephart, at Marion, his next connection being with the Marion Cupboard Company, where he remained as chief clerk for two and one-half years. In 1896 Mr. Park came to Andrews to become associated with the Andrews Cabinet Company, and left that concern to accept his present important position as chief clerk of the Wasmuth-Endicott Company, which he still retains. His ability in his line is unquestioned and his integrity has never been doubted. He has made numerous wise investments in real estate, owning forty acres in Polk township, Huntington county, which he has rented for farming purposes, and has also evidenced his faith in the future prosperity of Andrews by putting his money into realty here.
On September 3, 1893, Mr. Park was united in marriage with Miss Ida J. McKee, who was educated in the public schools and rcared in Wells county, Indiana. They have had no children of their own, but an adopted son, now twenty-three years of age, whom they reared from infancy, is now doing well in a business way in St. Louis, Missouri, and they are now caring for an adopted daughter, now a bright and intel- ligent miss of six years. Kindly, charitable people, they are devout mem- bers of the Christian church, where Mr. Park has served for a long period as a member of the board of deacons. He enjoys the companionship of his fellows, and his fraternal connections include membership in Antioch Lodge No. 410, F. & A. M., Andrews Chapter No. 110, R. A. M., and Andrews Council No. 64, R. & S. M., and in Golden Rule Lodge, Knights of Pythias, in which he is past chancellor. He is also a charter member of the Manhattan Athletic Association and has done much to promote its interests. In his political views Mr. Park is a republican, and has been actively interested in various public matters. He has served three terms as town clerk of Andrews and has also acted efficiently as a member of the city council. His devotion to duty has commended him to the general public, and his loyalty and fidelity have won him a wide circle of friends.
ARTHUR D. WASMUTH. One of the best known names in business circles of Huntington county is that of Wasmuth, members of this family having been identified with the commercial and industrial history of the county for many years. In every case they have shown themselves hon- orable and straightforward men of business, and there is no exception to this rule in the case of Arthur D. Wasmuth, a worthy representative of the name at Andrews. Mr. Wasmuth is now a member of the firm of A. Wasmuth & Sons, and in charge of the lumber interests of the firm at Andrews has shown himself capable, progressive and enterprising in methods and in practice. Furthermore, he has won his community's confidence by his good citizenship, a true test of a man's genuine worth. Vol. II-8
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Mr. Wasmuth was born in the village of Roanoke, Huntington county, Indiana, November 28, 1871, and is a son of A. Wasmuth, an honored business man and resident of that place. The third in order of birth of his parents' children, he was reared in the village of his nativity, and after completing the curriculum of the graded public schools became a student in the Roanoke Classical Seminary. When he had graduated from that institution, he adopted the profession of educator and for some time labored as instructor in the country schools of Allen town- ship, but gave up teaching when he took up the study of law and entered the legal department of the State University at Bloomington, Indiana. There he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws when he was graduated with the class of 1896, and in that year he opened an office for the practice of his profession in Huntington. For four years he was a familiar figure in the courts of Huntington county, and his reputation as a lawyer was becoming firmly established. However, commercial lines called him, and when his father and brothers embarked in the lum- ber business at Roanoke, he became a member of the firm and gave up his professional business. In 1910 he came to Andrews as representative of the firm and has continued to be a resident of this city to the present time. His connection with a number of important industries here makes him an important factor in the business life of the city, and his prestige among his fellow-citizens has been gained through none but strictly legitimate transactions. From a small beginning this branch of the business has developed into one of large proportions, trade being at- tracted from all over the surrounding country. Few men in this sec- tion are better known to the trade, and probably none are more popular.
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