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 65
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Anderson. Mr. Showers was elected justice of the peace for the full term of four years in 1910. He dispenses justice with an impartial and capable hand, and has brought much dignity to his present office. Fra- ternally he is affiliated with the Improved Order of Red Men, the United Ancient Order of Druids, and is a demitted Mason. He is a Democrat and filled the office of justice of the peace in Henry county from 1886 to 1890. His religious affiliations are with the Christian church. His attractive and comfortable home is at 75 Bismarck street, in North Anderson.
RANSOM BRONNENBERG. After a long period spent in agricultural ,pursuits, Ransom Bronnenberg, of Anderson township, is now actively engaged in farming, enjoying the fruits of his years of industrious toil. He has spent his entire life within the limits of Madison county, where he has borne no small part in the wonderful development that has made this one of the garden spots of the Hoosier State, and the success that has attended his efforts is shown in the ownership of a handsome farm of 370 acres, located on the old State road. Mr. Bronnenberg was born on a farm, August 1, 1848, and is a son of Frederick and Hulda (Free) Bronnenberg. His father was one of the earliest settlers of this part of the county, coming here from Preble county, Ohio, in 1821, and here he spent his entire subsequent career, being engaged in farming and the raising of stock. Mr. Bronnenberg was a well educated man, rose to a high place in the esteem of his fellow-citizens, and made a gratifying success of all of his ventures. He and his wife had a family of seven children, of whom three are now living, namely: Ransom, Susan and Calvin.
Ransom Bronnenberg received his education in the Chestnut Grove schoolhouse, this being supplemented by study under the tutorage of his father. As was the custom with farmers' sons of his day, he divided his boyhood between the school room in the winter months and the farm during the remainder of the year, thus improving his mind at the same time that he was thoroughly trained in the principles of farming. He continued to remain on the homestead up to two years ago, and from time to time has added to its acreage, until it is now one of the most valuable in Union township. Mr. Bronnenberg continues to direct the operations on his land, contributing his long experience to the enthu- siasm and energy of his sons, who are carrying on the work. In business circles he is known as a man of shrewdness, foresight and acumen, one who is capable of recognizing an opportunity and ready to grasp it and to follow it up to successful termination, but he has been strictly honor- able in all his dealings and has never taken advantage of the misfortunes of others. For some years he was engaged in the raising of stock, and he has never lost his fondness for fast horses, being at the present time the owner of a number of valuable animals.
On October 30, 1869, Mr. Bronnenberg was married in Anderson township to Miss Sarah Seward, daughter of Irvin and Charlotte (Harper) Seward, who came to Madison county from Rush county, Indiana. Six children have been born to this union, namely: Joseph, who is assisting his father; Minnie, who married a Mr. Isonagel and has four children,-Velma, Helen, Robert and Evelyn; Frederick, who mar- ried a Miss Steward, and has two children,-Melville and Arnold; Wesley, who lives with his parents; Sherman, in Kansas; and Ernest, who also lives at home with his parents. The family stands high in the
IRlain
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esteem of the community and its members are widely known in the vicinity where they have resided for so many years. Mr. Bronnen- berg is a Spiritualist. He is a Republican in politics and was elected trustee of his township in 1884 for two years. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. at Chesterfield.
JOSEPH R. CAIN was long numbered among the honored merchants of Anderson and as one who saw service in all the grades of its indus- trial activity. He began his business connection here during the Civil war, and at the close of his long and useful life he enjoyed the quiet fruits of his previous industry and good management.
Joseph R. Cain, who for more than half a century was a resident of Anderson, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, near the Butler county line, August 12, 1831. He belonged to an old family with a distinctive military record. His grandfather was John Cain, who was born in one of the Carolinas in 1760, and when seventeen years of age he enlisted in the Patriot army of the colonists as a soldier against the aggressions of the mother county. His son, John H. Cain, the father of Joseph R., was born in South Carolina, became a tanner by trade, which business he followed for many years, and later in life moved to Indiana and located in Wayne county. The maiden name of his wife was Katherine Richards, and they had two children, Joseph R. and William.
Joseph R. Cain obtained his early education in the village schools and afterward attended the Wayne county academy, also spending one term as a student in the Newcastle Academy of Henry county, Indiana. His career from the time he left school until his retirement a few years before his death was almost entirely devoted to his mercantile enterprise. He earned his first money as a clerk in a dry goods store in the town of Economy, in Wayne county, and during his three years. there laid a solid foundation for his subsequent business career. Going to Indian- apolis, he became a clerk for the W. S. T. Morton & Coffin Dry Goods Company, and while in their store was engaged to go to Anderson and take charge of the new branch of the establishment opened in this city. It was in this way that he became a resident of Anderson, and he never left the city during the subsequent fifty years of his life. In partner- ship with T. N. Stillwell, he engaged in busines under the name of the New York Store, its stock consisting of dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes. This store was continued until 1870, and during that time the partners built a business block on Main street, at a cost of $15,000, one of the conspicuous landmarks in the business district of the time. The stock of the old store was then moved into the new building, and the business was conducted with ever increasing prosperity for a number of years. But finally Mr. Cain sold his interest to W. S. T. Morton & Company, and then for some time was connected with the establishment of Murphy-Johnston & Company, in what was known as the Indianapolis Wholesale Dry Goods Store. After retiring from his active career as a merchant Mr. Cain invested in two excellent farms, comprising in all two hundred and thirty-seven acres of land, and both are well improved and situated in Madison county. The passing away of this honored and well known citizen of Anderson occurred in April, 1913, at his home at 917 West Sixth street, where his family have their residence.
In 1867 he was married to Miss Anna Nye, of Richmond, Indiana. She died four years later, leaving two children, one of whom is also deceased and the other, Winifred, is at home. In January, 1876, Mr.
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Cain married Mrs. Cassandra Mitchell, who was born in Indiana, a daugh- ter of William Lowes. Mr. Cain had fraternal relations with Anderson Lodge, No. 131, I. O. O. F.
GEORGE W. HUPP. Now retired after a long and successful career, Mr. Hupp represents the earlier business activities of what is now the city of Elwood. He became a merchant in the center of Madison county fifty years ago, when the place was known as Quincy and was only a small rural trading point. Twenty-five years passed before the dis- covery of natural gas and the consequent boom which raised this town to the rank of one of the leading industrial centers of eastern Indiana. Through all this time Mr. Hupp was actively identified with the mer- cantile enterprise and continued a business man for some ten or fifteen years afterwards. His has been an honorable, active and prosperous career, and few citizens of Madison county so well deserve recognition for their achievements as Mr. George W. Hupp.
Born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, near Newmarket, December 3, 1834, Mr. Hupp is now approaching his eightieth year, and in his own long life is typical of the hardy and long-lived stock which has been characteristic of his family on both sides for generations. The family belong to the thrifty German stock which settled in Virginia during the eighteenth century. The paternal grandfather of George W. Hupp was Balsar Hupp, who was a farmer by occupation and spent his life in Shenandoah county. On the mother's side the grandfather was Jacob Kipps, the original spelling of which name was Gipps. The day of his funeral was the day set apart for him to make out his pension papers as a Mexican war veteran. His wife was Elizabeth (Virkle) Kipps. Both were of German descent and natives of Virginia, and he followed the occupation of farmer. The youngest sister of George W. Hupp now resides on the old Kipps farm in Shenandoah county, Virginia. Jacob Kipps and his oldest son were soldiers in the war of 1812. All his brothers and sisters, except two, preceded him to the grave, and he attained the age of more than four-score years. There were nine children in the Kipps family.
Samuel D. and Mary (Kipps) Hupp, the parents of George W., were born in Virginia, and their eleven children were as follows: Sallie, who died at the age of eighty-eight, and was the wife of Mr. Knupp; Joseph, who lives near Newmarket at the age of eighty-four; Andrew, deceased ; Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of Mr. Schaefer; George W. of Elwood; Harry, whose death was the first to break the home circle; Samuel, deceased; Catherine, who is single and resides near Mount Jackson, Virginia ; Michael, who also lives near Mount Jackson; Jacob, who lives on the old home farm near Newmarket, and Mary, wife of William Olinger, a resident near Newmarket. The father of this family was reared in Shenandoah county, where he was born May 16, 1804, spent his active years as a farmer and died there May 22, 1884, at the age of eighty years and six days. At the time of his death he had thirty- three grandchildren. His wife died four years later at the age of seventy-eight. Both were members of the Lutheran church.
George W. Hupp was reared on the old home farm in Shenandoah county, up to the age of eighteen years, and as a boy he attended the old field school, as the common schools were popularly called in Virginia. At the age of eighteen he began learning the tinsmith's trade at New- market, where he was employed by Jacob Summers, and served a full
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apprenticeship of three years. After that he was actively engaged in his trade for a period of twenty-eight years.
In 1895 Mr. Hupp came west and located at Middletown, Indiana, and on May 26, 1862, came to Elwood, which has been his place of resi- dence now for more than half a century. He followed his trade at Elwood for a number of years, and finally engaged in business for him- self. For thirty years he was one of the prospering and enterprising merchants, and from a beginning in which he had a small stock, he added stoves, building material, and general hardware, and built up an estab- lishment which was a credit to the entire section of the county. On retiring from the hardware business, Mr. Hupp opened an insurance office, and did business in that line for eleven years. Since then he has lived retired. During his long and successful career he has accumulated much property, invested chiefly in residence property, numbering some twenty-two in Elwood, and his time and attention are now engaged in looking after this estate. He was in debt when he first came to Elwood, the result of a worthless partner.
On May 10, 1867, Mr. Hupp married Miss Isabel Stokes, daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth Stokes. Mrs. Stokes was born in Butler county, Ohio, where her parents were natives, and came in 1862 to Indiana, locating at Elwood, where they both died. The eight children com- prising the family of Mr. Hupp and wife are named: Charles C., Wil- liam A., Lola, Samuel S., Joab, Frederick, Alley and Maude. Charles, Joab and Frederick died in infancy, and William, who married a .Miss Shaw and had two children, Fred and Drula, died in 1906. Samuel died unmarried, October 27, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Hupp are active mem- bers of the Methodist church, in which he has many positions officially, and he is affiliated with Quincy Lodge No. 200, I. O. O. F. He was one of the first councilmen of the corporation of Elwood, Indiana, holding that office for two terms, and he was the first landlord of R. L. Leeson & Sons, the old merchants of Elwood. Mr. Hupp is a Democrat in politics and cast his first vote for President Buchanan.
WADE H. FREE. Among the young Indiana men who in recent years have been gaining recognition and have been making their influence effective in business and political circles of the state, one whose name has now become well known far beyond the boundaries of his home county of Madison, is Wade H. Free, the present secretary of the state senate. He is a popular young lawyer of Anderson, where he has spent five or six years in general practice, and he is a native son of the county.
Wade H. Free was born in Lafayette township, Madison county, on a farm, February 16, 1878. His father is Nathaniel A. Free, a native of Ross county, Ohio, and one of the most prosperous farmers in Madison county. The farm which represents his life work comprises about four hundred and fifty acres, located in Richland and Lafayette townships, and it is a splendid estate, both from an agricultural point of view and as a center for fine stock, its proprietor having spent many years in study and diligent efforts to improve his live stock-cattle, hogs and horses. In his township community he is a man of political influence, but has never sought office. He married Miss Lavina Kirk, whose father, Wil- liam Kirk, was one of the pioneer stock buyers and farmers of this county, and a most respected citizen on account of his sterling qualities.
It was on the old home farm in Lafayette township that Wade H. Free spent his early years, and he enjoyed the rural'training which is
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perhaps the best equipment for a man either in business or professional life. As a boy he attended the country schools of his neighborhood, and subsequently entered the public schools of Anderson, finishing at the high school. He then became a student in the Indiana University at Bloomington, where he was graduated in 1903, and he subsequently took his law degree from the law department of the University of Indiana at Indianapolis, in 1905. In the same year he was admitted to the bar, and he opened his office for practice, obtaining his first fee at Lapel in this county. Two years later he removed to Anderson, and has since built up an excellent general practice.
Wade H. Free is a Democrat in politics, and for a number of years has taken a lively interest in the success of his party and in the election of his friends. He served first as secretary and later as chairman of the Democratic Central Committee of Anderson, and has held other positions of minor importance. In 1913 he was appointed secretary of the state senate, and that position gives him opportunities for extended acquaintance among all the prominent Democrats of this state, so that his political career is likely to be watched with much interest in the following years.
In 1911 Mr. Free was married to Miss Jane L. Armstrong, whose former home was in Baltimore, Maryland. Fraternally Mr. Free is affiliated with Mt. Moriah Lodge, No. 77, A. F. & A. M., and he is also a prominent member of the Phi Kappa Phi college fraternity. His office is at 903 Meridian street, and the family home is maintained at 331 West Tenth street, Anderson.
WILLARD H. THOMAS, now residing on a forty acre homestead in Stony Creek township, has given the best years of his career to the most useful occupation that can employ the energies of man or woman, that of teaching. He has made an excellent record as an educator, and was for a number of years identified with the schools of Madison county, until he recently retired and went upon a farm.
Willard H. Thomas, who represents one of the oldest Indiana fam- ilies, was born in Floyd county, March 25, 1872, a son of William and Sarah (Boley) Thomas. The Thomas family originated in Virginia, where it was settled during the colonial period. John Thomas. the founder of the family name and fortunes in Indiana, came out to what was then regarded the west and located in southern Indiana, and spent the rest of his lifetime in Harrison county. At his death he was buried upon the old homestead, which he had entered from the government and to which he and his children had given many years of labor in the clear- ing and cultivation. He had a large family of children, and one of them was William, who in turn had a son named William, the latter William being the father of the educator above named. William Thomas, the father, is still a resident of Harrison county. He served in Company C of the Eighty-first Indiana Infantry, and was a soldier until incapaci- tated from further service by ill health. He was the father of three children, named as follows: Willard H .; Vernette A., who graduated from the common schools and studied in the State Normal, after which she was a teacher for some time until her marriage to Mr. Harry Mark- well; Edwin M., principal of the Hamilton school in Jackson township of Madison county.
Mr. Willard H. Thomas spent his youth on a farm, and when old enough began walking back and forth to the neighboring district schools,
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in which he attained his early training and was finally graduated from the common schools. He secured a license to teach at the age of seven- teen, and at intervals between his work as teacher he attended the Cen- tral Normal College at Danville, Indiana, and in 1896 entered the State Normal School, where he was graduated in 1899. Mr. Thomas possesses a life certificate, granted by the state. He served as principal of the Georgetown school, resigning there and after a year spent at Hunting- burg came to Madison county in the fall of 1901. He became principal of the Perkinsville school, and in all the schools where he has taught the cause of education has prospered, and he has left his impress for good upon hundreds of young men and women. He continued actively in educational work until the fall of 1912, at which time he retired and took up his residence on the farm in Stoney Creek township.
On Christmas Day of 1895 Mr. Thomas married Miss Nellie Gresham. She was reared and educated in southern Indiana, and attained a high school education. The three children of their marriage are named Harold G., age thirteen ; Roscoe E., age eleven ; and Jessie Vernette, age eight. The family worship in the Methodist church at Lapel, and Mr. Thomas is secretary of Lapel Lodge No. 625, A. F. & A. M. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he and his wife have membership with the Eastern Star and with the Rebekahs. He belongs to the Camp of the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he is a Democrat, though he has never taken much part in party affairs.
LAFE J. BURR. Among the substantial business firms of Anderson, Indiana, that of the Jackson-Burr Company, dealers in insurance and real estate, holds prominent place. Established over a quarter of a cen- tury ago, the career of the concern has been one of constant development in size and prominence, and its members are widely known in the com- mercial circles of the city. Lafe J. Burr, president of the Jackson-Burr Company, has been a resident of Anderson for more than forty years, and during this time has so closely identified himself with its interests as to make himself a place among the men to whom the city owes its pres- tige. He was born at Middletown, Henry county, Indiana, December 15, 1845, his parents being Chauncey H. and Jane ( Williams) Burr, natives of Oneida county, New York, and Union county, Indiana, respectively.
Chauncey H. Burr was born on March 11, 1806, and he was a tanner by trade, and a manufacturer of leather, lines of business that he fol- lowed extensively for a number of years at Middletown, Indiana. He died in his eighty-eighth year, having been identified with the commer- cial and industrial interests of Middletown since 1829, and as justice of the peace his service covered a continuous period of fifty years. His wife died on November 18, 1869. In politics Mr. Burr was an old line Whig, and upon the organization of the Republican party he transferred his support to that faction, of which he continued an active and inter- ested worker and member up to the time of his death.
Lafe Joseph Burr received his early education in the public school at Middletown, Indiana, and on completing his studies became a clerk in a general store in that place. Subsequently he went to Cincinnati, there attending a commercial college, after which he returned to Middletown. In March, 1863, he enlisted in the Union army for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company A, One Hundred Thirty-seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Col. Len A. Harris, and participating in many sanguinary engagements. While in active service Vol. 11-11
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in Maryland, in 1864, Mr. Burr was captured by the enemy, but on the same day the Union troops made an attack that resulted in the rescue of their comrades. He continued to serve valiantly and faithfully until the expiration of his service, when he received his honorable discharge and returned to the pursuits of peace in Indiana. Not long thereafter the young soldier entered the employ of Vanuxem & Leeds, of Richmond, Indiana, wholesale dealers in tobaceo and cigars, and remained with this firm from 1866 to 1870. In the latter year he was married to Miss Laura Sonnefield, of Brazil, Indiana, a daughter of Henry F. Sonne- field, a prominent merchant of that place. After his marriage Mr. Burr located at Middletown, Indiana, where he engaged in the drug business and continued therein until 1872. He then came to Anderson, Indiana, here engaging in the manufacture of wagon and carriage wood stock and as a dealer in hardwood lumber, which he sold to the jobbing trade throughout the various States of the Middle West, doing business under the firm style of Lafe J. Burr & Company. This continued until 1886. In 1889 Mr. Burr engaged in the insurance and real estate business under the firm name of Jackson and Burr, the first office of this firm being located over the Nichol & Makepeace hardware store. From that place it was moved to the corner of Eleventh and Main streets, and there they now have a well appointed office, where they handle a large amount of business. They are conceded to be the leading dealers in their especial line in the city, and both Mr. Burr, who is president, and Mr. Jackson, who is secretary and treasurer, are men of high standing in business circles of the city.
Mr. Burr was for twelve years a member and president of the trustees of the Water Board of Anderson, and during his presidency the water works were constructed, the system now being entirely com- plete, with a recent installation of a water filter that renders the water absolutely pure. He was also county commissioner of Madison county for nine years. In his politics Mr. Burr is a member of the Progressive party and he is active in the party ranks. He is a member of Major May Post, G. A. R., and his wife has long been an active member of the Woman's Relief Corps, and is past department president of the organi- zation of Indiana. Mr. Burr was at one time a member of all the Masonic bodies, but is now demitted, belonging only to Mount Moriah Lodge No. 77, A. F. & A. M. He is prominent with its members and has many friends in business and social circles throughout the city. The family are members of the Presbyterian chureh.
Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Burr: Claude S., born March 6, 1871, a bright and promising boy, died on October 2, 1911. He was managing editor of the Guthrie State Capital, the leading Repub- lican daily of Oklahoma. Kenneth M., now chief inspector of the United States Steel Company at Gary, Indiana, was captain of Company L, One Hundred and Sixtieth Indiana Volunteers, and served one year in Cuba, and as major of the Thirtieth United States Volunteers served two years in the Philippine Islands. Both were educated at Peekskill Military Academy, on the IIudson River, New York.
ALVIN B. WILLIAMSON. Alvin B. Williamson has a well cultivated tract of eighty acres of land in Fall Creek township, where he carries on stoek farming, and where he has reached a comfortable state of pros- perity in his agricultural activities. He ranks among the best known and most popular citizens of the township, and has a host of good friends
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