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 55
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For this reason he won the esteem and respect of those with whom he came in contact. Mr. Etzold died in August, 1900, while the mother followed him to the grave, May 1, 1902, and both were laid to rest in Huntington.
John C. Etzold received his primary education in the German Lutheran school at Huntington, and subsequently became a student in the high school here, from which he was graduated with the class of 1894. Following this, he entered the Huntington Business University, where he paid special attention to typewriting and stenography, and graduated in 1897. Mr. Etzold secured a position at this time in the offices of Chicago Railways, at Chicago, but after four years returned to his native city. During this time he had worked assiduously to increase his speed and efficiency, and when he returned he was prepared to take the position of court reporter, to which he was appointed by James C. Branyan, in January, 1904. The able manner in which he has since dis- charged his duties has left no reason for the making of a change, and through the different administrations that have followed, he has been found at his accustomed position in the Circuit Court. While acting in this capacity, he has gained considerable knowledge of law, both criminal and civil, as well as an extensive acquaintance with the citizens of Hunt- ington county. Mr. Etzold is unmarried.
F. M. JEFFERSON. The utilization of the splendid soil of this sec- tion of the state constitutes probably the most important industry of Huntington county and among her most successful men are those who are engaged in agricultural pursuits in the fertile region of Polk town- ship. To this class belongs F. M. Jefferson, a business man of marked enterprise and keen discernment, who in the careful control of his in- terests has gained a place among the substantial residents of his com- munity. He is essentially a self-made man, for he entered upon his career without financial support or friendly influences and has fought his way upward step by step, overcoming such obstacles as have arisen in his path by the force of his own determination and energy. Mr. Jefferson was born in Wabash county, Indiana, September 5, 1861, and is a son of John and T. A. (Downey) Jefferson.
The Jefferson family came to Wabash county from Rush county, Indiana, while the Downeys originated in Ohio. John Jefferson, the father of F. M. Jefferson, enlisted for service in the Union army at the outbreak of the Civil war, and met a soldier's death on the field of battle in 1863. F. M. Jefferson was then only two years old, and not long thereafter was taken to rear by his uncle who educated him and kept him in his home until his fourteenth year. At that time Mr. Jefferson went to live with his mother, who had in the meantime been married a second time, to William Dillon. He remained with his mother and step- father for four years, and then entered upon a career of his own, hav- ing made his own way since that time. Vol. II-28
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In 1883 Mr. Jefferson was married to Miss Barbara Snetzler, who was born in Switzerland and at the age of eleven years came to the United States with her father. They first landed at New York City, but after a short stay made their way to Columbia City, Whitley county, Indiana, and later to Wabash county, where she completed her English education in the public schools. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson rented land until coming to Huntington county, and here purchased eighty acres of land, on which they have continued to reside to the present time. Mr. Jefferson has brought his prop- erty to a high state of cultivation, and it is now one of the valuable farms of Polk township. Good buildings have been erected, substantial improvements have been installed and modern machinery and equipment put in, and its prosperous condition testifies to the owner's good manage- ment. He is essentially an agriculturist, and has found no time to give to other matters, although he takes an interest in those things which affect his community. He has supported democratic candidates and policies, but has never been an office seeker. With his family, Mr. Jefferson attends the First Christian church, of Andrews, and is serving as an elder and a member of the board of trustees.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson, namely : William E., a graduate of the common schools, who married Tracy Gretzinger ; Stella, also a graduate of the public schools, who is the wife of Ed Windle, of Wabash county ; and Clarence L., who has also received good educational advantages, is married and makes his home at Detroit, Michigan.
FRANK A. McCAULAY, Erie water works foreman for the Erie Rail- road, and councilman of the Fourth Ward of Huntington, has had a career of activity and usefulness, and has won success in life through the medium of individual effort. He was born at Defiance, Ohio, June 9, 1872, the youngest of the five sons of James and Ann (Delangery) Mc- Caulay. The father, a carpenter by trade, was employed by various railroad companies for a number of years, making his home for some time at Defiance, Ohio, and also being a resident of different points in New York. The family came from Ohio to Williams county, Indiana, where James McCaulay was connected with the Wabash Railroad in different capacities, and later he entered the service of the Chicago & Erie Rail- road, with which he was connected until the time of his death in 1898. The mother survived him until 1912, and was the mother of five sons and a daughter, the family now being scattered over a number of states.
Frank A. McCaulay received his education in the parochial schools of Defiance, Ohio, and the public and high schools of Huntington. After his graduation from the latter he secured employment with the firm of Hay & Hawley, with which he remained some seventeen years, and then secured a position as traveling salesman for the wholesale grocery con- cern of McCooper & Company, continuing on the road for five years. At the end of this period he formed a partnership in the plumbing busi- ness with Francis Parker, an association which lasted only several months,
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when Mr. McCaulay went to Mare Island, California, a military post, being there employed by Captain Levy on the battleship New York. Mr. McCaulay remained in this employment for eighteen months, but when an order came from Secretary of the Navy Herbert to lay off 600 workmen, he was among those whose employment ceased, and he accord- ingly returned to Huntington. For the following two years he was associated with Samuel Buchanan, and for a short time thereafter was engaged in the plumbing business on his own account, until entering the employ of the Erie Railroad. He spent some time in charge of a section, was then given charge of the waterpipe fillers, and after twelve years of faithful and efficient service received the promotion to the superin- tendency of the water works and water supplies department. This posi- tion he has continued to hold to the present time. In 1910 Mr. McCaulay was elected alderman of the Fourth Ward of Huntington, on the demo- cratic ticket, and his faithful and conscientious service in behalf of his constituents gained him the renomination and reelection in 1913 and 1914. He has been an influential factor in democratic politics and has been known for his faithfulness to his party and his loyalty to his friends. The best interests of the city find in him a live, progressive representa- tive. Mr. McCaulay is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and also belongs to several fraternal orders, in all of which he has a number of warm and admiring friends.
Mr. McCaulay was married to Miss Ella Broomer, of Huntington, and to this union there has been born one daughter: Jeannette, who is an accomplished young lady and a graduate of the Huntington High school. The modern family residence is located on First street.
OMER C. SMITH. Manager of the Beyers Brothers & Company, wholesale produce and commission merchants at Huntington, Mr. Smith has been identified with this line of commercial efforts since he was twenty- one years of age. He knows all the ins and outs of the business, has collected poultry and other produce along country roads, has marketed the material, and experience and native sagacity have given him a splen- did judgment in handling all details of the business. The Beyers Broth- ers concern, dealing in butter, eggs and poultry, was established at Hunt- ington in 1894, and the business is located on Charles street in Hunt- ington. The Beyers brothers have their home in Rochester, Indiana.
Omer C. Smith was born in Kosciusko county, Indiana, June 1, 1872. He is the second son of Daniel and Lydia (Epshire) Smith, both parents natives of Fulton county, Indiana. The father is still living, and has followed farming as his regular vocation all his active career. Omer C. Smith grew up on a farm, and was well prepared for his business career by plenty of work in a wholesome environment while a boy, and with a practical education in the country schools. When he left school he en- tered the employ of Hostetter Brothers at Rochester, and continued with that firm until he was twenty-one years old. In 1899 Mr. Smith entered the employ of the Beyers Brothers, in their business at Huntington. As representative of the firm he did much driving in the country and neigh-
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boring towns, and bought poultry, butter and eggs from nearly every farm house in Huntington county. That was the experience which proved of inestimable value in his successful management of the local concern, since he came to know people and all conditions affecting the trade, and in 1900 he was made manager of the local business at Huntington by Beyers Brothers, who have ever since had the utmost confidence in their Huntington representative. Mr. Smith has subsequently acquired an interest in the business and is a director in the Beyers Brothers & Com- pany.
In 1902 Mr. Smith married Miss Delia Keefer, a daughter of Jacob Keefer, an old resident of Huntington county. They have one daughter, Georgia M. In politics Mr. Smith is a republican but has never held office. His home is on East Front street.
CHARLES S. BOLINGER. A descendant of the first families of Hunt- ington county, an active farmer and public spirited citizen, Charles S. Bolinger is well known in Warren township, where he has spent prac- tically all of his active career.
He was born in that township, January 7, 1873, a son of John and Martha (Wilte) Bolinger. His father was born in Huntington town- ship of Huntington county, in 1833. That was one of the early dates in the county history, and the Bolinger family were located here among the very first settlers who came to this section of the state. The father lived for many years in Huntington county, but died in Wabash county. There were nine children in the family, seven of whom are still living, as follows: Sarah A., wife of Joseph Sechrist; Emma, wife of Mr. Gray; Ida, wife of Henry Steele; Blanche, wife of Jesse W. Davis; George W., of Clear Creek township; Charles S., and Ira of Huntington township.
Charles S. Bolinger was reared in Warren township, attended the dis- trict schools until eighteen years old, and his youth was spent in the home of H. S. Wisener, to whom he owes many of the attentions and benefits which a son credits to a father. On Christmas Day of 1901 he married Miss Minnie Schoeff, a daughter of John K. Schoeff of Huntington town- ship. Mrs. Bolinger received her education in the common schools of Huntington county. Their two children are: Mildred C., born October 29, 1904; and T. M., born December 7, 1910. Mrs. Bolinger is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Greenwood. In politics he is a democrat, but has never been drawn into practical politics. He lives on the old H. S. Weisener farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres, and by quiet and effective industry has steadily prospered and is one of Huntington county's successful men.
SAMUEL H. BOWERS. Though still in his twenties, Mr. Bowers has made for himself a secure place in the business economy of Union town- ship. He is proprietor of the Bowerstown feed mill and repair shop, located two and a half miles east of Huntington on the Gancsville Pike. His is an important local industry. The manufacture of vegetable crates is one of his most profitable products, and he also makes a specialty of the
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rebuilding and repairing of furniture and the manufacture of new furni- ture. In the repair shop he also does a great deal of work in the grinding of plow-points, and general repairing.
Samuel H. Bowers was born in Union township of Huntington county June 21, 1889, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Gregg) Bowers. He is the youngest in a family of four children. A sister is Edith, wife of Andrew Zink, and a brother is William Bowers. The father was born in Allen county, Ohio, came with his parents to Huntington county when eight years old, was reared to manhood in Union township, and there married Miss Nancy E. Gregg. Miss Gregg was a native of Preble county, Ohio, where she was born April 27, 1859, and her parents brought her to Wabash county, Indiana. She was reared partly in Wabash and partly in Huntington county, getting a training in the district schools of both counties.
Samuel H. Bowers was reared in Union township, and when at the proper age entered the district school of his neighborhood. His training was such as is supplied by the common schools, and he early showed an inclination for practical affairs. His business apprenticeship was as a worker in the shops at the lime kilns. Five years ago he started his pres- ent business, and has developed it by the addition of special features, until he is now well on the road to prosperity. Mr. Bowers is a republican in politics, and while a public spirited citizen has done little in party affairs.
CHARLES E. FULTS. This well-known citizen of Huntington county resides on his fine farm in Polk township, owning 160 acres of valuable land, to the cultivation of which he devotes his best energies. Burr Oak Farm, as this property is known, is situated three miles south of Andrews, Indiana, on the Andrews and Monument City turnpike, and its well-cul- tivated fields, its substantial buildings, its modern improvements, and its general air of prosperity, all testify to the presence of good manage- ment, and to the thrift and enterprise of its owner. Mr. Fults was born in Wabash county, Indiana, in December, 1862, and is a son of George and Mary (Boyce) Fults. His parents, members of an old family that origi- nated in this country in Pennsylvania, came to Indiana from Columbiana county, Ohio, and located in Wabash county, where they spent the re- mainder of their years in agricultural pursuits, and passed away highly respected by the people of their community. There were five children in the family of George and Mary Fults.
Charles E. Fults is fully entitled to the proud American title of self- made man. His educational privileges were limited and no special ad- vantages fitted him for the cares and responsibilities of life. Until he was fourteen years of age he was allowed to attend the district schools dur- ing the short winter terms, but the summer months found him working hard at the tasks which go to make up the life of the busy farmer. He was industrious, determined, ambitious and resolute, and those qualities stood him instead of fortune, enabling him to overcome the difficulties and obstacles in his path and work his way steadily upward to the plane where
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success places the laurels upon the victor's brow. He today ranks among the leading farmers of Polk township and his creditable life work has won him the respect and commendation of all who are familiar with the details of his career. The next to the youngest of his parents' children, he was expected to contribute his full share to the family income, and this he did while endeavoring to better his education in the Lagro and La Fontaine high schools, and finally succeeded in securing a teacher's certificate. For five years he followed educational work in the winter terms, in the mean- time working at farming in the summer months, but after his marriage he rented land and devoted his entire attention to the tilling of the soil. He continued as a renter until coming to Huntington county, when he pur- chased eighty acres in Polk township and to this has added a like amount, which comprises Burr Oak Farm. Here he has erected some of the finest buildings to be found in the township, including a modern residence and substantial barns. He devotes his time principally to general farm- ing, but has also met with decided success in stock raising, keeping pure- blooded Duroc Jersey hogs, and a high grade of cattle. He is also a poultry fancier, and in this line, as in others, has achieved a satisfactory measure of success. He was one of the founders of the Andrews State Bank, of Andrews, Indiana, and has been a member of the board of di- rectors thereof since its inception. In political affairs he is a republican, although he has not been active except as a supporter of men and measures calculated to advance his community's interests. His fraternal connec- tion is with Ambrose Lodge No. 410, F. & A. M., at Andrews.
In 1887 Mr. Fults was married in Wabash county, Indiana, to Miss Emma J. Barnes, who was born in Ohio and was taken to Wabash county as a child of two years. Two daughters have been born to this union, namely : Elva F., who is a graduate of the public schools and the Andrews High school, and for five years a teacher in the public schools of Dallas and Polk townships, now the wife of Lawrence E. Knee, of Andrews; and Ethel, a graduate of the common schools and Andrews High school, who is now a teacher in the high schools of Polk township.
JOHN W. ZOOK. Among the prosperous and progressive farming men of Lancaster township, of which there are a goodly number, mention may be made specifically of John W. Zook, proprietor of the Hickory- hunst Farm, consisting of two hundred and thirty well tilled and highly productive acres. Mr. Zook has been identified with farming interests all his life, and was well fitted for his independent career, as the son of his father, on the home farm in Polk township. He was born there on June 2, 1853, a son of Martin L. Zook and his wife, Emeline (Bailey) Zook.
Martin L. Zook was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and his wife was of Henry county, Indiana birth and Kentucky parentage. They came to Huntington county about 1840 and settled in Polk town- ship, there spending their remaining years. They were the parents of seven children, six of whom are living at this writing, here named as follows: William R., John W., of this review; Susan, the wife of Allison Owen; Sarah, the wife of H. G. Jeffrey, of Dallas township; Florence
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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY
Emma, the wife of M. M. Killem, of Lancaster township; Ira M., born October 22, 1863, in Polk township, a farmer of Lancaster township.
John W. Zook was reared in Polk township, there attending school until he reached his teens, and when he was twenty-eight years old he at- tended the district school of the township as a means of adding something to his neglected training of former years.
In 1883 Mr. Zook came to Lancaster township where he settled on his present place, and here he has since continued. Mr. Zook began life with nothing in the way of material assets, but he had courage and energy, and he has acquired a comfortable home in the township, after having rented for a number of years. He came to his present farm in 1893, as the owner of his place, and an idea of the extent of his activities may be realized when it is known that his farm today is worth about $30,000, land in this vicinity selling for $150.00 the acre.
In 1883 Mr. Zook married Mary E. Ham, of Polk township, and they have four living children. Pearl G. is a farmer in Lancaster township; Guy L. married and moved to Texas, where he now resides on 160 acres of his own; Everett W., a graduate of the Lancaster Center High school, married Winnie Cline, a daughter of W. D. Cline, of Rock Creek; and Indus E. is single, living at home with the parents.
Mr. Zook is a republican in his politics and with his family he has membership in the Church of the Brethren in Rives, Indiana. He and his family are popular and prominent in their home community, where they are held in the genuine confidence and esteem of all who know them.
SAMUEL MOORE was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1809. His father died when he was two years old, leaving a widow and four children in moderate circumstances. At nine years of age Mr. Moore found a home among strangers. He remained in the family until he was fourteen years old. During this time he was sent to school for three months of one winter, the only educational advantages he ever enjoyed.
When twenty years of age he became the owner of a wagon and yoke of oxen with which he carried supplies from the vicinity of Lafayette to a trading post near Fort Dearborn. On one of these trips he was urged to trade his team for a section of land now occupied by the city of Chicago, but he thought a yoke of oxen on dry land was a better possession than a farm under water; a lost opportunity which verifies the truth of Shakespeare's words: "There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune."
Mr. Moore first came to Huntington in 1832, while buying furs for a firm in Buffalo; he packed the furs upon the back of an Indian pony which he now possessed and walked by its side, following the Indian trail that alone marked the forest. In 1833 he settled near the forks of the Wabash river selling provisions to those engaged in the con- struction of the canal. In June, 1834, he voted at the first election to elect justices of the peace for Huntington township which is now
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known as the county of that name. One hundred and forty-seven votes were polled at that election.
In June, 1837, he married Mary Foxlater, who died, leaving three young daughters. His marriage was the first in the county of which any record is found. In two years he was married to Belinda Ander- son, to whom was born five children, one dying in infancy. In 1838 he was elected one of the board of justices, taking the place of county commissioners. He subsequently filled a postoffice appointment under President Fillmore. He was one of three directors who constructed a plank road from Huntington to Liberty Mills. He contributed lib- erally to every public enterprise, churches, schools, public roads, every- thing tending to material, social and religious advancement shared his generosity. It was as a merchant and citizen that he was best known in Huntington and vicinity. Beginning his business career in a little shanty, he became one of the leading grain and dry goods merchants of Huntington. For forty years he pursued his chosen work, with un- questioned honesty and tireless industry.
The early settlers found in him a friend and helper, loaning money to them to make their first payment on their land, giving them credit for food and clothing until their crops were gathered. Hundreds of those who planted their homes in the wilderness, remember with tears his generous sympathy and bless his memory.
He died April 24, 1877, at Huntington, aged sixty-eight years. Quiet, modest, unassuming, deeds not words revealed the excellence of his character. His example embodied in a long and blameless life and holy peaceful death is an imperishable inheritance.
"Life's rugged path with patient feet he trod, True to himself, his fellow-men and God."
FRANK SUMNER BASH. Former county recorder of Huntington county, now resident manager for the National Fireproofing Company, and in many ways both past and present identified with the business, civic and social life of Huntington county, Frank Sumner Bash is a man of varied attainments and experience.
The only son of Rev. John B. Bash and Nancy (Zent) Bash, he was born at Roanoke, Indiana, February 16, 1859. His early years were spent on a farm near Roanoke, and in the meantime he attended the public schools and the Classical Seminary in that village. While a resident of Roanoke he engaged in farming, and as a side-line conducted a piano and organ business. To a great many people Mr. Bash is best known for his ability as a singer and choir master, and as a promotor of musical activity. For a number of years he taught music and assisted in organiz- ing and for several years was president of the Roanoke Beethoven Society, which had a membership of fifty, and for ten or more years was one of the leading musical organizations of northern Indiana. He arranged programs made up from oratorios and other heavy and classical works from the old masters, and the influence of the organization is still appreciated in the community. Mr. Bash's musical talent brought him
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in contact with musical people all over the state and country, and for many years he has been at the head of musical societies, choirs and quartets. While still a resident of Roanoke he sang for years in what was known as the Emerson Male Quartette, an organization which toured the country and filled engagements as far away as Pacific Coast cities. Soon after locating in Huntington in 1888, he was made choir- master of the First Methodist church, a position he has filled ever since, for more than twenty years. The Temple Quartette, in which he has sung for a number of years, is well known in the city and throughout the state, where engagements have been filled from year to year.
For a number of years, while still a resident of Roanoke, Mr. Bash edited a Roanoke page in the Huntington Herald. This led to an offer from the publishing company to accept the city editorship of the Daily and Weekly Herald, a place he continued to fill for a period of nearly seventeen years. While in the journalistic field he was correspondent for metropolitan newspapers as well as for the Associated Press. Volun- tarily he left the newspaper field when elected county recorder in the fall of 1904. Although the county in those years generally showed the dominant parties to be of equal strength and mixed party results as a rule, Mr. Bash's majority was 817. He served the county for four years and was the first recorder to occupy an office in the new court house.
After four years of public office, Mr. Bash engaged in the real estate business, and also acted as secretary-treasurer of the Huntington County Live Stock Insurance Association, until retiring for the purpose of accepting the secretary-treasurership of the Imperishable Silo Company of Huntington. Later, when this company formed an alliance with the National Fire Proofing Company, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for a more extensive field in the sale of silos, Mr. Bash was made resident manager, which place he still occupies. In addition to the many activities of use- fulness occupying the attention of Mr. Bash, he has looked after the duties of a director in the bank of the Huntington Trust Company, one of the prosperous institutions of the city, which he helped to establish. He has an interest in the Majestic Furnace & Foundry Company, of Huntington, and devotes some time to his farm, located in Clear Creek township. For a number of years some of his time was given to the City Library. He was a member of the Library Board and did active duty on the book committee.
In religion Mr. Bash is a Methodist and a member of the board of trustees of the First Methodist church in Huntington. Fraternally his affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.
Vol. II-29
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HECKMAN
BINDERY, I N C. Bound-To-Please"
FEB 01
N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962
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