USA > Indiana > Lawrence County > History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions > Part 69
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions > Part 69
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LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
children born to their parents, the others being Alex, who is represented else- where in this work; Minnie, who became the wife of Preston Mavity, and Ida, the wife of Cyrus Wilking. To Mr. and Mrs. Baker has been born one child, Willard Henry. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are consistent and active mem- bers of the Church of Christ, to which they give a liberal support, and in every relation of life they have been honored and useful members of the com- munity. They move in the best social circles of the locality in which they live, and because of their upright lives and sterling integrity they are de- servedly popular among their acquaintances.
HOWARD CHITTY.
Lawrence county, Indiana, has been especially favored in the personnel of its newspaper men, and among the representatives of this profession in this county is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch, who is publisher and editor of the Commercial at Mitchell. Here through the years he has not only gained a distinct business success for himself, but he has through his personal influence by voice and pen stood for the best things in the community life with the result that he not only has gained prestige as an active, aggressive and successful business man, but as one of the best citizens of the community in the largest sense of the word.
Mr. Chitty was born on December 6, 1867, about three miles north of Mitchell on the farm owned by his parents, James B. and Elizabeth C. ( Crawford) Chitty, both of whom were natives and lifelong residents of Lawrence county. The father was for many years a druggist, but later fol- lowed carpentering until his death, which occurred on September 2, 1913. His mother, who is still living, makes her home on a farm two miles west of Mitchell. To these parents were born five children, namely : Harry C., of Molson, Washington; Howard, the immediate subject of this sketch; Homer R., of Spokane, Washington; Herbert, who died in infancy ; Madge died at the age of four years. James B. Chitty was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church from the time he was eighteen years old, and was a man of splendid character and high personal attainments. Fraternally, he was a member of the Masonic order, and in his daily life endeavored to exemplify the sublime precepts of that time-honored fraternity.
Howard Chitty received his education in the country schools of his home neighborhood and at the age of sixteen years he went into the office
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of the Chronicle at Alibene, Kansas, where he learned the printing trade. being employed there until July, 1886, when he went to Wakeeney, Kansas, where he remained for nine months and was then for seven years at Dighton, that state. In 1897 Mr. Chitty returned to Lawrence county, and, in part- nership with H. E. Woolheater, bought the Mitchell Commercial, one of the popular and progressive newspapers of Lawrence county, which they con- ducted together until 1900, when Mr. Chitty bought his partner's interest in the enterprise and has since conducted it alone. The Commercial, which is Republican in politics, is the oldest newspaper in Lawrence county, and through the years of its existence it has wielded a healthful influence on the life of the community. Mr. Chitty has maintained the prestige of this sheet and has enlivened its columns so that today it is a welcome visitor in the hundreds of homes into which it enters. It is a splendid advertising medium and as a business investment it has proven all that Mr. Chitty expected of it.
On September 9, 1890, Mr. Chitty was married to Anna B. Limpus, a native of Missouri, and to them have been born four children : Mildred, de- ceased, Lelah, Park and Lillian. Politically, Mr. Chitty is a Republican, and, fraternally, a member of the Masonic order, while his religious connection is with the Christian church, of which he is a deacon. Genial in disposition, he is a popular member of the circles in which he moves.
GEORGE B. JACKSON.
Agriculture has been an honored vocation from the earliest ages and as a usual thing men of honorable and humane impulses, as well as those of energy and thrift, have been patrons of husbandry. The free out-of-door life of the farm has a decided tendency to foster and develop that independence of mind and self-reliance which characterizes true manhood and no truer blessing can befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature in the healthful, life-inspiring labor of the fields. It has always been the fruitful soil from which have sprung the moral bone and sinew of the country, and the majority of our nation's great warriors, renowned statesmen and dis- tinguished men of letters were born on the farm and were indebted largely to its early influence for the distinction which they have attained.
George B. Jackson, one of the well known and popular citizens of Lees- ville, Lawrence county, Indiana, is the son of John T. Jackson, a native of Middletown, Kentucky, the latter being a son of William and Martha Jack- son, who had their parentage in the old Blue Grass state. William Jackson,
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who was a farmer by vocation, was a veteran of the war of 1812. To him and his wife were born the following children : Nathaniel, who spent his entire life in Kentucky; Jolm T., father of the subject of this sketch; Thomas, liv- ing at Cannelsburg, Indiana : James, who was killed during the war at Pitts- boro: Lizzie, who became the wife of George Devault, of Cannelsburg, In- diana, and Catherine. John T. Jackson received only a common school edu- cation and in young manhood came to the state of Indiana. He learned the blacksmith's trade and was an expert workman. On October 30, 1853. he married at Leesville, Indiana. Berella Holland, who was born September 4. 1836, a daughter of John and Eureta ( Sutherland) Holland, the father a native of Tennessee and the mother of Upper Canada. John Holland came to Indiana with his parents, William and Fetney ( Magby) Holland, and they first settled at Bono, Indiana, of which place Mr. Holland was one of the first merchants. Later they moved to Leesville, where Mr. Holland's wife died and he later went to Texas, where his death occurred. He was a mer- chant and land owner and was favorably known wherever he lived. Their children were John, William A., Melinda, Phoebe, Melinda the second, Phoebe the second. Eliza and Nancy. John Holland died on October 25, 1875, at the age of seventy-one years, having been born in Tennessee on December 30, 1814. He was the eldest son of William Holland, who died in Texas and who was one of the first settlers of Mill Creek, Washington county. He was a successful merchant and public-spirited citizen. William and John Holland, a brother, were partners in the mercantile business and were well and favorably known. John Holland was a kind hearted and char- itable man, giving liberally to all who were in needy circumstances. He was a kind father, faithful husband and accommodating neighbor and was an example of right living in his community. His wife was born on December 7. 1816, and died on March 14. 1903. They were the parents of the following children : John R., deceased, who was a merchant at Leesville, Indiana; Thomas, who died young : Fetney. deceased: Melinda, deceased, who became the wife of William H. Smith, both now deceased; W. R., a merchant at Leesville, Indiana, now deceased ; and Berella, the widow of John T. Jack- son, who lives at Leesville, and is the only survivor of this family. As before stated, John T. Jackson was a blacksmith by trade and for many years con- ducted a shop at Leesville, Indiana, where he made plows and wagons for the early settlers in that community. He also followed farming and was a useful citizen in the community. He was a Democrat in politics and acted in the councils of his party, was widely known throughout that locality and highly respected by all who knew him. His wife was a member of the
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Baptist church. To them were born ten children, namely : Annie E., now deceased, who was the wife of J. L. Crawford, and they had a daughter, Maude : Olethia Bell lives in Indianapolis, Indiana; Charles S., a furniture dealer at Bedford; John A., a farmer in Shawswick township, Lawrence county ; James H. lived and died in Reno county, Kansas, where he was a well known and popular educator : George B. ; Thomas E., a salesman, lives at Memphis, Tennessee ; William R., a machinist, died at the age of forty-two years; Annie is the wife of Lee Murray, of Bedford, Indiana; Flora is the wife of Wallace Owen, of Bedford, Indiana : Lizzie Gertrude died young.
George B. Jackson was reared under the parental roof, securing his elementary education in the district schools of his home neighborhood and subsequently attending a normal school for three years. He was then with W. R. and W. A. Holland in business at Leesville, Indiana, about six years and later was with W. A. Holland's sons, T. A and F. W., under the firm name of Jackson & Holland, Leesville, for about three years. Selling out his interest there in 1899. Mr. Jackson has since confined his attention to his home farm, in which he has met with abundant success, the conduct of his business being characterized by good judgment and hard work. He owns two hundred and three acres of valuable land at Leesville, and in addition to the raising of general crops he also gives a good deal of attention to the breeding and raising of live stock, which he has found to be a valuable ad- junct to agriculture.
Politically, Mr. Jackson has always given his ardent support to the Democratic party and was elected trustee of his township, giving a satisfac- tory administration of the duties of that office. He is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Lodge No. 161, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Bedford.
On May 27, 1886, Mr. Jackson married Addie M. Dodds, of Lawrence county, the daughter of Samuel and Sophia ( Kindred ) Dodds, both also natives of Lawrence county, where the father followed farming during the active portion of his life, but is now deceased, being survived by his widow. To Mr. and Mrs. Jackson has been born a son, George Herbert. born De- cember 10, 1900. Mr. Jackson is a man of wide and accurate information on the current questions of the day, being a close reader and a keen observer of men and events, and during all the years of his residence here he has con- sistently enjoyed the friendship and esteem of all who know him. Though successful in his private affairs he is also interested in the welfare of the community and gives his unreserved support to every enterprise looking to the advancement of the welfare of his fellows.
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LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
W. A. FULWIDER.
The respect which should always be accorded the brave sons of the North who left their homes and the peaceful pursuits of civil life to give their services, and their lives if need be, to preserve the integrity of the American Union, is certainly due W. A. Fulwider, a well-known citizen of Bloomington. He proved his love and loyalty to the government on the long and tiresome marches, on the lonely picket line, on the tented field, and amid the flame and smoke of battle, and then, returning to civil life, manfully took up the struggle of industrial and commercial life, in which he was rewarded with a degree of success commensurate with his efforts. The great secret of his success has been devotion to duty, whether that duty pertain to his own private affairs or matters affecting the public welfare ; in war and in peace his record has been signalized by honesty of purpose and integrity of thought and action, so that he has fully deserved the exalted position which has been granted him by the people with whom he has mingled.
IV. A. Fulwider, successful lumber man and the president of the Monroe County State Bank, at Bloomington, was born at Stanton, Augusta county, Virginia, on the 7th of April, 1844. He is the son of John and Lucinda (Craig) Fulwider, both of whom were natives of the Old Dominion state, the father born in 1819 and the mother in 1821. John Fulwider, who was a wagon-maker in his native state, removed with his family to Indiana in 1858. locating in Parke county, where he engaged in the saw-milling business and carpentering. Subsequently he went to Nebraska, where he engaged in farm- ing, and his death occurred at Bennett, near Lincoln, that state. His wife had died in Virginia when her son, the subject of this sketch, was very young.
W. A. Fulwider received but a limited education, his facilities being con- fined to the common schools, and as soon as old enough he assisted his father in the saw-mill work. His labors were interrupted by the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion, and in 1861 he enlisted as a private in Company K. Forty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Colander, and he served with this command until June, 1865, when he received an honor- able discharge. His command was assigned to the Army of the South and he took part in all the battles, skirmishes and marches in which that army engaged, including the siege of Island No. Ten, New Madrid, Fort Pillow, Memphis and Helena, Arkansas. At Helena, the Union forces, comprising three thousand five hundred men, fought fifteen thousand Confederates, who were thoroughly intrenched, and completely routed the enemy, who retreated
NA Fenhvider
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so precipitately they did not even take time to bury their dead. In this engagement the Forty-third captured more prisoners than there were men in the regiment, and held them until they were exchanged.
After the war Mr. Fulwider again identified himself with the saw-milling business, with which he has been continuously identified ever since with the exception of about five years which he spent on a farm in Missouri. In 1891 Mr. Fulwider came to Bloomington and established his present business, com- prising a saw and planing-mill and lumber yard, in the operation of which he was very successful. His business dealings were always characterized by a strict regard for the ethics of commercial life, so that at all times he com- manded the absolute confidence and esteem of all who had dealings with him. About twenty men are employed in the mill and a large and complete line of all kinds of lumber is carried. Mr. Fulwider does not now give his personal attention to the operation of this business, having turned the responsibilities of this line over to his son and daughter, who each own a one-third interest in the business. Mr. Fulwider is president of the Monroe County State Bank, of Bloomington, of which he was one of the organizers. This is one of the strong banks of Monroe county and is officered by a set of live, enterpris- ing and progressive business men, who have been potent factors in the growth of Bloomington, namely : President, W. A. Fulwider : vice-president, Edwin Corr; cashier. C. L. Rawles ; assistant cashier, S. E. Alexander; directors, W. A. Fulwider, S. W. Collins, Edwin Corr, F. R. Woolley and John W. Cravens. The last financial statement by the Monroe County State Bank was as follows : Loans and discounts, $243,209.83 : overdrafts, $290.94 : U. S. bonds, $515.00 : other bonds and securities, $55,887.80; furniture and fixtures, $2,119.23 ; due from banks and trust companies, $93,883.36; cash on hand, $26,914.84: cash items, $2,760.55 ; current expenses, $3.247.97 ; taxes paid, $1.254.13 : total, $380.083.65. Liabilities-Capital stock, $25,000.00: surplus, $9.271.95 ; undivided profits, $48,039.01 ; exchange, discounts, etc., $5,961.44; demand deposits, $283. 156.20 ; demand certificates, $8,665.05 ; total, $380.083.65.
Politically, Mr. Fulwider has been a life-long Republican, while, reli- giously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the support of which he contributes liberally. His old army associations are kept alive through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, with which he has affiliated for many years.
In 1866 Mr. Fulwider was united in marriage with Sarah Alvis, the daughter of John and Lavina Alvis, to which union have been born three chil-
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LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
dren, namely : Oscar M., who lives at home, is the owner of a fine fruit farm, and is also a salesman for a lumber firm : Ida M. is the wife of W. E. Huttell, an attorney of Bloomington ; she is a graduate of the State University and is bookkeeper and stenographer in the lumber office of which she is a one-third owner : Jesse H., who also has a third interest in the lumber business, has active charge of the plant. Mr. Fulwider owns a splendid and commodious stone cottage at the corner of Third and Madison streets, the architectural features of which embody the latest ideas, while on the interior the finishing and furnishing of the home is all that could be desired.
Personally, Mr. Fulwider is a man of fine attainments and in the broadest sense of the term is a self-made man, having attained success solely through his own efforts. His life and character forcibly illustrate what a man of energy can accomplish when plans are wisely laid and actions are governed by right principles and high ideals. His actions have always been the result of careful and conscientious thought, and in all the relations of life he has done his full duty. Successful in business, respected in social life and as a citizen and neighbor discharging his duties in a manner becoming an intelligent. liberal-minded citizen of the community, he has earned and retains the good will and regard of all who know him.
DRS. R. C. AND O. F. ROGERS.
The world has little use for the misanthrope. The universal brother- hood is widely recognized, as is also the truth that he serves God best who serves his fellow men. There is no profession or line of business which calls for greater sacrifice or more devoted attention than the medical pro- fession and the most successful physician is he who through love of his fellow men gives his time and earnest attention to the relief of human suf- fering. The successful physician is bound to make friends wherever he is known and will retain the respect and esteem of all classes of people.
Among the successful, enterprising and popular physicians of Monroe county. Indiana, none hold higher rank than the gentlemen whose names head this sketch, Drs. R. C. and O. F. Rogers, of Bloomington. They are the sons of Isaac M. and Emily ( Smith ) Rogers, of whom the father is a native of Monroe county, born in 1830. He followed mercantile pursuits during his active life, in which he met with a fair degree of success, so that in his later years he was enabled to retire from active life, and his death
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occurred in Bloomington in May, 1898, his wife having died the year pre- vious. He was a Republican, taking an active part in political affairs, and served as county treasurer for a number of terms. O. F. Rogers was born in Bloomington on May 7. 1873, and received his elementary education in the public schools, being a graduate of the high school and then became a student in the State University. Having determined to take up the practice of medicine, he matriculated in the medical department of the University of Louisville, where he was graduated in 1900 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He returned to Bloomington and at once entered upon the active practice of his profession, in which he has met with splendid success. Keenly alive to the responsibilities incumbent upon one in his position, he keeps closely in touch with the latest advances in the science of medicine and is a close reader of professional literature, so that he is well qualified for the practice of the healing art. He has been very successful and because of his professional ability and his high personal character he enjoys a high degree of popularity in the community where he is established.
In 1905 Dr. O. F. Rogers married Vesta Triplett, a native of Evans- ville, whose father was a man of intellectual attainments and prominent in the community, having served efficiently as county superintendent of schools and later as steward of the Vanderburgh county hospital. To Doctor and Mrs. Rogers have been born two children, Otto Floyd and Florence E. Fra- ternally, the Doctor is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Improved Order of Red Men. He is a member of the Monroe County Medical Society and the State Medical Society, and has served as county health of- ficer and county coroner.
R. C. Rogers, who was born at Bloomington on March 6, 1870, after completing his common school course became a student in Indiana State University, where he graduated in 1891, and he also studied medicine in the medical department of Louisville University, where he received his degree in 1893. Immediately afterward he entered upon the active practice at Pratt, Kansas, but a year later returned to Bloomington, where he entered practice with his brother, Joseph M .. for about four years. Joseph M. died in 1898 and then, in 1900, he entered into a professional partnership with his brother, O. F., which relation has since been continued. During the period of 1901-03 he was in the service in the Philippine islands as army surgeon. Of studious habits and devoted to his profession, Dr. R. C. Rogers has impressed his personality on the community and the success to which he has attained is but the just reward of merit. He, too, is a member of the county and state medical societies, in the meetings of which he takes a live interest, and is a
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LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
member of the Free and Accepted Masons and Improved Order of Red Men. He takes an intelligent interest in local and county affairs, giving his support to all movements for the advancement of the general welfare. Dr. R. C. Rogers was married on September 8, 1905. to Lena T. Triplett.
The Doctors Rogers, whose lives have been briefly portrayed, have as- sumed their proper places in the front ranks of their profession, a position attained through means of their native ability, their indefatigable efforts in the practice of their profession and the uniform success which has attended their labors. Genial and approachable in manner, they make friends wher- ever they go, and in the community where their lives have been spent they are deservedly popular and are clearly entitled to representation in a work of this character.
MORTIMORE CRABB.
There is no calling, however humble, in which enterprise and industry, coupled with a well directed purpose, will not be productive of some measure of success, and in the pursuit of agriculture the qualities mentioned are quite essential. Among the well known and highly respected farmers of Lawrence county who have attained to a definite degree of success in their line and who at the same time have greatly benefited the community in which they live, is the gentleman to a review of whose career we now direct the reader's attention.
Mortimore Crabb, who is numbered among the enterprising farmers of Shawswick township, was born in Jackson county, Indiana, on November 2. 1845, and is the son of Steven S. and Julia A. ( Miller ) Crabb, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. Steven S. Crabb came to Indiana in young man- hood, locating in Jackson county, where he cleared and developed a splendid farm, being numbered among the leading citizens and successful agricultur- ists of his locality. He took a wide interest in the advancement of his com- munity, and was numbered among the progressive and enterprising men of the county. To him and his wife were born the following children : Smith C., deceased ; Charles, deceased ; Thornton P., who is engaged in the hotel busi- ness in Oklahoma: Adam, deceased; Mortimore: Edward, deceased, and John, also deceased.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools at Brownstown, Indiana, and about the time he attained his majority he located on his present farm in Shawswick township, Lawrence county, Indiana, the
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LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
tract comprising two hundred and thirty-three acres of land where he now lives and where he has conducted his agricultural operations with abundant success. His commodious and attractive residence, his substantial and well arranged barns and other outbuildings all attest to the good judgment and splendid discrimination of the owner and in the matter of rotation of crops and other incidental features of successful agriculture he shows unusual aptitude and has been successful in all lines of this endeavor. In his home life Mr. Crabb is well situated. Being a lover of good books and a wide reader, he has a splendid and well selected library in which he finds great pleasure. Socially, he is well liked by all who know him, for he possesses those commendable qualities which commend him to .the favorable notice of others.
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