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 82
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Oliver Broadbent received his early education in the common schools, and early manifested a desire to enter the medical profession. As a means to this end he became an employe in his father's woolen mill, and after carefully saving his earnings for several years was able to enter Miami University, at Oxford, where he was duly graduated. Fol- lowing this he studied medicine for some time at Cincinnati, and then entered upon the practice of his profession at Marion, Indiana, later removing to Chesterfield, where for some years he was engaged in prac- tice in partnership with Dr. Dunham. About the year 1865, Doctor Broadbent located in Richland township, and in connection with his medical practice commenced farming, adding to his land from time to time until he had accumulated two hundred acres of valuable property and developed one of the finest country homes in this section.
Doctor Broadbent was married to Miss Sarah I. Nelson, daughter of I. and Leah (Wigner) Nelson, prominent people of Madison county, and to this union there were born seven children : Clara, who is deceased, also one who died in infancy; Hattie, who married Will Vermillion; Merta, who became the wife of Homer Eshelman; Effie, who is the wife of John Walters; Mary, who married Gideon Johns; and Chester, who married Miss Whelchel, and resides on his farm in Richland town- ship. Mrs. Broadbent survives her husband and resides on the home- stead, on Anderson Rural Route No. 1.
Doctor Broadbent was a Republican in his political views, but his interest therein was only that taken by every good citizen. With his family, he attended the Methodist Episcopal church, while his fraternal connections were limited to tbe organizations of his profession, in the
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work of which he took an active and intelligent interest. Until stricken by the illness that eventually brought about his death, Doctor Broad- bent was ever ready to answer the call of suffering mankind. No hour was too late or too early ; no weather was too inclement; all thought of self or personal interests was at once thrust aside when his services were needed. Doubtless the strain incurred by this abandon of self hastened his final sickness. As a business man he was as successful as in his profession. He evidenced his versatility by becoming as pros- perous in agriculture as in medicine, while as a citizen none had the welfare of the community more thoroughly at heart. He left to his children not only material wealth, but the priceless heritage of an hon- orable and honored name.
The following extract is copied from an Anderson newspaper issued the day following his death : "Dr. Oliver Broadbent, one of the pioneer physicians of this county, and a resident of Richland township for the past forty-five years, died yesterday afternoon at two o'clock at his home, six and one-half miles northeast of this city. Death was due to heart disease, from which he has been a sufferer for the past four or five years. He was sitting in his chair yesterday when he received a severe and final attack. He was found in the chair in a sort of stupor by Mrs. Broadbent some minutes later, the wife having just returned from a trip to this city. Dr. Lee Hunt was summoned but before he had arrived Dr. Broadbent had breathed his last. He had been practically bedfast for the past year but his death came as a surprise to his family and relatives. The funeral- will be held Monday at ten o'clock, with services in the Bethany church. Burial will occur in the Nelson cemetery."
GEORGE HARTZELL. Madison county is largely agricultural, but its thriving towns, its numerous manufactories, its schools and churches, prove that a vigorous life underlies any activity, although here, as else- where, dependence is necessarily placed upon the products of the land and the labors of those who develop it. No matter how men may toil or how much they may achieve in any direction, they must all be fed, and it is the farmer, in the background, who turns the wheels, who sails the seas, who fights the battles, and who provides for the survival typified in "the passing of the torch." Happily, there are in Madison county contented owners of land who intelligently and willingly carry on the peaceful pursuits of agriculture and, although they do not seek such a term of approbation, are, nevertheless, benefactors of mankind. They are often men of wide information on many subjects, usually are men qualified for offices of public service, for the proper cultivation of the soil and a realization of its utmost yield, require knowledge on many subjects. It is in this class of public-spirited and intelligent citizens that is found George Hartzell, of Anderson township, the owner of a finely-cultivated tract of sixty acres located on the Main street road, about two miles from the city of Anderson, and a resident of Madison county for upwards of sixty years. Mr. Hartzell was born in Mont- gomery county, Ohio, in 1846, and is the oldest of the children of Joseph and Harriet (Wertz) Hartzell.
Joseph Hartzell was born, reared, educated and married in Ohio, and there followed farming until 1852, in which year he brought his family to Madison county, locating in Anderson township, near the city, where he passed the remaining years of his active career in the pur-
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suits of agriculture. George Hartzell was a child of but six years when he accompanied his parents to Anderson township, and here he received his education in the district schools during the winter terms, which were usually about three months in duration, and with the commencement of spring again took up his duties on the home farm, which he continued until the following winter. Thus he passed his whole school period, and on completing his studies he took up the work of an agriculturist, which he has followed to the present time, with the exception of twelve years when he was engaged in conducting a tile factory. He now has a finely cultivated property, with excellent buildings and modern improvements of all kinds, and his farm shows what honest, persistent effort can accomplish, for it is due to his own industry and good management that his operations have met with such success.
In 1871 Mr. Hartzell was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Brown, and to this union there have been born four children, namely : Laura, Joseph, Carrie, who married a Mr. Huetzinger, and Sarah, who became the wife of Mr. Jarrett. Mr. Hartzell's second marriage occurred March 12, 1881, when he was united with Miss Eliza A. Perkins, and they have two sons: Hurston and Howard. Mr. Hartzell is a Democrat in his political views, although he has never cared for public office. He has taken some interest in fraternal work, and at this time is a popular member of the Improved Order of Red Men, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Wise Guys and the Haymakers. With the members of his family, he attends the Methodist Episcopal Church at Anderson, the movements of which he has liberally supported.
JOHN LUTHER HANCOCK. Another of the well-to-do retired farm- ers of Madison county whose accomplishments justly entitle them to mention in this historical and biographical work is John Luther Han- cock, now residing on an eleven acre tract near the city of Anderson. Here he built him a fine seven room house, suited in every detail to the demands of his family, and he is passing his remaining years caring for his property interests and enjoying the fruits of his years of toil. Suc- cess attended Mr. Hancock in his efforts, and he today owns a number of farms in Madison county, all of which combine to yield him a suffi- cient income and place him among the ranks of the independent farm- ing men of the county.
Born in Delaware county, on December 3, 1854, John Luther Han- cock is the son of Joseph T. and Hester (Fountain) Hancock. The father was born in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1831, and as a young man taught school in Deleware county, in the schools of Mount Pleasant township. He was the son of John Hancock, who came from Virginia. He was the father of six children, of whom more complete mention is made in the sketch of W. W. Hancock, to be found on other pages of this work.
The boyhood days of John Luther Hancock were passed much in common with those of the other youth of that period. He attended the Delaware county schools and diversified his school work with a diligent training upon the farm, received at the hands of his industrious father. When he was twenty years old Mr. Hancock came to Madison county and settled in Richland township on the old Hancock farm, as it was long called. Two years later, or in 1876, he married Mary E. Lawler, and soon after rented a farm from his father-in-law, where he settled down and began to apply himself with all consistency to the acquiring
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of a place of his own and a position among the more prominent men of the community. So well did he succeed that today he owns a number of productive farms and has been able to retire from the industry him- self and live comfortably and quietly upon the labors of former years. Before he retired he had reached a place of no inconsiderable promi- nence in agricultural circles of the county, and was known for the success of his farming ventures and the extent of his operations .-
His marriage to Mary Lawler occurred on December 7, 1876. She was born on August 28, 1859, in Richland township on the old James Lawler place, and is the daughter of James and Lydia (Chambers) Lawler. James Lawler was a native Virginian and came to Indiana when a boy, in company with his parents, James and Nancy ( Curtis) Lawler. It was the father of Mrs. Hancock who established the Lawler family in Madison county, and she was one of his four children.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hancock have come five children. Ida, the eldest, is the wife of D. Luce, and they have two children,-Lawson B., and Crystal M .; Alta, married William Bronnenberg, and is the mother of two children,-Roy and Viva; Cora is the wife of Arthur Short, and their children are Thelma G. and Darrell E .; Hazel married Emerson Manger, and has two children,-Harold L. and Ralph; the fifth child is Schuyler Hancock, who married Ethel Denny. All have come to fill useful niches in their various spheres in life and reflect no little honor upon the parents who launched them upon their various careers of home-making and business.
Mr. Hancock, though not a man to interest himself beyond the demands of good citizenship in the politics of his county, still bears allegiance to the Republican party, and has given aid to its causes on many occasions. He has done all one man could do in the interests of the people whenever the rights and wishes of the people have been in contest, and has borne full well his share in the burdens of civic responsi- bility. He and his family have membership in the Christian church of their community and are regular attendants and supporters of that denomination.
OLIVER P. WIDENER. A citizen and farmer of Fall Creek township who began his career some twenty-five years ago without capital and with only the strength of his hands to aid him in his struggle with life, Mr. Widener has since become possessed of a fine farm, has reared a family who are a credit to his name, and during all the years of his residence in the community has been known as a man of honest and good report.
Oliver P. Widener was born in Jackson township this county, Decem- ber 4, 1864, a son of William and Amanda J. (Sisson) Widener. Both parents are now deceased. The father and five brothers were soldiers in the Civil war, and all in Indiana regiments. The family were among the early settlers of Madison county, and the name has always been asso- ciated in this section of the state with industry and integrity. The par- ents had ten children, seven of whom are living in 1913, namely : Robert, Charles, William, Oliver P., Sarah, wife of Sherman Stephenson; Amanda J., wife of John Hoffman ; and Hattie, who is married and lives in Texas.
Oliver P. Widener was reared on a farm in Madison county and all the education he attained was by attendance during the winter seasons in the neighboring district schools. The summers were spent in the labor of the homestead and when he was fourteen years of age his father
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died, leaving him as the chief support of the family. For this reason he remained at home as practical manager of the farm until he was about twenty-four years of age. He then on September 12, 1888, mar- ried Sarah E. Graham, who was born in Madison county, received her education in the district schools and represents an old family name in this section. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Widener located upon a farm, and by dint of industry, thrifty management, finally acquired their present handsome estate of one hundred and twenty acres in Fall Creek township, this representing and being in the nature of a monument to their career of persistent labor in this county.
Mr. and Mrs. Widener became the parents of five children, four of whom are living in 1913 as follows: Ruby, who graduated from the common schools and is now the wife of Robert MeCleary of Anderson; Dessie F., who also attended the common schools and is now the wife of Harry Webb, of Hamilton county, this state; Vernie, who is a farmer and resides on the homestead with his parents; Jennie, who is a student in the district schools. Mr. Widener and his family worship in the Methodist faith, and he is one of the trustees, a steward and also a dis- trict steward of his church, being one of the most active workers for the church and the Sunday school of this denomination. In politics he is a Prohibitionist. On his farm he raises the general crops and con- siderable stock, and everything about the place is indicative of good management and thoroughness.
ALFRED D. HURST. In the recent death of Alfred Dickson Hurst, which occurred at his home in Anderson on September 14, 1912, there passed away a well known citizen, one who had been identified with Madison county for thirty years, and within his career were embraced important activities in education, manufacturing, banking, politics, religion, and civic affairs. At his home city of Anderson he was held in universal esteem, and was for many years one of the most substantial factors in business, a man who through energetic, straightforward busi- ness methods gained a comfortable fortune. He had hosts of friends all over the state of Indiana.
Though a great meed of praise must always be due to the pioneers and first settlers for their efforts in behalf of progress and civilization, at least equal if not greater honor is due the men whose enterprise, genius and untiring industry during the latter years of the old century, contributed so largely to the general advancement and development of the county .. It was in this latter class that . Alfred D. Hurst belonged. He was born in Wayne county, Indiana, on a farm near Centerville, April 8, 1856. His parents were William and Merab Foster Hurst, both highly connected and greatly respected in the community in which they lived. They were identified with agricultural pursuits and in consequence Alfred's early boyhood was passed upon the farm and in the performance of such labors as were common to boys similarly situ- ated in life .. During the fall and winter months, he attended the district schools, and being ambitious to acquire an education applied himself to his studies with such assuidity that he was not long in mastering the elementary branches. Having an ambition to fit himself for the pro- fession of teaching, he subsequently attended DePauw University, where he took a classical course. He remained in that University four years, during which time his standing as a student and orator and debater
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was highly creditable alike to himself and the school. He was a mem- Ler of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
After leaving University he was employed as a teacher in the public schools at Brazil, Indiana, and afterwards in the capacity of superin- tendent, the duties of which position he discharged with eminent satis- faction to the school board and the patrons of the schools. His services as an educator were sought in other cities and in 1884 he accepted a proposition from the school board of Frankton in Madison county to superintend the schools. For seven years he ably and faithfully looked after the educational interests of Frankton, and it can be truthfully said that no superintendent before or since came more nearly to satisfy- ing the public expectations. His methods were approved, and his efficiency was never questioned. Mr. Hurst left his profession about the time that the development of the natural gas fields of eastern Indiana wrought such a complete change in the industrial and economic situa- tion in this section of the state. He was quick to see the possibilities for manufacturing enterprise and he resigned his position to engage in affairs that promised greater financial returns for his labor than the profession of teaching. Through his efforts the Hoosier Fence Com- pany was organized in 1892. No enterprise in the county perhaps has been more successful than this, due largely to the industry and able management of the late Mr. Hurst. He was also one of the principal promoters of the Frankton Land Improvement Company, assisted in organizing the Quick City Glass Company, and was connected finan- cially, if not in the management with the Drisher Coil Company and the Frankton Furniture Company. The late Mr. Hurst was a hard worker, and it was his constant and concentrated application to busi- ness which brought about ill health and in 1901 obliged him to retire from business affairs. Relinquishing the active supervision and man- agement of the industries which have been mentioned, he purchased in November, 1901, a large farm in Richland township, to which he removed his family with the expectation of finding that rest and recreation so essential to one in his condition of health. However, his residence there continued only a few months, when he bought a home at 311 West 12th St., Anderson, and moved to that city. During his later years he had relations with several enterprises in Anderson and elsewhere. He was one of the organizers of the People's State Bank of Anderson, and a director in the Sterling Fire Insurance Company of Indianapolis. Besides looking after his various realty interests at Anderson, he took a great deal of pleasure in supervising and improving the three farms owned by him and located in Madison county. Agriculture was always a great hobby with Mr. Hurst, and it was a constant pleasure for him to be on his farms and so far as possible to look after the details of their management. He enjoyed watching things grow, and was with all a practical business man and made his land produce a generous income.
The late Mr. Hurst was twice married. On December 24, 1880, at Brazil, he married Miss Iva Bridges. Four children were born to that marriage: Helen, Lucia, Joseph E., and Charles. Joseph is now de- ceased; Mrs. Hurst died in 1888. As indicating the character of the man and his solicitude for the welfare and usefulness of his children, it may be stated that Mr. Hurst afforded his children e.ery possible opportunity for acquiring a finished education. The daughter Helen is now Mrs. Charles Preston of Monticello; Lucia is Mrs. Geo. Forrey
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of Indianapolis. Mr. Hurst also had one grandson, Charles Preston Jr., of Monticello, Indiana.
On July 10, 1895, at Frankton, Mr. Hurst married Miss Jessie M. Jackley. The one child now living of this union is Alfred D. Hurst, Jr. Mr. Hurst was survived by four brothers and two sisters, namely : William, now deceased; Oscar and Joseph Hurst of Centerville, in Wayne county ; Frank Hurst of Frankton; Mrs. Robert Wilson of Col- lege Corner, Ohio; and Mrs. Florence Triplett, of Bloomington, Indiana.
In church affairs, the late Mr. Hurst was a devout member of the First Methodist church of Anderson, having served as a member of its official board for some time. Though a loyal Methodist, he believed in the good of all religion, and for himself endeavored to practice the golden rule.
His birthday was the date of the formal organization of the Repub- lican party as a national party, and though he always had sound reason for all his political actions, he was attached to the Republican interests throughout his voting career, and one of the prominent Republicans of Madison county. In 1892 he was a candidate for the office of state representative on the Republican ticket, and during the campaign of 1910 served as chairman of the Republican county committee. In 1892 Madison county was safely Democratic, and he willingly sacrificed him- self for the good of his party without expectation of election. During his speaking tour about the county in that year, though his fellow citi- zens were not aware that he had won the oratorical contest among the teachers of the county in 1888, discovered the fact that he was not only a logical reasoner but a graceful orator. He also had the satisfaction at the close of the campaign of knowing that through his efforts the regular majority of the opposition was largely reduced. .
IIonest, honorable and just, in the late Alfred Dickson Hurst were combined all the elements that make for progress and good citizenship. Always a patriot, he loved his country, was devoted to his home, and in the love of Deity stood without fear or favor for every good work. A man of education, he was a patron of books, and had a splendid knowl- edge of standard literature and a fine acquaintance with current history. He had the practical idealism of the true Christion, loved flowers, music and children, and was in his opinions and in his practical relations an optimist. He was regarded as a genial companion and a true friend, and measured by the actual results his life was more than ordinarily successful. His integrity was never questioned, and he left a heritage of a good name which his children and his children's children will always cherish.
ANDREW J. WHETSEL. No more notable example of what may be accomplished by energy, industry and perseverance could be found than that exemplified in the career of Andrew J. Whetsel, one of the highly esteemed farmers of Adams township. Handicapped in his youth by the lack of even ordinary educational advantages, he embarked upon his career without means or influential friends, and in spite of the numerous obstacles which have sought to impede his progress has sturdily and steadily forged his way to the top, until today he is the owner of a fine property of 110 acres in section 18, and is recognized as a man of substantial worth and influence in his community. Mr. Whetsel was born on a farm near Mechanicsburg, Henry county, Indiana, May 31, 1865, and is a son of Noah and Mary (Corbin) Whetsel.
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Noah Whetsel was born and reared in Rockingham county, Vir- ginia, and after his marriage came to Indiana, locating in Henry county, Indiana. While a resident here, in 1864, he enlisted for service in the Civil War, and on his return to the pursuits of peace moved to Madison county, where he has since made his home. He and his wife, who is now deceased, were the parents of twelve children-eight sons and two daughters-and of these children ten are living at this time, namely : Lewis, who resides in Madison county ; William H., a resident of Han- cock county, Indiana; Andrew J., of this review; Charles, living at Elwood, Indiana; Noah, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits near Alexandria; Israel and Nealey, who are engaged in farming southwest of Anderson; Emma, who hecame the wife of Samuel Case, of Anderson; Francina, who became the wife of George Ott, of Indianapolis; and Lillian, who married Henry Thomas, a well-known contractor and builder of Anderson.
Andrew J. Whetsel was an infant of one year when brought by his parents to Madison county, and here he was reared to manhood. His early studies were neglected, the greater part of his education being secured in the school of hard work, but in later years this has been sup- plemented by a great deal of reading, study and observation, and at this time he is a better educated man than many who had much greater early advantages. Mr. Whetsel embarked upon a career of his own when he was but seventeen years of age, securing employment by the month on farms in Madison county. He had early learned the value of a dollar and carefully hoarded his savings, with the goal ever in view of one day being the owner of a property of his own. It took ten years of the hardest kind of work and the closest economy to realize this ambition, but when he was once fairly settled upon his first small purchase of land, he began to rise rapidly. He now has 110 acres of excellent land, all in a high state of cultivation, which yields him generous crops for the labor expended upon it. His buildings are substantial in character, his live stock sleek and well fed, his machinery of the latest manufacture, and the whole general appearance of the property testifies to its owner's good management and thrift. Mr. Whetsel is a quiet, unassuming man, yet wields some influence in his neighborhood, although his only con- nection with public affairs has been his support of the prohibition move- ment. He is known to be strictly honorable in his business dealings, and as neighbor and friend is kind and generous. With his family, he holds membership in the Union Missionary Baptist church.
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