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 67
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
528
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
1807, and the instrument conveyed to his heirs his entire property, repre- sented largely by slaves and land.
The son of this worthy patriot was Isaac Forkner, who was the great- grandfather of the subject. He was born in North Carolina in 1775, and when the War of 1812 was in progress he gave service throughout its duration. For his splendid aid he was awarded by the government a land warrant for 160 acres of valuable Indiana land, in lieu of a pension. Mr. Forkner settled in Wayne county in 1818, and he was one of the earliest inhabitants of the town of Centerville, where he lived for years and prospered in accordance with his merit. He died at Millville, in Liberty township, in 1863, when he was aged eighty-eight years, and he was long remembered as one of the finest characters the community had known. The eldest son of Isaac Forkner was Jesse, who was born in North Carolina, like his father. It may be said that he was one of the earliest land owners in Henry county, this state, and lie came here with his father, settling upon land in 1822. Liberty township became his permanent home, and he became a power in local politics early in life. He was elected sheriff of Henry county in 1830, serving nntil 1833, and in 1837 he moved into Madison county, where he passed his remaining days. During his residence in Madison county he played a leading part in the public life and activities of his district, and was county commissioner one term, as well as having officiated in other capacities. He was a man of splendid integrity, and was remembered as one of the most progressive farming men the county possessed. None shared more fully in public esteem and approbation than he, and in addition to a fair estate, he left the priceless heritage of a good name, well protected by him throughout his life and passed on to his heirs withont spot or blemish of his pro- curing.
Madison Forkner was the son of Jesse Forkner, and was second in order of birth. He in his turn became prominent in farming circles, and was one of the most successful and prosperous men in his community. Before he located in Henry county he married Charlotte Blacklidge, and to them were born seven children, named as follows: Cornelius, now deceased : James Marion, the immediate subject of this review: Mrs. Malinda Crone; Mrs. Martha Lower: Alfred L., deceased; Mrs. Eliza- beth T. Porter, and Hattie B. Tappan.
James Marion Forkner was born on the old Forkner farm, now owned. by Jasper Bronnenberg. As a boy he attended the Union sehool and later was a student in a well known college of the state. He was well tutored in the business of farming also, and when he was twenty-one years old set out independently on a forty-aere farm, with a log eabin home adorning his acreage. It is pleasing to note here that he did not long remain the proprietor of a "forty," nor did he continue as a dweller in log cabins, but rather that he became the owner of one of the finest stoek farms in the state. A short time ago Mr. Forkner, wishing to retire from aetive business life, sold his place for $28,000. and a brief descrip- tion of the place to which he gave so many years of his life and which prospered so bountifully under his care, is properly entered at this point. Forkner Stock Farm lies some eight miles distant from Anderson, the county seat of Madison county, and but six miles from Alexandria, a thriving young city of about 12,000 population. A solid traet of 225 aeres of rieh soil comprise the place, and ineluding a twenty aere wood-lot and pasture. Slightly rolling, as is much of the best land of Indiana. the place has the best possible drainage. with an abundance of shade
1
529
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
trees in the most appropriate places, and it boasts a fine orehard of 170 trees in bearing, with an abundance of small fruits. Three wells, none of which has ever failed, furnish a bountiful supply of the purest water, and a windmill adds further to the equipment of the place. The entire place is fenced in the most approved manner, and fine graveled roads lead to all points from the farm to the adjacent markets. A hand- some residenee, ereeted at on inside cost of $3,000, makes for the greater comfort of the owners, the same having been built by Mr. Forkner in the days when he was yet engrossed in the eares of farming and farm life, and a modern grain barn built at a cost of $1,500 provides for the boun- tiful erops that are annually enticed from the willing soil. Twelve other buildings are in evidence upon the place, included among which are two tenement houses, the whole representative of a cash expenditure of several thousand dollars on the part of Mr. Forkner. The chief indus- try of the place in the days when Mr. Forkner was its proprietor was stock raising, with some grain production, and the annual output of the place in stock and grain aggregated $5,000. On the whole, the place is one of the finest in the county and state, and represents a praiseworthy cutlay of toil and money on the part of the man who founded the business and brought it to the admirable position it held when Mr. Forkner ceased to be the owner.
In December, 1905, after Mr. Forkner sold the farm, he moved to what is known as the Blacklidge Park, and today he is the owner of barely sixty-four acres, having gradually parted with all his farm lands but that small aereage. He has since given up all active interest in farms and farming as an operator, and is living a retired life near the city of Anderson, and is enjoying to the utmost the fruits of his years of strenuous attention to business.
Mr. Forkner in early manhood married Miss Ellen Catherine Tappan, a daughter of David D. and Elizabeth (McNear) Tappan. The mother is still living. at the advanced age of 82. Mrs. Forkner's sisters are Mrs. J. M. Watkins, deceased, Mrs. Geo. Kirk and Mrs. Emma Jackson. To this union were born three children, coneerning whom, with their respec- tive families, brief mention is here incorporated. The first born, Charles E., married Aldine Mae (Smelser), and they have two children, Austin H. and Francis E. Charles Forkner makes his home in Marshalltown. Iowa, and has for some years heen prominently known to the manufactur- ing interests of that city. In early manhood he was for six years em- ployed as a mail elerk, but business interests of his own have later claimed him. Earl A. Forkner, the second born son of James Marion Forkner, passed through the common schools of his native community and later was a graduate of Anderson and DePauw, as well as the University of Indiana at Bloomington. He was later graduated from the University of Michigan in the electrical engineering profession, and is now engaged in its practice and in the manufacturing business in Marshalltown, Iowa, although he was engaged in educational work for some years. He married Martin J. Wolfe, and is now the business partner of his brother, Charles E., mentioned above. Walter M. Forkner, the third and last born of the three children of his parents, married Etta M. Gilerist, a native danghter of Greenburg, Indiana, and they have two children, Marjorie E. and Gertrude C. Walter Forkner was educated in the common sehools, and early took to farm life, in which he continued for some years. He later he became interested in the fire insurance business and is now aetive and prominent in fire and life insurance eireles of Cass county. He, like
530
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
his brothers, is a man who takes a leading place in business and political activities of his community, and all three are sturdy young men who are a distinct credit to their honored and honorable parents, and who are most creditably carrying forward the family name in Indiana.
Mr. Forkner, the father of these sons, is Republican in his politics, and like all the men of his family, from the earliest representative down to the latest, takes an intelligent and praiseworthy interest in the business of the city and county with which he is identified. He was elected by central committeemen of the county to the office of treasurer for ten or twelve years and was road supervisor. He paid insurance premiums policy for nineteen years in the Union Central and received $5,352. He has long been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and his fra- ternal relations are confined to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with which he has fraternized for some years as an active and esteemed member. In concluding this sketch, a newspaper article relating to the industry of Mrs. Forkner is here appended :
The recent discussion regarding a license ordinance for butter makers suggested to Mrs. J. M. Forkner that she find how much butter she had made and marketed. Mrs. Forkner has made and sold butter for many years. The past fifteen years she has kept an accurate count of her work. In that time she has made 28,441 pounds or an average of from four to five pounds a day.
When Mr. and Mrs. Forkner lived on a farm in Richland township there were times when they kept seven or eight cows. A year ago they moved to Anderson. Since then they have kept only one or two cows. There are some customers Mrs. Forkner has supplied with butter for eighteen years.
In making butter Mrs. Forkner was always slow to take up with new fangled notions. A paddle she used for nearly fifteen years was made by her and preferred over manufactured paddles. This paddle was practically worn out a couple of years ago. Mrs. Forkner gave it to her son Charles E. Forkner, who proposes to keep it as a memento. For a dozen years Mrs. Forkner did her churning with a gas engine.
ADAM SCHUSTER. Anderson township can boast of some of the most beautiful farms to be found in Madison county, and among these none has been brought to a higher state of cultivation than the country home of Dr. Jonas Stewart, a handsome tract of 120 acres, lying on the Ander- son road. This property has been brought to its present excellent con- dition through the efforts of Adam Schuster, who has charge of the operations for Dr. Stewart. Mr. Schuster has made farming his life work, and his long experience his constant study of farming conditions, his ready ability to adapt himself to and adopt new ideas and his untiring perseverance have made him known as an expert in his chosen line. He was born on a farm near Cincinnati, in Hamilton county, Ohio, May 28, 1858, and is a son of John and Mary (Schumberger) Schuster.
John Schuster was a native of the Fatherland, where lie received his education and was reared to manhood. He was industrious and enterprising and, seeing no satisfactory prospects in his own country, decided to try his fortunes in the United States. Accordingly, when about thirty years of age, he took passage for New York, and shortly after his landing made his way to Cincinnati, Ohio, and entered the truck gardening business in which he continued throughout the remainder of his active career. He became reasonably successful, was a well-known
-
1
531
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
and highly esteemed citizen of his community, and reared a family of six children, of whom Adam is the only resident of Madison county. One brother, Daniel, is living in the vicinity of Cincinnati, while three brothers and a sister, John, George, Christopher and Kate, are all deceased.
Adam Schuster received a public school education in the institutions of Franklin county, Ohio, and was brought up an agriculturist. As soon as he had completed his schooling, he entered upon his career as a tiller of the soil, and this occupation he has continued to follow to the present time. He assumed the management of the operations on Dr. Stewart's property on Anderson road. Each succeeding year has seen new improve- ments made, and the success which Mr. Schuster has attained in the raising of crops of bumper size is a demonstration of how far the science of farming may be perfected. He believes in the use of the most progressive methods and high power machinery in his farm work, and has also been successful in breeding a high grade of cattle.
In July, 1890, Mr. Schuster was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Johnson, whose parents came to Madison county from Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Schuster have had one son: George, who is attending the Anderson schools. They are also rearing an adopted child, Freda Schuster, who is seven years of age and is also a school student. During his residence in Anderson township Mr. Schuster has made many friends and everywhere he is recognized as a worthy representative of the best agricultural element.
SANFORD R. Moss. Located in Richland township, not far from the city of Anderson is found Shadeland Stock farm, a property of sixty acres from which comes some of the finest light harness horses bred in Madison county. The proprietor of this enterprise, Sanford R. Moss, has had a long and successful experience in his line of work, having been trained therein as a boy, and his firmly-established reputation as a raiser, breeder and trainer of these animals has created an active demand for his animals in the markets of the big cities. Mr. Moss was born on his present property, March 12, 1846, and is a son of William J. and Elizabeth (Gordon) Moss.
The Moss family originated in Germany, the grandfather of San- ford R. Moss, John Moss, being the founder of the family in America. He emigrated from the Fatherland as a young man and located first in Virginia, later moving to Ohio. William J. Moss was born in Virginia, from whence he was taken by his parents as a small boy to Ohio, and there received his education and grew to manhood. Seeking his fortune, in young manhood he came to Madison county and secured a small tract of land from the government, on which he erected a log cabin, the first home here of himself and wife. As the years passed and his finances permitted he added to his holdings until he had 360 acres, all under cultivation, and improved this property with sub- stantial buildings for his cattle and grain, and a commodious and comfortable residence. An industrious, energetic citizen, he did not confine his efforts to farming, but branched out into the cattle and horse business, and also devoted some attention to milling. At the time of his death he was one of his community's substantial men and a citizen whose position among his fellow-men was assured. William J. and Elizabeth (Gordon) Moss were the parents of seven children :
532
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
John, Jennie, Margaret, Sanford R., Samuel, Frederick and Belle of whom Sanford R. and Samuel survive.
The boyhood home of Sanford R. Moss was a primitive log house, and he was reared amid the surroundings of a newly-opened country. Like the other children of his parents, he was given the advantages of education as afforded by the common schools of his day and locality, the winter terms lasting for three months, while the rest of the year was passed by the youth in the hard, unremitting toil of clearing the home place from the timber which almost completely covered it. Thus he grew to manhood, being trained in the habits of honesty, industry and thrift, and continued to remain under the parental roof until he reached the age of twenty-seven years. Upon the death of his father he assumed the management of the enterprises in which the elder man had been engaged, and continued to successfully operate them for a number of years, although at this time he devotes himself exclusively to training and breeding light harness horses. As a breeder he has a reputation that extends far beyond the limits of his home locality, orders for his animals coming from far distant points all over the country. Although Mr. Moss has reached an age when the majority of men feel that they have earned a rest from their labors, he continues to manage his affairs and to do his own work, a clean, healthy and temperate life having given him a robust constitution and a mind that is alert and responsive. He bears the reputation of being a man whose ventures have ever been of a strictly legitimate nature, and one who, while always ready to grasp an opportunity, has never dealt otherwise than in an honorable manner with his fellow men.
Mr. Moss was married in 1876 to Martha Thornberg, daughter of Thomas Thornberg who came to Madison county from Ohio and for years was the owner and operator of a farm in Richland township. There were six children in the Thornberg family: Richard and Calvin, who are deceased, Jolin, Martha, Jennie Doris and Mrs. Mary Lukens. At the time of the death of his brother-in-law, Richard Thornberg, Mr. Moss adopted one of the latter's children, Thomas, when he reared, and who is now a resident of Texas. Mr. Moss takes only a good citizen's interest in affairs of a public nature, but endeavors to support good men and progressive measures. His long residence in this community has gained him a wide reputation and many warm friends.
FREDERICK LANTZ. The proprietor of the largest store in Pendle- ton, Mr. Lantz really belongs in the front rank of Madison county merchants, and is still a young man who has attained a striking busi- ness success at a time when most of his contemporaries are just begin- ning their careers.
Frederick Lantz was born at Richmond, Indiana, February 26, 1883, a son of Lewis F. and Luella Lantz. Both parents now reside in Milton, Wayne county, this state. The family were early settled in the old Quaker district of Wayne county, and the name has always been identified with integrity and the best of business principles. Frederick Lantz received his education at Richmond, but soon after his first lessons in life his father moved to Milton in the same county. where he engaged in the dry goods business. The son, after attending the grade schools and graduating from the Milton high school, entered his father's store at the age of eighteen and was in active association until 1907. At that date he came to Pendleton and went into the dry goods,
---
1 - 1
533
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
clothing and shoe business at this town. In five years' time he has built up the largest business of the kind in the town, and has acquired a very prosperous trade both in the village and throughout the sur- rounding country. Mr. Lantz is a modern man of business, punctual in all his affairs, keeping his enterprise up to date at every point, insisting upon the fair and square deal and while furnishing good service in merchandise to his customers also enjoys a fine degree of prosperity for himself.
In 1906 Mr. Lantz married Miss Elizabeth Morris. Mrs. Lantz was born in Wayne county, Indiana, was graduated from the Milton High school and was also a student of the Indiana State University. They are the parents of one child, Deborah, now four years of age. Mrs. Lantz is one of the active members of the Pendleton Friends church. Mr. Lantz has passed through thirty-two degrees of Scottish Rite Masonery, is past master of his lodge at Milton, was high priest of his chapter, and his local affiliations are with Madison Lodge, No. 44, A. F. & A. M. and with the Mystic Shrine at Indianapolis. Mr. Lantz cast his vote for the Republican candidate with somewhat consistent regularity up to the campaign of 1912, but at that time joined the Progressive party and voted accordingly.
CHARLES C. STUDLEY. Among Madison county's sons who have attained distinction in varied fields of active usefulness, none is better known or more highly esteemed in his community than Charles C. Studley of Lapel, who as soldier, business man, public official and citizen has discharged ably and conscientiously every obligation of life. From the dark days of the Civil War, when he valiantly fought under the flag of his country, to the present time, when he is numbered among the most able and impartial justices of the peace that have upheld the dignity of this office in Stony Creek township, his record has been unsullied, and a sketch of his career will show that his life has at all times been one of industry, integrity and general usefulness to his fellow men. Judge Studley was born on a farm in Stony Creek town- ship, Madison county, Indiana, August 2, 1843, and is a son of Datis E. and Ruth (Casler) Studley, the former of whom died in 1872 and the latter in 1870. Of their eleven children, ten were reared to manhood and womanhood, three sons served in the Union army, and three sons and two daughters still survive.
Charles C. Studley passed his boyhood and youth on the home farm, securing his edueation in the common schools of Stony Creek town- ship, which he was attending at the time of the outbreak of the struggle between the North and South. Filled with youthful patriotism, with other school lads of his community, he enlisted in Company E, 130th Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered into the United States service at Kokomo, Indiana, December 2, 1863. This was known as one of the hard-fighting regiments of the Union service and participated in many hotly-contested engagements, including those of the Atlanta campaign, where it was under fire for one hundred and twenty days. In 1865, after two days of severe fighting at Nashville, the Twenty-third Army Corps, with which the 130th was identified, was ordered to form a conjunction with General Sherman on his famous march to the sea, and subsequently went to Fort Fisher, Fort Anderson and Moorehead, North Carolina, then fighting its way to Raleigh. On April 14. 1865, the Confederate general, Johnson,. surrendered, and the
534
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Union forces moved on to Charlotte, where the men of Mr. Studley's regiment received their honorable discharge, he leaving the service with the rank of duty sergeant, having gained promotion through fidelity to duty and fearless participation in battle.
On returning to the occupations of peace, Mr. Studley embraced the vocation of carpenter, at which he was working at the time of his first marriage, in Stony Creek township, September 9, 1866, to Miss Louisa Hauger. She died May 4, 1880, leaving four children, of whom three are living at this time: Martha J., single, a professional nurse residing at Anderson, Indiana; Alma, who is the wife of J. B. La Boutie, of Birmingham, Alabama; and Nora, the wife of Lewis Medill, engaged in the clothing business in that southern city. On February 19, 1882, Judge Studley was married to Matilda Cotterell, and to this union were born three children: Margaret, a graduate of the Lapel High school, and now the wife of B. B. Early, manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company, at Shelbyville, Indiana; Charles W., engaged as a glass blower at Robinson, Illinois, who married Maude Ward; and Ruth, who is single and resides at home, a clerk in a store at Lapel.
The family for many years has been identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and its members have been active in religious and charitable work. Judge Studley is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, and as a member of Hiram G. Fisher Post No. 366, Grand Army of the Republic, is serving as adjutant and was formerly com- mander. By a special act of Congress, he draws a pension of twenty- four dollars per month in appreciation of his valued services during the Rebellion. In political matters Judge Studley was for many years a supporter of Republican principles, but in the campaign of 1912 demonstrated his progressiveness by casting his ballot with the new so- called "Bull Moose" party. For many years he has acted in the capacity of justice of the peace, and the very length of his service gives evidence of the ability with which he has discharged the duties of his responsible office. 'He is well known in insurance circles as the representative of four of the leading companies, and so well has he managed his interests that he now enjoys the reputation of one whom suceess always attends, and his connection with any enterprise is taken as a guaranty of its stability. Mr. Studley did not have wealth to aid him in the beginning of his career. His reliance has been placed in the more substantial qualities of perseverance, untiring enterprise, resolute purpose and commendable zeal, and his actions have ever been guided by an honesty of purpose that none have questioned.
JAMES D. MCKENZIE. Situated half a mile southwest of the town of Lapel in Stony Creek township the rural home of James D. Mckenzie, a place of one hundred and twenty acres possesses all the attractive improvements and profitable quality for which Madison county farms are noted throughout the state. Mr. Mckenzie has made farming his life work, has given it his best energy, and not only has substantial material fruits of his labors, but also the esteem and respect of the community in which he has for many years resided.
James D. Mckenzie was born in White River township in Hamilton county, Indiana, Angust 8, 1850, a son of Andrew J. and Nancy D. (Ferguson) MeKenzie. The father, a native of Kentucky, was reared up to the age of fourteen in Cineinnati, Oho, and then came to Hamilton county, where he spent the remainder of his career as a farmer. In 1856
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.