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 59
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103
ENOCH E. BYRUM. A distinguished and influential member of the clergy of the Church of God, author of high-grade and valuable works and president of the Gospel Trumpet Company, whose printing and publishing plant, located near the city of Anderson, is one of the finest in the state of Indiana, Mr. Byrum is numbered among the prominent and honored citizens of Madison county, has been a power for good in Vol. II-8
472
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
the various relations of life, is a man of high attainments and exalted character and is eminently entitled to representation in this publication.
Enoch E. Byrum is a native son of Indiana and is a son of one of the old and honored families of this commonwealth. He was born in Randolph county, on the 13th of October, 1861, and is a son of Eli and Lucinda (Fields) Byrum, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Tennessee. The father devoted the major part of his active career to the great basic industry of agriculture and both he and his wife passed the closing period of their lives in Randolph county, Indiana. They were folk of devout Christian faith and their lives signalized their practical observance of the faith which they thus pro- fessed and by which they guided and governed themselves, so that they ever held secure place in the confidence and high regard of all who knew them.
He whose name initiates this review gained his early education in the public schools of his native county. Thereafter he entered the Northern Indiana Normal School, at Valparaiso, and. in this institution, now known as Valparaiso University, he was graduated as a member of the class of 1886, after the completion of thorough courses in elocution and oratory. Thereafter he attended in 1887, Otterbein University, at Westerville, Ohio, in which admirable institution he specialized in Sun- day-school work and in philosophical and divinity studies. Setting to himself high purpose and determining to devote himself to the aiding and uplifting of his fellow men, he earnestly and effectively prepared himself for the ministry, and in 1892 he was ordained as a clergyman of the Church of God. Mr. Byrum has done most consecrated and faithful services as a worker in the vineyard of the Divine Master and has become one of the most influential factors in the affairs of the church of which he is a representative. Since 1889 he has been editor of the "Gospel Trumpet," published by the Gospel Trumpet Company, and this is one of the leading periodicals of the religious denomination with which he has been long and prominently identified. In 1904 Mr. Byrum made a tour of the world for the purpose of examining the ancient manuscripts of the Bible and otherwise expanding his wide knowledge of Christian literature and activities, and investigating the outlook of Foreign Mis- sionary work and establishing missions in the foreign fields. In 1909-10 he made a most zealous and effective missionary tour through the southern states, Central and South America and the West Indies. Mr. Byrum has written voluminously on subjects pertaining to religion and human responsibilities and ideals. Among the most prominent of his published works are those bearing the following named titles: "The Boy's Com- panion," "Divine Healing of Soul and Body," "'The Secret of Salva- tion," "The Prayer of Faith," "The Great Physician," "Behind the Prison Bars," "Travels and Experiences in Other Lands," and "The Secret of Prayer." Each of these volumes has been issued from the presses of the Gospel Trumpet Company, of which he is president.
In the year 1880 the publication of the "Gospel Trumpet" was insti- tuted at Indianapolis, and moved in 1906 to Anderson, Indiana, where the plant was located on the corner of Ninth and Main streets. There the business was most successfully conducted until 1910, when the com- pany purchased fifty-seven acres of land just outside the corporate limits of Anderson, adjoining the eastern part of the city, one mile from the court house, where they have erected large buildings of concrete construction, modern in every respect, for the accommodation of the
473
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
extensive publishing business of which Mr. rum is the executive head, and in the upbuilding of which he has been the dominating force. On the same grounds have been erected by the company an excellent build- ing for the accommodation and residence of employes and also an admir- able home for old folk who are affiliated with the Church of God. The equipment of the printing and publishing plant is of the most modern and approved order, including the best cylinder and job presses and three linotype machines, so that the establishment is one of the best of the order in the entire Union. Mr. Byrum is president of the company as has been stated previously, and the other members of the official board are as here designated: A. L. Byers, vice-president, and N. H. Byrum, secretary-treasurer.
In 1889 Mr. Byrum was married to Rhoda B. Keagy. She bore him six children, named as follows: Ethel E., now Mrs. Kimble of Anderson, Indiana; Birdie Ruth, E. Arlo, Mabel Grace, Bernice Mariva, and Nilah Virginia. The wife and mother died on September 14, 1907, and on October 1, 1908, Mr. Byrum married Miss Lucena C. Beardslee, of Seattle, Washington.
Mr. Byrum is a man of broad culture, but has naught of intellectual bigotry or intolerance in his makeup. As a citizen he is essentially pro- gressive and public-spirited and his genial personality has gained to him the high regard of those with whom he has come in contact in the varied relations of life. In his political activities, he votes for the prin- ciple and the man behind it, not being one to make a fetich of adherence to any especial political party.
GEORGE W. PETTIGREW. From an inheritance of five and a half acres of land, George W. Pettigrew has increased his holdings in Madison county in recent years until today he has a goodly acreage of two hundred and sixty-two and a half acres of the finest land to be found in this section of the state, all of which is under cultivation and which yields its owner an excellent income. Mr. Pettigrew has been a resident of this township all his life, and was born here on January 8, 1858, the son of Samuel J. and Mary J. (Tingley) Pettigrew.
Samuel J. Pettigrew was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, Feb- ruary 15, 1827, and his wife was a native of the state of Ohio, born in Greene county, in 1832. Both are now deceased. The father came to Greene county, Ohio, in his young manhood, and there met and married Mary Tingley, after which they came to Madison county, Indiana. From 1852 until 1862 they lived in this county, then returned to Ohio and settled in Greene county. The year 1870 saw their return to these parts, where they passed the remaining years of their lives. The father died August 10, 1874, but the mother survived until March 15, 1893. They became the parents of ten children, of which number eight are yet living. Those who survive are named as follows: Mary E., the widow of Jacob Newfarmer; William H., of Whitely county, Indiana; David M., of Missouri ; James J., of Hancock county, Indiana; Samuel A., of Ander- son, Indiana; Francis M., in the regular army of the Philippines, with the rank of lieutenant ; Charles E., of Madison county, Indiana; George W., of this review.
George W. Pettigrew was reared in Green township, and all save eight years of his life have been passed. here. He was trained in the common schools of the community and until he reached his legal majority remained on the home place. He then took up farming on his own re-
474
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
sponsibility, and his life since then has been devoted to that industry. As was mentioned in another paragraph, he inherited five and a half acres of land, but he was not content with an acreage of that size, and today a fine farm of two hundred and sixty acres yields generously to his skill in husbandry. General farming and stock raising constitute his business, and as a breeder of Shorthorn cattle, part of which are regis- tered stock, he is well known throughout the county, as the result of his twelve years of activity in that line. He feeds and ships more than a carload of cattle yearly, while his thoroughbred stock finds market in Indianapolis. Mr. Pettigrew in 1907 erected one of the finest country homes in the county. It is a commodious place of thirteen rooms, with ample basement, and is built on modern lines, calculated to produce a comfortable and homelike place. When completed, the home cost him something like $5300. The place is equipped with a hot water heating plant and is furnished throughout in quartered oak and black walnut.
On November 20, 1879, Mr. Pettigrew married Miss Lavina Whelchel, who was born in Fall Creek township, Hamilton county, Indiana, on September 20, 1862, and is a daughter of Abraham and Eliza Allen, the former born in Hamilton county, Indiana, on May 28, 1836, and the latter in the same county, on August 31, 1835. She died on August 4, 1907, but the father is still living, and makes his home in Hamilton county, where they passed their lives. They became the parents of eight children, as follows: Alva, who has a family of five children; Fairy B., the wife of Frank Bixler; Roy ; Delia, the wife of Jesse Partain ; Wayne; Lulu; Grover C .; Irene.
The family are members of the German Baptist church and hold their membership at Beach Grove, Mr. Pettigrew being one of the direc- tors of the church, and a leading member. He is a Progressive Democrat, and one of the best known men in his community, where he is esteemed and respected for the many excellent traits that characterize him.
GARLAND HANCOCK. As superintendent of the north Anderson Schools, Mr. Hancock is a young educator who has proven his valne and ability, and is now performing a very capable service in one of the largest schools in the county.
Garland Hancock was born in 1887 in Richland township, Madison county, and belongs to one of the old families of this section of the state. His parents were James and Jennie (Bronneberg) Hancock, and the father was for a number of years engaged in the livery business at Ver- sailles in Ripley county, and previous to that time was a farmer. The four children in the family were Garland, Fern, Flora and Ernest.
The early years of Garland Hancock's life were spent on a farm, for the most part, and he was educated in the common schools of Lin- wood, and Chesterfield, and in the high school of Anderson, from which he was graduated. He later attended the University of Indiana, and after he came home in 1909, he took up the vocation for which he had prepared himself. He has been engaged in educational work for some years, has held various positions and as principal of the north Anderson school he ranks as one of the leading educators of Madison county. His two sisters, Fern and Flora, are also engaged in teaching in Madison county.
Mr. Hancock married Miss Cora Groundyke, daughter of Thomas Groundyke, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Hancock has been born one child-Donald. The family occupy and enjoy a comfortable residence in the vicinity of Linwood, and are
475
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
the recipients of the kindly regard and sincere esteem of all who share in their acquaintance. Mr. Hancock is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in a fraternel way, and though not a member of any especial church, he is generously inclined toward all. In addition to his teaching work, Mr. Hancock finds time to give to the cultivation of a farm of 140 acres and which yields a bountiful crop, as well as afford- ing him a genuine pleasure, derived from its cultivation.
SAMUEL DOUGLAS MONTGOMERY: Among the officials of Madison county who are rendering the community signal service in the discharge of their duties, none have attained a greater degree of popularity than that which has come to Samuel Douglas Montgomery, who has served efficiently since January 1, 1911, in the office of county assessor. A resi- dent of this county since early boyhood, he was for years identified with the agricultural and stock raising interests of this section, and the suc- cess with which he met in his own affairs made his fellow citizens confi- dent that he would have no trouble in successfully handling the affairs of the county in the office which they tendered to him. That this confi- dence was not misplaced is at once evident when Mr. Montgomery's record in office is seen. He is a native of Butler county, Ohio, and was born April 18, 1859, a son of Samuel and Mary (Thurston) Montgomery, both American born.
Mr. Montgomery's grandparents were natives of England, and shortly after their marriage in that country emigrated to the United States and became early settlers of Butler county, Ohio, where the grandfather pur- chased a tract of land and spent the best years of his life thereon. He was a man of integrity, industry and enterprise, strong in his convic- tions of right and wrong, and public spirited in matters pertaining to his community. He gained and held the esteem and regard of his fellow citizens through a long life of honorable dealing, and his influence was sought in all matters of public importance.
In 1865 Samuel Montgomery came to Madison county, Indiana, purchasing a farm in Lafayette township, but later in life he moved to southern Kansas, where he spent several years. He returned to Alex- ander, Madison county; in 1892, and there spent the remaining years of his life, his death coming on February 27, 1899. Mrs. Montgomery had died many years before, when still in comparatively young woman- hood.
Samuel Douglas Montgomery attended one term in a primitive log school house in Butler county, Ohio, the rest of the years being passed in assisting his father in the work of the homestead. He also attended the school in Lafayette township at indefinite periods, and he remained under the parental roof until he was about twenty years of age, at which time he married Miss Mary C. Thomas, of Lafayette township, Madison county, the daughter of Edwin Thomas, an elderly settler and a pros- perous citizen of that township. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery settled on a farm in Lafayette township, and he has since been engaged in diversified farming. He subsequently moved to a farm in Monroe township, where he lived for some years. He was successful in his farming operations, and he gave a great deal of attention to the breeding of Short Horn Cattle. He was also a contractor in general road building and engaged in the draining of farms and roads, each of his ventures proving uniformly satisfactory in its results.
Mr. Montgomery has always been a stalwart Democrat, and while residing on his farm has served capably during one term as a member of
476
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
the County Council. In 1910 he became the candidate of his party for the office of county assessor, and when he was elected to the office for a four year term, moved with his family to Anderson, where he purchased a modern residence at No. 1613 Fletcher street. He placed his farm in the hands of his son, Samuel Ward Montgomery, who is successfully carrying on its activities in a manner worthy of his father. This tract consists of ninety-seven and one-half acres, and is in a high state of culti- vation, testifying to Mr. Montgomery's ability as a farmer. His emi- nently acceptable method of handling the affairs of the assessor's office has not only won for him the confidence and approbation of his fellow citizens, but has gained him many friends among all classes.
On March 2, 1879, Mr. Montgomery was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Thomas, and to this union there have been born five children, as follows: Edward, who is engaged in farming in Madison county ; Nellie, who became the wife of Charles D. Waymire, also an agriculturist of this section; Samuel Ward, who is carrying on operations on the homestead; Josephine, who married Hugh E. Robinson, a prosperous farmer of Monroe township, and Harvey L., also a farmer.
DR. LOT EDWARD ALEXANDER has practiced medicine and has per- formed the varied responsibilities and duties of good citizenship at Pendleton, since 1879, and is one of the best known citizens of Madison county. His name is spoken with respect on the north and east sides of the county, but it is with his home community of Pendleton that he has been most closely identified.
Dr. Alexander is descended from old American stock, originally of Scotch ancestry on both father's and mother's side. The family was founded in America by Hugh Alexander, who emigrated from Scotland in 1736 and settled in Chester county, Pennsylvania. Farming was his occupation and that he was a man of more than ordinary standing and influence in his community is evidenced by the fact that he was chosen a delegate from Cumberland county, to which he subsequently removed to the conference of deputies called in Carpenter Hall at Philadelphia on July 15, 1776. It was at that meeting that the first free constitution . of Pennsylvania was adopted. Hugh Alexander was married in 1854, to Martha Edmiston, who was also of Scotch descent. The great-grand- father Alexander, of Dr. Alexander was in the Commissary Department in Washington's army during the Revolution, and for his faithful services to the cause of the colony was given fifteen hundred acres of land, which he subsequently located in North Thumberland county, Pennsylvania. Another fact concerning the ancestors might be added. Dr. Alexander's maternal great-grandfather Brown, when a child, was stolen temporarily from his home by the famous Mingo chief Logan, and kept two days, during which time Logan made and placed on the child's feet a pair of moccasins, and after paying these evidences of his regard and showing the best possible entertainment returned the child unharmed to his parents.
Dr. Alexander's father was Cyrus Alexander, who was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, September 30, 1807, and followed farming at his regular vocation. He had a common school education, was a Pres- byterian in religion, and a stanch Republican throughout his adult life. His death occurred September 7, 1889. Cyrus married Mary Brown, who was born also in Mifflin county, February 20, 1814, and died August 12, 1894.
Dr. L. E. Alexander was born in Pennsylvania, and his literary edu-
ميلا
S
477
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
cation was acquired at Washington and Jefferson College in the city of Washington in western Pennsylvania. On March 12, 1874, he was grad- uated M. D. from the University of Pennsylvania, and thereafter spent one year in the Western Pennsylvania Hospital at Pittsburg, in 1875 was engaged in the Philadelphia Dispensary, and in 1876 entered the medical department of the United States Navy. He served as assistant surgeon in the United States Navy, and was for six months in the quaran- tine service on the west coast of Florida. Later he was assigned to duty on the receiving ship Potomac at the Port of Philadelphia. Dr. Alex- ander moved west and located in Indiana, in 1877, first in Fayette county, and in 1879 established his home and residence at Pendleton, where he has lived and practiced medicine for almost thirty-five years.
Dr. Alexander served one year as president of the Madison County Medical Society, and has membership in the Indiana State, the Missis- sippi Valley, and the American Medical Association. He has always been a Republican, and for the past fifteen years has served as a trustee of the Pendleton Consolidated School District. Reared in a Presby- terian family, he was affiliated with that church for some time, but now is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Pendleton. Frater- nally the doctor belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
On November 5, 1879, Dr. Alexander married Miss Carrie Boyd Hughes, at Cambridge City, Indiana. She received her education in the schools of Cambridge City, and is a daughter of Evan and Samantha Hughes, her father having been of Pennsylvania Dutch Stock.
CHARLES L. OLDHAM. One of the well known prosperous farming men of Fall Creek township of whom it is but reasonable that mention be made in this historical and biographical work devoted to the repre- sentative men of the county, Charles L. Oldham takes a leading place in the representative activities of Pendleton and the township. He was born in Champaign county, Illinois, in December, 1866, and is the son of A. W. and Barbara A. (Stephens) Oldham, the latter being now de- ceased, and the former a resident of Pendleton, Indiana. Both were natives of Hamilton county, Ohio. The father came to Madison county when he was about eighteen years of age, and in 1864 married Miss Stephens. He was a veteran of the Civil war, serving three years in the Union army, and seeing much of the activities of the long siege. Three children were born to these parents: Charles L., Frank F., un- married and a resident of Pendleton, Indiana; and Della May, also un- married, and living at home.
Charles L. Oldham was four years old when he came to Madison county with his parents, and as a boy in the home community he attended the district schools. He later was graduated from the schools of Spring Valley, after which he turned his attention to farming. In October, 1888, Mr. Oldham married Miss Fannie J. Tyson, who was born in Madi- son county, Indiana, in September, 1866, and was educated in the com- mon schools of her native county. They have one child, Orville W., born August 21, 1889, who is now married to Lola Smith.
Mr. Oldham and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Pendleton, in which they are active and energetic with refer- ence to the work of the various departments, and fraternally Mr. Old- ham has membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Knights of Pythias. In the former order he is a Past Grand, and has held various offices in both lodges. He is a Republican and has taken
478
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
an active part in the party ranks. In 1912 he was the nominee for the office of commissioner of the South District of Madison county. He has a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres about a mile and a half distant from Pendleton, on Liek Creek Pike, and is recognized as one of the successful and enterprising farmers of the township.
ARTHUR WOLFE BRADY. The president of the Union Traction Com- pany of Indiana, whose home for a number of years had been in Ander- son, was born at Muncie, January 13, 1865, a son of General Thomas J. and Emeline (Wolfe) Brady. On his father's side there is a combina- tion of both Irish and English stock, while the maternal forbears were some of them German and others French. On both sides the earliest mem- bers of the family came to the United States during the eighteenth century. His father, the late Thomas J. Brady was born at Muncie in 1839, and he died at Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1904. A lawyer by profession he won distinction in military affairs, and in public life. He served throughout the Civil war, with the rank of Captain and Major in the Eighth Indiana Infantry, and was colonel of the one hundred and seventeenth and the one hundred and fortieth Indiana regiments, and was brevetted brigadier general towards the elose of the war. For a number of years he was editor and publisher of the Muncie Times, served as consul at St. Thomas, West Indies, was supervisor of internal revenue, and still later held the post of second assistant postmaster general at Washington. Emeline Wolfe Brady was born at Westfield, Ohio, in 1842, and died at Muncie in 1884.
Arthur W. Brady attended the public schools of Muncie, prepared for college at a private school in Connecticut, graduated from Yale Univer- sity A. B. in the class of 1887, during the following year read law in the office of an uncle at Fort Wayne and was graduated from the law de- partment of the University of Michigan in June, 1889, with the degree of LL. B. Mr. Brady practiced law at Muneie from 1889 to 1902, and maintained an office at Indianapolis from 1902 until 1904. He was elected mayor of Muncie on the Democratic ticket in 1902, and his service in that office continued until September, 1905. Ile became general coun- sel for the Union Traction Company of Indiana, and in 1904 was elected president of this the largest interurban transportation company in the state. It was at that time known as the Indiana Union Traction Com- pany, and is now the Union Traction Company of Indiana. The main offices of the company were moved to Anderson in the fall of 1904, and his home has been in that eity since that date.
Mr. Brady is a Democrat, and during the time of the free-silver issue of 1896 belonged to the Gold Wing of that party. In June, 1893, he married Jane Ninde, daughter of Lindley M. and Beulah C. Ninde, of Fort Wayne, Indiana. She died in the same year, and in 1901 he mar- ried Caroline H. McCulloch, daughter of Dr. James McCulloch and Caro- line J. McCulloch of Muncie. Mr. Brady has two sons: George Wolfe Brady, born at Indianapolis, August 22, 1903; and Arthur Adam Brady, born at Anderson, February 23, 1905.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.