USA > Indiana > Lawrence County > History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions > Part 65
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions > Part 65
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662
LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
GEORGE W. HENLEY.
Among the strong and influential citizens of Monroe county, Indiana, the record of whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section, the gentleman whose name appears above occupies a prominent place and for years has exerted a beneficial influence in the locality where he re- sides. His chief characteristics are keenness of perception, a tireless energy, honesty of purpose and motive and everyday common sense, which has en- abled him not only to advance his own interests, but also largely contribute to the moral and material advancement of the community.
George W. Henley was born near Paoli, Orange county, Indiana, on October 28, 1859, and is the son of Henry and Lydia Margarette ( Patton) Henley. Henry Henley, who was born in Paoli, Orange county, in October, 1826, died in 1912, and his wife, who was born in North Carolina in 1829. is still living. Henry Henley was for many years one of the most prominent operators in the oolitic stone belt, and he opened and organized the first company for the quarrying of stone in the Hunter Valley, the company being known as the Hunter Stone Company, which was organized in 1891, and which, in 1895, was sold to the Consolidated Stone Company for one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. In addition to this enterprise Mr. Henley organized several other companies, notably the Crown Stone Company, the New York Stone Company, the Clear Creek Stone Company, the Henley Stone Company and the George W. Henley Stone Company, now owned by his son, George W., who took part in the promotion of the company. As the pioneer stone man of this locality, Mr. Henley long enjoyed distinctive pres- tige among his associates in this business. He was the father of three chil- dren: Laura J., who became the wife of Ed Mooney, a prominent business man of Columbus, Indiana, and her death occurred in 1892; Joseph E., one of the most prominent and successful attorneys at Bloomington, Indiana, and George W., the immediate subject of this sketch. Politically, Henry Henley was a stanch Republican. During the war of the Rebellion he saw active mili- tary service, having enlisted as a private in Company A, Seventeenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and being made captain of the company. The regiment was assigned to the famous Wilder brigade, one of the most noted military divisions in the entire Union army. Captain Henley was a valiant and courageous soldier and earned his promotion to the rank of major, which he held at the time of his discharge. He was detailed for special work and to him is due the credit for the detection and arrest of the leaders of that in- famous organization, the Knights of the Golden Circle.
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LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
George W. Henley received the elements of his education in the com- mon schools of his home community and then became a student in the State University, where he graduated in 1880. Afterwards for a while he was em- ployed as clerk in a clothing store at Bloomington, and later was similarly employed at Crawfordsville. He was then appointed to a position in the war department at Washington and was subsequently transferred to the surgeon- general's office where he remained until 1895, when he returned to Bloom- ington and here engaged in the stone business, in which his father had many important interests. His first connection was with the South Side Stone Company, with which he was identified until 1904, when he became associated with his father in the organization of the George W. Henley Stone Company, which is located at Stinesville, this county, and which is one of the most suc- cessful and important quarries in the district. He has given his entire atten- tion and time to the management of this company and is numbered among the most successful stone operators in the county. The G. W. Henley Company makes a specialty of turning out finished stone, cut according to plans and specifications, ready for use in the building, and this detail of their business has commended them to many contractors and building firms throughout the country.
In 1884 Mr. Henley was united in marriage to Flora Abell, of the state of Maryland, their marriage occurring while Mr. Henley was in the govern- ment employ in Washington city. This union has been blessed in the birth of two children, Violet, who is a student in the Bloomington high school, and George W., who is on the road as a representative of the Rumley Thresher Company.
Politically, Mr. Henley was for many years an ardent supporter of the Republican party and was chairman of the county central committee, but in the fall of 1912, having espoused the cause of the Progressive party, he re- signed this position and was elected chairman of the county Bull Moose com- mittee, in which position he rendered effective work for the new party. He is a man of strong and positive opinions, and when he takes a stand on any question he is ready to defend his convictions to the extent of his ability. He served four years efficiently as a member of the Bloomington city council and in many ways has exhibited a keen interest in the welfare of the city. Fraternally, he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, while his religious membership is with the Methodist Episcopal church. He is one of the strong, sturdy individuals who is contributing largely to the material welfare of the city in which he resides, being an up-to-date business man and public spirited as a citizen, and pro-
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LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
gressive in all that the term implies. For a number of years he has been a potent factor in molding the community's progress along social, educational and moral lines and consequently his name well deserves a place in the record of Monroe county's citizens.
NAT U. HILL.
The gentleman whose name heads this paragraph is widely known as one of the honored citizens of Bloomington, Indiana. He has lived here all his life, being a member of one of the leading families of this section of the state, and for a number of years has been prominently identified with the business and financial interests of this community. His well-directed efforts in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his business interests and his sound judgment have brought to him prosperity, and in all the relations of life he has commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
Nat U. Hill, president of the First National Bank of Bloomington, was born on March 18, 1881, in the city where he now resides, and is a son of Nat U., Sr., and Anna ( Buskirk) Hill, his father having been for many years one of the most prominent citizens of this section of the state. As specific reference to the subject's parents is made elsewhere in this work, it is deemed unnecessary to make further mention of them at this point, further than to say that Nat U. Hill, Sr., died on May 8, 1908, and his widow is residing at the old home in Bloomington. They were the parents of two children, Nat U., the immediate subject of this sketch, and Philip, who is assistant superin- tendent of the Empire Stone Company.
Nat U. Hill received his elementary education in the public schools of Bloomington, graduating from the high school, and he then became a student in the State University, which he attended for a time. He then engaged in the life and fire insurance business for three years, in which he displayed marked business ability and so managed his affairs as to gain a distinct suc- cess. In May, 1908, the late L. WV. Buskirk succeeded his father as president of the First National Bank, of Bloomington, and on January 1, 1911, the sub- ject was elected and is at the present time serving as such. The First Na- tional Bank is one of the strongest and most influential financial institutions in southern Indiana, The report of the condition of this bank on June 4, 1913. was as follows: Resources-Loans and discounts, $458,127.64; overdrafts,
NAT U. HILL, JR.
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LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
$26,569.02 ; U. S. bonds to secure circulation, $20,000.00; bonds, securities, etc., $117,355.70; banking house, furniture and fixtures, $17,638.90; due from national banks, not reserve agents, $134.26; due from approved reserve agents, $38,030.36 ; checks and other cash items, $8,062.99; cash on hand, $45, 112.91 ; redemption fund with U. S. treasurer, $1,500.00; total, $742,531.78. Lia- bilities-Capital stock paid in, $120,000.00; surplus, $33,000.00; undivided profits, less expense and profits paid, $551,439.49; national bank notes out- standing, $30,000.00 ; deposits, $508,092.29 ; total, $742,531.78. The officers of the bank are as follows: President, Nat U. Hill; vice-president, Ira C. Bat- man : cashier, Charles S. Small; assistant cashier, Reg B. Stull.
Mr. Hill is building a large new brick garage, one hundred and thirty-six by seventy-four feet in size, for the storage of cars and general repair work.
Mr. Hill's innate modesty forbids the use of words bordering on adula- tion, but merit justifies praise, and it is entirely consonant in this connection to simply state that in the business and civic life of Bloomington, Mr. Hill has been a factor of recognized force and influence. In the management of his affairs he has shown shrewd intelligence, sound judgment and farsightedness, his business associates holding him in high regard in this respect. Personally, Mr. Hill is a gentleman of pleasing address, frank and kindly in manner and popular with his friends and fellow citizens. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Mystic Shrine and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
EARL COLLINS CARPENTER.
Descended from honored ancestry and himself numbered among the leading citizens of Monroe county, Indiana, the subject of this sketch is entitled to specific recognition in a work of this character. A residence in this county of many years has but strengthened his hold on the hearts of the people with whom he has been associated and today none here enjoys a larger circle of warm friends and acquaintances, who esteen him because of his sterling qualities of character and his business ability.
Earl Collins Carpenter was born in Bloomington, Illinois. on July 29, 1877. and is the son of Guy C. and Valla S. (Irish) Carpenter, the father a native of Connecticut and the mother of New York state. Guy C. Carpenter was a railroad man during all his active years, having been located in many different railroad towns, and was highly respected by his associates. To him
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LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
and his wife were born three children, namely: Earl C., Guy C., Jr., and George J.
Earl C. Carpenter received his education in the common schools, gradul- ating from the high school at Centralia, Illinois, after which he took up the study of veterinary surgery in Chicago Veterinary College, completing his work at the Indianapolis Veterinary College in 1900. In the same year he entered upon the active practice of his profession at Bloomington, where he is still engaged and in which he has met with the most pronounced success. Thoroughly understanding animal life and having given close professional study to all forms of equine diseases, he is fully qualified to handle all ail- ments of the horse that are brought to his care and attention. He is a very accomplished trainer of horses, having been successful in breaking saddle horses especially. He recently sold "King Araby" to Gentry Brothers for sixteen hundred dollars, and for about a year before that he had been with Gentry Brothers a year as a feature act with this horse, his act proving a popular and well received performance. He has handled horses from all over the United States, some of which, owned by millionaires, he has broken to the saddle. With the exception of the period spent with Gentry Brothers, Doctor Carpenter has devoted his attention closely to his professional prac- tice at Bloomington. He enjoys a wide and enviable reputation throughout this section of the country and personally is well deserving of all the suc- cess and confidence which have been accorded him.
Doctor Carpenter married Alice Wooley, daughter of James B. and Sally (Mccullough) Wooley, the former a native of Monroe county, In- diana. The father, Zimri Mccullough, was an early settler in this locality and built the Bundy hotel, which at that time was known as the Worley tavern. He was not only an early settler of the county, but took an active part in all affairs affecting the welfare of the community and was held in high esteem among his associates. In a business way he was successful, having been a livery man most of his active years. To him and his wife was born one child, Mrs. Carpenter.
The subject of this sketch gives his political support to the Progressive party, while his fraternal affiliations are with the Free and Accepted Masons. Religiously, he is a member of the Christian church and takes a deep inter- est in all things pertaining to the spiritual verities. He is a warm supporter of all movements tending toward the advancement and welfare of his fellow citizens along moral, educational or social lines, and is eminently deserving of the high position he holds in the community.
667
LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
ALONZO H. HOSTETLER.
It is by no means an easy task to describe within the limits of this review a man who has led an active and eminently useful life and by his own exer- tions reached a position of honor and trust in the line of industries with which his interests are allied. But biography finds justification, nevertheless, in the tracing and recording of such a life history, as the public claims a cer- tain property interest in the career of every individual and the time invariably arrives when it becomes advisable to give the right publicity. It is, then, with a certain degree of satisfaction that the chronicler essays the task of touching briefly upon such a record as has been of the subject who now comes under this review.
Alonzo H. Hostetler, one of the well-known and enterprising citizens of Mitchell, Lawrence county, Indiana, was born in this county on December 1, 1861, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth J. ( Chastain ) Hostetler, both of whom were also natives of this county. The father, who was a millman and farmer all his life, was a man of marked capacity for business and was successful in all his operations. The subject's grandfather, Jonah H. Hostet- ler, was a very early settler of Lawrence county and was prominent in the early growth and development of the county. To the subject's parents were born the following children: Daniel R. and Mary A., twins, Benjamin N., Leonard J., Sarah E., Martha J., James M., Alonzo H. and Fannie J.
Alonzo H. Hostetler received his educational training in the common schools of Lawrence county and was reared to the life of a farmer, which vocation he has always followed. On attaining manhood's years he also be- came identified with the sawmill business, in which he is still actively engaged and in these two occupations he has found his life a busy one. Persistent energy, honesty of motive and correct dealing have brought to him their re- ward and today no man in his section of the county is better known or more highly respected than he. He has been successful in his financial affairs and besides his interests in this county he is the owner of a splendid timber and sawmill plantation in Georgia.
On April 22, 1880, Mr. Hostetler married Fannie McNamara, to which union was born a son, who died in infancy, Mrs. Hostetler dying soon after- wards. On October 22, 1884, Mr. Hostetler was married to Lillie E. Dalton, the daughter of John and Philomala (Clark) Dalton, who were early settlers of Lawrence county. To Mr. and Mrs. Hostetler have been born two chil- dren, namely: Rosamond A., the wife of John B. Wilkinson, of Georgia, and Franklin Arthur, of Mitchell.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Hostetler has all his life taken an active interest in public affairs and has had an influential part in the councils of his
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LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
party. In 1908 he was elected trustee of Marion township, this county, and is the present incumbent of this office, his term not expiring until 1914. He has exercised the same business judgment and honesty of action in discharging liis official duties as have characterized his private affairs and his conduct of the office has been to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, Knights of Pythias and Im- proved Order of Red Men, belonging to the local lodges of these orders at Mitchell. Religiously, he is a member of the First Baptist church of Mitchell, of which he is a deacon and trustee and to which he gives a liberal support. Mr. and Mrs. Hostetler have shown by their consistent and upright lives that they are worthy of the esteem of all, which, indeed, they possess, the circle of their friends being limited only by the circle of their acquaintances.
CYRUS N. S. NEELD.
Holding distinctive prestige among the enterprising citizens of Monroe county is Cyrus N. S. Neeld, whose record, here briefly outlined, is that of a self-made man, who by the exercise of the talents with which nature endowed him, rose to the position he now occupies as one of the influential and well- to-do men of the city honored by his residence. He is a creditable repre- sentative of one of the old and highly esteemed pioneer families of this local- ity and possesses many of the admirable qualities and characteristics of his sturdy Kentucky ancestors, who migrated to Indiana in a very early day and figured in the history of this section of the state.
Cyrus N. S. Neeld, well known for a number of years as a successful and enterprising inan of Bloomington, Indiana, was born in this county on July 6, 1844, and is the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth L. (Reeves) Neeld, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. Benjamin Neeld was born in Harrodsburg, in the old Blue Grass state, and came by wagon to Monroe county, Indiana, in 1819. In his native state he had learned the trade of a blacksmith and the old shop in Harrodsburg, where he served his three years' apprenticeship, is still standing. He followed his trade after coming to Bloomington and it is a matter of historic record that he made practically all the axes with which the timber in Monroe county was cut down in the pioneer days. As such he was a factor of importance in the progress and de- velopment of that period. The blacksmith shop which he opened at Bloom- ington became one of the important business concerns of the new locality and
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LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
Mr. Neeld followed his trade here until about the time of his death, in 1868. In the political and civic life of Monroe county he took a deep inter- est and served a term as member of the board of county commissioners at a period when matters of the utmost importance to the future history of the county were being considered and acted upon by the board. He was a man of forceful character and sturdy integrity and the community felt the impress of his personality. He was twice married, his first union having been blessed with seven children, namely: Jane, Joseph, Elizabeth, Marguerite, Robert, Martha and William, all of whom are deceased, while by his second mar- riage, to the mother of the subject of this sketch, there were born the fol- lowing children: Benjamin, deceased; John R., Nathan N., deceased; Cyrus N. S., Isaac N., and Harriett N., deceased.
Cyrus N. S. Neeld received his education in the common schools of Monroe county, but has through the subsequent years liberally supplemented his school training by much reading and close observation, and is today con- sidered a well informed man. Mr. Neeld was reared to the life of a farmer, which he followed a number of years before engaging in his present occupa- tion. In 1890 he came to Bloomington in partnership with his brother John, and engaged in the hardware business under the firm style of Neeld & Co., of which Cyrus N. S. is now the active owner, though the former firm name is still unchanged. He carries a large and well selected line of shelf and heavy hardware and has for many years enjoyed his full share of the public patron- age. He possesses marked business ability and his courteous treatment of his patrons and evident desire to please all who come into his store has won a large acquaintance throughout the community.
On August 31, 1871, Cyrus N. S. Neeld married Julia S. Borland, the daughter of Edward and Margaret ( Caldwell) Borland. Her father, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and a carpenter and farmer by vocation, came to Monroe county in an early day, where he made his permanent home and lived until his death. His wife was also a native of the old Keystone state and is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Neeld were born two children, Pearl and Edward B.
Politically, Mr. Neeld was formerly a Republican, but since 1912 has been stanchly allied with the Progressive party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and connected with all four branches of that order, with which he takes an active and appreciative interest. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he contributes of his means. The subject's career has indeed been an honorable one and, though strenuous, there is nothing in it flavoring in the slightest
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LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
degree of disrepute, his relations with his fellow men having ever been above reproach and his good name beyond criticism. As already indicated, he wears the proud American title of self-made man and, being in the most liberal sense of the term the architect of his own fortune, he may well feel a sense of pride in his achievements and the honorable position to which he has at- tained among the enterprising and successful citizens of the county in which the busy years of his life have been passed.
WILLIAM A. HUBBARD.
The character of a community is determined largely by the lives of a comparatively few of its members. If its moral and intellectual status be good, if in a social way it is a pleasant place in which to reside, if its reputa- tion for the integrity of its citizens has extended to other localities, it will be found that the standards set by the leading men have been high and their in- fluence such as to mold their characters and shape the lives of those with whom they mingle. In placing the subject of this sketch in the front rank of such men, justice is rendered a biographical fact universally recognized throughout Lawrence county by those at all familiar with his history. Al- though a quiet and unassuming man, with no ambition for public position or leadership, he has contributed much to the material advancement of the com- mmunity, while his admirable qualities of head and heart and the straight- forward, upright course of his daily life have tended greatly to the moral standing of the circles in which he moves and given him a reputation for in- tegrity and correct conduct such as few achieve.
William A. Hubbard is a native of the county in which he now lives, having been born on December 21, 1839, and he has always been a resident of Lawrence county, and since attaining mature years, has consistently followed the vocation of farming. He is the son of Austin and Essible ( Denney ) Hub- bard, both of whom were born in Kentucky, where the father became a suc- cessful carpenter and millwright. It is to such men as he that the early de- velopment of the pioneer communities of the middle West was largely due. for he contributed in a very material way to its development in the construc- tion of the early mills which played so important a part in the welfare and comfort of the people. Many of the best mills along the river in the pioneer days were constructed by him and in every avenue of life's activities to which he gave his attention he did his best and was numbered among the sterling
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LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
citizens of the community. He and his wife are both now deceased, his death having occurred in 1860. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Elizabeth Todd, deceased; Mrs. Judith Nichols; Mrs. Martha Litton, deceased; Mrs. Essible Guthrie, deceased; Mrs. Margaret Bailey, deceased ; Mrs. Harriett Hunter, deceased; Mrs. Nancy Beck, deceased; William A., the subject of this sketch, and Mrs. Lizzie Lee, who lives on a farm near Tunnelton, this county.
William A. Hubbard secured his education in the common schools of the neighborhood in which he was reared, and supplemented this educational training by much close reading and wide observation of men and events, so that he is now considered a well informed man and intelligently alive to all public questions of the day. He was reared to the life of a farmer and has never seen good reason to forsake this calling, in which he has met with distinctive success, being now numbered among the leading farmers of this community. He has a splendid farm of three hundred acres in Guth- rie township, on which he is carrying on general farming, connected with the breeding and raising of high-grade live stock, which he has found to be a very valuable and profitable auxiliary to agriculture. The farm is well im- proved in every respect and is a pleasing sight to the passerby.
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