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 76
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On March 1, 1894, Mr. Gorden was married to Miss Lena Pickering, daughter of Corbley and Anna (Dyer) Pickering, and to this union
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there have been born two sons: Irl W. and Kenneth P. Politically Mr. Gorden is a Republican and has always supported the policies of the party. Fraternally he is a member of the Linton Lodge of the K. of P., No. 146, located at Steele City, Nebraska.
PAUL ARMSTRONG, M. D. Among the members of the medical pro- fession in Madison county who have won merited distinction in their calling, Dr. Paul Armstrong, of Gilman, holds a prominent position. During his career he has been engaged in varied occupations in differ- ent parts of this and other countries, being known in Chicago, in Cali- fornia and in the gold fields of Alaska, and since his advent in Gilman has identified himself actively with the various interests of this pros- perous and growing community. Dr. Armstrong was born in 1876, in Butler county, Ohio, and is a son of Dr. Alfonzo and Sarah (Ander- son) Armstrong.
Dr. Alonzo Armstrong was born in Indiana, and for forty years was engaged in the practice of medicine, until failing health caused his removal to California. Subsequently he came to Kewanna, Fulton county, Indiana, and here the remainder of his active career was passed. He and his wife were the parents of two children: Max, a graduate of the graded and high schools, who also took a course in the University of Chicago, and is now a practicing chemist of Gary, Indiana; and Paul. Dr. Armstrong first attended the public schools of his native state, following which he was engaged as an office boy with a large New York concern for three years, and at the end of that period accompanied his parents to California, where he completed his common school edu- cation. Returning to the middle West, he located in Chicago, where for three years he was engaged in the bicycle business, and then again went to California. During the gold rush that accompanied the dis- covery of that metal in Alaska, he became one of the courageous ad- venturers who fought their way over obstacles in search of fortune, and after one year returned to this country, having succeeded in accumulat- ing the means with which to pursue his medical studies. He had no doubt inherited his inclination for this profession from his father, and from boyhood it had been his ambition to become a physician, but cir- cumstances had been such that he was unable to realize his desire. After one year spent in the Louisville ( Kentucky) Medical College, he became a student at Barnes Medical College, St. Louis, Missouri, and was graduated with his degree from that institution with the class of 1904. Following this, for a short period he was engaged in practice with his father at Kewanna, Indiana, and then came to Gilman, which place has since been the scene of his professional labors. He has been successful in building up a large and lucrative. practice, his inherent skill, close application and sympathetic nature having drawn to him a representative professional business from all over this section. A care- ful student, he has kept abreast of the advancements of his honored calling by subscription to the leading medical journals of the day, by membership in the various organizations of his vocation, and by exten- sive personal research.
In 1903 occurred the marriage of Dr. Paul Armstrong and Miss Nettie Comer, the latter a native of Jasper county, Indiana. One child has been born to this union : John R., a bright and interesting lad now in his school period. Doctor and Mrs. Armstrong are consistent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a progressive,
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MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM FOUNTAIN
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but his connection with matters of a public nature has been confined to supporting those men and measures that he has believed have stood for the best interests of his community.
WILLIAM FOUNTAIN. In a history of the prominent and influential citizens of Madison county, William Fountain is eminently deserving of extended mention, for his well spent life, his agricultural ability, his loyalty to public duty and his fidelity in private life have all gained him a place among the leading residents of the community. Although he has passed the seventy-fifth milestone in life's journey, an age when most men would consider it their privilege to retire from activities, he still continues to discharge the daily routine of duties and to show a com- mendable interest in all that affects his township or its people. Mr. Fountain was born March 3, 1838, near old Moss Island, just west of Anderson, Indiana, and is a son of George E. and Mary (Dodds) Foun- tain. His parents, natives of Queen Anne county, Maryland, came to Madison county and entered land in 1835, and here spent the remainder of their lives in making a home. They were the parents of eight chil- dren : Hester, Elizabeth and Edward, who are deceased; William ; James ; Washington and Matthew, who are deceased; and John, who was a Union Soldier in an Indiana volunteer infantry regiment and lost his life at Vicksburg during the Civil war.
William Fountain acquired his educational training in the schools of Anderson, dividing his boyhood between the school room and the home farm. He continued to assist his father until he attained his majority, at which time he embarked upon a career of his own, and in 1875 bought 140 acres of land in Anderson township, to which he has since added, now being the owner of 164 acres. He has made this one of the most valuable farms in the township, has erected substantial buildings, and is justly considered one of the representative men of his community.
On October 3, 1862, Mr. Fountain was married to Miss Susan Thomp- son, daughter of Lorenzo Thompson, and she died December 19, 1886, and was laid to rest at the Mooresville Cemetery. Five children were born to this union, as follows: Alonzo, educated in the old Pence school- house, and formerly engaged in farming, but for the past twenty years engaged in bridge contracting, lives in Petersburg, Ill .; Florence, who married Ira Ball, a Nebraska farmer, and has three children-Ora, Lottie and Fairy; Sylvia, deceased, who was the wife of Mellin Harri- son, and had one child; Lutha, who married Fred Noble and has one child, Nancy V .; Omie, who became the wife of Dolph Fuller, and has three children-Laura, Helena and Gordon; Walter, who was educated in Anderson township, and here married March 20, 1901, Nancy Odessie Noble, daughter of Andrew J. and Adeline (Nelise) Noble, and has three children-Leslie, Ethel and Effie.
With his family, Mr. Fountain attends the Christian church, in the work of which he has ever taken a prominent part. A life-long Demo- crat, he has served as supervisor of his township, and continues to mani- fest an interest in the success of his party. His life has been a long and useful one, and no citizen of his township stands higher in public esteem and confidence.
RUFUS ALBERT HOOVER, M. D. A rising young physician of Madi- son county, Rufus Albert Hoover, M. D., is busily engaged in the prac- tice of his profession in Orestes, where he is also serving most accept-
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ably as principal of the public school. He was born in North Carolina, but was brought up in Indiana, coming with his parents, to this state when he was a small child.
The Doctor's father, Thomas Hoover, was born, reared and mar- ried in North Carolina. Coming with his family to Indiana, he set- tled in Hamilton county, where he spent his closing years of life, pass ing away in June, 1904. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Briles, died several years before he did, her death occurring in 1874. They were the parents of six children, namely : Mrs. Nancy Bolander ; Mrs. Rachael Hoover; Andrew S .; Mrs. Margaret Halderman, who died December 15, 1901; Joseph L .; and Rufus A., with whom this brief sketch is chiefly concerned.
After his graduation from the high school in Sheridan, Hamilton county, Rufus A. Hoover taught school for awhile, and later continued his studies at the Indiana University, in Bloomington. Having then decided to enter the medical profession, he went to Chicago, where he took up the study of medicine and surgery at the Loyola University, also known as Bennett's Medical College, and was there graduated with the class of 1911. Dr. Hoover subsequently spent a year in a Chicago hospital, where he gained practical knowledge and experience in his profession. In 1912 he located in Orestes, where he has since been actively engaged in his chosen work, and has likewise had charge of the Orestes School. He has been successful from the start, and deserves great credit for the position he has won as a teacher, a physician, a man, and a citizen.
Dr. Hoover married July 14, 1911, Josephine Rambo, a native of Lapel, Indiana, and they have one child, Frances. Politically the Doc- tor is a Democrat; fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Sheridan, Indiana; and religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
ROBERT W. THURSTON. One of Madison county's youngest stock- men, Robert W. Thurston has grown up in this county, and from his boyhood days was familiar with the town and the stock industry. He believes in farming as one of the greatest industries to which man can apply his energies, and his success is almost a matter of course, since he was trained to the business in the same way that other young men are trained to enter professions or commercial lines. Mr. Thurston has the management of his father's large farm of three hundred and sixty seven acres in Monroe township.
Robert Thurston was born July 27, 1892, near Summitville, in Van Buren township, a son of Joseph Elmer and Anna (Whitely) Thurston. Mr. J. E. Thurston, the father, is one of the best known citizens of Madison county, has lived here practically all his life, and has been a farmer, a road contractor and stock buyer. He and his wife are the parents of three children, namely: Robert, Marie and Walter.
Robert Thurston was born and reared in Madison county, attended the Summitville schools, and took a preparatory course in Alexandria, and then finished in the Fairmount Academy. On July 30, 1912, he married Miss Eva Davis. They have one child, Lois. Mr. Thurston is a member of the Christian church and his wife belongs to the Quaker denomination. Her parents were Joseph and Ellen (Dougherty) Davis.
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WILLIAM H. GOSSETT. One of the best known dealers in live stock in Madison county is William H. Gossett, who has his home in Boone township, where he is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and forty. acres. He has spent practically all his career in Madison county, has been known as a hard worker and good business man, and while accu- mulating a goodly share of material prosperity has likewise enjoyed and increased the esteem of the community for his excellent qualities of character and personalities.
William H. Gossett was born in 1853 in Highland county, Ohio, a son of William E. and Hannah Gossett. His father was also born in Highland county, was educated in the common sehools, was a mechanic and carpenter, and in 1854 established his home in Madison county, Indiana. In this eounty, he worked at his trade of earpenter for a number of years, and lived both in Anderson and Alexandria. In later years he moved out to Missouri, and died at Odessa, in that state. His wife was born in West Virginia, and her death oceurred in Odessa, Missouri. Their ten children are mentioned as follows: William H .; Eliza; David; Liddie; Emma; Alice; Charles; Marion; Oscar; Dora.
William H. Gossett was about one year of age when the family came to Madison county, and he was therefore reared and trained for his life work in this county. As a hoy he attended the Smith Chapel School in Boone township, and finished his education in Alexandria, in the meantime having gone to school for one term in the Anderson city sehools. When a boy he took up under his father's direction work as. painter and earpenter, and up to the time he was eighteen years old was working as a contraeting painter. He soon afterwards gave up his trade and began raising stock of all kinds, a vocation which he has made the basis of his active career. He has exceptional ability in this line, and is regarded as one of the best judges of live stock in Madison county. He conducts his fine farm in Boone township for the purpose of raising feed and providing quarters for his stoek.
In 1877 Mr. Gossett married Emma Jones, a daughter of Elliott M. Jones. Their three children are: Walter, who married Gay Fox; Harry, who married Della Purdue, and their three children are Arthur, Donald and Fred; Blanch, who married Herman Markle, and has one child-Lola. Mr. Gossett is affiliated with the Improved Order of Red Men and the family worship in the Methodist church.
GEORGE W. JUDD. Left an orphan at the age of fourteen years, the boyhood and youth of George W. Judd, now a substantial farmer of Monroe township and the owner of 160 acres of land on the Elwood and Alexandria road, about three miles west of Alexandria, were any- thing but periods of inactivity. From the beginning of his career he has known the necessity of hard, industrious toil, and although he is now in comfortable circumstances because of this persevering toil, he continues to be one of the active and energetic men of his locality, alert not only in his personal affairs but in those of his community as well. George W. Judd was born on a farm in Adams township, Madi- son county, Indiana, March 18, 1852, and is a son of James and Mar- garet (Young) Judd. His father was a native of North Carolina and came to Madison county as a young man, locating first in Adams town- ship, where he owned a property. Here he continued to till the soil during the remainder of his career, and passed away when still in the prime of life. He married Margaret Young and they became the par-
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ents of two children: Emma, who became the wife of William G. Fesler, of Monroe township and she is now deceased; and George W. The Young family originated in Scotland, and was founded in Madison county by the father of Mrs. Judd, who located first in Ohio, later re- moved to Fayette county, Indiana, and came from there to Madison county, locating on a Monroe township property, where he died. Mr. Young married Jane MeLucas, and they became the parents of ten children, as follows: Malinda, Nancy, Mary, one who is deceased, Rob- ert, John, George, William, Leroy and Margaret.
George W. Judd was three years of age when brought to Monroe township, and here received his education in the Orestes and Davis schools. He was fourteen years of age when his mother died, and at that time he went to live at the home of an uncle, on whose farm he worked until becoming of age. He then engaged in farming with an uncle renting a small property until he had saved the means to pur- chase a forty-acre tract of land in Boone township, but two years later disposed of his interests there and returned to Monroe township, where he located on his present farm, formerly a part of the Nathan Lowry property. Here from time to time he has made valuable and substan- tial improvements to his land, machinery and buildings, and his resi- dence is a fine and modern one, having been erected but a few years ago. The excellent condition of his land testifies eloquently to his abil- ity as an agriculturist, and he has met success also in his stock raising ventures, his cattle commanding good prices. As a business man he is known to be possessed of the strictest integrity, and his connection with various large transactions has given him a firmly-established reputa- tion in the confidence of his fellow-citizens.
On February 8, 1880, Mr. Judd was married (first) to Miss Ella Black, who died February 10, 1882, and was buried in the Lily Creek cemetery. On July 9, 1892, occurred Mr. Judd's second marriage, when he was united with Miss Etta M. Moyer. To this union there have been born two children: Everett and Mary, both graduates of the Orestes High school and now living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Judd are faithful members of the Disciples of Christ, and have been liberal in their support of movements inaugurated by the Christian church. Mr. Judd holds membership in the Madison County Horse Thief Association.
HOMER E. HOWARD. A substantial and prosperous citizen of Madi- son county, Homer E. Howard, now engaged in farming in Van Buren township, was for many years identified with the mercantile interests of this part of the county, having been one of the leading druggists of Summitville. He was born September 16, 1872, in Ross county, Ohio, which was likewise the birthplace of his father, Robert C. Howard.
At the age of twenty-five years Robert C. Howard migrated from his Ohio home to Indiana, locating first in Delaware county, where for five years he was engaged in business as a general merchant. Coming to Madison county in 1879, he changed his occupation, and for several years was a large and successful stock buyer and lumber dealer. He now owns one half of the farm on which his son, Homer, is living, but has nothing to do with its management. He married while a resident of Ohio Ernestine Thomas and into the household thus established two children were born, namely: Homer E., the subject of this sketch; and Edward R., who married Nora Duff, and has two children, Duff and Vaughn. Mr. Howard's mother, Mrs. Ernestine (Thomas) Howard,
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died July 2, 1876, and the father wedded Miss Dora E. Paden and to that marriage were born five children of whom three are living at pres- ent : Emmett L., a resident of Brownsville, Texas; Ralph P., residing in'the same city ; and Charles W., a resident of Los Angeles, California. Mrs. Howard, the mother of these children, died January 10, 1914, and we herewith quote from a local publication concerning her life and noble deeds :
"A brief bit of history concerning the life of Sister Howard, quite inadequate, to be sure. Time and space will not permit but a few brief words but eternity will reveal it all, and in a more perfect way.
"The one thing we know-she has been a great sufferer, but bore it all patiently, and gave evidence, time after time, that her trust and confi- dence was in God.
"Dora E. Howard, daughter of Elijah and Catherine Paden, was born near Hillsborough, Illinois, Montgomery county, on the 8th day of February, 1851, and went home on the 10th day of January at 4:30 in the afternoon, 1914. She was married to Robert C. Howard at the age of 27, and came to Indiana, and has made this home since that time. To Brother and Sister Howard God gave five children, two went home before their mother. Three sons and two step-sons are left to think of and grieve for mother. She leaves one brother, who lives at Hillsborough, Illinois, and a sister, Mrs. Alfred Swindell, who lives at Eureka Springs, Arkansas, but is now here with her husband.
"Sister Howard was converted when a child and united with the Presbyterian church. After coming to Indiana she united with the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and was a charter member of the Walnut Street M. E. church, of Summitville. She was a faithful member and worker in the church for many years, and until her health was so impaired that she could not. Her heart was in the work-she loved the church. To sum it all up: She has lived a life, her battles are fought, her victories are won, a character finished, a judgment awarded, a conflict ended. She is gone. She has left a tender, kind-hearted, loving, sympathetic husband, one who did all a husband could do for a sick wife, and whose tender hands were administering to her when she slipped away. Her memory will stay close, and her spirit will administer until we join her in the paradise of God."
Acquiring his elementary education in the Zion School, of Delaware county, Indiana, Homer E. Howard completed his studies at Summit- ville, Indiana. In 1895, in partnership with his brother, Edward R., Mr. Howard established himself in the drug business in Summitville, and continued it successfully for a period of sixteen years. While there he took an active interest in everything pertaining to the public welfare, and had the distinction of putting in the Summitville Electric Light and Water Works, and of installing the first telephone line in that place. About five years ago Mr. Howard assumed possession of the 185-acre farm owned by his father and himself, and has since car- ried on general farming in a most satisfactory manner.
On April 26, 1905, Mr. Howard was united in marriage with Mary Paulin, daughter of Jesse J. and Frederica (Brunni) Paulin. Their union has been blessed by the birth of three children, namely: Paul E., Frederick B. and Robert, deceased. Politically Mr. Howard is a Democrat; fraternally he belonged to the Knights of Pythias, Gas Belt No. 361. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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JOHN C. YULE. A resident of Alexandria since 1899, when he came to this city to enter the employ of the Alexandria Paper Com- pany, John C. Yule has been elosely identified with the business inter- ests of this flourishing commercial center during the past fifteen years and has fairly won the right to be named among those who have aided in this locality's advancement. As sales manager for these mills, Mr. Yule has greatly extended the scope of the company's business and as a citizen his adopted community has found in him one who has had its best interests at heart. Ile was born at Holland Landing, Province of, Ontario, Canada, on May 4, 1872, and is a son of Andrew and Mary (Watson) Yule. His father, who still resides in Canada, is an employe of the English government and a well-known official of his community. Five children were borne to Andrew and Mary ( Watson) Yule, namely : Watson, John C., Edwin Watson, E. B. and Walter S.
The early education of Mr. Yule was seeured in the public and high schools of Aurora, and subsequently this was supplemented by a course in a commercial college in the city of Toronto. Following his graduation therefrom, he adopted the profession of educator, and for several years was engaged in teaching school in Canada, but in Jan- uary, 1893, migrated to the United States, and for three years was engaged in railroading in Wiseonsin. He next identified himself with the National Bank of Neenah, Wisconsin, but after four years went to Dallas, Texas, and was there connected with a publishing house until 1899, when he eame to Alexandria, Indiana, to enter the employ of the Alexandria Paper Company, of which his brother, Edwin Watson Yule, is secretary and treasurer. He at once joined the selling force of this venture and his success in popularizing the company's products gained him steady advancement until now he is capably filling the responsible position of sales manager, being at the head of, an able, well-trained corps of salesmen, who under his direction have made this one of the leading coneerns of its kind in the State. He is pos- sessed of marked executive ability and to this has been added a pro- gressive spirit and modern methods of attracting business that have caused him to be recognized as one of. the leading men of his calling in the Middle West.
Mr. Yule was married (first) December 15, 1897, to Miss Dora Rynerson, who died February 2, 1899, leaving one child, Byron. His second marriage occurred May 14, 1903, when he was united with Miss Grace J. Crouse, of Alexandria, daughter of Jacob S. Crouse. Three children have been born to this union: George E., Mary E. and John C., Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Yule are consistent members of the Chris- tian church, and have been liberal in their support of religious and char- itable movements. He enjoys the privileges of membership in the local lodge of the Masonic fraternity.
EDWIN WATSON YULE. One of the important factors in the busi- ness life of Alexandria, and an enterprise which has added materially to the prestige of this city as a manufacturing center, is that of the Alexandria Paper Company, which was founded here in July, 1900. Much of the success of this enterprise may be accredited to the efforts of its capable and popular secretary and treasurer, Edwin Watson Yule, whose location here occurred simultaneously with that of the business and who has become widely known in manufacturing cireles. Mr. Yule is a Canadian, having been born in the Province of Ontario,
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in 1874, and is a son of Andrew and Mary ( Watson) Yule, the former still a resident of the Dominion and an employe of the British govern- ment. There were five children in the family : Watson, John C., Edwin Watson, E. B. and Walter S.
Edwin Watson Yule received his preliminary educational training in the public schools of Ontario, following which he took a course in a commercial college in the city of Toronto. Being well trained in stenog- raphy, he secured a position with a manufacturing concern at Aurora, Ontario, in the employ of which he remained four years, and succeeding this he spent one year with a like business at Mount Forrest, Ontario. Mr. Yule came to the United States to enter the services of a paper manufacturing concern of Menasha, Wisconsin, in connection with which, two years later, he came to Alexandria, and assisted in the establishment of the Alexandria Paper Company. He has continued to be identified with this business to the present time and through marked ability has risen to his present position, that of secretary and treasurer of this im- portant enterprise. In the management of the affairs of this business, Mr. Yule has displayed the possession of those qualities which make for success in any of the walks of life-shrewdness, versatility, perseverance and close application, and among his associates he is recognized as one to whom they may look for advice and leadership. He is essentially a business man and has never cared for the activities of the public arena, but has found diversion in fraternal circles as a valued member of the local lodge of Elks.
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