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 86
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On May 27, 1871, Mr. Webb was married in Pipe Creek township, to Miss Sarah C. Owens, daughter of James and Mary A. (Miller) Owens, who came from North Carolina to Madison county at an early period in this section's history. Two children have been born to this union : Minor, and Ollie, who is now Mrs. Dipboye. The comfortable Webb homestead is situated on Alexander Rural Free Delivery Route No. 20. Mr. Webb is a staunch Republican, believing in Lincoln, Chase, Sumner, Fremont and all of the patriots of the formation of that party. The history of the Republican party and its traditions are sacred to him. He is a member of Mt. Moriah Lodge, No. 77, F. & A. M., at Anderson, and also of Lodge No. 131, I. O. O. F., of Anderson, in which he takes an active part. Mr. Webb is progressive and was one of the first rural residents of Madison county to own an automobile.
GEORGE A. WHITLEDGE, M. D. The medical profession of Madison county has always been noted for the excellent attainment and high character of its members, and in the ranks of the active practitioners of to-day are men whose ability ranks them among the best representatives of the profession in the state. One of the youngest physicians and surgeons, and a specialist in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, is Dr. Whitledge, whose career since locating for active practice in Ander- son fifteen years ago has been marked by expert qualifications and suc- cessful work.
George A. Whitledge is a native of Kentucky, born in Henderson county, near Corydon, June 11, 1869. His father was Thomas W. T. Whitledge, who was born in the same county of Kentucky in 1846. The maiden name of the mother was China Brown, and she too was born in Henderson county, Kentucky. Both parents are now deceased. The family is of English extraction.
Sawhiledge .
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Dr. Whitledge acquired his early education in the common and high schools of Corydon, after which he entered the State University Medical School at Louisville, where he was graduated in 1891 with his medical degree. During 1895-96 he pursued special courses in the diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He was also a student in the special course of opthalmology and pursued post graduate work in the Medical Depart- ment of Cornell University. In 1897 he began medical practice with spec- ial attention to the departments for which he had prepared himself. In 1902 Dr. Whitledge, who has always been alert and eager to keep apace with the best attainments of his profession, was again a post graduate student in medicine in New York City, while in 1907 he went abroad and attended lectures and clinics on the eye, ear, nose and throat in Vienna and Berlin. On returning to the United States he opened his office in Anderson as a specialist in those diseases, and has since acquired a large practice.
Dr. Whitledge is an active member of the Madison County Medical Society, of which he has served as both president and secretary ; the State Medical Society ; the American Medical Association; and of the State Board of Ophthalmology, appointed by Governor Ralston. Fraternally he is associated with Mt. Moriah Lodge, No. 77, A. F. & A. M., and with Anderson Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never held office or sought prominence in party affairs.
On the 18th of June, 1891, Dr. Whitledge was married to Miss Effie Dixon, of Henderson county, Kentucky, a daughter of George W. Dixon, who was a prominent merchant and farmer of that locality. The Whit- ledge residence is located at 327 West Eighth street, Anderson, and the Doctor maintains his office in the Union Building.
ISAAC BRONNENBERG. Among the enterprising citizens of Madison county who owe their success and advancement in life to their own well directed efforts and industry is Isaac Bronnenberg, of Lafayette town- ship. He is a leading representative of the agricultural interests here, and has done his full share in advancing the growth and development of the community, and his career furnishes an example of what may be attained through the exercise of enterprise, perseverance and integrity. Mr. Bronnenberg was born June 12, 1850, in Richland township, Madi- son county, Indiana, and is a son of Michael and Francena (Forkner) Bronnenberg.
His great grandfather, Isaac Forkner whose name he bears, was a soldier in the war of 1812, from North Carolina. His grandfather, Jesse Forkner was an early settler of Madison county, coming here in 1837, where he served as county commissioner, being a Whig in politics. Before coming to Madison county Jesse Forkner was sheriff of Henry county, and was one of the first to enter lands in Liberty township in that county.
Michael Bronnenberg was born in Indiana, and was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits throughout his life, establishing a good home for his family and rearing his children to lives of usefulness and industry. They were seven in number, as follows: Carl, Jasper, Isaac, Frank (who is deceased) Hannah, Hulda and Weems. Isaac Bronnenberg received his education in the public schools of his native vicinity, which he attended during the winter terms, his summers being spent in work on the home farm. He early decided to make the cultivation of the soil his life work, and remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-six years of
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age, at which time he purchased his first piece of land in Lafayette town- ship. To this he has added from time to time, and now has about 260 acres under cultivation, on which he raises excellent crops. He has erected modern, commodious buildings for the shelter of his stock, grain and implements, and has a comfortable residence, equipped with modern conveniences. General farming has occupied the greater part of his attention, although he has raised some stock and engaged in various other branches of agricultural work. He has built up a firmly estab- lished reputation for integrity and honorable business dealings, and is justly considered one of his community's representative substantial citizens.
On February 18, 1875, Mr. Bronnenberg was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Gooding, daughter of Lennox and Martha (Callahan) Gooding. Lennox Gooding was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, and was educated in his native state. When a young man he migrated to Madison county, Indiana, and located on what is known as the old Good- ing home place, a tract on which he continued operations throughout the remainder of his life. He and his wife were the parents of three chil- dren : Mrs. Bronnenberg, James and John. Mr. Gooding became one of the heavy taxpayers of Madison county, being at one time the owner of 500 acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Bronnenberg have had six children, as follows: James A., who married Cora Bodkins; Elsie, who married Matt Holder; Effie, who became the wife of Elmer Harless; Anna, who married Amos Boyer; Exie, who married Carl Free; and Sarah.
Mr. Bronnenberg is a Democrat in his political belief, but has never aspired to public office, being content to devote his energies to the work of tilling his fertile fields. With his family, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, to the movements of which he donates liberally.
JESSE E. HALL. In no field of endeavor is there demanded a more careful preparation, a more thorough appreciation of the absolute ethics of life, or of the underlying principles which form the basis of human rights and privileges than in that of the law, and in no profession is there a career more open to talent .. Intuitive wisdom, unflagging application, and a determination to fully utilize the means at hand are the accom- paniments which insure personal prosperity and influence in this great profession, which stands as the stern conservator of justice, and it is one into which none should enter without a realization of the struggles which will have to be won, for success comes only as a result of ability and unusual capacity. Among those who have won merited recognition at the Madison county bar, none stand higher in public esteem than does Jesse E. Hall, of Alexandria, a wide-awake, energetic citizen and mem- ber of the village advisory board, who for nineteen years has occupied offices at No. 113 1-2 North Harrison street. Mr. Hall was born two and one-half miles east and one-half mile north of Alexandria, Indiana, and is a son of Jesse H. and Elizabeth S. (Ellis) Hall.
The paternal grandparents of Mr. Hall, Joseph Hall and his wife, were natives of Virginia and early settlers of Ohio, and came to Madison county, Indiana, as pioneers about the year 1832. He bought and improved a farm in Monroe township, and there continued to carry. on operations throughout the balance of his career, making a success of his transactions and gaining the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. His death occurred in advanced age, while his wife was eighty-three years old at the time of her demise. They had a family of six children, namely :
DEtall
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Jesse H., John, James, George, Louisa and Jane. Evan Ellis, the maternal grandfather of Jesse E. Hall, came from North Carolina with his wife, and became an early settler in Madison county. He was also a farmer, carried on large operations, and was well known and highly regarded in his community. He and his wife were the parents of three children : Sarah, Emily and Elizabeth S.
Jesse H. Hall was born in Ohio, and was eight years of age when he accompanied his parents to Indiana. Reared to the life of an agricul- turist, he early gave up tilling the soil to engage in educational work, and for twenty-seven terms was one of the most popular teachers Madi- son county had known. He died on the farm east of Alexandria, in March 24, 1901, at the age of seventy-seven years, while his wife passed away in November 17, 1904, when seventy-four or seventy-five years of age. Both were faithful members of the Methodist church. They had a family of thirteen children, of whom eleven grew to maturity : Louisa, deceased, who never married; Nathan A., who resides in Monroe town- ship ; Sarah A., who became the wife of Alexander Peek, of Monroe town- ship; Joseph E., who is a practicing physician of Alexandria; William I., also living here; Mary E., who became the wife of William H. May, of Alexandria; Charles M., an agriculturist of Monroe township; Jesse E .; Maggie, who died unmarried; Henry H., of Alexandria; and Jolin Wesley, Catherine and Amanda, all of whom died in early childhood.
Jesse E. Hall was reared on his father's farm in Madison county, and his early education was secured in the district schools. Subse- quently he attended Fairmount Academy and the Northern Indiana Normal school, at Valparaiso, and the next three years were passed in teaching school in Nebraska. At the end of that period he went back to Valparaiso and entered the law school, and later went to Columbia Law school, Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he was graduated in June, 1892, being admitted to the bar during the same year, as well as to the Supreme Court. After settling up the business of one of his brothers in the West, Mr. Hall came to Alexandria in July, 1893, and here has continued in the enjoyment of a large practice to the present time. Since his advent here, Mr. Hall's comprehensive understanding of the principles of the law, his careful preparation of cases and his fidelity to his clients' inter- ests have gained him an enviable position among the legists of his native county, while his devotion to the best interests of the city have made him no less well known as a public-spirited citizen. He served faithfully in the capacity of city attorney for two years, and is one of the valued mem- bers of the Alexandria Business Men's Association and the Men's Broth- erhood.
On September 13, 1895, Mr. Hall was married to Miss Myrtle Bell, who was born in Alexandria, Indiana, daughter of William and Nettie (Chaplin) Bell, both deceased, the former a native of Anderson and the latter of Alexandria, Indiana. They had three children: Myrtle, Edward and Richard. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have had three children : Cora B., Nettie M. and Perry E. They are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church. In political matters Mr. Hall has given his support to the principles of the new Progressive party. His fraternal connections are with Alexandria Lodge, No. 335, Knights of Pythias; Haymakers' Asso- ciation ; Royal Arcanum ; Mashingonisha Tribe, No. 110, Improved Order of Red Men; and the local tent of the Knights of the Maccabees.
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CHARLES STINSON. The flourishing township of Anderson occupies its high position among the leading townships of Madison county by reason of its public-spirited, progressive agriculturists, who have at all times manifested a commendable willingness to do all in their power to further its advancement and promote its prosperity. One of the fore- most of these patriotic citizens is found in the person of Charles Stinson, who for a number of years has been especially concerned in the develop- ment of the agricultural interests of his section, and has contributed no slight amount of material assistance and influence in this direction. Mr. Stinson is a native of Madison county, and was born in Adams township, April 11, 1874, a son of Isum and Elizabeth (VanDever) Stinson.
The Stinson family was founded in the Hoosier State by George Stin- son, the grandfather of Charles, who was a native of North Carolina and an early settler of Madison county, where he entered land during the administration of President Andrew Jackson. Isum Stinson was also born in the Old North State and was an infant when brought to Indiana by his parents. He spent his entire career in agricultural pursuits, and became one of his section's substantial men, although never entering public life. He and his wife were the parents of six children, namely : ' William, George, Sadie, who married a Mr. Cullepher; Samuel, Charles, and Maggie, who became the wife of a Mr. Williams.
Charles Stinson spent his youth upon the home farm in Adams town- ship, working in the fields and meadows through the summer months, and when the snow fell entered the district schools of the neighborhood, where he pursued his lessons until the return of spring necessitated his return to farm duties. For a time he was a student in the Fessler school, but completed his education in the schools of Adams township, following which he gave over his whole time and attention to the tilling of the soil. His advance in his chosen vocation has been continuous and well balanced, and at this time he is the owner of a handsome property located on the Main street road, in Anderson township, about one and one-half miles from Anderson. Mr. Stinson has given the greater part of his labor to general farming, but he has also met with a gratifying success in stock raising, and his sleek, well-fed cattle testify to his ability in this line. He is practical and progressive in his methods, and in the manage- ment of his business affairs displays a sound judgment that has brought to him a merited success.
On August 29, 1895, Mr. Stinson was united in marriage with Miss Iona B. Harmeson, daughter of John and Nancy J. (Rector) Harmeson, who make their home on the Main Street road, between Mr. Stinson's farm and the city of Anderson. Mr. and Mrs. Stinson have had three chil- dren: Val, Alvey and Zelma. They are members of the Christian church and active in its work, giving freely of their time and means in the support of its movements. In politics Mr. Stinson is a Democrat, but he is too great a lover of his home to enter actively into the struggles of the political arena, although no enterprise of public importance escapes his intelligent consideration. That he is generally popular with his fel- low citizens is testified to by his wide circle of friends.
JOSEPH HIMELICK. A highly esteemed and thriving farmer of Van Buren township, Joseph Himelick, now serving as a member of the County Council of Madison county, is intimately associated with the agricul- tural interests of Van Buren township, owning and occupying a fine estate, to the value and improvement of which he is constantly adding.
"CATALPA GROVE STOCK FARM," RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH IIIMELICK
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A native of Indiana, he was born in Union county, September 14, 1865, a son of John Himelick. His paternal grandparents, James and Mary (Curry) Himelick, who were pioneer settlers of Frankin county, Indiana, reared four children, as follows: John, who was the only son ; Anna, who married Wm. Carpenter; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Galloway ; and Mary, who married John Styres.
Born and brought up in Franklin county, John Himelick selected farming as his occupation, and as a young man began life for himself in Madison county. About 1875 he moved from Van Buren township to Grant county, and there lived and labored until his death, his body being laid to rest in Fairmount Cemetery. He married Mary C. Morris, who survived him, and is now living in Summitville, Indiana. Nine children were born of their union, namely : George, Joseph, the special subject of this brief sketch; Elizabeth, deceased; Robert, John, Olive, Maud, Orville, and Earl.
Gleaning his elementary knowledge of books in the schools of Sum- mitville, Joseph Himelick completed his studies in Grant county, attend- ing the district schools of Fairmount township, where his father located. In the meantime he acquired a practical knowledge of agriculture while assisting in the care of the parental farm. Beginning the battle of life on his own account at the age of twenty-one years, he worked for a while by the month, after which he had the care of his grandmother's farm for three years. Anxious then to enlarge his operations, Mr. Himelick rented another near-by farm, and supervised both estates for a time. Having by dint of hard labor and thrift accumulated some money, he then pur- chased the eighty-acre farm that he last rented, and in its management met with unquestioned success. He has since acquired other valuable tracts of land, and is now the owner of three hundred acres of choice land, one hundred and twenty acres being advantageously located in Grant county, while his home place in Van Buren township, Madison county, contains one hundred and eighty acres, which he devotes to gen- eral farming.
Mr. Himelick married, October 5, 1888, Amanda E. Webster, a daugh- ter of William and Samantha (Englis) Webster, and to them three chil- dren have been born, namely: Robert E., who married Edna Scott; Virgil, and Willias. Religiously Mr. Himelick is a member of the Christian church.
The pretty homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Himelick is known as the "Catalpa Grove Stock Farm" and is one of the fine estates of North Madison county. The original spelling of the name of Himelick in the German language was "Hymelich."
WILLIAM S. POLING. One of the industries which have done much to extend the fame of Anderson as a manufacturing center is the Spring Steel Fence and Wire Company, of which William S. Poling is president. Mr. Poling is also at the head of the Simplex Manufacturing Company, a concern that makes automobile parts. The Spring Steel Fence and Wire Company succeeds to the business of the Shimer Woven Wire Fence Company and was founded in 1907, and incorporated under the present title in 1909. From the original capital stock of fifty thousand dollars the business now employs a capital of three hundred thousand dollars, and the increase of capital is an excellent index of the growth and prosperity of the concern. The grounds occupied by the plant comprise four acres, and the main building is of brick and concrete construction.
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The fencing, gates and other wire products of this company have an exten- sive sale not only locally and in the United States, but are exported to such distant countries as England, India, Japan and South America.
William Sherman Poling was born in Logan, Perry county, Ohio, on October 25, 1867, a son of Nathan and Elizabeth (Welter) Poling. The mother died in 1892, and the father, who was for many years a merchant of Ada, Ohio, died in 1912. Nathan Poling was born and educated in Germany, came to America when a young man, and while living in Ohio served as a soldier of the Union in the One Hundred and Four- teenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. William S. Poling was educated in the public schools of Ada and graduated from the Normal University of that city in 1898. Soon afterwards he came to Anderson, was in business with others for eight years, and then formulated and organized the com- pany of which he is now president, the Spring Steel Fence and Wire Company. Other members of this firm are: Frederick E. Holloway, vice president ; and Guy J. Derthick, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Poling is an active Republican and a strong worker for all local improvements and measures tending to advance the civic welfare.
On December 15, 1891, Mr. Poling married Miss Lula A. Bosworth, daughter of Isaac W. Bosworth, an old resident of Anderson. They have one daughter, Aubrey A., who graduated from Oberlin College in 1913. The family reside at 1917 Meridian street in Anderson.
WILLIAM H. BIRELEY. More than twenty years have passed since Wil- liam H. Bireley first settled in Alexandria, and during this time he has been continuously engaged in the drug business. Although now past his seventieth year, he continues to take a keen interest in all that pertains to the welfare of his adopted city, and is known as a member of that class of business men who have, by their activities, made this one of the lead- ing commercial centers of this part of the state. Mr. Bireley was born at Liberty, Montgomery county, Ohio, June 7, 1842, and is a son of Henry and Martha (Lorimer) Bireley.
Frederick Bireley, the paternal grandfather of William H. Bireley, was a native of Maryland, of German descent, and followed the occupa- tion of distiller, also being the owner of a paper mill near Fredericksburg. He married Barbara Bireley, also of Maryland, and they became the parents of the following children: John, William J., Joseph, George, Philip, Mary, who became the wife of Edward Murphy; Elizabeth, who married William Emery; Catherine, who married a Mr. Thompson; and Margaret, the wife of Levi Ammon. Hugh and Nancy (Martin) Lori- mer, the maternal grandparents of Mr. Bireley, were born in Pennsyl- vania, but in young married life moved to Ohio and settled in Darke county, where Mr. Lorimer followed farming during the greater part of his life. He was the father of five children: Elizabeth, who became the wife of Isaac Pierce; Martha, who married Henry Bireley; Sarah, the wife of Furman Sebring; Mary, the wife of Christopher Folkert; and Gibson.
Henry Bireley was born and reared in Maryland, and there learned the potter's trade, which he followed at Liberty, Ohio, whence he had come as a young man. There he died in 1846, aged thirty-five years, having been the father of two children: William H .; and Sarah E., who is the widow of James Oliver, and resides at Garrett, Indiana. After his death, his widow married (second) Noah Arnold, who is also now deceased, and they had one daughter : Ella, who married Harry McCool,
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and now lives at Jaysville, Ohio. Mrs. Arnold passed away in Darke county, Ohio, February 2, 1897, at the age of eighty-three years, in the faith of the Methodist church, of which Mr. Bireley had also been a member.
William H. Bireley was four years of age when taken by his parents from Montgomery county to Darke county, Ohio, and there he grew to manhood on a farm, securing his education in the district and select schools. Adopting the profession of educator, he taught six terms of school, of six months each, and was so engaged when he enlisted in Com- pany F, Ninety-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for service with the 100-day troops. He was corporal of his company and left home on the 9th day of August, 1862, being wounded on the 31st of the same month at the battle of Kat's Creek Ferry. For more than a year he remained at home recuperating, and then re-enlisted as lieutenant of Company I, One Hundred Fifty-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infan- try, with which he served four months, his term of service then expiring. On receiving his honorable discharge, he returned to the pursuits of peace as the proprietor of a flour mill at Greenville, Ohio, where he remained several years, and was then employed at varions mills all over Ohio and Indiana, continuing in the business for something more than eighteen years. Mr. Bireley entered the drug business at Carlos City, Randolph county, Indiana, where he conducted an establishment for three years, and in 1892 came to Alexandria, where he now has the dis- tinction of being the second oldest merchant in continuous business activity. He has a finely stocked and handsomely equipped place of business at No. 111 West Washington strect, where he enjoys a steady and representative trade, and his honorable methods and strict reliability have won him the confidence of his community.
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