USA > Indiana > Madison County > History of Madison County, Indiana ; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume I > Part 44
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The educational training of Charles A. Henderson was secured in the public schools of Dresden, Ohio, where, after taking his high school course under the instruction of Robert Stevenson, a noted educator of that day, he entered a pharmacy in Zanesville, Ohio, and there he learned the drug business. He was so engaged at the outbreak of the struggle between the North and the South, and in 1863 came to Decatur, Indiana. His youthful patriotism and enthusiasm for the cause of the Union led him to enlist as a member of Company S, Fifty-ninth Regi- ment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He entered the service as a raw recruit, was mustered in at Kendallville, soon after being placed in charge of a company doing guard duty at Indianapolis, Indiana, where he served his full time in the service. He received his honorable dis- charge in 1865, and returning from his military career, he spent two years in the drug business at Rochester, then went to Indianapolis, where he was employed by A. Kiefer, who was engaged in the sale of wholesale drugs. Mr. Henderson's advent into Anderson was in 1868, and since that time this city has been his home and the scene of his business activities. He continued to successfully conduct this business until 1882, when he was elected clerk of the court of Madison county, a position he continued to hold four years. During this time he also ran his drug store successfully, having a competent man in charge of the business, so that his time was not deflected from his official duties. The stock of his establishment is a comprehensive one, embracing varied lines of drugs and medicines, toilet articles, druggists sundries and such other stock as is usual to first class pharmacies, and his business has with the passing years continued to show a steady and gratifying growth. Absolutely reliable, Mr. Henderson has gained and held the confidence of his fellow townsmen, and as a business man and a private citizen is held in the highest esteem.
On June 1, 1875, Mr. Henderson was united in marriage with Miss Harriett E. Crabbs, of Wabash, Indiana, a daughter of Joseph Crabbs. a banker of that city, and well known and highly esteemed in that part of the state. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Henderson, as follows: Charles E., a druggist ; Joseph C., who is also engaged in that business; Frederick A., a physician and surgeon, and a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and now serving as interne in the Kings County Hospital in New York City ; Bessie M., the only daugh- ter, who died in the seventeenth year of her life. The wife and mother died on December 23, 1906, and her loss is deeply mourned, not only by her family, but by all who knew her and shared in her worthy life in any way.
Mr. Henderson has always been a stalwart Democrat, but with the exception of four years spent as county clerk and two years as city clerk of Anderson, he has never aspired to public service. On both those occasions he was elected to the office by magnificent and flattering major- ities, and in both he gave a worthy service, in every way satisfactory to the public and creditable to himself. His fraternal connections are with the A. F. & A. M. Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 77, in which he has taken the
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Master's degree. He also has membership in Major May Post No. 244, G. A. R., and his friends in all walks of life are numerous and devoted.
JOSEPH E. HENNINGS. One time owner of the Grand Hotel of Ander- son and now manager of the Grand Opera House and the Anderson Posting Advertising Company, Joseph E. Hennings has been identified with the business interests of this city since 1890. His first connection with the commercial affairs of Anderson was as salesman and solicitor, and he gained a local reputation for progressive ideas and genuine busi- ness capacity that has stood him in excellent stead through all the years of his operation.
Born in New York City, May 10, 1865, Joseph E. Hennings received his early training in the schools of the American metropolis. During his hours out of school the boy practically supported himself by selling papers in the streets. His education was limited to the briefest training, and he was but ten years old when he left school to engage in regular work. He was employed as an office boy for a time, and then left New York and landed in Kokomo, Indiana, where he became a bell boy in the Clinton House. He was also a newsboy in that city. He came to Anderson in 1890. He was attracted to this town during the days of the Indiana State Baseball League. In his loyalty to the Kokomo team he was landed in the grand stand for all his spare change, and the Ander- son boys advertised him as lost. He remained in Anderson, as he says, rather than walk back, besides facing the humiliation of defeat. How- ever, he possessed the wit and independence which would prosper any- where, and it is said of Mr. Hennings that no matter what convolutions of experience he might go through he would land on his feet. Though he had only brains with which to contend against both brains and capital, his native shrewdness won out and he thus became well estab- lished in Anderson within a few years. In 1894, he engaged in the hotel business, becoming. proprietor of what was known as the old Anderson Hotel, a place he continued to operate with success for the ensuing ten years. In 1905 he became interested in the Grand Opera House, and in the same year leased the Grand Hotel, then the principal hotel in Anderson and new and modern in all its appointments. In this hotel he brought to bear all his early acquired knowledge of the business as well as that he had gained in later years, and carried on the manage- ment until the Grand Hotel became the most popular hostelry in the state. In the meantime he had become manager of the Grand Opera House, which he operated profitably in connection with his activities as land- lord of the finest hotel. In February, 1913, Mr. Hennings disposed of his interests in the Grand Hotel, but continued as manager of the Opera House. For five consecutive years he was president of the Indiana Hotel- keepers Association. Since retiring from the hotel business, Mr. Hen- nings has bought a neat and substantial residence on Central Avenue, and now devotes his entire time to those interests which have gradually accumulated during his active business career. He is a stock holder in the People's State Bank and the Farmers Trust Company, is also owner of the Bill Posting Plant, the best equipped concern of its kind in the state. He owns valuable grounds opposite the post office, covering an area of seventy-two by one hundred and forty-four feet. The Anderson Posting Advertising Company is well known throughout the section of the state. Mr. Hennings was director general in the most important commercial event in the history of Anderson, and also the most success-
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ful affair ever brought about for boosting home interests. This was the "Made in Anderson exhibit" held under a mammoth canvas during the first week in June, 1913, and attracting visitors, business men and indus- trial representatives from every part of the country. He was chairman of the finance committee in this county. His fraternal relations are with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and at the present time he is grand district deputy of the Grand Lodge of that Order, while he served as chairman of the committee appointed to provide for the Elks State Convention which met in Anderson in May, 1912. That was the best state convention in the history of the order. He is likewise a mem- ber of the Loyal. Order of Moose, the Knights of Pythias, is interested in the Travelers Protective Association, of which he is a director, and is a director of the Antlers Club.
Mr. Hennings as a successful man credits no small share of his prog- ress and prosperity to his capable wife. On August 7, 1891, soon after he located in Anderson, he married Miss Josephine Morey, of Adrian, Michigan, a daughter of Max Morey. They have one daughter Eva. The family residence is 1222 Central Avenue.
Mr. Hennings has long since demonstrated the character of his citi- zenship to be above reproach, and his public spiritedness and open- mindedness has been of the greatest benefit of the city which represents his home, and where he displays a wholesome interest in every enterprise calculated to enhance the community welfare.
Mr. Hennings retains his office in the Grand Opera House block and while he has opportunities in other cities where a larger field for opera- tions are offered him, he still stands by the ship that carried him over and believes in loyalty to good old Anderson.
HENRY DRACH. It is gratifying to be able to present in this publica- tion individual mention of so appreciable a percentage of the representa- tive citizenship of Anderson, and to such recognition Mr. Drach is well entitled, as he is a loyal and public-spirited citizen and is the able and popular incumbent of the office of superintendent of the city water works.
Mr. Drach was born in the city of Cleveland, Ohio, on the 4th of August, 1868, and is a son of Jacob W. and Maria (Hechler) Drach, both natives of Germany and representatives of stanch old families of that great empire. Jacob W. Drach was reared to adult age in his native land and was there afforded good educational advantages. At the age of eighteen years he emigrated to America and here he served a thorough apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, soon afterward moving to Cleveland, Ohio, and to that enterprise he devoted the greater part of his active career in that city, there spending the remainder of his life, and dying in 1871, his widow surviving him until 1889. Of their five children one son and one daughter are deceased.
To the public schools of his native city Henry Drach is chiefly indebted for his early educational discipline, and after he left the grades he attended a night school in the city for some time, after which he entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company, where he occupied himself at learning the machinist's trade. He later had charge of the installation of machinery in different plants of the Hughes Steam Pump Company of Cleveland, and still later was employed by the same company in the work of installing waterworks plants and equipment in various cities and towns. In 1893 Mr. Drach came to Anderson and assumed charge of the installation of machinery in a local water works plant, of which
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he was, in 1895, appointed superintendent upon the completion of the system. Of this office he has continued as the valued incumbent from the time of the organization of the controlling company and it is largely due to his ability and effective endeavors that the local water-works sys- tem has been maintained at the highest standard of efficiency.
In politics Mr. Drach is faithful to the principles of the Republican party, and in fraternal matters he is affiliated with Mount Moriah Lodge No. 77, A. F. & A. M., as well as with the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
In 1898 Mr. Drach was married to Miss Agnes Ethell, who died in 1906, leaving him one son,-George Henry. He resides at 728 West Seventh street.
FORREST J. HILL. Two of the important industrial enterprises that are lending commercial prestige to the city of Anderson, are those repre- sented in the Hill Machine Company, and the Hill-Tripp Pump Com- pany. Of the first named, Forrest J. Hill is secretary and treasurer, and of the latter he is treasurer, as he also is of the Hill Stage Company. Mr. Hill is one of the aggressive business men and public spirited citi- zens of Madison county, where he is well known and held in high esteem, so that there are many reasons why he should be given specific recogni- tion in this history of the county and its representative citizens.
Mr. Hill claims the Buckeye State as the place of his nativity, and belongs to a staunch pioneer family. He was born at Carlisle in War- ren county on the 31st of August, 1859, and is a son of Jasper N. and Rebecca (Keiser) Hill, the former of whom died at Anderson on July 1, 1909, and the latter died in 1881.2The name Hill has been long and conspicuously ยท identified with general business enterprise in the city of Anderson, and Jasper N. Hill was the founder of the extensive concern with which his son Forrest J. is now actively and prominently identified. Jasper N. Hill was a native of Pennsylvania, and established his residence in Ohio when a young man. He became one of the substantial business men of Montgomery county, that state, where he continued to maintain his home until 1862, when the family came to Anderson, Indiana. In 1889 was effected the organization and incorporation of the Hill Machine Company, of which he became president, and the other officials were likewise members of the family, namely: Forrest J. Hill, secretary; Hugh A. Hill, treasurer, and Ernest N. Hill, superintendent. The pres- ent officers of the company are: Hugh A. Hill, president; Forrest J. Hill, secretary and treasurer; and Ernest N. Hill, general manager. The Hill Machine Company operates with a capital stock of forty-five thou- sand dollars, and its large and well equipped plant is situated at the cor- ner of St. Charles and Twenty-third Streets. The main building is one hundred and ninety by eighty feet in dimensions, containing the machine shop with an extension of sixty-five feet by eighty feet containing foun- dry and further extension containing cupola, rattler, flasks, pig iron ctc. An "L" that is sixty-five by one hundred and fifty feet in dimensions is used for offices and for shipping and crating rooms, as well as for the general sales department. The other apartments are the pattern shop, pattern storage, boiler room, etc. The manufacturing department is equipped with the most improved machinery and power for its opera- tion is furnished by electric motors of seventy-five horse po er. In the establishment are manufactured steam, electric and power pumps, espe- cially those designed for the pumping of water from wells of great depth.
1907
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The products of the Hill Machine Company have gained a wide sale, and the trade extends through the various sections of the United States as well as into South America and Europe. Jasper N. Hill was num- bered among the most progressive business men and the most honored citizens of Anderson, and contributed much to the furtherance of the civic and industrial prosperity of his community. After his retirement from business affairs, he continued to live in Anderson until death came as an end of his mortal endeavors, when he was in the fullness of years and well earned honors. His career was guided and governed by the highest principles of integrity, he was strong in his convictions and ever ready to do his part in supporting measures and enterprises advanced for the general good of the community. His name is remembered with lasting honor in Madison county, and he made his life productive for good in its every relation.
Forrest J. Hill is indebted to the public schools of his native city for his earlier educational discipline, after which he attended the public schools of Anderson, completing his studies in the high school. He then entered his father's factory, where he gained a thorough knowledge of the practical details of the business and soon became a valued assistant in the conduct and management of the enterprise. In the field of manu- facturing his advancement has been steady, and his own ability and energy have won him success. In every respect Mr. Hill has well upheld the high prestige of the honored name which he bears. He is one of the liberal and representative business men of Anderson, is a staunch Repub- lican in his political belief, and takes an abiding interest in all matters touching the social and material progress and prosperity of his home city.
Mr. Hill married Miss Tillie Granger, a daughter of Dow Granger of Noblesville, Indiana. The four children of their marriage are: Forrest Jr., Hester, Marybelle, and Mildred.
ROBERT C. SHEPHERD. When the late Robert C. Shepherd died on November 5, 1904, he was the possessor of one of the finest farm homes in Madison county, Indiana, where he had lived for many years and reared his family. Probably no man in Madison county betrayed a deeper inter- est in farms and farming than did he, and it is certain that few if any, reached the pinnacle of success as an agriculturist that he attained. The study of that subject was long one of the most engrossing interest to him, and he possessed a deeper insight into it and was more thoroughly familiar with the secrets of Mother Earth than is often given to any who are not scientific students of the soil. His splendid farm of 260 acres near Anderson was long regarded as one of the finest in Madison county, and his home corresponded to it in all its detail of comfort and capacity.
Robert C. Shepherd was born in Kent county, Maryland, on August 24, 1852, and his death occurred at his home place on November 5, 1904. He was the son of James and Jane (Clendenning) Shepherd, natives both of Maryland, and there they passed their days. The son received his education in Kent county, and in his youth was thoroughly trained in the carpentering business, in which he was for some years occupied as a contractor, and in which he was fairly successful. It was not the work, however, in which his heart was centered, and when he came to Indiana in early life and beheld aboat him the splendid opportunities for securing land engaging independently in the business of farming,
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he relinquished all activity in building circles, and confined himself to the acquiring and working of a farm of his own.
Success was never a stranger to Mr. Shepherd. His first three years in Indiana were spent in Selina and Chesterfield, and it was then that he took up farming. His first place was one of forty acres, but he early began to add to his holdings and when he died a few years ago he had 360 acres of the finest Indiana land represented on his tax list. He was a man of the most thoroughgoing methods, and one who believed that whatever was worth doing at all was worth doing well. Consequently, he did not farm in a half hearted or indifferent manner. He did not make the mistake of attempting to successfully conduct a farm without acquainting himself with first principles in the art of farming. Rather did he delve 'deep into the subject, learning the comparative values and qualities of the different types of soil, and applying his knowledge in a manner that was conducive to the best results. His fine home was planned and built by himself, and is a distinct credit to him as a builder, despite the fact that he abandoned the contracting business to take up one that was of deeper interest to him, and more suited to his natural inclinations. A man of considerable education, he was a citizen of the highest type and ever evinced a proper interest in matters affecting the public weal in his community.
Mr. Shepherd was married on April 10, 1870, to Miss Leona Tread- way Nelson, the only child of Moses and Martha Nelson. Seven children were born to them. Warren, the eldest, married Anna Dean. Thomas C. is married to Mattie Gobin, and they have two children,-Dorothea and Beulah. Charles W. married Ira Abbott. Alzora is the wife of Homer Lawler, and they have one son, William. . Mae is the wife of Daniel Boner, and the mother of two sons,-Robert and Theodore. Jessie married Francis Scott, and their two children are Helen Mae and Lavona. Bertha, the last born, is the wife of Henry Hawlor, and has one daughter, Margaret. All have reached places of usefulness and merit and are acquitting themselves honorably in the work to which Life has called them variously.
Mr. Shepherd was an exceptionally public-spirited and enterprising man, and was known widely throughout his county. He was well read on topics of the day, an interesting conversationalist, but a thinker and doer, rather than a talker. He was long a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was fraternally identified by his membership in the Red Men .. He died comparatively young in years, being but little past his fifty-second birth anniversary, but he had accomplished more in that brief span than many who are longer spared to this world and its work, and will long be remembered as one of the most capable and suc- cessful men who ever identified themselves with the business of agricul- ture in Madison county.
W. C. SCOTT. Few men who find pleasure in country life realize more solid enjoyment from their work than does W. C. Scott, well known farmer and stock breeder of this community. His work is his recreation alike, and in it he exercises every faculty in his possession. As a breeder of fine horses Mr. Scott is known throughout the state, and he is espe- cially well known as the owner of Dan R., one of the fastest horses of the country, with a registered speed of 2:011/4. As a general farmer, too, as well as in his capacity of breeder, Mr. Scott has gained prominence,
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and his place located on the W. C. Scott Gravel Road, lies about a mile and a half distant from the town of Chesterfield.
Mr. Scott was born on September 12, 1852, in the town named above, and is the son of William and Betsey (Schrayer) Scott, the former a native son of Lee county, Virginia, who came to this region in the year 1836 and here settled. He was variously employed in the community for some years, and was for a considerable time occupied in railroad contracting, a work in which he was particularly successful. Both par- ents died in this locality.
When Mr. Scott was a boy he early gained habits of independence and energy, his first work being that of waterboy to the gang which his father employed in the railroad work. Later he served as pumpman for the tank that fed the engines, and he went to school when it was convenient, rather than otherwise. He also worked on the farm and did teaming for wages, and was occupied in these ways until he reached his twenty- second year, when he set ont for himself as an independent farmer. He rented land the first while and later bought the farm, where he has ever since resided most comfortably. Here he has carried on his work and with advancing years and growing independence, he has found it pos- sible to indulge his fancy for thoroughbred horses, as well as to keep up the regular work of his place. His ownership of the well known Dan R. has already been mentioned, and is indicative of his taste in horseflesh.
In 1875 Mr. Scott married Rachel Boddel who died without issue, and he later married Hannah Boddel, who bore him three children. Luther, the eldest, married Vina Boner; Jacob married Nettie Dunham, and Hannah is the wife of Charles Owens. The third marriage of Mr. Scott was to Mary A. Parker, and to them have been born two daugh- ters. Angeline, the eldest, married William Boner, and they have one child, Eva. Elizabeth married Elmer Jeffries, and to them two sons, -Walter and Floyd, were born, the first of whom is deceased.
Beyond his home interests Mr. Scott is not concerned with public matters, beyond the interest of any good citizen. He is a Republican in Politics and attends the Christian church.
ALONZO D. NORRIS. Holding prestige as the leading fruit grower of Adams township, Alonzo D. Norris has also the distinction of belonging to that class of men who have achieved their success through personal effort, as he entered upon his career without financial backing or influ- ential connections and has worked his way to the front by steady applica- tion, untiring industry and constant perseverance. From modest begin- nings he has built up a business which adds to the importance of Madison county as a fruit-growing center, and at the same time has identified himself with all movements which have gone to make for the public welfare. Mr. Norris was born in Henry county, Indiana, November 10, 1857, and is a son of John C. and Emmeline M. (Bray) Norris, both now deceased, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Adams township. There were three children in their family, of whom two now survive: Cindora, who is the wife of Isaac Keesling and resides in Kansas; and Alonzo D.
Alonzo D. Norris received his education in the district schools of Adams township, whence he had been brought as a child, and was here reared to manhood. In 1878 he was married to Mary F. Stanley, and about eighteen months thereafter went to Illinois, where he spent two years. Subsequently he went to Kansas, by way of wagon, but after
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three years spent in farming in that state returned to Indiana, and took up his residence in the city of Anderson. During the twelve years that followed, Mr. Norris followed the trade of carpenter, with mod- erate success, and then spent two years in Henry county, but about the year 1898 returned to Adams township, Madison county. His capital at this time consisted of about $100, and part of this he invested in a small tract of land, on which he began truck farming. Here he also began experimenting in the growing of fruit and was so successful with his initial ventures that he was encouraged to extend his operations along this line. From year to year he has extended the scope of this industry, and today he has seventeen acres set out in small fruits, prin- cipally strawberries and raspberries, and, as before mentioned, is the leading fruit grower of the township. His products find a ready sale in the markets at Anderson, where Mr. Norris is known as a man of excellent business abilities. He has made a thorough study of his call- ing, is recognized as an expert in his line, and has been successful in pro- ducing some excellent varieties of the smaller fruits. It would be diffi- cult to find a better example of self-reliance, progressiveness and per- severing energy, than that displayed in the career of Mr. Norris. He has met discouragements and disappointments, but has not allowed them to make him lose faith in himself, and his steady confidence in his ultimate success has eventually brought him to the vocation for which, it would seem, he is best fitted. In his political views Mr. Norris is a Democrat, but he has found little time to devote to matters of a public nature, although he endeavors to support good men and meas- ures and to aid other public-spirited men in forwarding movements for the benefit of Adams township and Madison county. His fraternal con- nections include membership in the Improved Order of Red Men, at Emporia, and the Hay Makers at Anderson.
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