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 90
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
wounds and exposures which were part of his war experience undoubt- edly abbreviated his life. His death occurred in 1890 when sixty-eight years old. He was a very popular member of his community and was elected and served as constable of his township in Grant county for six or seven years after the war. He was then elected a justice of the peace and served for four years in Greene township. The family were mem- bers of the Methodist church. The mother is still living and is now eighty-seven years of age. The eleven children in their family are noted as follows : The first born died in infancy ; Mary Jane, wife of Jacob Hiatt of Rigdon: Perry, a lawyer at Ordway, Colorado; Andrew J., a well known lawyer and former newspaper man of Elwood, and Rebecca A .. wife of J. L. Newkirk of Sexton, Indiana: John O., of Tipton, editor of the Tipton Times; Franklin Pierce, the innmediate subject of this sketch : William H. of Rigdon : Christopher R., who lives near Fair- mount, Indiana : Emma, deceased, former wife of Alfred Corbin; and Melvina, wife of Lee Jones.
Frank Behymer grew up and was edneated in Duck Creek town- ship, and early in his career formulated his ambitions for work in edu- cation. In preparation for this vocation he studied at the National Nor- mal University in Lebanon, Ohio. In the meantime he employed him- self at any honorable ocenpation in order to make a living and to further his education and finally began teaching in the schools of Madison county, a calling which he has successfully followed for thirty-three Years. His work as a teacher and his standing as a citizen commended him to the people of Pipe Creek township, and in 1913 he was elected trustee of the township, and in this capacity has given an efficient administration of the various important duties entrusted to that office.
On April 3. 1895, Mr. Behymer married Miss Tippie B. Harshman, a daughter of Martin V. and Amanda ( Sherer) Harshman. Mr. and Mrs. Behymer are the parents of two children : Herbert is a student in the high school. and Harold is a student in the grammar school of Elwood. The family attend the Christian church.
WILLIAM T. RICHARDS. It is probably in connection with fraternal work that William T. Richards is best known to the citizens of Ander- son. Indiana. although he has also been prominent in public life as audi- tor of Madison county, as well as in business cireles. During the past several years. however, he has devoted his attention almost exclusively to fraternal work. and as national organizer of the Camels of the World is widely known through this and other states. Mr. Richards was born in Washington county. Indiana, upon a farm, October 23, 1865, and is a son of Daniel S. and Emma S. (Fields) Richards, the former a native of South Carolina and the latter of Scott county, Indiana. Both are now living in the city of Indianapolis. Daniel S. Richards was for some years a farmer in Washington county, later turning his attention to contract work in street paving. sewer-building, etc., being so engaged until he became connected with the Indianapolis Police Department. For thirty-six years he served as a police official of the Indianapolis capital, and is now retired on a pension.
William T. Richards received his education in the public and high schools of Indianapolis, whence he had been taken as a child. On leav- ing school he received his introduction to business life as a elerk in the wholesale dry goods and notion store of Brazen & Connell Company. His faithful and efficient discharge of the duties of his position won Vol. II -- 22
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him a traveling salesmanship, and in that capacity he continued to act for eight years. At the end of this period, Mr. Richards established himself in business on his own account, operating a general store until 1889, when he came to Anderson to enter the employ of the Columbia Encaustic Tile Works (now known as the National Encaustic Tile Com- pany), as superintendent, a position which he continued to hold for fifteen years. Mr. Richards had ever been a stanch supporter of repub- lican principles and an active worker in the ranks of the party, having for some time served as chairman of the republican central committee, and in 1907 he became his party's candidate for the office of county auditor. He was subsequently elected and during his term gave his fellow-citizens an excellent administration. When he left office, he began work as an organizer for fraternal societies, and as his eminent abilities along this line of endeavor became recognized he was called upon to perform work of a more responsible nature, until he was finally made national organizer of the Camels of the World, a position which calls him not only to various points in Indiana but to many of the other States. It is but natural that he should have formed a wide acquaint- ance, and the universal esteem in which he is held is eloquent evidence of the confidence he has inspired in those who know him. He is a member of Anderson Lodge No. 746, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in the latter has taken more than ordinary interest, having served as exalted ruler of his lodge. His .modern home is located at No. 2104 South Meridian Street.
In 1903 Mr. Richards was united in marriage with Miss Lillian B. MeIntosh, of Franklin county, Indiana, daughter of Alfred and Mary Jane McIntosh. To this union there has come one daughter, Miss Lillith M., who is a graduate of the Anderson High school.
CHARLES C. DEHORITY. Few citizens of Madison county have been more intimately or extensively connected with the business and finan- cial interests of this section, and with its public and social life, than has Charles C. Dehority, cashier of the Elwood State Bank, at Elwood, a citizen whose varied combination of business enterprises has given him standing in the marts of commerce and trade, whose keenness of per- ception and sound judgment have made him a leader in banking circles, and whose capacity and executive ability have brought him to the front as a political leader of strength and influence. Mr. Dehority is a native of Elwood, and was born August 18, 1870, a son of John W. and Jane (Moore) Dehority.
Dr. James M. Dehority, the paternal grandfather of Charles C. Dehority, was born in the state of Delaware, and married Susannah Huffman, a Southern lady. They were pioneers of Madison county, settling first near Perkinsville, and later coming to Elwood, when this place was still known as Quincey. Dr. Dehority was a minister and physician, and one of the earliest practitioners of medicine in the county, and was later in the drug business and the general merchandise trade. He was a man of decidedly versatile talents, was able to make a success out of whatever venture he entered, and when he passed away, in advanced years, was one of his section's substantial and highly esteemed men. His wife passed away when eighty-three years old, having been the mother of two children: John W. and James H. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Dehority was Thomas Moore. They were pioneers
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wounds and exposures which were part of his war experience undoubt- edly abbreviated his life. His death occurred in 1890 when sixty-eight years old. He was a very popular member of his community and was elected and served as constable of his township in Grant county for six or seven years after the war. He was then elected a justice of the peace and served for four years in Greene township. The family were mem- bers of the Methodist church. The mother is still living and is now eighty-seven years of age. The eleven children in their family are noted as follows: The first born died in infancy; Mary Jane, wife of Jacob Hiatt of Rigdon; Perry, a lawyer at Ordway, Colorado; Andrew J., a well known lawyer and former newspaper man of Elwood, and Rebecca A., wife of J. L. Newkirk of Sexton, Indiana; John O., of Tipton, editor of the Tipton Times; Franklin Pierce, the immediate subject of this sketch; William H. of Rigdon; Christopher R., who lives near Fair- mount, Indiana; Emma, deceased, former wife of Alfred Corbin; and Melvina, wife of Lee Jones.
Frank Behymer grew up and was educated in Duck Creek town- ship, and early in his career formulated his ambitions for work in edu- cation. In preparation for this vocation he studied at the National Nor- mal University in Lebanon, Ohio. In the meantime he employed him- self at any honorable occupation in order to make a living and to further his education and finally began teaching in the schools of Madison county, a calling which he has successfully followed for thirty-three years. His work as a teacher and his standing as a citizen commended him to the people of Pipe Creek township, and in 1913 he was elected trustee of the township, and in this capacity has given an efficient administration of the various important duties entrusted, to that. office.
On April 3, 1895, Mr. Behymer married Miss Tippie B. Harshman, a daughter of Martin V. and Amanda (Sherer) Harshman. Mr. and Mrs. Behymer are the parents of two children: Herbert is a student in the high school, and Harold is a student in the grammar school of Elwood. The family attend the Christian church.
WILLIAM T. RICHARDS. It is probably in connection with fraternal work that William T. Richards is best known to the citizens of Ander- son, Indiana, although he has also been prominent in public life as audi- tor of Madison county, as well as in business circles. During the past several years, however, he lias devoted his attention almost exclusively to fraternal work, and as national organizer of the Camels of the World is widely known through this and other states. Mr. Richards was born in Washington county, Indiana, upon a farm, October 23, 1865, and is a son of Daniel S. and Emma S. (Fields) Richards, the former a native . of South Carolina and the latter of Scott county, Indiana. Both are now living in the city of Indianapolis. Daniel S. Richards was for some years a farmer in Washington county, later turning his attention to contract work in street paving, sewer-building, etc., being so engaged until he became connected with the Indianapolis Police Department. For thirty-six years he served as a police official of the Indianapolis capital, and is now retired on a pension.
William T. Richards received his education in the public and high schools of Indianapolis, whence he had been taken as a child. On leav- ing school he received his introduction to business life as a clerk in the wholesale dry goods and notion store of Brazen & Connell Company. His faithful and efficient discharge of the duties of his position won Vol. 17-22
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in religious and social circles of Elwood. Her husband is a thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite Mason, belonging to Quincy Lodge No. 230, F. & A. M .; Elwood Chapter, No. 109, R. A. M .; Anderson Commandery No. 32, K. T., Indianapolis Consistory, R. & S. M., and Murat Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He also holds membership in Elwood Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. A stanch Democrat in his political views, Mr. Dehority was a delegate to the National Convention of his party at Denver, in 1908, and also attended the St. Louis and Baltimore conventions. He was chairman of the Democratic County Central Committee for one term, and in addition to acting in the capacity of county treasurer, as before stated. has been police commissioner. He has rendered signal services both to his party and to his community and his public career has been as free from blemish and as marked by fidelity to duty and high principles as has his business and private life.
ANDREW J. BEHYMER. Of the history of Elwood from the beginning of the era of natural gas, one of the most conspicuous and sole factors was Mr. Behymer, at that time publisher of the only newspaper in the town, and during the succeeding twenty odd years a public spirited and energetic citizen, and the leading member of the local bar.
Mr. Behymer moved from Tipton to Elwood in 1889, and bought and began the publication of the Elwood Free Press. He also bought the Democrat and consolidated them and then conducted the one paper as the only journal in Elwood. He quickly built up a large circulation and an influential place for his journal, and made it an organ for the support and expression of Democratic opinion. Natural gas had been struck in this section before his arrival in Elwood, and on account of the wonderful supply the opportunities were presented for the develop- ment of a great industrial city at Elwood. The development of such a city depended upon the initiative and enterprise and local citizens, and Mr. Behymer through his paper was especially active and prominent in advocating the advantages of the locality and the necessity of the citizens taking hold and securing factories and other industries for their local- ity. His paper practically led the boom which transformed Elwood from a quiet rural community into one of the flourishing industrial cen- ters of eastern Indiana. Among other movements to which .he gave his influence and efforts during that time was the organization of a board of trade, and he served for three years as one of the active members of the board.
Andrew J. Behymer was born at Mount Holly, Ohio, March 1, 1850. His parents were William and Martha (Littleton) Behymer, the for- mer a native of Garrard county, Kentucky, and the latter of Clermont county, Ohio. On the father's side the grandfather was Solomon Behy- mer, and he and his wife were both natives of Virginia and lived to old age. Their five children were Samuel, John, Lucy Brown, William and Joseph. On the mother's side the Littletons were natives of Pennsyl- vania, the grandfather being a farmer and becoming an early settler in Clermont county, Ohio, where he died a comparatively young man. The only child in the Littleton family was Martha who subsequently became Mrs. Behymer.
William Behymer, the father, was reared on a farm in Kentucky, and when a boy moved into Ohio, where he learned the trade of cooper and for some time was also engaged in the occupation of running rafts
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and barges down the Ohio river in the river traffic. His father, Solomon B., had settled near Mount Holly, and it was in that vicinity that he grew to manhood. He subsequently went to Rush county, Indiana, where he became a farmer and also did some coopering making barrels for the use of his neighbors. After nine years residence in Rush county he moved to Grant county, locating near Rigdon where he spent the remainder of his years. During the Civil war he enlisted and saw three years of arduous service and the wounds and exposures which were part of his war experience undoubtedly abbreviated his life. His death occurred in 1890 when sixty-eight years, five months, and twenty days old. He was a very popular member of his community, and was elected and served as constable of his township in Grant county for six or seven years after the war. He was then elected a justice of the peace and served for four years in Greene township. The family were members of the Methodist church. The mother is still living and is now eighty- seven years of age. The eleven children in their family are noted as follows: The first born, died in infancy; Mary Jane, wife of Jacob Hiatt of Rigdon; Perry, a lawyer at Ordway, Colorado; Andrew J., of Elwood; Rebecca A., wife of J. L. Newkirk of Sexton, Indiana; John O., of Tipton, editor of the Tipton Times; Franklin Pierce, a teacher and township trustee at Elwood; William H., of Rigdon; Christopher R., who lives near Fairmount, Indiana; Emma, now deceased, who was the wife of Alfred Corbin ; Melvina, who married Lee Jones.
Mr. Andrew J. Behymer spent nine years of his childhood in Rush county, Indiana, but reached manhood while the family had its home in Grant county. The usual years spent in attending school in his case happened to fall within the Civil war period, and as his father was absent in the army, he was allowed to attend irregularly, and subse- quently had to make up the deficiencies of early training by hard appli- cation and self effort. He became a student in the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, and after leaving that institution took up the work of teaching, and altogether has had sixteen terms of work as a teacher to his credit. During his work as teacher he was also engaged in farming and also studied law, was admitted to the bar, and took up active practice. He was admitted to the bar in 1880 and spent the first nine years of his professional career at Rigdon and in Tipton, from whence he moved to Elwood, and in this city has been identified with either the newspaper business or with the law ever since.
On March 19, 1874, Mr. Behymer married Miss Mary E. Thrasher, daughter of Josiah and Amanda M. (McConell) Thrasher. Mrs. Behy- mer was born on a farm in Grant county, six miles west of Fairmount, and her parents were natives of Ohio and early settlers in Fayette county, this state, both being now deceased. She was one of the follow- ing five children: Alonzo, Nancy J., Martha, Mary E., and Minnie. Mr. and Mrs. Behymer are the parents of six children, whose names are : Harley O., Clarence, Grover, Grace, Linnie, and Hazel. Harley O. died when about one year of age, and Grover at about the same age, while Clarence was sixteen years of age when death came to him. Grace is the wife of David Goldnamer, and their home is in Anderson. Lin- nie married George Livingston, of Piqua, Ohio, and resides at Decatur, Illinois, and their three children are Walter, Clarence, and Lester Jack- son. Hazel is at home with her parents. Mr. Behymer's church is the Methodist, while his wife is a member of the Christian church.
Mr. Behymer is fraternally affiliated with the Knights of Pythias.
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He is also a member of the Sons of Veterans, and in politics is an ardent Democrat. He has been honored with special distinction in public affairs and represented his district in the lower house of the Indiana legislature for four sessions.
In 1891 he served as chief of the engrossing and enrolling clerks of the house of representatives. Mr. Behymer's office in Elwood is in the Harting Block, while his home is at 1814 North C Street.
JOSEPH A. DEHORITY. The banking interests of a community are necessarily among the most important, for financial stability must be the foundation stone upon which all great enterprises are erected. The men who control and conserve the money of corporation or country must possess many qualities not requisite in the ordinary citizen, and among these high commercial integrity, exceptional financial ability, poise, judgment and foresight may be mentioned. Public confidence must be with them, and this fact has been demonstrated again and again, when panics that have even threatened the stability of the Government have been averted by the wisdom, sagacity and foresight of the men whose whole training has been along the line of finance. A citizen whose name is widely known in banking circles of Indiana, and who, although now somewhat retired from financial affairs, still controls large interests in various lines of endeavor, is Joseph A. Dehority, of Elwood, late president of the First National Bank of this place, and now the direct- ing head of the Home Storage and Manufacturing Company and the Curtisville Tile and Brick Company. He is also possessed of large realty interests in this section, and is prominent in public, social and fraternal life. Mr. Dehority was born in Elwood, Indiana, June 28, 1871, and is a son of James H. and Jane (Hannah) Dehority.
James Madison Dehority, the paternal grandfather of Joseph A. Dehority, was born in Delaware, and was a man of wide experience and diversified talents. In early life he became a practitioner of law, sub- sequently entered the ministry of the Methodist Protestant Church, later became a large grain dealer, and had also large interests in mer- cantile and financial enterprises. He died in Elwood at the age of eighty years, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Susan Huffman, passed away in February, 1899, in advanced years. Of their children, only two lived to maturity: John and James. The maternal grand- father of Mr. Dehority was James C. Hannah, more familiarly known as "Beek" Hannah, who, with his wife, Elizabeth (Hansel) Hannah, was an early pioneer of Blackford county, Indiana. Later they came to Madison county and settled in Elwood, where Mr. Hannah followed the trade of a blacksmith. At the time of his death in 1909, he was eighty-two years of age, his wife having passed away many years ago. They were the parents of a large family of children, four of whom are still living, namely : John, Monroe, Jane and Ada.
James H. Dehority, the father of Joseph A. Dehority, was reared as a farmer boy in Hamilton county, Indiana, until December 24, 1856, when he was brought by his parents to Elwood, being then nine years of age. Here he grew to manhood, attending the public schools, and was taken into the grain business by his father, with his brother John. Later they embarked in the general mercantile field, and in 1874 erected a large merchandise store building, a brick structure located on the cor- ner of Main and Anderson streets, this building being destroyed by fire in 1892. At the same time they embarked in a private banking busi-
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ness, and in 1881 organized the Farmers Bank, of which James H. Dehority was cashier. This was conducted until 1892, when Mr. Deho- rity organized the First National Bank, and of this institution he was president until his death, April 30, 1899, when he was fifty-four years, tive months of age. He was a faithful member of the Methodist Episco- pal church, of which his wife, who survives him, is a consistent attend- ant. Mr. Dehority was a man of much more than ordinary financial and business ability, and always so conducted his affairs as to gain the cou- fidence and good will of all with whom he had transactions. He had the welfare of his community at heart, and was ever ready to assist move- ments making for progress or the general public welfare. He and his wife had four children: Joseph A .; Edward C .; Tillie M., who is the widow of B. R. Call, and resides in Los Angeles, California; and Ione, now deceased, who was the wife of George Platt.
Joseph A. Dehority has spent his entire career in Elwood. After securing his educational training in the public schools, he entered the Farmers Bank as a collector, and when the First National Bank was organized became assistant cashier of that institution. Later he was made cashier, then became vice-president, and finally was made presi- dent of this old and stable institution, a position which he capably filled until his retirement in 1909. Since that year he has been giving the greater part of his attention to the management of the old family home- stead, of which his father owned a part, this being now a tract of 320 acres located in the heart of the city of Elwood. As stated before, Mr. Dehority is president of the Home Storage and Manufacturing Company and of the Curtisville Tile and Brick Company. His wide and varied interests make him an influential factor in the commercial and financial life of the city, and he has withheld his support from no movement which is calculated to promote the interests of Elwood or its people. Among his associates he is looked to for guidance, counsel and leader- ship, and his connection with any enterprise is ample assurance of that venture's entire stability.
On May 20, 1896, Mr. Dehority was united in marriage with Miss Margaret E. Beale, of Rushville, who was born in Rush county, Indiana, daughter of Richard and Mary (Lockridge) Beale. As a young man, Mr. Beale went to Australia, where he was engaged in mining, and while there was married, his wife dying after giving birth to two sons: Stewart and Richard. Later, on coming to this country, Mr. Beale mar- ried Mary Lockridge, and they became early settlers of Rush and Frank- lin counties. They also had two children: Clara and Margaret E. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Dehority has been blessed by the birth of two children: Joseph and Richard, of whom the latter died at the age of eighteen months. Mrs. Dehority is a member of the Presbyterian Church, which her husband also attends. He belongs to Quincy Lodge No. 200, I. O. O. F., in which for four years he has been commander of the Patriarchs Militant, and also holds membership in the local lodges of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Improved Order of Red Men.
CHARLES E. FENELON. It was not until January, 1912, that Charles E. Fenelon came to Elwood and here established the Elwood Monu- mental Works, but even in the brief time that has elapsed he has accom- plished a greater degree of advancement in the business than would be regarded as possible by the casual observer. His methods are such as to
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