USA > Indiana > Johnson County > History of Johnson County, Indiana > Part 58
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East Sixteenth street, Indianapolis, starting with one wagon for city delivery, and at the end of eight years they had eighteen wagons on the routes. Com- pelled to secure larger quarters, the company then built a milk depot at the corner of College avenue and Sixteenth street, the structure costing twenty- five thousand dollars, and there they remained for nine years. The business increased rapidly and in 1904 it was incorporated under the name of the Polk Sanitary Milk Company, with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars, all of the stock being owned in the family. The plant is now located at No. 1 100 East Fifteenth street, covering about three-quarters of a city block, and a private railroad switch running into the plant. The plant, which is, without question, one of the best of its kind in the world, handles about ten thousand gallons of milk daily, supplying twenty thousand families, for which service sixty-five wagons are required. One thousand gallons of milk can be bottled in a single hour by the improved and sanitary methods in use here, and two thousand pounds of butter are made here daily. The plant gives employment to one hundred and fifty men, whose first and greatest care is cleanliness, and then speed and promptness in the delivery of the product. In addition to milk and cream, "Pok-o-lac," the trade name under which the buttermilk product of this factory is sold, is widely known because of its absolute purity and richness and the demand for the same always exceeds the supply. Mr. Polk has given his personal attention to every detail of the business, which is one of the secrets of its success and today he is considered one of the most remark- able men in commercial circles and has been prospered financially. His chief characteristics seem to be keenness of perception, tireless energy, honesty of purpose and motive, and everyday common sense. Successful in business, re- spected in social life, and as a citizen discharging his duties in a manner be- coming a liberal-minded, intelligent man, his splendid qualities have been duly recognized and prized at their true value.
In 1872 J. T. Polk married Laura Burdick, whose father was a minister of the Baptist church. Mrs. Polk was a woman of splendid personal quali- ties and was largely self educated, after which she engaged in school work, beginning at the early age of sixteen years and was successfully engaged in this vocation for several years. To Mr. and Mrs. Polk were born two chil- dren, Ralph, who is the manager of the canning factory, and Pearl, who mar- ried Samuel Dungan, manager of Mr. Polk's dairy interests at Indianapolis. These two gentlemen have largely taken the burden of the business from Mr. Polk's shoulders and are ably and successfully carrying on the work so auspi- ciously inaugurated by him. Mrs. Laura Polk died on January 20, 1909, and in 1910 Mr. Polk was married to Edna Coughlin.
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Politically, Mr. Polk gives his earnest support to the Republican party, although he has never been a seeker for public office. His religious sympathies are with the Baptist church. Mr. Polk takes a keen interest in life in its every aspect and, with his wife and a lady friend, made a very pleasant and inter- esting trip around the world in 1912, leaving the harbor of San Francisco and arriving at New York City four months later. They touched at many of the most important cities of the world and acquired not only a vast fund of in- formation through their experiences, but brought home many mementoes of their visit in strange lands. The Polk home, located about one mile from Greenwood, is a very beautiful and attractive place, characterized by all mod- ern conveniences and surrounded by a beautiful lawn. Here the true spirit of hospitality is always in evidence and among those with whom he asso- ciates Mr. Polk is held in the highest esteem.
JOHN H. VAN DYKE.
The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his neighbors and friends. The life of the honorable subject of this review has been such as to elicit just praise from those who know him best, owing to the fact that he has always been loyal to trusts imposed upon him and has been upright in his dealings with his fellow men, at the same time lending his support to the advancement of any cause looking to the welfare of the com- munity at large.
John H. Van Dyke was born in Johnson county, Indiana, on December 12, 1852, and is a son of Dominicus and Nancy (Myers) Van Dyke, the father born in Franklin county, Indiana, in 1818, and the mother in the state of Kentucky in 1812; both of them are deceased, the father dying in 1900 and the mother in 1891. The father. who was a farmer, came to Johnson county in an early day and here spent the balance of his life in Pleasant township. He was the father of two children, George P., who died at the age of three years, and the subject of this sketch. He was a Republican in politics, staunch in his views on political and other public questions.
J. H. Van Dyke received his education in the common schools of the county and followed the vocation for which he was reared, that of farming, for forty-four years in Pleasant township on the old home farm. He was successful as an agriculturist, but, desiring a change in occupation, he moved
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to Greenwood in 1900 and entered the grocery business, in which he re- mained for seven years, meeting with splendid success. On June 10, 1910, Mr. Van Dyke was appointed postmaster of Greenwood and is still serving in that position to the entire satisfaction of the department and the patrons of the office. It is noteworthy that the receipts of the office have increased appreciably since Mr. Van Dyke took charge of it, the box rent especially having become an important part of the receipts.
In 1873 Mr. Van Dyke married Minerva I. Harmon, a daughter of Capt. Joseph and Sarah (Wilson) Harmon, the father a farmer of this county, who died in Pleasant township. The mother was a native of North Carolina. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Dyke have been born two children, Dominicus J., who died at the age of fifteen years, and Burl, who is cashier and bookkeeper in the wholesale grocery house of Brinkmeyer & Company, of Indianapolis.
Politically, Mr. Van Dyke is a staunch supporter of the Republican · party, while his fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias, belonging to the local lodge of that order at Greenwood. He is a faithful and earnest member of the Christian church at Greenwood, to which he gives a liberal support. He has a pleasant and attractive residence at the corner of Madison and Pearl streets, where the spirit of old-time hospitality is ever in evidence. Mr. and Mrs. Van Dyke are popular in the community and because of their . genuine worth and unassuming natures, they enjoy the confidence and esteem of all who know them.
WILLIAM T. STOTT, D. D.
Not too often can be repeated the life story of one who has lived so honorable and useful a life and attained to such notable distinction as has he whose name appears at the head of this sketch, one of the most successful and distinguished educators that the state of Indiana has produced. His character has been one of signal exaltation and purity of purpose. Well dis- ciplined in mind, maintaining a vantagepoint from which life has presented itself in correct proportions, guided and guarded by the most inviolable prin- ciples of integrity and honor, simple and unostentatious in his self-respecting. tolerant individuality, such a man could not prove other than a force for good in whatever relation of life he may have been placed. His character is the positive expression of a strong nature and his strength is as the number of his days. In studying his career interpretation follows fact in a straight line of derivation and there is no need for indirection or puzzling. As the day, with its morning of hope and promise, its noontide of activity and accom-
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WILLIAM T. STOTT, D. D.
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
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widow died in 1877, being killed by a runaway horse; at the time of her death she was fifty-five years old. Both parents were members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. Albert John Crecraft was a cousin of Dr. J. P. D. John, the noted divine and at one time president of DePauw University, his mother, Asenath John Crecraft, having been a sister of Enoch D. John and Robert John, early pioneers of Brookville, Indiana, the latter being the father of J. P. D. John. Enoch 'D. John married Lavina Noble, a sister of James and Noah Noble, mentioned elsewhere in this sketch. The John family came originally from Wales to this country, settling in Pennsylvania. Ten chil- dren were born to Albert John and Evelina Crecraft, six sons and four daugh- ters, of whom seven are living, namely: Laura, of Hamilton, Ohio; Asenath, the wife of Clarence B. Morris, of Oxford, Ohio; John H., of Hamilton, Ohio; Albert N., the immediate subject of this sketch; Luella, the wife of Iremus Nelson, of Hamilton ; William H., of Liberty, Indiana, and Arthur L., of Fairfield, Iowa.
Albert N. Crecraft remained at his home in Butler county, Ohio, until nineteen years of age, receiving his education in the district schools and in the National Normal University, at Lebanon, Ohio, where he took the scien- tific course, graduating in 1878. However, before entering the latter institu- tion, he had, at the age of sixteen years. taught one term of school, and after his graduation he taught another year. Hex then entered Princeton Uni- versity, where he remained a year, and then. resumed teaching, first at Mt. Carmel, Indiana, then at Fairfield, this state. He was then for four years principal of the schools at Brookville, Franklin county, and subsequently served six years as superintendent of schools of Franklin county. During three years of that period he was a member of the State Teachers' Reading Circle board and the Young People's Reading Circle board.
While county superintendent, Mr. Crecraft purchased the Brookville Democrat, which he owned for two years, and on January 1, 1892, he became the owner and editor of the Franklin Democrat. Since attaining his majority he has ardently espoused the Democratic party and the editorial columns of his paper are conducted in harmony with these political views. Believing that the fundamental mission of a newspaper is to give the news of the day to its readers, he has to the best of his ability striven to meet that idea, and the Democrat is today rated among the best country newspapers of central Indiana.
On May 31, 1883, Mr. Crecraft was married to Mary Luella Tyner, the daughter of Richard Henry and Anna ( Miller) Tyner. To them have been born three children, Earle Willis, Albert Tyner and Richard Tyner, of whom
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Albert T. died in infancy. Earle Willis is a graduate of Franklin College and received the Master of Arts degree from Columbia University, where he taught in 1912, and he will later receive another degree in history and political science. Mr. and Mrs. Crecraft are active members of the Presbyterian church, move in the best social circles of their community and enjoy marked popularity.
The parents of Mrs. Crecraft were natives of Franklin county, Indiana and had two daughters, Mary Luella and Rose Willis, the latter being the wife of Arthur A. Alexander, who is president of the Citizens' National Bank of Franklin, and who is referred to elsewhere in this work. Richard Henry Tyner was the son of Richard and Martha Sedgwick Willis Swift (Noble) Tyner and was born in Brookville, Indiana, September 2, 1831, being one of twelve children. His father was a son of William E. Tyner, a pioneer Bap- tist preacher of Indiana, who had emigrated to this state from South Caro- lina and who built one of the first Baptist churches in the state, south of Brookville, in 1812. His wife, Elizabeth Hackleman, was an aunt of Pleasant A. Hackleman. Richard Tyner was one of the early settlers of Brookville, where he was an important factor in the business life of the community, con- ducting an extensive mercantile establishment. Afterwards he moved to Davenport, Iowa. His wife was a member of the Noble family that emi- grated from Virginia to Kentucky, thence to Indiana. She was a daughter of Dr. Thomas Noble, a surgeon in the Revolutionary war, who was related to Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, whence comes the name Richard Henry Tyner. She was a sister of James and Noah Noble. The latter was one of · the first governors of Indiana, while James Noble was one of the first United States senators from this state, serving from 1816 to 1831, his death occur- ring the latter year in Washington. The ivory-headed cane carried by him while senator is now in the possession of Mr. and Mrs. Crecraft.
Richard Henry Tyner, father of Mrs. Crecraft, never held public office, but always bore an active part in the business and political life of the com- munity. He was a delegate to the first Republican state convention in Indiana and took an active part in the organization of the party. In his early life he was associated with the Cincinnati Banking Association and traveled over Indiana during the period of "wild-cat" currency as an inspector or examiner. His brother, James Noble Tyner, was a congressman from this state and was assistant postmaster-general under President Grant, and during the latter part of that administration he became postmaster-general. He was afterwards, during Republican administrations, connected with the postoffice department, either as assistant postmaster-general or attorney-general, until shortly before
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his death. Another brother. Gen. Noah Noble Tyner, was a brave soldier during the Civil war, and still another brother, George N. Tyner, of Holyoke, Massachusetts, was connected with the Holyoke Paper Mills and in 1900-I was a member of the Massachusetts State Senate.
The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Crecraft was Albert Miller, a native of Maryland, who, when a child, was brought by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Miller, to Franklin county, Indiana, where his death occurred when he was eighty-three years old. He was an extensive stock dealer and general merchant, and took an active interest in all political affairs. He was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Legislature as representative, serving in the sessions of 1881 and 1883. He was twice married and reared a large family of children.
WILLIAM ADCOCK.
It is generally considered by those in the habit of superficial thinking that the history of so-called great men only is worthy of preservation and that little merit exists among the masses to call forth the praises of the historian or the cheers and the appreciation of mankind. A greater mistake was never made. No man is great in all things and very few are great in many things. Many by a lucky stroke achieve lasting fame, who before that had no reputa- tion beyond the limits of their neighborhoods. It is not a history of the lucky stroke which benefits humanity most, but the long study and effort which made the lucky stroke possible. It is the preliminary work, the method, that serves as a guide for the success of others. Among those in this county who have achieved success along steady lines of action is the subject of this sketch, who is now. rendering efficient service as cashier of the Citizens National Bank of Greenwood.
William Adcock was born in Carroll county, Kentucky, February II, 1874, and is the son of S. B. and Alice (Jenkins) Adcock. The father, who is a native of Kentucky, is a successful farmer and has followed that vocation all his life, his present residence being at Campbellsburg, Kentucky. To the subject and his wife were born five children, all of whom are living. The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools of his community and in a college at Campbellsburg. Completing his education, he became employed in the First National Bank at Carrollton, Kentucky, where he remained for sixteen years, his faithful service and efficiency being re- warded by promotion from time to time until he became assistant cashier of
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that institution. In 1906 Mr. Adcock came to Greenwood and assisted in the organization of the Citizens National Bank here, which was organized with a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars and which opened for business in 1907, with the following officiary: President, Harvey Brewer; vice-presi- dent, D. E. Demott ; cashier, William Adcock. The bank now has a surplus of fifteen thousand dollars and deposits of one hundred and fifty thousand dol- lars and is considered one of the strong financial institutions of Johnson county, much of the success which has attended the organization being due to the splendid business ability, energetic efforts and the popularity of the sub- ject of this sketch. He is known to all who have formed his acquaintance to be a man of genuine worth and integrity, scrupulously honest in all his deal- ings with his fellow men and he has won the respect and good will of a host of friends throughout the county.
Politically Mr. Adcock gives his support to the Democratic party, while, fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to the blue lodge at Greenwood, the commandery of Knights Templar at Franklin, and to Murat Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Indianapolis. Genial and un- assuming in his relations with others and a splendid conversationalist, he is welcome in any company which he chooses to enter, and among those with whom he is associated in a business way he is held in the highest regard and esteem.
WILLIAM J. MATHES.
Though many years have passed since the subject of this sketch was transferred from the life militant to the life triumphant, he is still favorably remembered by many of the older residents of Johnson county, where for many years he was regarded as one of the leading business men of the county. Because of his many excellent personal qualities and the splendid and definite influence which his life shed over the entire locality in which he lived so long and which he labored so earnestly to upbuild in any way within his power, it is particularly consonant that specific mention should be made of him in a work containing mention of the representative citizens of the community in a past generation. A man of high moral character, unimpeach- able integrity, persistent industry and excellent business judgment, he stood "four square to every wind that blew," and throughout the locality where he lived he occupied an enviable position among his fellowmen. among whom he was universally esteemed.
William J. Mathes was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, on August 1,
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WILLIAM J. MATHES
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THI NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
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1818, and was the son of Joseph and Sarah ( Atwood) Mathes, both of whom also were natives of Virginia. In 1825 Joseph Mathes came to Johnson county, Indiana, and located on a farm near Edinburg, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his efforts during the remainder of his active life. He reared a family of nine children, and after his death his widow and her son, William J., the immediate subject of this sketch, removed to a farm in Nineveh township, this county, where her death occurred in 1856. She was a Baptist in her religious faith and was a woman of exalted character, rearing her children to honorable and respected manhood and womanhood. On the Nineveh township farm the subject of this sketch was reared to manhood. Eventually he engaged in the mercantile business at Williamsburg, where he remained several years. He attained to considerable prominence in the community and efficiently filled the offices of postmaster of Williamsburg and trustee of the township. In September, 1863, Mr. Mathes removed to Franklin, where he resided until his death, which occurred on October 9, 1886. Here he engaged in the mercantile business and also ran a livery and sales stable. In these enterprises he was successfully engaged for a number of years, his activities in his own affairs and his efforts towards the upbuilding of the community commending him to the favorable opinion of all who knew him. He was a stanchi Democrat in his political faith and was three times elected to the responsible! pasion of county commissioner, being a member of that board at the time of his death. He was a Baptist in his religious belief, though he was not, identified with that society. In the business and commercial life of the communitythe was an important factor and, without reserve, gave his support and encouragement to every effort to upbuild the city and advance its interests in any way. He was deeply in- terested in educational matters and was particularly friendly to Franklin Col- lege, being largely instrumental in placing that institution on a substantial footing. Very successful in his own business affairs, he was generous in giv- ing his assistance to every'other enterprise that promised to enhance the pub- lic welfare and every worthy benevolent or charitable object found in him a friend, especially the churches, to all of whom he gave liberally. The family home, on Jefferson street, this city, is one of the old and substantial residences of the city, and about the place there has always clung the spirit of hospitality which made it a frequent gathering place for a large circle of the best people of the community.
On March 22, 1845, William J. Mathes was married to Rachel Mullikin, who was born in Henry county, Kentucky, on February 13, 1823. Mrs. · Mathes was descended from a line of patriotic ancestors, her paternal grand-
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father, John Mullikin, having fought in the war of the Revolution, while her father, James Mullikin, was a veteran of the war of 1812. The family was of Irish descent and in them were found those qualities which have ever char- acterized those of Celtic descent, qualities which have formed an important element in the development of this great western republic.
To William J. and Rachel Mathes were born five children, of whom two died in infancy: Joseph Q. died in July, 1908: Clara B., who became the wife of Smith B. Fesler, died in August, 1904; Ellen S. is the only survivor, and lives in the old family homestead, and is numbered among the best known and most popular ladies of this city. She is a member and active worker in the Baptist church, and is also a member of the Woman's Relief Corps. Miss Mathes is especially interested in the work of the Daughters of the American Revolution, of which she has been an active worker for a number of years. She has been four times honored by election as representative to the national conventions of that exclusive order, and has served twice in that capacity, both times at Washington, D. C. She is a lady of splendid personal qualifica- tions and in the circles in which she moves she is well liked by all.
JOHN NEWTON RECORDS, M. D.
A list of the representative citizens of Johnson county would be incom- plete were there failure to make specific mention of John N. Records, a lead- ing physician and the present postmaster of Franklin. Mr. Records was born February 17, 1862, in Franklin township, Johnson county, Indiana, son of Franklin S. and Susan M. (Utterback) Records, both of old pioneer stock, distinguished for moral and intellectual strength and high ideals of patriotism and deep religious principles.
The family is of English extraction. John and Anna (Galloway) Records were the Doctor's great-great-great grandparents. Their son, Josiah Records, born in Delaware, married into the Tucker family, of Welsh descent. Spencer Records, son of Josiah, was also a native of Delaware. He took part in the Revolutionary war, and was noted as an Indian fighter after his removal from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, where he was a pioneer. His trade was that of millwright, which he followed in connection with farming. He died at the age of eighty-seven years, eight months, being the same age at his death as his son, William P. Records. William P. Records, paternal grandfather of Doctor Records, was born in Ohio in 1801. He emigrated to Indiana and bought land in Bartholomew county, later removing to Shelby .
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county, where he carried on farming. He died, esteemed by all, at the age of eighty-seven years and eight months. He married Elsie Harvey, who became the mother of a large family and died at the age of ninety-three years. She was the daughter of Longstreet Harvey (whose mother was a Longstreet), who married Chantry Bennett; she died at the age of ninety-three, while Mr. Harvey died at the age of eighty-eight. These ancestors were all noted for lives of industry and integrity, the men useful as citizens and the women of high character and Christian attributes. Franklin S. Records learned many things from his father, who was a man of vigorous mentality as well as physical strength. Mr. Records recalled many tales told of the early days when his grandfather fought Indians in Kentucky. Both father and grand- father were Whigs, men of prominence in their community, and died es- teemed by all. Franklin S. Records always followed an agricultural life. He was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, and was six years old when his family removed to Shelby county, and twenty-two when he married and came to Johnson county. It was in 1854 that he moved to his late home, three and one-half miles southwest of Franklin, buying a farm of one hundred twenty acres of land at that time. This original purchase was increased to two hundred and forty acres of fertile, well cultivated and excellently im- proved land. He was successful in his life work and a useful member of his community, for a period serving as justice of the peace, and whenever called upon he proved himself a valuable and worthy citizen. He was regarded as a man of more than ordinary intelligence and influence for good. He first belonged to the Whig party, but later was in active accord with the Republi- can principles. He and his wife belonged to the Christian church, in which he was an elder for many years, continuing up to his death, which occurred on February 24, 1907, when he was eighty years, five days old. He married Susan M. Utterback, a native of Kentucky and they had a family of eight children, two sons and six daughters, the three surviving being Mary V., wife of William Craig, of Franklin township; Dr. John N., and Harriet, wife of Frank Cox, of Franklin township. Perry Utterback, the father of Mrs. Susan N. (Utterback) Records, was a native of Kentucky, of German an- cestry. As a farmer in search of desirable land he became an early settler in Indiana, and camped on Young's creek in 1835, when there were but six houses on the present site of the city of Franklin. He bought land in what is now Union township and cleared up a fine farm. Later, with pioneer spirit, he removed to Iowa, locating near Ottumwa. The maternal grand- father of Mrs. Susan M. Records was John DeWitt, a native of Kentucky, who lived there until an advanced age and reared a family.
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