USA > Indiana > Johnson County > History of Johnson County, Indiana > Part 73
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Politically, Mr. McClellan is a stanch Democrat. Fraternally, he is a Knight of Pythias and a Mason, in the latter order having attained to the order of Knight Templar. Religiously. he is a Presbyterian. Mr. McClellan has always given his support to every movement calculated to advance the highest interests of the community and because of his integrity of character. his genial disposition and his genuine personal worth, he is held in high esteem in the community.
C. M. DURHAM.
Among those men of sterling attributes of character who have impressed their personality upon the community of their residence and have borne their full share in the upbuilding and development of Johnson county, mention must not be omitted of C. M. Durham, of Whiteland, where he has maintained his home and where he has exerted a strong influence for good on the entire com- munity, being a man of upright principles and desirous to see the advancement of the community along moral, educational and material lines, at present hold- ing the responsible position of cashier of the Whiteland National Bank.
C. M. Durham is a native of the old Blue Grass state, having been born on May 16, 1883, and is a son of William Robert and Ellen (Cox) Durham, natives of North Carolina and Kentucky, respectively. The subject's father died in 1898 and his widow still resides in Kentucky. Besides the subject, there were Elijah, Benjamin, of Washington, William, of Kentucky, and Odom, of Shirley, Indiana. The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools and in Morehead Normal School. At the age of nine- teen years he accepted a position as cashier of the Sandy Hook Bank, Elliott county, Kentucky, where he remained four years, then came to Whiteland as
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C. M. DURHAM AND FAMILY
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cashier of the Whiteland National Bank, in which position he has since re- mained. He was one of the organizers of the latter institution, which has become one of the most substantial and best known financial institutions in Johnson county. It was organized in 1909, and has a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars, with resources of one hundred and twelve thousand dollars. The bank has erected a splendid brick building, with all modern fixtures and a burglar and fireproof vault, and pays three per cent. on deposits. The present officers and the directors are as follows: President, S. E. Brewer ; vice-pres- ident, Scott Curry; cashier, C. M. Durham; directors, S. E. Brewer, Scott Curry, E. D. Brewer, Charles Boone, E. O. McAlpin, A. T. Brunnemer and C. M. Durham. As the executive officer of the bank, Mr. Durham has busi- ness qualities of the highest order, and his absolute integrity has won for him the highest esteem of the officers of the bank and its patrons.
On December 25, 1903, Mr. Durham was married to Effie Williams, of Kentucky, and they have had two children, Lenora Florine and Robert. Po- litically, Mr. Durham is a supporter of the Democratic party, while his re- ligious membership is with the Baptist church. Fraternally, he is a member of the time-honored order of Freemasons, in the workings of which he takes a deep interest. Of marked domestic tastes, Mr. Durham finds his greatest pleasure in his home circle. Genial and unassuming in his relations with others, he has made many warm friends since coming to Whiteland, and among those who know him he is held in high regard.
DICKSON BROTHERS.
Among the progressive young business men of Whiteland, Johnson county, Indiana, identified with an important industrial enterprise, and whose training and ability have enabled them to achieve a noteworthy success in their line, are the Dickson Brothers, John B. and Mino. Men of intelligent ideas and wide experience, their interests have been so interwoven with the establishment with which they are identified as to make the history of one practically the history of the other within the past few years, and as experts in the line of endeavor to which their enegries and talents have been devoted they have an honorable record and have achieved much more than local reputa- tion. Messrs. Dickson are both natives of Johnson county, John B. having (48)
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been born here on August 22, 1875, and Mino on December 5, 1881. They are the sons of Francis and Etha J. ( Brewer) Dickson, the father a native of Owensboro, Kentucky, and the mother of Johnson county, Indiana, the daugh- ter of John D. Brewer. Francis Dickson located in his early life at New Al- bany, Indiana, where he remained until 1869, when he came to Franklin, Johnson county, and for a year or so followed milling. He then bought the Whiteland flour mill and entered into the milling business on his own account, continuing at such until 1887, when the mill was converted into an elevator. He conducted this elevator successfully until 1903, when he retired from ac- tive business pursuits. He was a man of large business ability and achieved a gratifying degree of success with his enterprises, enjoying to a noted degree the warm regard of all who knew him. He was the father of three children : John B., Una, who married a Mr. LaGrange, and Mino. The parents of these children are both deceased, the father dying on May 5, 1913, and the mother on August 5, 1894. They were faithful and earnest members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church and were much respected in the community.
The subjects of this sketch received their education in the common schools and upon attaining mature years decided to go into business on their own account. Their earlier years had been spent as assistants to their father, under whom they had learned much of the detail of modern business methods, so that when, in 1904, they embarked in business on their own account, they were well qualified. Under the firm name of Dickson Brothers, they engaged in the manufacture of drain tile, and their business career has been replete with continued successes. They have a capacity of three hundred car loads of tile per year, in all sizes from four inches up to eighteen inches, the quality of the tile being the best advertising medium. The tile are made from surface clay and are considered equal to any of similar kind upon the market. The Dickson Brothers handle the entire output, selling direct to consumers and jobbers. The plant has been in active operation night and day since it was started in 1904, and the demand is generally ahead of the output. The pro- prietors also take contracts for putting in county drains up to three and five miles in length, and in this line of business the firm has been very successful, their work meeting with the full approval of the county authorities and those interested. The Dickson Brothers have worked hard and honorably earned the reputation which they enjoy, not only as successful business men, but as leading public-spirited citizens of their locality, and it is needless to add that they are held in the highest esteem by all with whom they come in contact, for they have shown the force of their strong individualities and their sterling
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integrity in helping to make the community what it is. They are essentially men of affairs, sound of judgment and farseeing in what they undertake, and they have won and retained the confidence and esteem of all classes.
On November 15, 1899, John B. Dickson was united in marriage to Maude Vaught, the daughter of George B. and Violento (Coleman) Vaught. George B. Vaught was the son of Andrew J. and Mary (Thomas) Vaught, both of whom were natives of Virginia, coming to Clark county, Indiana, in an early day, and later to Johnson county, where they settled in Franklin township. Mr. Vaught followed farming all his life and became a prominent and respected member of the community. To him and his wife were born three children. In the Methodist Episcopal church he was a prominent work- er and his father in the early days was a licensed exhorter. He and his wife are both now deceased. To John B. Dickson and wife have been born two children, Etha and William, both of whom are at home.
On July 24, 1901, Mino Dickson was married to Laura Hibbs, the daugh- ter of Oliver P. and Clara (Botchford) Hibbs, the father a native of Johnson county, Indiana, and the mother born in Connecticut, she having come to this county in her childhood with her parents. To Mr. and Mrs. Dickson have been born three children, Frances, Dale and Vivian, the latter being deceased.
Politically, the Dickson boys are not active, though they give their sup- port to the parties of their preference, John being a Republican in his political belief, while Mino gives his support to the Democratic party. In their re- ligious belief the brothers are also divided, John being a Methodist and Mino a Presbyterian, and each gives due measure of attention to all worthy benevo- lent and charitable objects, no movement for the welfare of the people or the upbuilding of the community appealing to them in vain.
In their business affairs the Dickson Brothers have earned an enviable reputation for their enterprise, energy and persistence. They keep four wagons delivering goods in Johnson county and the surrounding country, also ship a great deal of their stuff throughout the state as far south as Madison, and through Hendricks, Shelby, Hancock and Bartholomew counties. They have earned a good reputation as reliable business men, their word being con- sidered as good as a bond, and wherever they have had dealings they have left a good impression with those with whom they have dealt. They are men of sterling honesty and integrity of character, and because of these elements and their genial disposition they have made friends wherever they have gone. Their past record and their personal character justify the belief that the future holds in store for them far greater successes than they have already achieved.
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JAMES W. WHITAKER.
Among the honorable and influential citizens of Johnson county, Indi- ana, is the subject of this review, who has here maintained his home for many years, winning a definite success by means of the agricultural industry, to which he has devoted his attention during the years of an active business life. His career has been without shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, and thus he has ever commanded the confidence and esteem of his fellow men.
James W. Whitaker, trustee of Pleasant township, Johnson county, Indi- ana, and a progressive and successful farmer, was born September 28, 1859, in this county, and is a son of Willis and Sarah E. Whitaker, natives of Indi- ana and Kentucky respectively. Willis Whitaker, who was born in 1843 and died in February, 1901, was the son of M. B. Whitaker, a native of Kentucky and one of the early settlers of Johnson county. To Willis and Sarah Whitaker were born three children, namely : Louisa Minerva, deceased; James W., the subject of this sketch, and Lucetta A., who died in February, 1908. James W. Whitaker was reared under the paternal roof and secured his edu- cation in the common schools of Pleasant township, where he has spent his entire life. He was reared to the vocation of farming and has never seen any reason to forsake this calling, in which he feels there is a dignity and independence not to be found in any other vocation. He is the owner of eighty-five acres of splendid land, to the improvement of which he has given careful attention, his houses, barns and other buildings being attractive, while the general appearance of the fields indicate that the owner is a man of right judgment and sound discrimination in his conduct of the same. Politically, a Democrat, Mr. Whitaker has long taken an active interest in the public affairs of his locality. He served efficiently one term as road supervisor, and in 1911 was appointed trustee of Pleasant township, in which office he is now serving, his term expiring in 1914. During his service he has made substan- tial improvements in the Whiteland high school buildings, at a cost of between thirty and thirty-five thousand dollars, including a new addition of nine rooms, comprising a large assembly room and auditorium. The building has been made modern throughout and is now one of the best school buildings in John- son county. Mr. Whitaker has taken a deep interest in the welfare of the township and, as far as lies in his power, has contributed to the welfare of his fellow citizens. Religiously, he is a member of the Christian church, while his fraternal membership is with the Masonic order at Greenwood.
In 1880 Mr. Whitaker was married to Christina A. Drake, a daughter of William Drake, and to them have been born the following children: Mrs.
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Pearl Smith; Granville, of Indianapolis; Leona; Roy, of Pleasant township; Ray, Rose, Warren, Dault, Inez and Gladys. Mr. Whitaker is a man of splendid influence in his community, having been a very industrious man and led an honorable career, setting a worthy example to the younger generation of his community and giving his own children a splendid training. He is regarded as a public-spirited man and can always be counted on to support the right side of any movement involving the moral, educational or social welfare of his fellow citizens.
JOHN FULMER.
Any person who will investigate the facts in the case will be surprised to learn of the great number of people of Germanic descent now living in the United States. Unquestionably the greatest number of emigrants reach- ing the shores of the new world comes from that nation, and statistics show that there is more Germanic blood in the United States than any other. This being a fact, it is easy to account for the prosperity and morality of this country. Not only that, but it will afford an explanation for the love of learning shown by the people of this vast nation. Germany is famous the world over for its remarkable universities, for its educated men, for its poets and philosophers, and for the industry, patience, intelligence, morality and sturdiness of its citizens. These qualities have been brought to this coun- try by the immigrants, and are now part and parcel of our wonderful nation -its progress in domestic economy, its advancement in every branch of material improvement, and its love of country and home.
John Fulmer, one of the sturdy and successful agriculturists of White River township, Johnson county, Indiana, was born in the locality where he now lives on December 20, 1862, and is a son of Joseph and Christina (Kay- lor) Fulmer. Both of his parents were born in Germany, from whence they came to the United States in 1852, having married in their native land. They first landed in New York City, from whence they went to Cincinnati and sub- sequently to Indianapolis. After remaining there for a time they came to Johnson county, settling near Smith's Valley on what is now known as the Sutton farm, where they remained for two or three years and then returned to Indianapolis. After four years more in the Capital City, they returned to their former farm, where they remained until 1863, when they moved to what is known as the Fisher farm, where Mr. Fulmer now lives. They'
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were the parents of seven children: Andrew; Henry; Mary, who married Henry Weyl; Sarah, who married Josiah Selch; Elizabeth, who married A. D. Mckinney; John and William.
The subject of this sketch received a fair education in the common schools, and upon attaining mature years took up the vocation to which he had been reared and in which he has achieved a pronounced success, being now numbered among the most enterprising and successful farmers of White River township. He is the owner of one hundred and eighty-seven acres of land in this township, practically all of which he has earned by his own efforts and for which he has earned the proud American title of "self-made man." He carries on a diversified system of agriculture, in connection with which he breeds, feeds and sells live stock, to his financial profit. The farm which he now operates is splendidly improved in every respect, its general condition and appearance reflecting great credit on its owner.
John Fulmer has twice been married, first on October 14, 1885. to Martha Alice Engle, the daughter of Frank and Martha (Looper) Engle. both of whom were natives of North Carolina. The father is deceased, but the mother is still living at the age of seventy-seven years. To Mr. and Mrs. Fulmer were born two children, Grace Mabel, who is now a teacher, and Lester Carl, who was born on June 27, 1894. Mrs. Martha Fulmer died on September 3, 1903, at the age of thirty-seven years, and on February 28, 1911, Mr. Fulmer married Flora B. Evans, the daughter of Levi and Rebecca (Parke) Evans, the mother being a daughter of Samuel Parke. Her father was a native of Kentucky, and the mother of Johnson county, Indiana. Samuel Parke was numbered among the early and influential settlers of John- son county. To Levi and Rebecca Evans were born two children, Mary, who married John Sutton, and Mrs. Fulmer.
The subject of this sketch has been a life-long supporter of the Demo- cratic party, and is now serving as a member of the advisory board of White River township. Aside from political affairs, he takes an interest in every department of public life which affects his fellow citizens or the general ad- vancement of the community, and he has been a potential influence in its progress and achievement. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Lodge No. 679 at Bargersville, while in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he is affiliated with the lodge at Smith's Valley, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. Religiously, he is an earnest member of the Christian church and takes deep interest in its spiritual verities. His career thus far has been a consistent and honorable one, and because of his
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staunch integrity and his accomplishments he is entitled and holds the sincere confidence and good will of all who know him. He has been one of those solid men of brain and substance so essential to the material growth and prosperity of a community and whose influence has been willingly extended in behalf of every deserving enterprise that has for its object the advancement of the moral welfare of the community.
JACOB G. DORRELL.
It is not an easy task to describe adequately a man who has led an emi- nently active and busy life, and who has attained a position of relative dis- tinction in the community with which his interests are allied. But biography ยท finds its most perfect justification, nevertheless, in the tracing and recording of such a life history. It is, then, with a full appreciation of all that is demanded and of the painstaking scrutiny that must be accorded each statement, and yet . with a feeling of satisfaction, that the writer essays the task of touching briefly upon the details of such a record as has been that of the honored sub- ject of this sketch whose eminently honored and successful career now comes under review.
Jacob G. Dorrell, who was born in White River township, on what is known as the Messersmith 'farm on May 23, 1869, is the son of William and Marcella (Bristow) Dorrell. Mr. Dorrell secured his education in No. 5 dis- trict school, and his early years were characterized by much hard labor upon the home farm. He remained with his mother until he was twenty-one years old, when he moved on to his farm, where he lived from October until Jan- uary 25, 1881, and then located on the old Dorrell homestead, where he has lived continuously since, with the exception of about five months, when he resided on his uncle Pascal's place. He is now the owner of about sixty acres of splendid land, which comprises the old Dorrell homestead, originally set- tled on by his grandfather, Jacob Dorrell, and here he is giving the personal attention to the cultivation of his land, which brings splendid success. He has a comfortable and substantial dwelling and good outbuildings and his farm indicates that he is an excellent manager and a man of good judgment. In ad- dition to the raising of the ordinary crops common to this locality, he gives some attention to the breeding and raising of live stock.
Politically, Mr. Dorrell is a Prohibitionist, while his church relations are with the Mt. Auburn Methodist Episcopal church. He is very active in church
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work and is at present trustee of his church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Stone's Crossing and with the Masons at Green- wood.
On October 6, 1880, Mr. Dorrell married Maria Ellen Umbarger, the daughter of James Umbarger, and to them have been born six children, name- ly : Charles Omer, a farmer ; Walter Martin, of Indianapolis; William Ed- gar. of Indianapolis ; Mrs. Okal Purvis, of Indianapolis; Lola and Hazel, at home. The family move in the best social circles of the community and be- cause of their genuine worth and the splendid family record they are held in high regard by all who know them.
SAMUEL E. BREWER.
Specific mention is made in the following paragraphs of one of the worthy citizens of Johnson county, Indiana-one who has figured in the growth and development of this favored locality and whose interests have been identified with its progress, contributing in a definite measure in his particular sphere of action to the well-being of the community in which he resides and to the advancement of Its normal and legitimate growth. Addi- tional interest also attaches to his career from the fact that practically his entire life has been passed within the borders of this county. Earnest pur- pose and tireless energy, combined with mature Judgment and everyday com- mon sense, have been among his most prominent characteristics and he has merited the respect and esteem which are accorded him by all who know him.
Samuel E. Brewer, president of the Whiteland National Bank, was born June 28, 1842, in Pleasant township, this county, and is the son of John D. and Frances (Webb) Brewer, natives of Mercer and Henry counties, Ken- tucky, respectively. John D. Brewer was the son of Daniel A. Brewer, a na- tive of New Jersey, who migrated to Kentucky, and the latter was the son of Abram Brewer, who was born and reared in New Jersey. The latter was the son of Everardus Brewer, who was the son of Jacob Brewer, the son of Adam Brewer, who came from Holland to America in 1642 and settled on Manhattan island. John D. Brewer came to Johnson county, Indiana, in 1828, locating on some land which he had secured while here on a hunting trip, having previously made four trips to this county, and in 1832 he filed on a piece of land in Pleasant township. He was prospered in his business af- fairs and at the time of his death, which occurred in August, 1882, he was the
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owner of one thousand acres of good land. `In 1834 Daniel Brewer and his family came, his wife being Theodosia Darland, and they, with their chil- dren, Garrett, David, Daniel, William, Sarah, Mary and Samuel, all settled on farms in Pleasant and Franklin townships. John D. Brewer built a log cabin, in which he "batched" for eight years, and then married Frances Webb, a daughter of James Webb, a native of Henry county, Kentucky, where he was an early settler. To John D. and Frances Brewer were born nine children, namely : Samuel E., subject of this sketch; Frances, who died at the age of two years; one who died in infancy; Mrs. Theodosia Miller, of Bloomington, this state; Mary, of Indianapolis; Mrs. Etha Dixon, deceased; Mrs. Frances Brewer, deceased ; Mrs. Belle Covert, of Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Mar- garet Tracy, of Whiteland, and Mrs. Telvia Brooks, of Indianapolis. The mother of these children died in 1894.
The subject of this sketch received his education in the district schools. supplemented by attendance at Hopewell Academy during 1861 to 1864. He then engaged in teaching school, following that vocation for a few years, and then located on eighty acres of his father's land. to the cultivation of which he devoted his time for a few years, at the same time teaching, as his business affairs would permit. In 1871 he bought a saw mill, which he operated until 1887, and then erected the Whiteland canning factory, which he operated. He had a hard struggle to make the concern a success, but eventually got it on its feet and in 1898 sold it to Grafton Johnson. The factory is now a prosperous institution and is one of the largest canning factories in the state. Mr. Brewer managed this factory until 1905, when he disposed of his in- terests and retired. In Ibog he assistedIn the organization of the Whiteland National Bank, of which he was elected president, and in which capacity he is still serving. Much of the success of this splendid institution has been due to his good business management and personal influence, and among his busi- ness associates he is held in high regard, his sound judgment and wise dis- crimination being considered invaluable in the management of the bank. He is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of splendid farm land, besides which he owns a splendid residence and one of the best business blocks in Whiteland.
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