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 46
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Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Martha A. Slaughter, who was born in Madison county, Indiana, a daughter of James and Rebecca (Fessler) Slaughter. The father was a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, and came to this county when he was eight years old. His father, John Slaughter, entered land from the government. Two children were born to James Slaughter and his wife, John, living in this county, and Martha, who became Mrs. Johnson. The Slaughters are an old pioneer family here. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson there have been born four daughters and two sons, as follows: Carey A .; Cora B .; Georgi- anna, a graduate of the Adams township public schools and the Pendleton High school, who also took a course in the State University and is now engaged in teaching in Adams township; Everett L., a graduate of the Pendleton High school and the State University, and also an Adams township school teacher: Stella, who has been given a good education, and now resides at home with her parents; and James L., who is engaged in farming in Adams township.
In fraternal circles, Mr. Johnson is known as a valued member of Ovid Lodge No. 164, Free and Accepted Masons. He is a man of broad and liberal views, tolerant of the opinions of others. By his own in- dustry he has won himself a competence and has reared a family that is a credit both to himself and to the community in which they are
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filling honorable places. Politically a Democrat, he has manifested a commendable interest in affairs that affect his community, and in addi- tion to serving as assessor and deputy assessor acted as door-keeper in the Fifty-third General Assembly of Indiana, in 1913. His wide circle of friends testifies to his popularity, in which his wife and children share.
AMOS UNDERWOOD. About the best means by which a man can estab- lish the highest credit for integrity and good citizenship, is to maintain a long residence in one locality, where all his neighbors know him under a great variety of circumstances, test his reliability and still continue to sustain him as a valued and valuable citizen. It is through this test that Amos Underwood has been judged one of the leading agriculturists of Adams township, while his reputation as a citizen is equally high. He is now the owner of a well-cultivated property, situated on the north- east one-quarter of section 31, where he has ever borne a reputation for integrity in business dealings and probity of character. Mr. Underwood was born March 20, 1858, in Hamilton county, Indiana, and is a son of John and Catherine (Thomas) Underwood.
Amos and Mary Underwood, the paternal grandparents of Amos Underwood, were natives of Pennsylvania, and some time after their marriage migrated to Clinton county, Ohio, where they spent the re- mainder of their careers in agricultural pursuits. They had children as follows: Amos, Reuben, Isaac, John, Zephaniah, Edward, William, Elisha, Percilla, Laura and Elihu, the last named of whom is still a resident of Clinton county, Ohio, and owns the old homestead place.
John Underwood, father of Amos of this review, was born in High- land county, Ohio, and was there married to Catherine Thomas, a native of Green county, that state. About the year 1852 they migrated to Hamilton county, Indiana, locating in Adams township, where they continued to reside until their deaths. In addition to farming, Mr. Underwood was a carpenter, a millwright and the proprietor of a mill, built the first steam sawmill in Adams township, and was always known as an industrious, energetic and successful man of business. He was a faithful member of the Friends Church. He and his wife had eleven children, as follows: Rebecca, who died in infancy; Mary E., who also died as a babe; Lydia, who is the widow of John C. Kassabaum; Reuben, who died at the age of seven years; Benjamin, who died in infancy; Josephine, who became the wife of Charles Thistlethwaite; Percilla, who is the widow of Eli Hutchins; Harriet, who became the wife of Lenn Ragon; Amos; John T., who is married and a farmer; and Hannibal, who is deceased.
Amos Underwood was reared on his father's farm, and during his youth worked on the home place during the summer months, his educa- tional advantages being limited to occasional attendance at the district schools during the short winter terms. He was early put to work at farming, plowing, plainting, grubbing and harvesting, and the thousand and one things that are found to occupy the time of an Indiana farmer's son, thus thoroughly learning the duties of an agriculturalist which have been of such great benefit to him in later life. He also was employed in a tile mill in his youth, and after attaining his majority operated a mill of that kind for a period of five years.
Mr. Underwood was married June 14, 1888, to Alice M. Davis, who was born in Fall Creek township, Madison county, Indiana, February
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28, 1865, a daughter of Washington Davis and Mary Davis, and was educated in the Spring Valley school. To this union there have been born two children: John W., born March 24, 1892, a graduate of the common schools of Madison county, single, and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Adams township; and Mary C., born February 24, 1895, a gradute of the common schools and Pendleton High School, and now a student in Earlham College. Mrs. Underwood is a member of the Friends Church. Her husband is a member of Sicilian Lodge No. 234, Knights of Pythias. In polities he is a Prohibitionist, and has been active in the ranks of his party in matters of local importance. In addition to his home farm in Adams township, he has a well-cultivated tract of eighty acres in section 27, Fall Creek township. As a general farmer and stock raiser, he has met with uniform success in his various operations, and is acknowledged to be a practical agriculturist and excellent judge of livestock. During his long residence here, he has made numerous friends, and no man stands higher in the general esteem of the community.
SAMUEL Q. MARKLE. During the past twenty years Adams town- ship has been the field of endeavor of Samuel Quincy Markle, a man of energy and push, who has been influential in business, political and social circles, and who has added materially to the growth and develop- ment of this section of Madison county. He belongs to one of the. old and honored families of this part of the state, whose members have been noted for their honesty, their integrity, as well as for their promi- nent connection with commercial, agricultural and professional activities. As a worthy representative of this name, he is worthy of and receives the esteem of his fellow-citizens.
John Markle, the paternal grandfather of Samuel Q. Markle, was a native of New York State, and in young manhood came to Madison county, here becoming a pioneer farmer. He became well known to the citizens of this vicinity, arose to a position of prominence, and eventually the town was named in his honor, Markleville. Among his children was Samuel Markle, the father of Samuel Q. Samuel Markle followed in the footsteps of his father, taking np agricultural pursuits, and fol- lowed this vocation throughout a long and honorable career. He married Miss Ann Riggs, and they had a family of eleven children, of whom eight are living in 1913: Laura, who became the wife of Mahlon Maine; Madeline, who is the wife of Jacob Swingle; Loretta, who married Jacob Keesling; Della, who became the wife of Harry Blake; Ella, the wife of D. Fesler; Quincy ; James and Henry.
Samuel Quincy Markle, or Quincy Markle as he is better known, was reared on the farm of his birth, situated about one and one-half miles north of Markleville, and there received his education in the dis- trict schools. He was reared to the work of the home farm, and as was the custom of farmers' youths of his day and locality spent the long summer months in assisting his father and brothers on the home- stead, his opportunities for an education being limited to the short winter terms in the nearby schools. He was ambitious and industrious, made the most of his chances, and thus acquired a good fund of practical know !- edge. In 1892, with his three brothers, James, Henry and Albert, the last-named of whom is now deceased, he entered the sawmill business. None of the brothers at that time had much money to invest, but a small mill was purchased for $400, for a part of which sum they went into debt,
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and out of this humble beginning has grown the large enterprise that now bears their name. In addition to the large sawmill located near Markleville, they are now the owners of farms near that place, to the east, deal extensively in lumber, and have carried on much profitable contract work. Mr. Markle is recognized by his associates as a shrewd, astute man of business, with the ability to recognize an opportunity, the courage to grasp it, and the business capacity to carry it through to a successful termination. His career has been but another example of the successful business man coming from the farm, and through his achievements he has won the right to the title of self-made man.
In 1888, Mr. Markle was united in marriage with Miss Eva J. Van- Dyke, and to this union there have been born six children, namely : Merle, Oren, Florence; Agnes, Ward and Paul. Mr. Markle is a con- sistent member of the Baptist Church, which his wife and children also attend, and which all the members of the family have liberally supported. His fraternal connection is with Markleville Lodge No. 629, Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has a number of warm friends. In his political views he is independent, believing in exercising his prerogative of voting for the man he deems best fitted for the office, irrespective of party lines. His interest in politics has been only that of a good citizen, but he has never withheld his support from any measure or movement which his judgment has told him will eventually work out for the better- ment of the community in which he has made his home all of his life. Adams township has no more representative or popular citizen.
JOHN W. LAMBERT, originator of the famous Lambert Patented Friction Transmission, and treasurer and general manager of the Buck- eye Manufacturing Company. The "Sage of East Aurora" has said: "To achieve fame, seek out an unpopular cause that you know is right; then work for it, live for it, die for it." There is something reflecting this thought underlying the struggles of those pioneers of industrial progress who have had the hardihood to disagree with established ideas and processes and substitute for them new methods and revolutionary inventions. Through years of discouragement and ridicule, Alexander Bell brought his telephone to final public acceptance, and today many will agree that he is the greatest benefactor of modern business. But a short time ago, Peter Cooper built a locomotive and dreamed of trans- continental traffic. Luxurious trains now take us from New York to San Francisco in five days-a forceful tribute to the far-sightedness of this pioneer who dared work against public sentiment that the wheels of progress might revolve with greater speed. There are those living who laughed at the "impossible" invention of Samuel Morse. We all remember the public skepticism that preceded the epoch-making achieve- ment of Marconi.
The point is that these men, with scores of others like them, believed in their ideas and fought for them through every sort of discouragement until success and approval finally smiled upon them. From their efforts we draw a lesson that, even in our smaller, more prosaic undertakings, cannot fail to leave its impress upon our work. Things worth while seldom come easily or over night. And just as there seems to be some- thing inherent in mankind that scoffs at the attempts of our giant brothers to overturn established practices, just so does i' seem to be the habit of the big men of all times to keep on and on. unmindful of discouragements, overcoming barriers, hopeful and confident of making
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their dreams come true. Big men are attracted to the big problems. Bridge building, canal digging, railroad construction, and, more re- cently, automobile building, have drawn the daring masters of eom- meree, the seekers after the romantic in business.
Even in the pioneer days of the automobile business, eertain conven- tions of construction were established. Some of these were uprooted early to be succeeded by the improvements that necessarily follow in the rapid development of a new world-industry. Others, though thought by many to be basiely wrong, held on and even to this day few have had the hardihood to attempt the changes that mean so mueh opposition on the part of those who decry a disturbance of set methods. But the business, since its inception, has attracted many men who have not been content to build on the ideas of others. For the most part they have played "the game for the game's sake." They have found no joy or profit in their work except as they might discover faults and remedies for them; except as they might plau innovations and, after a hard struggle, put them "over the plate."
Twenty years ago-almost a life-time as things are reckoned in the automobile world-a man of this type began building a self-propelled vehicle at Anderson, Indiana, where he was already regarded as one of the successful manufacturers of the town. To be sure, he did not spend his time experimenting with a conventional ear. Cut and dried methods did not appeal to him in the least. It was a three-wheeler to which he turned his thoughts and his inventive eapacities. And he built a successful three-wheeled car, only to abandon the idea, as a whole, on the grounds that his deeper study of the market failed to show him the necessary commercial possibilities of a vehicle of that type. But that abandoned three-wheel enterprise formed the founda- tion of a business today grown to sturdy proportions. The present Lambert pleasure ears and power wagons, known wherever automobiles are bought and sold, are its proud successors in the affections and in- terests of the man whose name they bear, John Lambert. Even during the time he was trying to perfeet a three-wheeled ear that would be practicable and marketable, Mr. Lambert had his attention foeused upon certain features of conventionable automobile construction that he knew to be sources of certain trouble and eonfusion, and which he in- tuitively felt could and should be remedied. Many improvements, now of universal adoption, are produets of his thought and industry; but, without doubt, his most important invention is what is now known in the trade as "The Lambert Patented Frietion Transmission."
In his earlier work, Mr. Lambert used in the ears he built the usual type of gear transmission. That he abandoned it is, in itself, a forceful argument in favor of the simpler form of transmitting power from engine to driving mechanism, based on the time-tried principle of fric- tion. His mechanical mind grasped the idea that the tendeney in auto- mobile construction should be toward simplicity. He foresaw that a universal use of power-driven vehicles depended upon a reduction of up-keep and maintenance costs, rather than upon a lowered cost of first production of selling prices. He knew that there were thousands of men who could afford to buy a car, but who could not afford to run the gauntlet of expense necessary to maintain one, based on the then tremendous outlay for broken and worn-out parts due to compli- cated construction and to the lack of mechanical knowledge and skill of those who wished to do their own driving. This amounted to a con-
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viction, and he decided at once to begin the experimental work that has since resulted in the perfection of the simple, powerful, fool-proof and safe Lambert friction transmission. The greatest difficulties encountered in attaining success for his product lay more in convincing the public of its value than in perfecting it mechanically-just a repetition of the difficulties that the pioneers of progress have been up against for all time.
Practically all other builders of automobiles employed the gear type of transmission. Many of them, due to the tremendous popularity of the automobile itself, and the unexpected demand that characterized its earlier history, were highly successful from the standpoint of large output and high profits. People unfamiliar with mechanics and me- chanical principles reasoned that if the friction type of transmission had such extraordinary advantages as were claimed for it, why were not these large builders using it?
Naturally, those who had automobiles to sell wanted to sell their own. They laughed at the Lambert form of transmission. Many "knocked" it outright without reason or thought; others damned it with faint praise ; all refused to see, or at least to recognize its superior points until there grew up among users, dealers and manufacturers a prejudice against it. But this did not, by any means, discourage the Lamberts. Though theirs was the only concern using this transmission innovation; though they were compelled to fight this commercial battle alone and unaided, they knew the principle of their invention as well as the application was right; and they knew that ultimately a proper and just recognition would come. That correct theory and right judgment will rise to the surface of universal usage is an inexorable law. And so they continued to employ in their pleasure cars their simple friction device. Each year saw an increasing output; each season a growing tendency toward greater public favor. They built into every part of their product an honesty of intent and purpose that gradually won for them an honorable standing, not only among those who used their car, but among competing manufacturers as well. They built strain- bearing parts more heavily; they sought to simplify construction wherever it could be done without sacrifice of strength or efficiency ; they used better materials than most of the manufacturers who pro- duced cars of their price-better iron, better steel, better tires, better axles.
Early and late, season after season, they planned to build each car better than its predecessor, to produce a line of models that would, more nearly than any other, meet the needs and requirements of those to whom they sought to sell. Today finds their plant a busy hive of industry, filled with an army of hurrying workmen, behind orders nearly every day in the year, and with plans for expansion and increased output that will satisfy the hundreds of dealers who are clamoring for their line.
Today we find the old prejudice against the friction system of trans- mission practically laid to rest among the other ghostly impediments of progress, with scores of successful manufacturers of both pleasure and commercial cars adopting it without fear of outcome, and the Lamberts fighting in the courts of the land to retain, under their patents, the fruits of their labors and brains. The very disputing of their cl ms may be taken as a public recognition of the worth of their invention.
Since Mr. Lambert began the manufacture of automobiles at Ander-
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son, he has seen the town grow into an important center for the produc- tion, not only of finished accessories and parts of varied character and large output that have won well merited fame and found their way into the wide markets of the world, but of cars other than his own.
John W. Lambert was born in Champaign county, Ohio, January 29, 1860, son of George and Anna (Liber) Lambert, natives of Pennsyl- vania and early settlers of the Buckeye State. He received his education in the public schools of his native state, and then went to Union City, where he formed a partnership with his father, and under the firm style of J. W. Lambert & Company, engaged in the manufacture of fork handles and spokes. Subsequently, he moved to Ohio City, where he was for some time. He conducted an agricultural implement store and grain elevator. and in 1893, came to Anderson from Union City, moving a part of the machinery from the plant at that place to Anderson, this being the nucleus for the present plant. This now covers six acres, is brick construction, and equipped with the most modern machinery of every kind, 250 people being employed in the works. In 1893 it was incorporated under the firm name of the Buckeye Manufacturing Com- pany and the Lambert Gas and Gasoline Engine Company, and recently the plant has been equipped for the manufacture of automobiles, a very superior car being turned out. The capital stock of this concern is $100,000, and the present officers are as follows: B. F. Lambert, presi- dent; George A. Lambert, secretary; John W. Lambert, treasurer and general manager. Among his associates John W. Lambert is known as a man of force of will, possessed of the courage of his convictions. It will be seen from a perusal of the foregoing sketch that faith in self and indomitable perseverance have no small place in his character, qualities that have unlocked for him the portals of success and brought out some of its rich treasures. Aside from his business his chief pleas- ure is his home, and his handsome city residence, located at No. 705 Hendricks street, and surrounded by beautiful shade trees, is one of the finest in the city.
In 1884 Mr. Lambert was married to Miss Mary F. Kelly, of Ansonia, Ohio, daughter of T. T. Kelly. Two children have been born to this union, namely : E. Moe and Roy, who are associated with their father in business. They are manufacturers of gas engines, stationary and port- able farm tractors and commercial motor trucks, railroad inspection cars and gasoline street cars.
HENRY P. HARDIE. Among the capable public officials of Madison county who are discharging the duties of high public positions with fidelity and efficiency, none is held in higher esteem than Henry P. Hardie, the postmaster of Anderson, a man who has long been identified with the business interests of the city. He is a native of England, born at Woolwich in county Kent, in February, 1867. His parents were Henry and Mary (Johnson) Hardie, natives of England, the former being for a number of years employed in the Illinois Steel Company's works at Joliet, Illinois. He came to Anderson in 1889 and secured employment in the steel and nail works here, continuing with that company until his death, in 1905. His widow still survives, and now makes her home in Anderson.
HIenry P. Hardie was brought to the United States by his parents when still a child, and his education was secured in the public and high schools of Joliet, Illinois. After his graduation from the latter he was
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employed for five years in the steel mills at Joliet. In 1889 he came to Anderson and was made foreman of the shipping department of the rolling mill, a position which he held for eleven years. In 1900 he became the bookkeeper for the Terre Haute Brewing Company, a posi- tion which he continued to fill for six years, then becoming assistant manager of the business. In 1906 he was appointed city comptroller of the city of Anderson, under Mayor J. H. Terhune, and acted in that capacity for three years, and Mr. Terhune then dying Mr. Hardie by virtue of his office became mayor and filled out the unexpired term of one year. On the completion of his term as mayor he embarked in the real estate and fire insurance business with a Mr. Luse, under the firm style of Luse & Hardie, and this association has continued with mutual success to the present time. Mr. Hardie assumed his duties as postmaster of Anderson in 1912, for a term of four years, and has been rendering his city excellent service in the handling of the mails. A courteous, obliging official, with a high conception of the duties of public service, he has made an excellent record, and Anderson has had no more popular public servant. For eight years he also served as police commissioner, under two appointments by Governor Mount, and a third under Governor Durbin. He is a Republican in his political views, but he has friends among all political parties.
On the 14th of October, 1889, Mr. Hardie was united in marriage with Miss Susan Harris, of Anderson, a daughter of Richard Harris, an old and honored resident of this city and who for many years was manager of the Steel Wire and Nail Works. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hardie, Harry R., who is now engaged in the real estate and insurance business in this city. Mr. Hardie has for a number of years been prominent in Masonry, and now holds membership in Mt. Moriah Lodge, No. 77, A. F. & A. M .; Anderson Chapter, No. 52, R. A. M .; Anderson Commandery, No. 32, K. T .; and Murat Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., Indianapolis. He is also a member of Anderson Lodge, No. 209, B. P. O. E., and Banner Lodge, No. 416, K. of P. He is a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Anderson.
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