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 78
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Mr. Donnelly takes just pride in tracing his lineage back to staunch old Irish origin and also in claiming the fine old Bluegrass state as the place of his nativity. He was born at Maysville, Kentucky, the judicial center of Mason county, on the 15th of September, 1860, a son of John and Julia (Karney) Donnelly, both of whom were born and reared in Ireland, where their marriage was solemnized. Upon his immigration to America John Donnelly settled near Maysville, Kentucky, in which state he continued to reside until 1864, when he came to Madison county, Indiana, and numbered himself among its energetic and loyal pioneers. He purchased a tract of land in Fall Creek township, whence he later removed to Richland township, where he became the owner of a fine farm, and where he was a citizen known and honored for his sterling. attributes of character. He continued to reside on his old homestead, comprising seventy-five acres, until his death, and his cherished and devoted wife survived him several years. Of their two children, the younger, John, died at the age of thirty-five years.
On the home farm James M. Donnelly early learned the lessons of practical industry, and after duly availing himself of the advantages
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of the local schools he supplemented this discipline by a course of study in the State Normal School at Terre Haute. He applied himself earnestly and with marked ambition, the result being that he admirably qualified himself for the responsibilities and duties of the pedagogic profession. After devoting eight years to successful teaching in the public schools Mr. Donnelly went to the city of Muncie, this state, where he read law under effective preceptorship and where he was finally admitted to the bar. But such was the condition of his health that after engaging for a short period in the practice of his chosen profession he found it expedient to seek occupation that would enable him to lead a less seden- tary life. He accordingly turned his attention to farming and stock growing, his independent operations in this line having been instituted on a farm of forty acres in Monroe township, Madison county. With characteristic circumspection and energy he brought to bear his powers in a most effective way, with the result that his success became cumu- lative and placed him among the representative agriculturists and stock growers of this favored section of the Hoosier state. Concrete evidence of the prosperity that has attended his well ordered endeavors is afforded in the fact that he is now the owner of a finely improved landed estate of abont five hundred and fifty acres, situated principally in Union township. He has made excellent improvements on liis homestead, and has stood as a man of most liberal and progressive policies in connec- tion with his private business affairs and also those of public or general order. For a number of years past Mr. Donnelly has given his attention principally to the breeding and raising of the best grades of live stock, and has been an extensive importer as well as one of the leading ex- ponents of this important line of industry in Madison county. He is one of the largest dealers and importers in central Indiana of Belgian and Percheron stallions and mares. He has seventy-five head of horses, has two barns, three hundred by forty-two feet, and carries one of the best stocks in the country. He is an authority in regard to live stock, and has shown the deepest interest in the furtherance of the industry. His homestead farm is situated five miles from Anderson and one mile north of the village of Chesterfield, and is one of the valuable properties of the county. Mr. Donnelly platted the Madison county fair grounds, and for several years was engaged in the real estate business in Ander- son. He is a member of the directorate of the Anderson Trust Company at Anderson, where he is likewise a director of the Anderson Building & Loan Association, another of the important corporations of Madison county. He is a stanch Democrat in his political proclivities, but has manifested no predilection for the honors or emoluments of public office. He and his family hold membership in the Christian church at Anderson, where he is also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and other fraternal organizations.
On the 25th of February, 1882, Mr. Donnelly was married to Miss Lulu Pence, a daughter of John and Rhoda (Colvin) Pence, of Madison county, and the five children of this union are Wade, Ward, Walter, Fred and Dale. Wade, who wedded Miss Lillian MeClintock, resides in Anderson. Ward, who wedded Miss Florence Bassett, resides in Chesterfield. The three younger sons remain at the parental home. The family have long been one of prominence and popularity in the social activities of the community.
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CHARLES W. DAWSON. Among the business men of Madison county who have from small beginnings made substantial places for themselves among the prosperous citizens of this place, a notable example is to be found in the person of Charles W. Dawson, proprietor of the Dawson Machine Works, at 16th and B Streets in Elwood. His success in the business world is well merited, in that it has come through the medium of well directed industry, while as a citizen he has ever shown a com- mendable inclination to assist in all movements pertaining to the public welfare.
Mr. Dawson is a native of the Hoosier State, having been born at Greenfield, February 12, 1871, and is a son of Henry L. and Mary (Van- landingham) Dawson. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Dawson, George and Rebecca Dawson, were early pioneers of Indiana, where both died in advanced years and were the parents of three children, Henry, Jesse and one other.
Henry L. Dawson was born in Indiana, and has spent his entire life in this state, with the exception of two and a half years, when he served as a private in the Union Army during the Civil war. For a number of years he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, but subse- quently turned his attention to contracting, and is now one of the well known business men of Indianapolis. He first married Mary Van- . landingham of Indiana, who died in the faith of the Methodist church in 1877, aged about twenty-six years, and they became the parents of five children, namely : Charles W., of Elwood, Indiana; Jesse G., whose home is in Cleveland, Ohio; John C., who resides at Franklin Park, Illi- nois; Luna, who became the wife of J. R. Leab, of Marion, Indiana, and one child that died in infancy. Mr. Dawson married for his second wife Miss Rhoda McFadden, and they became the parents of two children : Cora and Fred.
Charles W. Dawson was reared in Central Indiana, spending his boyhood and youth in Greenfield and Indianapolis, in which cities he attended the public schools. In 1885 he first came to Elwood, where he completed his education and subsequently accompanied his father to Kokomo, where he learned the trade of machinist, which vocation he has made his life work. While a resident of this place he met Miss Myrtle L. Lewis, daughter of Francis and Almira (Tolbert) Lewis, who afterward became his wife, June 3, 1894. Soon after his marriage he embarked upon his business career as the proprietor of an establish- ment at Alexandria. It was here their son Donald Verne was born May 26, 1895. One year later Mr. Dawson with his family returned to Elwood and has since made this place his home. The son attended the public schools here graduating with the class of 1913. The follow- ing year he entered Purdue University. Immediately on his return to Elwood Mr. Dawson opened a machine shop which he has continued to the present time. In 1908 he began the handling of automobiles, fitting up a well equipped garage, and has principally dealt in Buick cars, since that time. He has built up an excellent business, handling a full line of accessories and parts, and having every facility for the repair of all makes of motor cars. His excellent workmanship has gained him much patronage, and much of his success is due to that fact that he personally inspects all work before it is turned out of his estab- lishment. As one who has the interest of his community at heart, he has withheld his support from no movement of a progressive nature, while personally he has gained and retained many friends in the city
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of his adoption. He is a Republican in political matters, but has taken only a good citizen's interest in affairs of a public nature. His fra- ternal connection is with the local lodges of the Improved Order of Red Men and the Independent Order of Foresters. The pleasant family home in located at 1023 South Anderson Street.
R. F. ETCHISON. A homestead of about sixty-five acres located in the vicinity of Frankton is the residence and the seene of the business activi- ties of Mr. R. T. Etchison, one of the well known citizens of Madison county, and representing an old and honored family in this part of the state.
Mr. R. F. Etchison was born April 20, 1871, a son of Stephen and Charity Jane Etchison, both now deceased. Stephen Etchison was born in Wayne county, Indiana, and moved to Madison county, where he was a farmer and honored resident for many years. There were fourteen children in the family, and the four boys now living are William and Walter C., both of Oklahoma, and Albert, a resident of Saskatchewan, Canada, and R. F. Etchison.
As a boy Mr. R. F. Etchison attended the common schools and his home throughout his career has heen on the farm of his present resi- dence. After completing his education, he took up regular duties of farming, and on the death of his father he assumed entire management of the estate. He and Albert subsequently bought out the interest of the other heirs in the farm, and Mr. R. F. Etchison has since then acquired individual ownership of the excellent farm, which is his present home. He married Miss Eldora Leeman. Their two children are Chandos Leone and Meredith. In politics Mr. Etchison is a Democrat. On his farm he raises stock and the usual agricultural crop of this sec- tion, and by his thrift and industry is winning a substantial place for himself and family.
OLIVER H. STOKER. Situated on the Stoker Road about two and a half miles from Elwood is the well improved and prosperous rural home of Oliver H. Stoker, who has made an excellent account of his time and energy as a Madison county farmer, and has one of the best improved farm estates in Pipe Creek township. The farm, most of which belonged to his father, and has been in the possession of the Stoker family for a great many years, consists of one hundred and sixty acres of excellent soil, and Mr. Stoker devotes it to mixed farming, raising first class stock, and the various agricultural crops of this county.
Oliver H. Stoker was born on this same farm, February 18, 1870, a son of William R. and Mary (Canaday) Stoker. The late William R. Stoker, well remembered among the sterling citizenship of Madison county for many years, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, and was a boy when brought to Madison county. He had some schooling in his native state and finished in Indiana. He came to Madison county in company with his parents, James and Rebecca Stoker. James Stoker, the grandfather of the Pipe Creek farmer first named, was thus the founder of the family fortunes in this part of Indiana. William R. Stoker and wife were the parents of three children. Oliver H., Martha, married Richard MeClure, and their two children were named Edna and Howard. The third was William Franklin Stoker, now deceased. Up to the time of his death he owned and occupied the farm adjoining his
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brother's Oliver H. William F. Stoker married Catherine Higbee, and they were the parents of two children.
Oliver H. Stoker as a boy attended the old Canaday school, which was a familiar institution of the neighborhood in which he was reared, and completed his education in the Frankton public school. While going to school he had his share of the farm duties, and after the death of his father he and his brother joined in the management and conduct of the home estate, which was a place of two hundred acres but increased to three hundred and twenty acres. When his brother died the farm was divided and Mr. Oliver H. Stoker now owns one hundred and sixty acres, and is giving it his best efforts and is prospering probably as well as any farmer in this section of the county.
On September 19, 1901, Mr. Stoker married Miss Jennie Antle, daughter of George W. and Wilhelmina (Euble) Antle. Her father was a farmer, and owned a good homestead near Elwood. Mr. and Mrs. Stoker were the parents of four children. Their names are: Mildred Naomi, Thelma Hortense, Halden A. and Benjamin Franklin. Frater- nally Mr. Stoker is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and is a Repub- lican voter.
J. L. WEBSTER PECK, M. D. Practicing medicine at Frankton since 1895, Dr. Peck has one of the best country practices in Madison county, and by his success and individual character and ability is a credit to the present medical fraternity of this county. He came here soon after leaving medical college, and after proving his skill and gaining the confidence of the community has always enjoyed a liberal share of its patronage and stands high both as a doctor and citizen.
J. L. Webster Peck was born in Howard county, Indiana, a son of William and Sarah (Foland) Peck. The father and mother were both natives of Hamilton county, and William Peck gave his life to the min- istry of the Methodist church. The five children in their family were named Maggie A .; Jennie, deceased; Ethleen, deceased; Halsie, de- ceased ; and Dr. Peck.
Owing to the fact that his father's ministry required frequent removal of residence, Dr. Peck spent his boyhood in a number of dif- ferent localities in Indiana, and tended various schools in the course of his educational career. He was a student in the high school at Hagers- town, spent two years in the DePauw University, and was graduated in medicine at Indianapolis. In 1895 he located at Frankton, and has since had his office in this town.
On January 10, 1900, Dr. Peck married Mary A. Prosser, daughter of Emanuel and Susan Prosser. The four children born to their mar- riage are Earl P., William L., Alice Beatrice and Mary Vivian. The doctor belongs to the Madison county and the State Medical Societies, is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and his family worship in the Methodist church.
THE HOOSIER POET (By J. L. F.). JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY, born in Greenfield, Hancock county, Indiana, where he was reared, educated, and spent his boyhood days, is entitled to a place in the history of Madison county.
Mr. Riley for several years made his home in Anderson, where he was connected with the local press as reporter on the Anderson Demo-
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JAMES W. RILEY
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crat. This was while Todysman and Croan were its publishers, 1876-80. During this period Mr. Riley began to develop as a local poet.
His first production that gave him "a name" was "Leonainie," a supposed unpublished poem by Edgar Allen Poe, which had for years been lost, and found among his papers. Mr. Riley had this poem pub- lished in the Kokomo Dispatch. The editor of the Anderson Herald, who had on many occasions belittled Riley's pretensions as a poet, gave large space to its publication, and great praise to its sentiment, oblivious to the fact that it was from Riley's pen. When the secret was out and the world gave praise to the author, his old-time critic joined in the procession and helped to make Riley a real poet.
Mr. Riley's genial disposition and plebian ways made him a favorite in Anderson. The "devil" in the printing office was as close to him as the editor. The man on the street was treated as cordially as the "nabob" of the city. A man possessed of such qualities could not be other than a favorite. His verses demonstrate that his heart-throbs are with the common folk.
Madison county does not claim Riley. as a native son, but glorifies in the fact that he once lived within its hounds. Mr. Riley has sung the songs that reach the heart. But few men live to hear and see what esteem is placed upon them by their fellowmen. This distinction Riley has enjoyed. The writer believes that a flower placed in the hands of the living, or a good word spoken to a friend, is worth more than a moun- tain of bouquets placed upon his bier, and therefore gives place in this work to Mr. Riley's face and one of his dearest compositions.
OUT TO OLD AUNT MARY'S
Wasn't it pleasant, O brother mine, In those old days of the lost sunshine Of youth-when the Saturday's chores were through, And the "Sunday's wood" in the kitchen, too, And we went visiting, "me and you," Out to old Aunt Mary's?
"Me and you"-and the morning fair, With the dewdrops twinkling everywhere; The scent of the cherry-blossoms blown After us, in the roadway lone, Our capering shadows onward thrown- Out to old Aunt Mary's !
It all comes back so clear today ! Though I am as bald as you are gray,- Out by the barn-lot, and down the lane We patter along in the dust again, As light as the tips of the drops of the rain, Out to old Aunt Mary's.
The few last houses of the town; Then on, up the high creek-bluffs and down; Past the squat toll-gate, with its well-sweep pole; The bridge, and the old "babtizin'-hole," Loitering, awed, over pool and shoal, Out to Old Aunt Mary's.
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We cross the pasture, and through the wood, Where the old gray snag of the poplar stood Where the hammering "red-heads" hopped awry, And the buzzard "raised" in the "clearing" sky And lolled and circled, as we went by Out to old Aunt Mary's.
Or, stayed by the glint of a redbird's wings, Or the glitter of song that the bluebird sings, All hushed we feign to strike strange trails, As the "big braves" do in the Indian tales, Till again our real quest lags and fails --- Out to old Aunt Mary's .-
And the woodland echoes with yells of mirth That make old war-whoops of minor worth,- Where such heroes of war as we ?- With bows and arrows of fantasy, Chasing each other from tree to tree Out to old Aunt Mary's!
And then in the dust of the road again; And the teams we met, and the countrymen ; And the long highway, with sunshine spread As thick as butter on country bread, Our cares behind, and our hearts ahead Out to old Aunt Mary's .---
For only, uow, at the road's next bend To the right we could make out the gable-end Of the fine old Huston homestead-not Half a mile from the sacred spot Where dwelt our Saint in her simple cot -- Out to old Aunt Mary's.
Why, I see her now in the open door Where the little gourds grew up the sides and o'er The clapboard roof !- and her face-ah, me! Wasn't it good for a boy to see- And wasn't it good for a boy to be Out to old Aunt Mary's ?-
The jelly-the jam and the marmalade. And the cherry-and quince-"preserves" she made! And the sweet-sour pickles of peach and pear, With cinnamon in 'em, an all things rare !- And the more we ate was the more to spare, Out to old Aunt Mary's.
Was there, ever, so kind a face And gentle as hers, or such a grace Of welcoming, as she cut the cake Or the juicy pies that she joyed to make Just for the visiting children's sake- Out to old Aunt Mary's.
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The honey, too, in its amber comb One only finds in an old farm-home; And the coffee, fragrant and sweet, and ho! So hot that we gloried to drink it so, With spangles of tears in our eyes, you know- Ont to old Aunt Mary's.
And the romps we took, in our glad unrest !- Was it the lawn that we loved the best, With its swooping swing in the locust trees, Or was it the grove, with its leafy breeze, Or the dim hay-mow, with its fragrances- Out to old Aunt Mary's.
Far fields, bottom-lands, creek-banks-all We ranged at will-where the waterfall Laughed all day as it slowly poured Over the dam by the old mill-ford, While the tail-race writhed and the mill-wheel roared- Out to old Aunt Mary's.
But home, with Aunty in nearer call, That was the best place, after all !- The talks on the back-porch, in the low Slanting sun and the evening glow, With the voice of counsel that touched us so, Out to old Aunt Mary's.
And then, in the garden-near the side Where the bee-hives were and the path was wide,- The apple-house-like a fairy cell- With the little square door we knew so well, And the wealth inside but our tongues could teli- Out to old Aunt Mary's.
And the old spring-house, in the cool green gloom Of the willow trees-and the cooler room Where the swinging shelves and the crocks were kept, Where the cream in a golden languor slept, While the waters gurgled and laughed and wept- Out to old Aunt Mary's.
And as many a time have you and I- Barefoot boys in the days gone by- Knelt, and in tremulous ecstacies Dipped our lips into sweets like these,- Memory now is on her knees Out to old Aunt Mary's.
For, O my brother so far away, This is to tell you-she waits to-day To welcome us :- Aunt Mary fell Asleep this morning, whispering-"Tell The boys to come." And all is well Out to old Aunt Mary's.
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JAMES O. LEE. As cashier of the Frankton Bank since 1902, Mr. Lee has had the executive direction of an institution that plays a very im- portant part in the local business activities of this section of Madison county, possessing much influence both as a citizen and as a man of business. Mr. Lee has earned his place as a result of high ability and through steady attention to business since leaving college, and has ac- complished a great deal of worthy work since he entered upon his active career.
James O. Lee was born in 1870, on the nineteenth day of Septem- ber, in Hamilton county, Indiana, near Perkinsville. His parents were Luther and Ella (Dewitt) Lee. The father, also a native of Hamilton county, was a merchant by occupation and was also engaged in the canning business at Perkinsville. The three children in his family com- prised James O., Frank and Claude. James O. Lee first attended the schools in Perkinsville, was then in the Normal College at Danville, spent the years 1890-91 at DePauw University, and was graduated with honors at Lexington, Kentucky. During eleven years of his active life, both during and subsequent to his college days, he was engaged in teaching school. Another honor that came to him in early life was that of appointment as chief journal clerk in the Indianapolis Legislature, a position which he held for one year. He became identified with the milling business at Frankton and was connected with the establish- ment until the plant was destroyed by fire. He entered the Frankton Bank in October, 1902, since which time he has been cashier, and practically the manager of the affairs of the bank.
On December 27, 1893, Mr. Lee was married to Miss Luella Wise, daughter of William H. Wise of Perkinsville. They have two children, Mabel and Wilbur, both of whom are now attending school in Frankton.
Fraternally Mr. Lee is a member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was re- cently a candidate for the office of county clerk on the Republican ticket, and is known for one of the young leaders of that party in Madison county. He is a Methodist in his religious affiliation, and he and his family worship in that church.
GEORGE WASHINGTON BAKER. Since 1880 a resident of Madison county, Mr. Baker has resided on his present farm for the past 13 years, and is one of the capable men whose industry and energies are each year adding to the substantial wealth and prosperity of Madison county. Mr. Baker's homestead is situated six miles northeast of Elwood in Pipe Creek township.
George W. Baker was born in 1854 on the tenth of March, in Dear- born county, near Lawrenceburg, Indiana, a son of John and Senor (Moore) Baker. The father was born in southern Indiana, and his death occurred in Ripley county, where he was buried. The children in the family were as follows: George W .; Rachael; Harvey, also a resident of Madison county ; James; and Ida, who is now the widow of Chas. Baxter.
George Washington Baker as a boy attended school in Ohio and Ripley counties, Indiana, completing his education in the latter county. While going to school he worked on a farm and has always known and experienced the value of industry and good honest work. In 1880 he moved to Madison county, and in 1892 had progressed so far as an independent farmer and business man that he bought his present estate.
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On November 21, 1878, Mr. Baker married Miss Sarah Rigor, a daugh- ter of Andrew and Harriet (Humphrey) Rigor. Her father was born in Kentucky and came to Decatur county, Indiana, when a young man, and brought up his family on a farm. There were eight children in the Rigor family, namely : Hannah, deceased; Sarah, Mrs. Baker; Joshua; Wesley; Permela; Lula; Amy, deceased; and Leonard. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are the parents of four children, who are named as follows: Clifford, who is married and a resident of Canada, and has three children, George, Ruth and Lois; Floy, the wife of William Hoop; John, in high school at Elwood; and Vere, who graduated from the grade schools. Mr. Baker has given all his attention to general farm- ing and stock raising and has each year put back a large share of his profits in improvements which in the course of time have made his estate one of the best and most valuable in this locality. He has a large and commodious barn for the shelter of his grain and stock, and all his implements and facilities are in keeping with modern agricul- ture. Mr. Baker is not only a progressive farmer, but also a progress- ive in politics, having adopted the new principles and policies first formulated in a campaign platform in 1912. He and his family are members of the Friends church located in Pipe Creek township.
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