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 53
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OTHO W. DOUGLAS. The work of the firm of Daniels, Lyst & Douglas in the construction of many of the most substantial thoroughfares of Anderson and the surrounding cities and towns, has been of a character not only to leave its impress on the community for many years to come, but to hring the members of the concern prominently before the public as business men of ability, whose activities are serving to advanee their section in many ways. Otho W. Douglas, the junior member of this firm, a man of wide and varied experience and versatile talents, is num- hered among those who have been the architects of their own fortunes. Although a man of scholarly attainments, he has worked with his hands and trodden the familiar but difficult self-made way to success, and his career has distinctly demonstrated that force, strength, character and resolution dwell within him, qualities necessary to those who would gain a full measure of prosperity. Mr. Douglas was born in Iroquois county, Illinois, October 25, 1874. He is the third son of James Hamilton Doug- las, a native of Indiana, and a representative of an old and honored family of the Hoosier State. Mr. Douglas came from Washington county, Indiana. to Illinois, where he spent only a short time, when he came back to the State of his nativity. Subsequently he went to Kansas, where he has resided during the past thirty years. His wife passed away at the time of the birth of the subject of this review.
The early educational training of Otho W. Douglas was secured in the graded and high schools of Salem, Indiana, and on leaving the latter entered the State Normal school at Terre Haute, Indiana. Fol- lowing his graduation therefrom, he became a student in the State University at Bloomington, Indiana, and then adopted the vocation of educator and after teaching for some time in the schools of Salem, be- came a teacher in the high school there. He also taught in the Anderson high school six years, and then he turned his attention to business
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pursuits, and became a member of the firm of Daniels & Lyst, the style at that time being changed to Daniels, Lyst & Douglas, and as such it has continued to remain to the present time. This firm, from its exten- sive acquaintance, and the long period in which its members have been known to the business world, is recognized one of the leading concerns of street paving contractors in this part of the state. Mr. Douglas has justly won the American title of self-made man. His career has been one of constant endeavor. A man of great energy and enterprise, of force of character and resolute purpose, at all times his business has been conducted along the lines of commercial honor and personal in- tegrity. Although essentially a business man, he has not been indiffer- ent to the pleasures of social association with his fellow-men, and is pop- ular with his fellow members in the local lodges of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America.
In 1895, Mr. Douglas was united in marriage with Miss Maude M. Zink, of Salem, Indiana, a daughter of Jacob D. and Martha (Crim) Zink. This union has been blessed with the birth of one daughter : Anna Katherine, who is attending school in Anderson. Mr. Douglas and his wife and daughter are members of the First Christian Church. The neat and substantial family residence is located on West Eleventh street. Mr. Douglas is rather independent in his political views, believ- ing it his right to cast his ballot for the candidate he deems best fitted for the office, irrespective of party lines. He has never aspired to public office nor eutered the arena as a candidate, but takes a lively interest in all matters that affect the welfare of his adopted community, and may at all times be depended upon to support those movements which make for progress and good citizenship.
J. C. RODGER, V. S. The veterinary doctor and surgeon of today recognizes the benefit of science as applied to his profession, and it is a noteworthy fact that, within the last several decades, the course in this line has been as strict as that of a regular doctor of medicine, while the scope of practice being wider, many of the progressive men of today are taking up the veterinary line in preference. One of the successful veterinarians of Madison county is found in the person of Dr. J. C. Rodger, a member of the firm of Rodger & Catey, of No. 715 Jackson street, Anderson. Dr. Rodger was born near the city of Toronto, Canada, August 24, 1865, and is a son of John and Helen (Cowan) Rodger, both natives of Scotland, the father being a farmer. He was a man of energy, became prosperous and much respected in his community, and owned a large farm in the vicinity of Toronto, where both he and his wife passed away in the year 1901.
The early education of Dr. Rodger was secured in the public and high schools of Toronto, and he spent some little time on the farm. There he showed a decided inclination for the veterinary profession, this hav- ing been developed through his love and understanding of animals, and he accordingly decided to enter upon a professional career. He entered the Toronto Veterinary College, one of the oldest and best institutions of its kind in America, and was graduated in 1887, coming to the United States in the same year and locating at Anderson. Here he opened an office and established himself as a veterinary surgeon, and as he became acquainted and known as a graduate of a college, his practice extended and he was soon in the possession of an excellent professional business. It now extends not only all over Anderson, but to various points in
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Madison and adjoining counties. He devotes his practice to all domes- tie animals, of which he has made a careful study, and his success in cases of a complicated nature has placed him well up among the leaders of his calling. In 1904 Dr. Rodger formed a partnership with Oscar M. Catey, under the firm name of Rodger & Catey, and this as- sociation has continued to the present time. Dr. Rodger's skill has caused him to be called upon to lecture on various occasions, and for ten years he was an instructor on Bovine Pathology in the Indianapolis Veterinary College, Indianapolis. He is a member of the Indiana Veterinary Med- ical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association. He is a prominent Mason, belonging to Mount Moriah Lodge No. 77, F. & A. M., to Anderson Chapter No. 52, R. A. M., and to Anderson Com- mandery No. 32, K. T. He is connected likewise with Murat Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and has attained to the thirty-second degree in Indiana Consistory.
The stables of the firm of Rodgers & Catey, at No. 715 Jackson street, are substantially constructed in modern manner, are 32x144 feet, and include all modern equipment, box stalls and exercising yard in the rear.
ISAAC E. MAY. A successful business man and public spirited citizen, Mr. May has been identified by residence with Madison county practi- cally all his life. He began his career as a worker for others, and by industry and ability became master of his own circumstances, and since leaving the office of county clerk a few years ago has been engaged in the jobbing business at Anderson.
Isaac E. May was born July 7, 1861, at Anderson, Indiana, a son of Isaac M. and Samantha (Kindle) May. His father was one of Indiana's soldiers who were sacrificed during the Civil war. Isaac M. May was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, in 1830, came north and settled in Indiana, at the beginning of the war enlisted in Compay A of the Nineteenth Indiana Infantry, was promoted to major, and the business of war led him back to his native state, and at the battle of Gainesville, Virginia, in August, 1862, he was among the slain. His wife, Samantha (Kindle) May, was born at Anderson, Indiana, January 6, 1836, repre- senting an old family of Madison county, and her death occurred Feb- ruary 26, 1896.
Isaac E. May, who was but one year old when his father died, grew up in Anderson, received a common school education, and has long been active in public and business affairs. In 1898 came his election to the office of county clerk of Madison county on the Democratic ticket, and his service continued until 1902, being marked by a most capable administration of the duties connected with that important county office. At the present time Mr. May is engaged in the jobbing of plumbing, gas and mill supplies. Besides his public service as just mentioned, he has served as councilman from the Third Ward of Anderson. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic Order and the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks.
On February 24, 1892, at Anderson, Mr. May married Miss Anna L. Sansberry. Mrs. May is a daughter of James W. and Nancy (Jones) Sansberry, the father an attorney. Mrs. May was educated at St. Mary of the Woods at Terre Haute. To their marriage was born on June 6, 1893, one son, James S. May.
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JONATHAN A. BUSBY. On section nineteen of Stony Creek township is located the valuable and attractive homestead of Jonathan A. Busby. His farm of two hundred and twenty-three acres represents the life work and achievements of a citizen who was born in the township and has lived all his life here a quiet industrious farmer, and man of thorough integrity in all his business and personal relations.
Jonathan A. Busby was born in Stony Creek township, November 3, 1858, a son of Isaac and Sarah A. (Conrad) Busby. The father was a native of Greenbriar county, West Virginia, and the mother. of New Jersey, and each came to Madison county when young, grew up together, and were married. They spent all their lives in this county, death com- ing to the father in 1879 and the mother in 1912. They were the parents of three sons and three daughters, namely : Jane, the widow of George Rambo; Missouri, widow of Frank E. Woodward; Jonathan, and Wade, of Lapel; Milton, postmaster at Lapel; Ida, wife of H. R. Jones, of Stony Creek township.
Jonathan A. Busby was reared on the home farm in this township, and as a boy attended the public schools at Fishersburg. When he was seventeen years of age he had a good common school training and then began his practical career as a farmer, taking charge of the home estate after his father's death. On November 14, 1881, he married Mary J. Huntzinger. Their married life was continued for nineteen years until her death in 1900. The three children born of their marriage were: Roxie, a graduate of the Lapel high school, and the wife of Jesse Fisher of Lapel; Edna, graduate of the common schools and a student in the high school; Arthur, who is a graduate of the common schools and lives at home with his father. Mr. Busby married on the sixth of March, 1910, Ethel Taylor, who was born in Madison county, a daughter of Leroy C. Taylor, a retired farmer and a native of this county. She re- ceived her education in the district schools of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Busby are members of the Methodist church at Lapel, and he is one of the trustees cf that church. Fraternally he is affiliated with Lapel Lodge No. 386, Knights of Pythias, and is a past chancellor and member of the Grand Lodge. In politics he has always been a Republican up to the campaign of 1912, but the issues in politics were such that year that he gave his vote for the Progressive party and its principles. He is secretary of the township advisory board.
ARTHUR DAVIS. A well known success as a farmer and live stock dealer has been that of Arthur Davis in Stony Creek township. He is a native of this part of Madison county, has spent most of his life within the limits of the county, and when he began his independent career it was with a capital of self-reliance and well-trained body and industrious habits rather than with money or influence. He and his wife have prospered since their marriage and their first attempt to make a home, and they now enjoy not only material prosperity but the esteem of all the community in which they reside.
Arthur Davis was born in Stony Creek township July 8, 1870, a son of D. B. Davis, being the second in a family of six children. When he was old enough he attended the district school and was a student during the winter term, up to the time he was eighteen years of age. He then took up farming as a regular occupation and continued in that line until February 28, 1893, at which date his marriage occurred to Miss Hattie Wertz. She was born in Anderson township and received her
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education in the public schools near that city. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Davis spent a time on the old home farm, and then moved to Randolph county, this state, where he spent a short time in farming, was then again on the old homestead, and several years later by the thrifty management of himself and wife, was able to buy sixty-three acres of land. Since then he has done a large business in breeding cattle and shipping by the car-load lots. Among his other enterprises he owns and operates a threshing outfit, and by the combination of his enterprise has prospered very well during the last seventeen years.
The family of eight children of Mr. and Mrs. Davis are as follows : Clara A., age nineteen a graduate of the common schools and of the Anderson high school; Alonzo, age eighteen, also a graduate of the com- mon and high school, and of the Commercial College at Anderson; Ruth, a student in the high school at Anderson, and a graduate of the common schools near the old home; Doctor D., fourteen years of age; Paul, age eleven; Theodore, age ten ; Virginia, age seven; and Birce, age five years. Mr. Davis is affiliated with Lodge No. 1 of the Loyal Order of Moose at Anderson. In his politics he was always a regular Republican up to the campaign of 1912 at which time he voted the Progressive ticket. He is a man of pleasing manner, and by reason of his success enjoys the esteem of the entire community about his home in Stony Creek township.
WILLIAM A. MORRIS. Among the prosperous farming estates of Stony Creek township that of which William A. Morris is proprietor is by all means one of the most attractive viewed in its superficial aspects and also one of the most profitable as a business enterprise. Mr. Morris is a general farmer and stock raiser, owns one hundred and four acres in his own homestead, and is engaged in the operation of more than two hundred acres of land in this county.
William A. Morris was born in Miami county, Indiana, October 19, 1860, a son of Isaac and Nancy (Haney) Morris. The paternal grand- father was William Morris, one of the old settlers of Rush county, Indiana, where Isaac Morris was born. Nancy Morris was born in Ken- tucky, and came to Madison county, Indiana, with her parents, being married in Madison county, and she and Mr. Morris making their home here until near the outbreak of the Civil war. They then moved to Miami county where Mrs. Morris died. Some years later the father re- turned to Madison county and spent his last days in Anderson town- ship. There were five children in the family, three of whom are living in 1913, namely : T. J. Morris, of Anderson township, a farmer ; Maria, wife of Henry Warren of Anderson township; and William A.
Mr. William A. Morris was reared on a farm and attained his educa- tion in the district schools at Miami county. When sixteen years of age he was sent to the Amboy Academy, one of the best schools of intermediate grade in this section of the state, and he continued a student in that institution until he was nineteen years of age. He continued on the farm with his father until he was twenty-one and then came with the family to Madison county. He was married in Lafayette township of this county in February, 1883, to Miss Hester Rogers, who was born in Madi- son county and received a common school education. They became the parents of two children, one of whom is now living, namely : Nondas, aged seven. Mr. Morris and family worship in the Methodist Protestant church of Bethal, and he is one of the trustees of that society. In poli- ties he is a Democrat, and his ability as a business man and his integrity
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as a citizen have been honored by his fellow citizens in his election to the office of township assessor of Stony Creek, in which he served for two years. Mr. Morris is a man of quiet and unassuming manner, and yet his life work as a farmer shows a noteworthy degree of practical achieve- ment and a most honorable success.
CHARLES POINDEXTER. Farming in Madison county has always been a most profitable general occupation, and though within recent years manufacturing has become so important a part of the productive activi- ties, agriculture is likely to remain through all the years as the most substantial pursuit to which man's attention can be given here or else- where. In Stony Creek Township Mr. Poindexter is a farmer who for a number of years had experience in the industry, and finally retired to an estate in the country where his enterprise has been put to excellent use, so that he now owns one of the most attractive and valuable rural homes in Stony Creek.
Charles Poindexter is a native of the state of Illinois, born in Ver- million county, November 6, 1868, a son of James and Emily (McCallis- ter) Poindexter. The father was born in Virginia, and the mother in Adams township of Madison county, Indiana, and she now lives in An- derson at her home on Fletcher Street. The father passed away in 1879. He had been a soldier in the Civil war, serving throughout the period of hostilities from 1861 to 1865, and while a soldier came home on a furlough and married. He enlisted as a private, was promoted to lieutenant, and at his discharge was captain of his company. For some years after the war he lived in Illinois, but finally returned to Madison county, and his death occurred in Adams township. There were four children in the family, named as follows: Cora, wife of Eb Parrish, of Anderson; Charles; Nettie, wife of H. Scott of Fall Creek township; Maud, wife of Martin Wiseheart of Anderson, Indiana.
Charles Poindexter was reared on a farm and also spent part of his youth in Indianapolis. His education was attained in the public schools and he continued to live on the homestead with his mother until his mar- riage. He married Miss Florence M. Stanley, of Anderson township, this county. Mrs. Poindexter was educated in the public schools. After their marriage they moved to Indianapolis where Mr. Poindexter was employed as a tool maker with one of the large industrial establishments of that city for six years, from the fall of 1891 to the spring of 1896. In the latter year he came to the farm where he lived until September, 1905, at which time he moved to the estate of eighty-five acres in Stony Creek township, which is his present home. He has displayed all the ability of a progressive farmer, and among the numerous improvements placed upon his estate is the ten-room modern house in which he and his family reside. Mr. and Mrs. Poindexter have two daughters, namely : Gretchen, wife of Lawrence White, and Vera, a student in the seventh . grade of the common schools. Mr. Poindexter and family worship in the Central Christian church at Anderson. He was formerly affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in politics is a Pro- gressive Democrat.
OWEN HUFFMAN. Farming, with all its branches, has been consid- ered a good line of business since the beginning of the world, but within the last quarter of a century it has been developed in a remarkable degree and at this time offers exceptional field for the man of energy, perse-
ARCHIE C. ANDERSON
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verance and ability. One of the excellent representatives of this modern progressive class of young farmers in Madison county is Owen Huffman, of Stony Creek township, who has spent all his life in this county, and as the fruit of his own industry and good management has acquired an excellent homestead.
He was born in Stony Creek township, January 26, 1875, a son of Jasper and Celistia (Teeters) Huffman, both of whom have been long residents of this township. The third in a family of six children he was reared on the home farm in Stony Creek, and attained his education in one of the district schools of that vicinity. He completed his education when he was about sixteen years of age, and then took up the active work of farming on the home place where he remained until he was twenty-one years of age.
On October 11, 1895, he married Miss Sarah Caster, a daughter of Marion and Sarah (McDonald) Caster. She attained her education in the common schools. After his marriage Mr. Huffman rented land from his father for three years, and then bought the farm where he now lives, a place of seventy-nine and a half acres. He and his capable wife as his assistant directed all their energies to the improvement of this estate, and by clearing and draining, by planting of trees and by careful management in every direction have made it a splendid home and its fields have been responsive in profitable crops each year. Mr. and Mrs. Huffman are the parents of one child, Edith, who was born March 20, 1895, and is a graduate of the common schools and Lapel high school. Mr. Huffman is affiliated with Lapel Lodge No. 386, Knights of Pythias, and with Lapel Lodge No. 326, A. F. & A. M. In politics he has been Republican, but in the campaign of 1912 supported the Progressive ticket.
ARCHIE C. ANDERSON. In farming and stock raising and the general business activities of Fall Creek township, Mr. Anderson is one of the leaders, and has occupied a prominent place for many years. He is a native of Madison county, has spent practically all his life here, and by persistent and honorable industry has been successful far beyond the average.
Archie Clifton Anderson was born in Fall Creek township, Madison county, September 7, 1855, a son of John A. and Elda (Hiatt) Ander- son. The founder of the family in Indiana was grandfather Wright Anderson, who came to this state in 1828 and located in Fayette county. John A. Anderson was born in Maryland, November 10, 1826, and was about two years of age when the family moved to Indiana, where he grew up and was married and soon after came to Madison county, locat- ing in Fall Creek. The father has been a resident of this township and county for nearly sixty years, and now makes his home retired at a good old age with his son Archie. There were two children in the fam- ily and the other was named Rollin, who died at the age of twenty- three. When Archie C. Anderson was six months of age, his mother died and he was then taken to the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jordan Hiatt, in Fayette county. He was reared on a farm there and obtained his education in the district schools, with one year in the high school. When only a boy he made up his mind that farming was his favorite vocation and though in later years his interests have in- ereased and brought him into banking and other affairs, he has always retained his affection for the farm and is first and last a farmer. Mr.
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Anderson was married December 28, 1876, to Miss Caroline J. Heacock, of Wayne county, Indiana, where she was born May 7, 1856, a daughter of Daniel Heacock. She was reared on a farm in Wayne county, and educated in the district and high schools. Her death occurred No- vember 23, 1908.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Anderson located east of Pendle- ton, where they lived for seven years and in the spring of 1884 took up their residence on the homestead they now occupy, this having been their home and endeared to them by many associations of family life for nearly thirty years. Their two children are named as follows: Stella, a graduate of the Pendleton High School and with one year in Earlham College, is now the wife of Professor E. D. Allen of Pendle- ton. Their children are Esther Allen and John Allen. Chester H. is a graduate of the Pendleton high school, and engaged in farming. He married Lulu Clark, and they are the parents of two children, Mary Elizabeth and Paul Clark. The Anderson family are communicants of the Friends church.
Mr. Anderson in business circles in Pendleton is best known as the president of the Pendleton Trust Company of which he was one of the organizers. The officers of this institution are A. C. Anderson, presi- dent; G. R. Mingle, vice president; R. F. Thomas, secretary and treas- urer, while the other directors are E. E. Brattain, Dr. L. H. Thomas, and E. C. Reid. The Pendleton Trust Company was organized in 1909 with a capital stock of $25,000.00. Among his other interests Mr. Anderson owns four hundred and eight acres of land in Fall Creek township and is regarded as one of the largest farmers and stock rais- ers in Southwestern Madison county. In politics he is Independent and he is a member of the Grange.
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