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 97
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After his marriage Mr. Moore located on a farm, and was identified with general farming and stock raising for a number of yea.s. He pros- pered in that calling, and continued it until 1898. He then moved to Summittville, and was appointed assistant postmaster and in 1900 was
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elected county assessor on the Republican ticket, serving ten years in that capacity. After his term of service, he engaged in business at Anderson, and in 1911 became manager of the Union Real Estate Company.
To Mr. and Mrs. Moore the following children were born: William C., now a student in the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis; Frank T., George S., and Kathleen, all at home. Mr. Moore owns a good farm in Madison county, having his place well stocked and he gives his personal supervision to its operation. The family reside on the farm during the summer season, and the rest of the year is spent in Anderson. Mr. Moore is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
WILLIE EVERETT CLYMER. As the popular proprietor of the lead- ing livery business of Elwood, Willie Everett Clymer is well known to the citizens of his community, who have recognized and appreciated the fact that he has endeavored to give them the best of service. He has followed this line of business ever since boyhood, and is thoroughly familiar with its every detail, thus being able to cater to the tastes of his many patrons. He is a native of Elwood, and was born here April 19, 1868, a son of Royal H. and Elizabeth (Hart) Clymer.
Massy Clymer, the paternal grandfather of Willie Everett Clymer, came with his wife to Madison county from Ohio, took up government land, settled among the pioneers, and cleared and developed a farm, on which they spent the remainder of their years, passing away in old age. They had eleven children: Daniel H., Margaret, Huldah, Calvin, Royal H., Lou, Mattie, Mury, Elizabeth, Lovina and Elmira. Mr. Clymer's maternal grandparents were natives of Ohio and also early settlers of Indiana. They were the parents of five children, namely : Lewis, Ellen, George, John and Elizabeth. Royal H. Clymer was born at Columbus, Ohio, and was still a boy when brought to Madison county by his parents, the family settling on a farm. He received his education in the public schools of his locality and grew to manhood as a farmer, but eventually became a teamster in and around Elwood during the logging days. He has been a resident of Elwood for forty years, thirty-eight of which have been passed in the livery business, and as the present head of the firm of R. H. Clymer & Son, he is widely known and very popular. His wife died in 1889, in the faith of the Methodist Protestant church, of which Mr. Clymer has been a life- long member. They were the parents of six children, as follows: Markie; Willie Everett; Cora, who is the wife of L. A. Sites; Myrtle who married Frank E. DeHority ; Ernest; and Lola, who is the wife of Charles Lyons. Ernest and Markie both died in early childhood.
Willie E. Clymer was reared in Elwood, and this has always been his home, with the exception of two years, when he was still a small child, when he resided in the country. His education was secured in the public and high schools here, and on leaving the. latter began to work for his father, whose partner he became when he was nineteen years of age. Mr. Clymer has continued as a member of the firm of R. H. Clymer & Son, and is considered one of the substantial men of the city.
On June 20, 1886, Mr. Clymer was married to Miss Lennie Lutes, who was born in Hamilton county. Indiana, daughter of Julius and Annie (Patterson) Lutes, natives of Ohio and early settlers of Hamil- ton county. Mr. Lutes died in 1887, at the age of forty-four years,
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and Mrs. Lutes still survives and is sixty-four years of age. They had four children, of whom two are now living: Lennie and Clara. Mr. and Mrs. Clymer had one child, who died in infancy. They are mem- bers of the Methodist Protestant church, in the movements of which they have been active, and Mr. Clymer holds membership in the local lodges of the Knights of Pythias and the Elks. He is a stalwart Demo- crat in his political views, and has served his fellow-townsmen in the capacity of alderman for seven years. He belongs to that class of citi- zens who advance the interests of any community, and can be relied upon to support all movements of a progressive nature. His popu- larity is evidenced by his many warm friends and admirers.
JOHN P. DOWNS. Success in any of the pursuits of life usually challenges the admiration of the world. It matters not whether in the profession of law, medicine or literature, or in the theological domain, in the military or civil life, or in business pursuits, it is the one dis- tinguishing and distinctive characteristic of all business transactions. In the commercial world, alone, the subject of these lines, in liis sphere of labor and activity, has distinguished himself as an active, energetic business man, and has demonstrated the fact that success may be attained through the exercise of habits of industry and perse- verance and that to the man of merit belongs the full measure of suc- cess and worldly prosperity. John P. Downs, wholesale butcher and stock buyer, of Elwood, was born in Grant county, Indiana, near the village of Rigdon, September 10, 1871, and is a son of Jesse F. and Mary A. (Rybolt) Downs. His paternal grandparents were natives of Pennsylvania who settled in Grant county, Indiana, at an early date, and here spent the remainder of their lives in the tilling of the soil, dying when advanced in years, with the full respect and esteem of their acquaintances. They were the parents of the following children: Jesse F., Cale, George, William, Sarah, John, Abraham and Mary. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Downs were Isaac and Sarah Rybolt, who came to Indiana at an early date from Ohio, and settled in Grant county, where they also followed farming and attained to advanced years. They had quite a large family of children, among whom were Mary, Rachel, Maria and John.
Jesse F. Downs was born in Grant county, Indiana, and there was reared to manhood, being well educated in the public schools and receiv- ing a thorough training in all matters pertaining to work of an agri- cultural nature. On attaining his majority, he engaged in farming on his own account, and there died on his sixty-acre tract, in March, 1900, aged about fifty-seven years. His wife, also a native of Indiana, still survives him and makes her home in Elwood. They were originally members of the United Brethren church, but later became identified with the Methodist denomination, in which Mr. Downs frequently preached. During the dark days of the struggle between the North and South, he donned the uniform of his country and for three years fought valiantly in its defense, participating in some of the most hotly- contested battles of the war. He was a stalwart Republican in politics and always actively supported its candidates and principles. Mr. and Mrs. Downs were the parents of eight children, six of whom grew to maturity, as follows: John P., who makes his home at Elwood; Charles, living in Pipe Creek township, Madison county, where he fol- lows farming; Garfield, also living in Pipe Creek township; Frank,
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who is a resident of Indianapolis; and Irene and Dale, who make their home with their mother in Elwood.
John P. Downs was reared in Grant county on his father's farm, his education being obtained in the distriet schools of his vicinity, which he attended during the short winter terms. As a young man he entered his present business, beginning in a modest way to buy stoek and carry on farming, and the former business has grown to such pro- portions that he is now known as one of the leading men in his line in this part of the county. He is energetic and alert, ever ready to grasp an opportunity, and possesses the ability to carry his ventures through to a successful conclusion. His career has been one of indus- try and constant energy and his well-directed efforts have been rewarded by a merited success. Following in the foot-steps of his father, Mr. Downs is a Republican, but has not been an office seeker. Ile and his wife are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his fraternal connections are with the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men. The pleasant, modern family home of the Downs is located at No. 1526 North A street.
On October 31, 1897, Mr. Downs was united in marriage with Miss Cora A. Noble, who was born six miles north of Elwood, in Madison county, Indiana, daughter of John Henry and Jane (Dickey) Noble. Two interesting children have been born to this union: Gladys and Marian. Mrs. Downs' parents were both born in Indiana, her father in Rush county and her mother in Madison county. Mr. Noble died on his farm in Madison county, March 23, 1912, aged sixty-seven years, his wife having passed away in 1890, when but thirty-four years of age. They were the parents of seven children: Cora A., who married Mr. Downs; Bertha; Blanche; Samnel; Edward; Addie and Verilla; Edith, who died at the age of two years. The father of these children was a school teacher in young manhood. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Downs was Jonathan Noble, who married Lucinda Jane Smith, both being natives of Ohio. They both reached ripe old age and passed away in Madison county, where they had been early settlers. They were the parents of seven children : Adeline, John Henry, Perry, Hattie, Laura, James and Benjamin. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Downs were Samuel and Sarah (Miller) Dickey, natives of Indiana and early settlers and farmers of Madison county, where the grandfather passed away in middle life, while his widow still survives him and is still liv- ing at the advanced age of eighty-five years. They were the parents of five children, namely : Jasper, John, Lavina, Jane and Edward.
LEE F. HUNT, M. D. It is not an infrequent or unusual occurrence for the men of a family to show an inelination for the same line of busi- ness or profession, son following father in a similar calling through several generations in many cases. Especially is this true in the medical profession, and a case in point is found in Dr. Lee F. Hunt, of Ander- son, a physician, son of a physician and grandson of a physician. Dr. Hunt has been engaged in practice in Anderson for ten years, and is in the enjoyment of an excellent professional business, his unques- tioned ability having attracted to him a representative clientele from among Anderson's leading people. Lee F. Hunt is a native son of Madison county, Indiana, born in the city of Alexandria, May 1, 1877, a son of Dr. John Walter and Etta (Brickley) Hunt.
William A. Hunt, the paternal grandfather of Lee F. Hunt, was
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a native of Ohio, and in young manhood came to Indiana as a pioneer physician. He traveled all over Madison county, either on horse-back or by carriage, and was known wherever there were settlements as one who was ready at all times, in all weather, to answer the call of his suffering fellow-men. He led the typical existence of the pioneer coun- try physician, and while he laid hy no great fortune in earthly goods, he gained that love and affection which cannot be bought with money. His son, who inherited many of his father's sterling traits of char- acter, was born in Madison county in 1859, and, like the elder man, became highly esteemed and widely known, although his field was nec- essarily more restricted, and the greater part of his active career was passed in Alexandria. He was a valued member of the Madison County Medical Society, the Indiana Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and in his death his community lost a man who stood high in the ranks of his profession. He passed away in 1904. Dr. Hunt married Miss Etta Brickley, a daughter of Dr. W. P. Brickley, a promi- nent physician of Madison county.
Lee F. Hunt received his preliminary educational training in the public and high schools of Anderson, Indiana, and after some prepara- tion entered the State University at Bloomington, this state, from which he graduated in 1899, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In the fall of the same year he matriculated in Rush Medical College, Chicago, and in 1900 entered the medical department of Kentucky University. He was graduated from the last named institution in 1903, and at once returned to Anderson, where he opened an elegantly appointed suite of offices in the Union building, where he has continued to carry on a general practice. Dr. Hunt is a close and careful student, and is fully informed as to the advancements, inventions and discoveries which are constantly being made in his profession. He is a strict adherent of the unwritten ethics of the fraternity, and among his professional brethren bears a high reputation. He has never practiced the arts of the char- latan, but has done all in his power to maintain the high dignity of his honored calling and to forward the work of the Madison County Med- ical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, of which organizations he is a valued member. Dr. Hunt also holds membership in the Beta Theta Pi and Phi Chi medical fra- ternities, and he also has membership relations with Mr. Moriah Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
In 1908, Dr. Hunt was married to Miss Martha Carr, formerly of New Hampshire, who at the time of their marriage was a resident of New York. To this union there have been horn two children-John Carr and Elizabeth. When Dr. Hunt can find leisure from the duties of his large practice he delights in travel, in the winter months taking trips to the south and in the summer months, with rod or gun, spend- ing his vacations in more northerly resorts.
BLAINE H. BALL. Probably the law has been the main highway by which more men of merit have advanced to prominence and posi- tion in the United States than any other road, and it is not unusual, therefore, to find among the leading citizens of a community a member of the legal profession. A prominent figure in many of the legal con- troversies of the Madison county bar, a man of unerring judgment, and one able in the solution of many complexities, Blaine H. Ball, of Alex-
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andria, has long been known as one of this city's most influential men. He is a native of the Hoosier state, and was born in Rush county, July 13, 1879, a son of Cyrus W. and Sarah E. (Wilson) Ball.
Jonathan and Asenith Ball, the paternal grandparents of Blaine H. Ball, were natives of Pennsylvania, from whence they drove through to Indiana at an early day, and settled in Rush county. In early life Mr. Ball had been a tailor, but on coming to Indiana took up govern- ment land and became a successful farmer, being the owner of 1200 acres at the time of his death, which occurred when he was ninety-two years of age. He and his wife were the parents of these children : IIenry, Demosthenes, William, Caleb, Cyrus, Mary and Emily. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Ball were natives of Maryland, and were early settlers of Fayette county, Indiana, where they passed the clos- ing years of their lives in farming. Their three children were: Jona- than, Melissa and Sarah.
Cyrus W. Ball was born in Mercer connty, Pennsylvania, in 1832, and was a child of three years when he accompanied his parents in an ox-wagon in their journey to Rush county, Indiana. There he grew to manhood, being reared to agricultural pursuits, improved an excel- lent farm, and continued to live within a mile of the old homestead throughout the rest of his life. He died there in May, 1903, when seventy-one years of age, while his widow still survives him and resides at Rushville. She is a native of Fayette county, Indiana, and is a member of the Methodist church, with which her husband was identi- fied. During the Civil war he served as a private during the ninety- day service. Cyrus W. and Sarah E.'Ball were the parents of four children : Osmer W., who resides at Malta, Idaho; Pearl, deceased, who was the wife of A. J. Shelby ; Eva M., who lives with her mother at Rushville, Indiana ; and Blaine H., of Alexandria.
Blaine H. Ball was reared on his father's farm, on which he worked until he was eighteen years of age, in the meantime pursning his studies in the district schools and the Carthage High school. When eighteen, he began studying law and stenography, in the office of his brother- in-law. A. J. Shelby. at Lebanon, Indiana, and in the fall of 1901 entered the Indiana Law school, at Indianapolis, being graduated there- from in 1903. In the spring of that year he came to Alexandria, where he ha's since been engaged in the practice of his profession, his native ability and conscientious devotion to the interests of his clients having attracted to him a very satisfactory professional business. He main- tains well-appointed offices at No. 2051/2 North Harrison street.
Mr. Ball belongs to Alexandria Lodge No. 235, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is the present master; Alexandria Chapter No. 99, Royal Arch Masons; Alexandria Council No. 85, Royal and Select Masons, and has attained to the thirty-second Scottish Rite degree. He also holds membership in Alexandria Lodge No. 335, Knights of Pythias, and Alexandria Lodge No. 478, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a Republican in politics, and his general popu- larity was attested when he was elected city attorney for five years under a Democratic administration. Mr. Ball's religious connection is with the Methodist church.
SHERIDAN BRONNENBERG. Among the names of those intimately associated with the pioneer history of Madison county is that belong- ing to the Bronnenberg family, members of which located here at a
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day when the most primitive conditions prevailed and through their work developed excellent farming property out of raw prairie land and timber. The first male white child born in the county bore this name. Michael Bronnenberg having been born in what is now Union town- ship and a grandson of this progenitor, Sheridan Bronnenberg, is now representing the family worthily, being a successful farmer and stock raiser and valued and valuable citizen of Richland township. Although not a native of the county, Sheridan Bronnenberg has been identified with its agricultural interests for many years, and is regarded as one of his community's substantial men. He was born in Douglas county, Illinois, in 1869, and is a son of Carl and Polly (Nelson) Bronnenberg.
Carl Bronnenberg was born on the old Michael Bronnenberg home- stead farm on Kilbuck Creek, in Madison county, Indiana, and grew to manhood in Union township, there securing his education in the public schools. Some time after his marriage he migrated to Douglas county, Illinois, and there he passed a number of years in farming and rais- ing stock. He was uniformly successful in his operations and was known as a good citizen and thorough man of business. He and his wife became the parents of four children, of whom two are living: Sheridan; and Laura, who married Gilbert Mooreland, an agricul- turist of Alberta, Canada, and has four children-Paul, George, Nina and Carl T.
Sheridan Bronnenberg was brought from Douglas county, Illinois, to Madison county, Indiana, when a child, and here was reared to man- hood. As a lad and youth he worked on his father's farm, and in the meantime, during the winter terms, secured a good education in the schools of Center, Thornberg and College Corner, and for a time was also a pupil in the old schoolhouse situated on the Conner farm. Mr. Bronnenberg continued to remain with his father until twenty-seven years of age, at which time he decided to embark upon a career of his own and accordingly rented a tract of land from his grandfather and started operations in farming and stock raising. Industry and perse- verance brought him a well-earned success, and in 1911 he removed to his present property, a handsome tract of land located in Richland township about one mile from the city of Anderson. Mr. Bronnen- berg is a practical farmer, but is ready at all times to give innova- tions and new ideas a trial, believing thoroughly in the use of pro- gressive methods. He has been successful alike in general farming and stock raising, and in addition for some years has bred draft horses for the markets. his animals meeting with a ready sale. Thoroughly busi- ness like in his methods, he has won the esteem and respect of his asso- ciates, who have shown their confidence in his judgment on numerous occasions.
On January 29, 1896, Mr. Bronnenberg was united in marriage with Miss Anna Green, daughter of George W. and Lydia (Kirkman) Green, and to this union there have been born four children, namely : Bernice, Edna, Forrest and Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Bronnenberg are faithful members of the Christian church, and have repeatedly given of their time and means in assisting to support its various religious and charitable movements. Mr. Bronnenberg is a Republican in poli- tics, but has not cared to enter actively into public life, although all good movements enlist his interest and co-operation. He has also devoted some attention to fraternal work, and among the members of the local lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern
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Woodmen of America, with which he is connected, he has numerous warm friends.
C. B. THOMAS. The manager of the Linwood Jersey Farm, a prop- erty located about seven miles north of Anderson, on the Florida turn- pike, in Lafayette township, C. B. Thomas is one of the self-made men of Madison county, and his career is an excellent illustration of what may be accomplished by the youth of ambition, determination and per- severance. A native son of the county, thoroughly versed in its soil and climatie conditions, with a knowledge of agriculture that has come down to him through a long line of farming ancestors, he has been able to apply his knowledge and inclinations to the management of a prop- erty noted for its famous Jersey cattle.
C. B. Thomas was born August 25, 1888, on the old Thomas home- stead, located one mile north of Linwood, in Lafayette township, Madison county, and is a son of John U. and Hattie (Ballard) Thomas. The only child of his parents, he lost his father when he was but nine years of age, but went to live with an uncle, Thomas B. Ballard, a veteran of the Civil war. His education was secured in the public schools of Linwood and the high school at Anderson, from which he was graduated in 1908, following which he began his career as an agriculturist, a vocation in which he has since been engaged. Mr. Thomas was married November 7, 1910, to Miss Jones, who is a daugh- ter of Thomas F. and Sarah F. Jones, and to this union there has been born one daughter: Dorothea Isabella. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are consistent members of the Christian church. He has never cared for the activities of public life, and his only interest in politics is that of a good eitizen, for his time and attention have been too much occupied in his business duties. He is recognized as an excellent judge of cattle, and the breed of Jerseys . raised on the Linwood Jersey farm find a ready sale in the neighboring markets and have made an excellent impression wherever exhibited. He has been interested in fraternal work to some extent, and is a popular member of the local lodge of Odd Fellows.
GRATTAN A. BUSBY. Madison county is fortunate in that among its substantial agriculturists are found many men of the younger gen- eration, who, in the full strength of their manhood, are able to con- tribute to the needs of this developing locality, adding the enthusiasmn and zealousness of youth to the experience and practicality of the older men of the community. A representative of this younger class is found in the person of Grattan Busby, of Anderson township, who in addition to operating an exeellent farm of 120 acres is also exten- sively engaged in the threshing business with two of his brothers. Mr. Busby is by birth, nurture and training a Hoosier. He was born on a farm near Hamilton, Steuben county, Indiana, November 15, 1888, and is a son of John M. and Emma (Brown) Busby. There were nine children in the family: Lena, Charles, Grattan, Blanche, Edith, Harry, Fred, Lloyd and Arthur. Of these three now reside on the home farm on Anderson Rural Route No. 5.
Grattan Busby was given the advantages of a good educational training, attending the common schools of his native locality and the Anderson high school, and supplementing this with one year at Purdue University. In the meantime, his education as a farmer was not neg-
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