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 84
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Together with his parents, Mr. Crittenberger left Virginia in 1856 and came to Jefferson township, Henry county, settling about five miles east of Middletown. In the year 1874, Mr. Crittenberger entered Indiana University, from which institution he became a graduate in 1878. He received a degree of Bachelor of Arts for his work in the state institu- tion. Upon completing his work at Indiana, Mr. Crittenberger came to Anderson to make his home. On September 1, 1878, he passed the bar examination and for five years practiced law with Charles L. Henry, now of Indianapolis.
From 1883 to 1887, Mr. Crittenberger served as the county superin- tendent of schools. At the close of his term of office, he bought the Anderson Democrat, then being printed with headquarters in the Bronnenberg block. Since that time he has been actively engaged in newspaper work with exception of a few years. After several years, in 1889, Mr. Crittenberger established the Daily News, a Democratic even- ing paper. Starting in the following year, he acted as a trustee of the Indiana State Normal at Terre Haute for two years. In 1893 he ·was elected to the postmastership, and he served in that capacity for one term. In the year 1904, Mr. Crittenberger went to Indianapolis where he managed the Indianapolis Sentinel for a year. After returning to this city, he spent several years with his newspaper, and on September 1, 1908, the Daily News was consolidated with the Anderson Bulletin also an evening publication. During the 1911 session of the senate, Mr. Crittenberger acted as secretary and spent a large portion of his time in Indianapolis.
On June 2, 1884, Dale J. Crittenberger and Miss Effie A. Daniels were married. Mrs. Crittenberger was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Daniels, then residing at 413 West Eighth street. By this union, four children were born: Dale John, Juliet Virginia, Willis Dale and George.
Mr. Crittenberger is affiliated with Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 77 F. and A. M., and Anderson Commandery No. 32, Knights Templar. He has been a Mason for the last thirty years. While attending Indiana uni- versity, he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, and at present is a member of the Sigma Chi Alumni Association of Anderson.
ELBERT E. KIDWELL. The junior member of the firm of Campbell & Kidwell, lawyers at Elwood, Mr. Kidwell represents the fourth gen- eration of a family which has been residents in Madison county since the earliest pioneer times, his great-grandfather having entered land from the government and having begun and performed an important share in the strenuous labors involved in the preparation of this country for permanent civilization. This is the oldest or one of the very oldest families in the northwestern portion of Madison county near the pres- ent city of Elwood, where the residence of the different members of the family have been for nearly eighty years.
Elbert E. Kidwell was born in Elwood, December 28, 1884, a son of Ira A. and Anna (Lorah) Kidwell. The founder of the family name and fortunes in Madison county, was the great-grandfather Starling G. Kidwell, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana, and came to Madi- son county in 1835. Among the first settlers here took up land from the government and the great plant of the American Sheet & Tin Plate Company now occupies a portion of that old homestead. He cleared out a farm from the woods and swamp in this section, made a valuable
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and profitable homestead and spent the rest of his life in this vicinity. Representing the next generation was Jackson Kidwell, grandfather of the Elwood lawyer. He married Mahala Quick. He was by occupation a school teacher and farmer, and was reared on the place one mile south of Elwood which has been mentioned as the home of his father. He died there in middle life in 1861, while his wife passed away in 1860. Their five children were named William F., Ira A., Margaret E., Louisa, who was the wife of Thomas Reid and Jennie, who was the wife of Isaac T. Boyden. The maternal grandparents of Mr. E. E. Kidwell were Andy and Jane (Burns) Lorah, who were natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers in Madison county, applying their industry to the making of a farm on land that in the early day was a practical swamp. They drained and cleared a first class farm, reared their family there, and then moved to Elwood, where they passed away, he in 1893 and she in 1910. Their children were Anna, Ella and Grant.
Ira A. Kidwell, the father, was born in Madison county, while his wife was a native of Brookville, Franklin county, this state. They had only two children, Albert E. and Edna, twins. The father was born and reared in the little community center which at that time was known as Quincy, but has since become the site of the flourishing city of Elwood. For thirty-two years he was engaged in the milling busi- ness, but has since retired, and now lives quietly in Elwood. For some time he served as a member of the city council, and was also on the board of public works. He is a member of the Christian church, while his wife is a Methodist.
Elbert E. Kidwell was reared in Elwood, which has been his life- long home, attained his education in the public school, and after grad- uating from the high school in the class of 1904 entered the law department of the state university of Bloomington, where he was grad- uated LL. B. in 1908. After his admission to the bar on November 26, 1906, he was more or less active in his profession at Elwood, and in January, 1909, began his regular practice in this city. In August of the same year, he became associated with Mr. B. H. Campbell, and they have enjoyed a generous share of the legal business in this section.
On October 26, 1910, Mr. Kidwell married Miss Dorothy Armfield, daughter of Dr. T. O. and Ella (Cook) Armfield. Mrs. Kidwell was born in New Lancaster, her parents being natives of this state and now residents in Elwood. She was the third of the following four chil- dren: Iva; Jesse T .; Dorothy and Clarence. Mrs. Kidwell is an active member of the Methodist church in Elwood. Fraternally Mr. Kidwell is affiliated with the Quincy Lodge No. 230, A. F. & A. M., with the Loyal Order of Moose, and belongs to the Phi Gamma Delta College fraternity. In politics he is one of the young Progressives of this part of Madison county, and during the campaign of 1912 was candidate of his party for the office of state representative. His residence in Elwood is at 115 South Eighteenth street.
CHARLES RUSSELL QUINN. One of the valuable farms of Madison county which has been brought to a state of high cultivation through modern methods and intelligent treatment is that occupied by Charles R. Quinn. Mr. Quinn belongs to the younger generation of progress- ive farmers, is thoroughly familiar with every detail of his vocation, having been trained therein since early boyhood. He was born October
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3, 1888, at Daleville, Delaware county, Indiana, and is a son of Alex- ander and Clara (Bronnenberg) Quinn.
The family was founded in the United States by Charles Quinn, the grandfather of Charles R. Quinn, who emigrated to this country from Ireland. He became a resident of Indiana at an early day, and here reared his family of six children, who were as follows: Daniel, James, Alexander, John, Mrs. Mary Mighmiller, and Mrs. Ella Rector. Alexander Quinn was born in Ireland, and was still an infant when brought to this country by his parents. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he has followed throughout life, and the. greater part of his career has been spent in Indiana. For some years he was the owner of a property in Delaware county, from which he subsequently moved to the farm in Madison county, on which his son now resides, and which he improved by the erection of a number of handsome struc- tures, including the present dwelling. He and his wife were the parents of three children: Earl and Marie, who are both deceased; and Charles Russell.
Charles R. Quinn received his education in the country schools of Moonville, which he attended during the winter terms, his summer months being spent in assisting his father with the work of the home- stead. He was still a lad when he came to Madison county, and here he has continued to follow the calling of a general farmer. He is also much interested in blooded horses, a great admirer of racing stock, and his future career will no doubt be directed along that line. He has continued to add to the improvements of the ninety-acre homestead, which is now considered one of the most valuable of its size in this section of the country, and has become known as a good, practical agriculturist, who is ever ready to test new methods and systems. In business affairs, he is a man of keen discrimination and fine judgment of energy and perseverance, and the prosperity which has attended his efforts is the merited reward of his own intelligent labor. His resi- dence is pleasantly situated on Anderson Rural Free Delivery Route No. 1.
On July 19, 1908, Mr. Quinn was united in marriage with Miss Lena Click, who was born near Crawfordsville, Indiana, daughter of Isaac and Teresa (Utterbock) Click, the former of whom is deceased. Mr. Click was a native of Germany, from whence he emigrated to the United States and settled near Crawfordsville, Indiana, but later came to Madison county, and here spent his last years in farming. He and his wife were the parents of eight children : Eugene, Edgar, Earl, Elmer, Lottie, Lulu, Letha and Lena. Mr. and Mrs. Quinn have had one son, Carl, a bright lad of three years. They attend the Christian church, in the work of which they have been active, and have many friends in the younger social circle of Anderson.
JOHN L. THOMAS. One of the most substantial and prosperous farmers of Fall Creek township, likewise one of the men who enjoy the most profound and sincere esteem and friendship of his fellow citizens in the community is John Lewis Thomas. His entire life has been passed in Madison county. The family was established here by his worthy parents, and the name has been honored by his consistent and meritorious career.
John Lewis Thomas was born on the 20th of November, 1837, a son of Lewis W. and Priscilla Moore (Fussell) Thomas, the former being a
MR. AND MRS. JOHN L. TIIOMAS
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son of Jonathan and Anne (Lewis) Thomas. The ancestry of the family is Welsh, and it is of record that three brothers of the name of Thomas came from England on the good ship Welcome in company with the immortal William Penn. The brothers located in eastern Pennsyl- vania, and John L. Thomas is a direct lineal descendant of one of the three brothers. Jonathan Thomas, the grandfather, and his wife, Anne Lewis, were reared in Chester county, Pennsylvania, and there they married, coming to Madison county, Indiana, in 1834, among the early settlers of the district known to-day as Spring Valley. This worthy pioneer was the founder of the Fall Creek church of the Society of Friends, and they held their first meeting in July, 1834, since which time no Sunday has passed without witnessing its similar Quaker service. Mr. Thomas located on the farm where Samuel Swain now lives, and there he and his wife ended their days and lie buried. They were the parents of three children: Rebecca, who became the wife of John J. Lewis; Lewis W. Thomas, who married Priscilla Fussell; and Mary A., who married Woolston Swain.
Lewis W. Thomas was about twenty-one years of age when he came to Madison county with his parents, and he was married on February 23, 1837, to Priscilla Fussell, as mentioned above. They became the parents of eleven children, of which goodly number six were living in 1913. They are named as follows: John L. Thomas, of this sketch ; Martha M., the wife of Aaron Morris; Jonathan, who married Emma Rogers; Mary, the wife of William R. Kinnard, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Solomon F., who married Carrie Lang; and Alice, the wife of Edgar Whitely.
John L. Thomas was reared on the farm which is now the property of William R. Kinnard. When old enough to enter the public schools he was sent to them in the summer months, but the winter seasons found him at home, in close application to the work of the farm. Until he was twenty years old he attended school intermittently and devoted him- self to farm life exclusively from. then until he was twenty-five. His education in the district schools, supplemented by his wide reading, had made it possible for him to teach a country school, and for eleven years lie was engaged in that occupation during the winter months. On September 18, 1862, he married Caroline Swain, a daughter of Charles Swain, who came from Bucks county, Pennsylvania, to Madison county in 1852. She was born in Bucks county on the 15th of June, 1838, and was educated in the schools of Indiana principally. Of the four children which came into their home three have been spared to them, a little son, Lewis, having died in infancy. Emma is the wife of Frank P. Miller, of Romney, West Virginia, a farmer. Charles S. is a graduate of the University of Indiana, and was formerly a student at Harvard. He now occupies the chair of English in a high school at Newtonville, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. Lewis W., who was a student in the public schools and the State University, now resides on the home farm, which he operates for his father. He married Margaret Willits, a daughter of Samuel E. and Virginia (Wilson) Willits, both now deceased. The father was a native of Wayne county, Indiana. One child, Virginia, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Thomas on the 24th of March, 1913.
Mr. Thomas is a member of the Friends Church and sits at the head of the church in this locality founded by his grandfather many years ago, and he frequently preaches therein. In 1868, with others, he organ-
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ized the Sunday-school, and has ever since held the offices of teacher or superintendent therein. He has the distinction of being the oldest living member of the church born in this section. He is a pronounced Republican in his political affiliations, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He has served in a number of the public offices of the county, including that of trustee of Fall Creek township, in which he served three years. He has also served as a member of the County Cen- tral Committee, and has given valuable service to the cause of the party in Madison county. He was the principal organizer of the Farmers Mutual Fire & Lightning Insurance Company of Madison county, and served as secretary and treasurer of that society for eleven years and as a director for two years. He is also one of the original members of the state organization bearing the same name, which he served two years as treasurer, has been prominent in the work of the Farmers Institute and is one of the most successful farmers of the county. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 36, in an excellent state of cultivation and maintained in the most painstaking and businesslike manner.
Recently Mr. and Mrs. Thomas celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage, known as the Golden Wedding Anniversary. Their married life has been beautiful in its harmony, and each has won and retained in a remarkable degree the confidence and esteem of many of the most representative people of the township. They have added much to the best interests and advancement of the community, and are eminently deserving of the high place they now occupy in the public mind.
WARD L. ROACH. Among the honored residents of Elwood, Indiana, none are held in higher esteem than Ward L. Roach, who has lived in this city for more than a quarter of a century, has occupied a high place at the Madison county bar, and for more than twenty years has served his fellow-citizens in the capacity of justice of the peace. A veteran of the great Civil war, in both times of war and times of peace he has ever displayed a characteristic devotion to whatever duty has devolved upon him, fairly earning the respect and confidence of all who have known him. Judge Roach was born December 20, 1838, at Huntsville, Madison county, Indiana, and is a son of Lanty and Louisa (Brown) Roach, the former a native of Monroe county, and the latter of Mason county, Virginia.
The paternal grandfather of Ward L. Roach was a native of the Old Dominion State, where he was engaged in farming for many years, and where both he and his wife, who was also a Virginian, died when well along in years. During the Revolutionary War, he enlisted in the Continental army, and when the War of 1812 broke out, he again took up arms in his country's defense. He became the father of a large family, among whom were Katie, who became the wife of Andrew McNear; Isaac; John; Thomas and Lanty. On the maternal side, the grandfather of Ward L. Roach was Martin Brown, who married Susanna McAllister, both being natives of Virginia. They were farming people, and became pioneers of Madison county, Indiana, where both died in advanced years, Mr. Brown on Fall Creek, about two miles east of Huntsville, and his wife in Anderson. Like Grandfather Roach, Mr. Brown served as an American soldier during the War of 1812. He and his wife were the parents of a large family, as follows: Mary Ann,
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who became the wife of John Howard, and lived on Lick Creek; Louisa, the mother of Judge Roach; Susanna, who married a Nicholson; Har- riet, who became the wife of a Veach; Emily, who married (first) a Johnson and later a Lemon; Lorenzo D .; Elizabeth, who married a Templin; and Garrett.
Lanty Roach, the father of Ward L. Roach, was reared in the state of his nativity, there received a common school education, and in young manhood learned the trade of carpenter. In the year 1835, looking for a wider field for his activities, he turned his face toward the young West, and made his way to Iluntsville, Indiana, where he established him- self in business in the little but growing town. He became a power in his community, and during the early days served his county ably as sheriff, but later moved from Huntsville to a tract of 160 acres of government land, east of Elwood, and this he cleared and improved, making a comfortable home for his family, and spending his declining years in the comfort that came as a reward for his years of fruitful labor. Born October 28, 1814, he passed away October 13, 1887, while his wife, who was born February 8, 1818, passed to her final rest May 3, 1894. She was a member of the Methodist church. Mr. and Mrs. Roach were the parents of five children, namely : Ward L., Mary S., who became the wife of Josiah Canady, of near Frankton, Indiana; Martha, who is now deceased; John M., who lives near Dundee, Indiana ; Emily O., who married and is living at Frankton, Indiana.
Ward L. Roach received his education in the public schools of Huntsville, which he attended until he was twelve years of age, and at that time went to Anderson, where for two years he was employed as a clerk in a general store. Following this, he read law in the office and under the preceptorship of Judge Lake, of Anderson, and was admitted to the Indiana bar before he reached his majority. For two years he served as assistant prosecuting attorney at Anderson, but subsequently went to Barton county, Missouri, being engaged in prac- tice there at Lamar, at the time of the outbreak of hostilities between the North and the South. An ardent patriot, he returned to Indiana, and for a few weeks resided on his father's farm from whence he went to enlist in the Forty-first Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for service in the Union army. Later he was transferred to the Second Cavalry, with which organization he continued about two years, being detailed from the regiment and appointed sergeant of the corps of General Hazen. During his service, Mr. Roach participated in a num- ber of the bloodiest battles of the great war, these including Shiloh and Corinth, and when he received his honorable discharge, he had a rec- ord for gallantry and faithful devotion to duty that was excelled by no soldier in the army.
On the completion of his military career, Mr. Roach returned to Anderson and again took up the practice of law. He remained there until 1887, which year saw his advent in Elwood, and this place has been his home to the present time. Here he has served more than twenty years as justice of the peace, his fellow-citizens having the utmost confidence in his judgment, his conscientiousness and his impartiality. During the past twenty-two years he has resided on his farm of twenty- one acres, on which he has a comfortable residence. In politics he is a Democrat, and his fraternal connection is with Quincy Lodge, No. 230, F. & A. M., he having been made a Mason at Frankton.
On October 25, 1866. Squire Roach was married to Miss Mary A.
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Waymire. Mr. Roach was married June 26, 1873, to Miss Martha West, who was born near Williamsport, Indiana, daughter of John A. and Azubah (Wilson) West of Illinois, the former a native of Georgia and the latter of Ohio. Mrs. Roach's parents had the following children: George, Samuel, William, Thomas, Moses, Betsey McClish, Charlotte Romine, Salina West, Anna and Martha. Judge and Mrs. Roach have one daughter : Louisa A., born October 17, 1877, who is single and lives at home with her parents.
JACOB HARTMAN. About seven miles northwest of the city of Ander- son, in Lafayette township, is located the eighty-acre farm of Jacob Hartman, whose work in developing this property into one of the finest in this section stamps him as an able agriculturist and sturdy, dependable citizen. IIe is a typical self-made man, having been given but indifferent educational advantages in his youth, and attaining his success through the medium of individual effort. Mr. Hartman was born on the Hughes farm, subsequently known as the Hartman farm, in Monroe township, Madison county, Indiana, and is a son of John and Lucinda (Clevinger) Hartman. His father was a native of Penn- sylvania, and as a young man learned the trade of pump-making, at which he was employed during his younger years. A steady, indus- trious workman, he carefully saved his earnings until he was able to purchase a small tract of land in Monroe township, and after develop- ing this property traded it for a farm of eighty acres in Pipe Creek township, northeast of Alexander. There he continued to follow agri- cultural pursuits during the remainder of his life. He married Lucinda Clevinger, whose family had come to Indiana from New Jersey, and they became the parents of seven children: John; Mary, who married Absolom Richwine; William, who is deceased, was married and had a son, Walter; Fred, who is deceased; Charles; Susan, who married Mr. Peniston; and Jacob.
Jacob Hartman was compelled to walk two and one-half miles to reach the district school during his boyhood, and his education was thus secured during three months each winter. The rest of the year he passed in assisting in the work of the home farm from the time he was large enough to grasp the plowhandles. However, he made the most of his somewhat limited opportunities, and much reading and close observation have made him a very well informed man, especially upon the live issues of the day. He was reared to habits of industry and economy, and continued to remain upon the home place until he reached his thirty-second year, when he entered agricultural pursuits upon his own account. His present property has been developed solely by him, and he has fairly won the right to be named among his town- ship's best agriculturists.
Mr. Hartman was married to Miss Sarah Graves, daughter of Joseph and Lucy (Kendall) Graves, and five children were born to this union: Joseph, Bessie, Elsie, Grace and Lela, the last two of whom are now deceased. The comfortable Hartman home is located on. Anderson Rural Route, No. 6, and in this vicinity both Mr. and Mrs. Hartman have numerous friends. They take an interest in the activities of their community and are rearing their children to perpetuate the honorable name which the family has ever borne. Mr. Hartman is a local poli- tician and wields an infinence in his locality as a Democratic worker.
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His advice and support are songht by all who aspire to office in Madi- son county.
ELMER SCHLEGEL. It is probable that were the gentleman whose name heads this review asked to define the secret of success in life, from his own standpoint and experience, his reply would be that it is hard work, availing itself of fair opportunities. Always and everywhere he remembers that he has worked faithfully and conscientiously, and that to himself, and all Madison county men of his caliber, is peculiarly applicable the well-worn maxim, that "nothing succeeds like success." Today he is the owner of a well-cultivated tract of fifty acres, lying in Lafayette township, on which he is carrying on operations in modern farming and cattle raising. Mr. Schlegel is a native son of Madison county, and was born in April, 1866, a son of Henry C. and Laura J. (Myers) Schlegel. IIis father, Henry C., a native of Germany, emi- grated to the United States with his parents when still a lad, and after spending a period of years in Pennsylvania came to Chesterfield, Madi- son county, Indiana. Subsequently, he bought land in Delaware county, and there settled down to agricultural pursuits. He remained on the farm until the death of his wife in 1898. Since that time he has lived in Daleville, Indiana, his daughter keeping house for him. He and his wife were the parents of four children, namely: William H., who makes his home in Delaware county on the old homestead; Elmer; Mollie, also a resident of Delaware county ; and J. C., who lives at Lima, Ohio.
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