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 71
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In 1891 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Clark to Miss Olive B. Burnett. She was born and reared in Anderson and is a popular figure in social affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have three children: George L., Ralph Walker, and Mary Ellen.
JOHN H. KOONS. The eminence of Anderson among the industrial centers of Indiana has been due to the presence here of a group of men possessed of special genius as inventors and manufacturers and of fine capabilities as organizers and business builders. Capital has been less conspicuous in the net results than personal ability, and it is with pride that the city regards its lists of industrial executives. One of these is Mr. Koons, the inventor and consulting engineer of the Koons Oil Fur- nace Company, designers and manufacturers of the Koons Hot Blast low pressure oil buruing system, for all kinds of heating.
John H. Koons has had a long and varied experience in me- chanical fields and has been identified with Anderson since 1904. He was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1860, a son of John W. and Mary (Buss) Koons, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania. As a boy he attended the public schools and a select school in his native town. His first work on leaving school was as a clerk in a drug store. His inclinations were for applied mechanics, and he soon learned the trade of machinist under his father. After that he traveled extensively as a journeyman workman through the western states, including Cali- fornia, Arizona and others, and gained a broad knowledge of both manufacturing and operating lines of his work. In 1898 he returned to Allentown, Pennsylvania, and for some time was engaged in farming in that city. Afterwards he moved to Ohio, and was in the oil fields at DuBois near Lima, being interested in the oil business and also work- ing at his regular profession. He was there about eighteen months and in 1904 moved to Anderson which has since been his prominent home. Mr. Koons is able to work out almost any problem of practical mechan- ics, and has an original ability of invention, the most practical and profitable result of which has been the Koons Oil Furnace, now being. manufactured by the company of which he is consulting engineer and a member. The fuel used in these furnaces is exclusively petroleum, and the furnace is constructed on a special design, for complete combus- tion of this fuel. It has proved very practical, economical, and wher- ever tried, however severe the test may have been, has not only satisfied every claim made for it, but has won permanent friends and advocates. The company which manufacture the furnaces have succeeded in intro- ducing it into many states of the Union and after the years in which the business has been promoted the name of Koons Hot Blast Furnace has attained a standard of quality and value which sells itself. Mr. Koons is not only an inventor and designer, but a good business organizer and executive, and the company with which he is associated is regarded as one of the strongest industries in the city of Anderson. Associated with Mr. Koons in the practical direction of the concern is Mr. J. M. Millett, secretary-treasurer of the company. The plant is located at 630 Meridian street, and has a fine equipment of machinery, its power
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being supplied by electric motors. The furnace has been designed and has a practical use for store, business houses, churches, schoolhouses and residences, and not only furnishes superior heating facilities, but is demonstrably more economical than most furnaces now in use.
In 1895 Mr. Koons married Miss Clara Evett, of Lehighton, Penn- sylvania, in which city she was born, reared and educated. They have no children. Mr. Koons is affiliated with the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, and the Travelers Protective Association. In one of the best residence districts of Anderson he has his home, built in 1911, which in point of architectural design is one of the most attractive and is among the most modern in its appointments and furnishings in the city.
FRANK KNIGHT. The possibilities of any business are almost unlim- ited when there is a foundation of thorough and reliable workmanship, square dealing in every relation between the business and its patrons, and a thorough regard for the wholesome business principles and prac- tices. Mr. Frank Knight of Anderson has for many years been iden- tified with the painting and decorative trade, and has built up as a contractor a business such as the proprietors of many more ostentatious industries might well envy. He is deemed one of the responsible and public spirited citizens of Anderson, and has been a resident of this city for upwards of forty years.
Frank Knight was born in Logan county, near West Liberty, Ohio, on Christmas Day of 1848. His father was James and his mother Barbara (Daley) Knight, the former born at Richmond, Indiana, in 1818. Grandfather William Knight was a native of Kentucky. one of the early settlers of both Ohio and Indiana, was a miller by trade, and worked at different mills in both states. His death occurred in Ohio, and his wife also passed away in that state.
Frank Knight received his early training at West Liberty, attend- ing both the common and high schools, and also was a student in a select school at Bluffton, Ohio. When he left school it was to begin work in the mill with his father, and he continued in that line of business until his twenty-first year. He then went south and located at Chattanooga, Tennessee, a town which was then just coming forward as an industrial center, and enjoying a great boom. He remained there for three years and engaged in the building business. During that time he became very familiar with the local citizenship and also with the historical localities of Lookout Mountain and other points about the city. In 1875 Mr. Knight located at Anderson, where for several years he followed his trade as painter and paperhanger. He then became associated with other parties in the milling business for four years, and until 1884 was connected with the firm of E. E. Henderson & Com- pany in painting and decorating. In the latter year he took up con- tracting in painting and decorative arts by himself, and from small be- ginnings has gradually built up a large and valued service in these lines. He has painted many of the fine residences both inside and out, has done a great deal of all classes of decorative work in churches, schoolhouses, had the contract for the work on the courthouse of Ander- son, and at the state capitol in Indianapolis, painted the outside, did the papering and frescoing and decorating of the interior in both the senate and house of representatives chambers. He has a large local business and employs a staff of many workmen during the busy sea-
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son. His careful and honest work speaks for itself, and he has built up his enterprise until it now needs no advertising or unusual exploitations.
Mr. Knight in 1876 married Miss Martha Kemp, a daughter of Joseph L. Kemp, a native of Logan county, Ohio. Her father is now living in his ninety-fourth year, and is hale and hearty and is in full possession of all his faculties. The only son and child of their union is Franklin J., now a resident of Los Angeles, California, and engaged in the automobile business. He is married and has a home of his own.
Mr. Knight is a Republican in politics, but has never been an office- seeker, though he has given his assistance in the campaigns of his friends. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias fraternity. His large and substantial residence in Anderson is located at the corner of Eighth street and Madison avenue, and is one of the model homes of a very attractive district. Mr. Knight is fond of his home and family, and keeps a large place in his affections and time for domestic interests. He has one of the handsomest lawns in Anderson, beautifully set with shade trees and cared for so as to bring out every point of beauty and neatness.
JESSE ROTHROCK. An industry which during the past several decades has grown and flourished in eastern Indiana, is the operation of farm lands for the production of dairy goods. Ever since the necessity for pure milk has been recognized, many of the most progressive farmers and business men have devoted their activities to dairying. One of the best sources of good milk in the city of Anderson is supplied by Jesse Rothrock, who has a thoroughly equipped modern dairy farm in north Anderson.
Jesse Rothrock was born on a farm six miles south of Columbus in Bartholomew county, Indiana, April 6, 1860. His father was Jesse Roth- rock, born near Rotterdam in Holland, a country noted for its great dairying industries. The grandparents came to America, accompanied by their children, and located in South Carolina, where both died shortly afterwards. The children were then scattered, and Jesse Rothrock, Sr., found a home with a planter and slave holder in that state. After he had reached young manhood he came west and located in Bartholomew county, Indiana, which was his home until 1867. He then went to Shelby county, Illinois, where he bought a tract of land direct from the government. That land under his capable industry was improved into a good farm, and by the erection of good buildings afforded a comfort- able home to the senior Rothrock until his death in 1898 in his eighty- second year. Jesse Rothrock, Sr., married Sarah Wilson. She survived her husband a number of years, and died in 1908. There were three daughters and one son in the family.
Jesse Rothrock, the only son, was reared on a farm, had a substan- tial training in all the fundamentals of agriculture, and continued to make his home with his parents until 1885. He then came to Indiana, and located at Greencastle, where he was engaged in farming for five years. From there he transferred his home to Madison county, and bought land on Meridian avenue in North Anderson. There he built several tene- ment houses, and while looking after his real estate interests was for several years in the employ of the Local Gas Company. In 1909, Mr. Rothrock bought a farm on Indiana avenue, one mile from the court- house, and there established his present dairy industry. On his farm he has erected a good set of buildings including his comfortable frame dwelling house, which was remodeled from an older house. In the farm
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yard, constituting the real factory of his business, he has a commodious dairy barn, and beside it is a large silo. All the equipment is first class for dairy work, and Mr. Rothrock has consistently maintained a high standard for all his products, which are sold in the local market.
In 1884, Mr. Rothrock married Viola Evans, who was born at Green- castle, Indiana, a daughter of Professor James E. and Susan J. Evans. Her father was a well known teacher at Greencastle, where he died in middle life. Mrs. Rothrock was reared in Greencastle, and received her education in the academy of that city. The family of Mr. Rothrock consists of himself, wife and one daughter, and they are all members of the Friends church, in which Mr. Rothrock was reared.
DANIEL MARCUS JOHNSON. One of the attractive and valuable farms of Van Buren township is the place of Daniel Marcus Johnson, compris- ing one hundred acres of fine land located about four miles northeast of Summitville and on the Jolinson road. Mr. Johnson began his career as a renter, by thrift and good management saved sufficient means to make his first purchase of land, and is now one of the substantial agricul- turists of the county. He brought a thorough experience and ability to the improvement of his place, according to his standards of what he wanted this farm to be. It is therefore a farm which has been largely shaped out by his own labors and plans and represents both a comfort- able home and a gratifying source of income.
Daniel Marcus Johnson was born September 11, 1869, on the Har- rison Allen farm in Van Buren township, a son of Joseph and Eliza- beth (Allen) Johnson. Joseph Johnson married Miss Allen in Hancock county, and then brought his young wife to Randolph county, and thence to Madison county, where he bought land in Van Buren township. He was a successful farmer, and a man of local influence, and his death on April 7, 1908, was a distinct loss to the community. He is buried in the cemetery of the Odd-Fellows. The thirteen children in this family were: Manson U .; Minerva J .; Jesse A .; Daniel M .; Mary E., who died May 29, 1909 ; Lewis W .; Amanda L .; Etta L .; John C .; Della A .; Pearl A., James M., and Sarah, all three now deceased.
Daniel Marcus Johnson was married September 30, 1908, to Estella May Taylor, a daughter of George and Alice (Howe) Taylor. Her parents now live in Bartholomew county, Indiana, where George Taylor was born. He was the son of Powell and Hattie Taylor. George Taylor was a farmer, was educated in the common schools, and has been one of the prosperous farmers near Columbus. The five children in the Taylor family included the following: Mrs. Johnson; Louie Mobley; Bessie Galbreith; Hattie Stoughton, of Elizabethtown, Indiana; Georgie Guinn, of Columbus, Indiana. Mrs. Johnson received her education in the com- mon schools near Columbus, Indiana, and has been well trained for her part as a home-maker and mother. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have two children, George C. and Martha E.
Mr. Johnson was brought up in Madison county, and as a boy attended the "Zedekar" school. While going to school he worked on the farm. Finally he rented land and began accumulating the money for establishing himself independently as a farmer. He then bought a farm and has since increased his means with every year. His chief occupa- tion has been farming and the raising of the Duroc hogs, and he sends a large number to market each year. Mr. Johnson is a member
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of the Primitive Baptist church and Mrs. Johnson is a member of the Missionary Baptist church.
JAMES M. HUNDLEY. When a boy James M. Hundley was a Union soldier. His early experiences and associations were with a farm, and he had his full share of farm life. He was a railroader and also a street car driver, finally finished his education, was a school teacher, was admitted to the Indiana bar about forty years ago, and was for many years one of the leading lawyers in the north half of Madison county,, and at the same time active in official affairs. Mr. Hundley is now retired and enjoys the activities and atmosphere of country life, devoting all his time to the cultivation of a valuable little fruit farm near north Summitville.
James M. Hundley was born July 6, 1848, in Clinton county, Ohio, a son of William and Jane (Martin) Hundley. The father came from Leesburg, Virginia, settled in Ohio when a young man and for a num- ber of years was a blacksmith at the town of Lynchburg, Ohio. The children in his family were: John, deceased; James M .; Amanda P .; William, Alvira, Andrew, George, Mary, all deceased; Clara Latchaw and Jasper, deceased.
James M. Hundley was reared in Grant county. His father had moved to that county in 1851, and built the first blacksmith shop at Fairmount, where he plied his trade for a number of years. After a brief period of schooling in Grant county, the war came on and diverted the attention of the school boy from all thought of school. He enlisted in the Fifth Indiana Cavalry, but on account of his youthful years was taken out and had to bide his time for a while. Afterwards, in August, 1864, he enlisted in Company E of the One Hundred and Fortieth Infantry, under Col. Thomas J. Brady, and during the last two years of the war was in service in the department of the Ohio under General Schofield. The division commander was A. D. Cox and the brigade commander was the late General Thomas Henderson of Illinois. Return- ing home a veteran, young Hundley found that in the meantime his father had moved to Van Buren township in Madison county, and soon afterward he left home and began work as a brakeman, on the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, running out of Indianapolis. After that for a time he was a street car driver on the College avenue line in Indi- anapolis. All the time he had his thoughts and ambitions centered upon better things, and in order to be properly equipped for his larger field, he attended school, and finished his education in the city schools of Marion and Anderson. Afterwards he was employed as a teacher up to 1886. In the meantime in 1874 he had gained admission to the bar, and from 1886 until 1897 was actively identified with his profes- sion in Summitville. In January, 1897, President Mckinley appointed Mr. Hundley postmaster at Summitville, and by reappointment under President Roosevelt he served two terms in that office.
Mr. Hundley in the session of 1904-05 was chosen a member of the State Legislature from a flotarial district comprising Madison, Clinton and Tipton counties. The present home of Mr. Hundley is on the out- skirts of north Summitville, a pleasant little farm of forty acres, and there he follows his inclinations as a fruit grower. He also raises poultry and hogs and is making a profit as well as a delightful home and a pleasant occupation for his old age.
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October 23. 1874, Mr. Hundley married Miss Sarah Fennimore, a daughter of Henry and Barbara (Holt) Fennimore. The five children of Mr. and Mrs. Hundley are: Maggie L., deceased; Verna M., at home ; William H .; Frank M., who married Mahel Johnson; and John E., at home. The family all are communicants of the Christian church.
FRANK W. WITTER. The genuine western spirit of enterprise and progress is exemplified in the careers of such men as Frank W. Witter, of Van Buren township-men whose laudable ambition, persevering determination and energetic natures have enabled them to conquer many adverse circumstances and surmount numerous obstacles, and to advance steadily to a leading position in their chosen walks of life. A resi- dent of Van Buren township for upwards of a quarter of a century, Mr. Witter has during this time gained the high regard of his fellow- citizens by his genuine worth, and as the owner of 170 acres of land, all acquired through the medium of his own efforts, he is today recog- nized as one of the leading representatives of the best farming interests of his community. He is a native of Indiana, having been born near the city of Liberty, Union county, May 13, 1865, and is a son of Henry and Mary A. (Moss) Witter.
Henry Witter was born in Union county, Indiana, and still makes his home on the old farm near Liberty, where he has carried on suc- cessful farming ventures through many years. He and his wife have had ten children, namely: Charles; Lizzie, who is the wife of Mr. Ardery ; Frank W., of this review ; Riley; Elmer; Ollie, who is deceased; Etta ; Willie, who is now in the United States government service in the Philippine Islands; Clarence; and Inda.
Frank W. Witter obtained his education at the old Witter school in Union county, so named because it was located on his father's place, and during this time was thoroughly trained in agricultural pursuits while assisting his father and brothers in the work of the home place. He remained with his father until he was twenty-three years of age, and then struck out for himself, beginning his operations in Union county and coming to Madison county about the year 1888. Here he first located on a farm of sixty acres, located on what is now known as the Witter gravel road, about one and one-half miles northeast of Summit- ville, and to this he has added from time to time until he now has 170 acres, all under a high state of cultivation. He has cultivated this land until it now pays him handsomely for his labors and bumper crops give eloquent evidence of Mr. Witter's ability as a farmer. He has a fine herd of sleek, well-fed cattle, raises high grade horses, and also deals extensively in hogs and sheep, and in all of his transactions shows him- self to be an able and honorable man of business. It is always pleas- ant to trace the history of a man who has won a high place in the respect and esteem of his fellow men by his own intrinsic worth and merit, and such a sterling citizen Mr. Witter undoubtedly is. He has made the interests of his community those of his own, and while he has not served in public offices has aided in securing good men and measures for his community, thus contributing materially to its welfare. In his political views he is a Republican, while his religious connection is with the Meth- odist Episcopal church.
On February 16, 1888, Mr. Witter was married to Miss Susie Shank- lin. horn near Cottage Grove, Indiana. daughter of John and Fannie
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(Miller) Shanklin, who came from Butler county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Witter have no children.
ALVA THORN, one of the most progressive and successful agrieultur- ists of Madison county, is the owner of a handsome farm of 260 aeres, located in Van Buren township, and has the added distinetion of be- longing to that elass of self-made men of which this county is justly proud. His methods of farm management show sound judgment com- bined with deep scientific knowledge of his vocation, and the results of his labors demonstrate the fact that high-class farming as an occupation may be, made profitable as well as pleasant. He has been a resident of this region throughout his career, and during this time has firmly estab- lished himself in the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens through his public spirit and strict integrity.
Alva Thorn was born on a farm in Van Buren township, Madison county, Indiana, and is a son of Charles and Eliza ( Knight ) Thorn. IIis father, a native of Illinois, came to Madison county as a youth with his parents, Stephen and Jane (Lewis) Thorn, the former of whom entered land here from the United States government and continued to follow agricultural pursuits throughout his life. Charles Thorn followed in the footsteps of his father, adopting the vocation of tilling the soil, and through a life of industry and perseverance succeeded in becoming a substantial and influential man of his community. He and his wife were the parents of five children : Alice, who married Marison H. John- son and is now deceased ; Zina, who became the wife of James M. Gilmer ; Elizabeth, who died in girlhood; Mary, who married Geo. Underwood; and Alva.
Attending the district schools of Van Buren township during the short winter terms and devoting the rest of the year to helping his father in cultivating the home farm, the boyhood of Alva Thorn was passed in much the same manner as that of other Indiana farmers' sons of his day, and when he reached the age of twenty-one years he was thor- oughly prepared to engage in the battles of life. He started his career as a farmer on a traet of land rented from his father, a part of the old home place, but subsequently purchased a property of his own, to which he has since added by purchase from time to time. On this land he has erected good and commodious buildings, including a comfortable modern residence not far from Summitville, and various other improvements have made this a very desirable property. In addition to being a sue- cessful general farmer, he has met with a gratifying success in breed- ing hogs and cattle, and as a business man is recognized as being pos- sessed of more than ordinary ability.
Mr. Thorn was married March 22, 1888, to Miss Martha J. Johnson, of Van Buren township, daughter of Reuben and Sarah (Hastings) Johnson, old settlers of Madison county. Mrs. Thorn is a native of Grant county, Indiana, born August 30, 1863, the fifth in a family of seven children, two sons and five daughters, namely: Daniel B., a resi- dent of Grant county, an agriculturist and manufacturer : Sophronia E., the widow of Andrew Diekey and a resident of California, and she has four children. two sons and two daughters; Mary E., wife of William R. Lewis, a resident of Grant county and a shoemaker by trade; Robert R., a resident of Van Buren township, an agriculturist and married ; Mrs. Thorn, next in order of birth; Amanda M., wife of Wilson T. Leach, a resident of Madison county and an agriculturist ; and Nancy
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A., deceased. Reuben Johnson, the father, was a native of Indiana and by vocation was an agriculturist. He was educated in the common schools, was a Democrat politically and was a member of the Independent Order of Oddfellows. Both he and wife were members of the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. Johnson died in 1901, aged sixty-five, and Mrs. Johnson is now a resident of Fairmount, Indiana. She was born in Indi- ana. Mrs. Thorn was reared and educated in her native county and she has faithfully performed the duties of wife and mother in establishing their nice and pleasant home. When she and her husband began their married life they had but little cash capital, but a large fund of ambition and aggressiveness to make their way independently, which they have done, and they have the respect of their many friends. Their pretty home is known as "Fair View." . To their union have been born three children : Claudia B., who married Otto Carmony, and is engaged in farming in Van Buren township and they have one little daughter, Nilma Irene; Vedah Pauline, who married Walter Kirkwood, of Fair- mount township, and has one son, Hubert D .; and Simon C., who is at- tending the public schools in the eighth grade. The family is connected with the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which Mr. Thorn takes an active interest.
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