History of Madison County, Indiana ; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume I, Part 99

Author: Forkner, John La Rue, 1844-1926
Publication date: 1970
Publisher: Evansville Ind. : Unigraphic, Inc.
Number of Pages: 918

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 99

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He has contributed liberally to surgical literature, having written original articles on surgical subjects more especially on the subject of Goitre from a surgical standpoint and also numerous .case reports.

In 1907, Dr. Jones married Miss Elizabeth Shields Baker, of Win- chester, Virginia, where she was reared and educated. They are the parents of one son, Horace Edgar. Dr. Jones is prominent in Masonry, being a member of Fellowship Lodge, No. 681, A. F. & A. M., Anderson Chapter, R. A. M., and he is also identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His fine home is at 310 West Twelfth street, Anderson.

THOMAS W. WRIGHT was born in 1849 near Matlock, Derbyshire, England, Matlock being noted for its hydropathic establishments. Mr. Wright's parents lived on an estate that came from father to son for five generations; his father died when he was in his infancy and on the remarriage of his mother they left the estate and moved to Dronfield, near Sheffield.

In his youth Thomas W. Wright decided of his own free will to look for some occupation; he sought employment with Edward Lucas & Sons, friends of the family, who gave him the option of going in the office or to learn a trade. He decided he would learn a trade first and went to work in their shovel works. At twenty years of age he was put in charge of a department as foreman. As they would not agree to put in some important improvements he wished to make he resigned and came to America in the fall of 1872. He obtained employment with H. M. Myers & Company, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, in February, 1873, and was made foreman of that plant in 1875 and held that posi- tion until he resigned in 1889, when he then started in the business himself, manufacturing shovels under the name of The Wright Shovel C'o. at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. The business outgrew the building then occupied and the plant was moved to Anderson in 1891, A short tinie before W. J. Alford had become associated with Mr. Wright and in 1895 Mr. Wright and Mr. Alford organized the Elwood Steel Co. and Elwood Fuel Co. and were the sole owners in 1900 when these plants, together with the Wright Shovel Co. of this city were taken over by the Ames Shovel & Tool Co.

Mr. Wright then became associated with a number of industries and was one of the organizers in the building of the Union building and is at the present time one of the largest stockholders and president of that company. He was chairman of the Board of Governors of the Present Day Club which was the foundation of the organization of the Com- mercial Club. He was one of a committee of three to raise funds for the building of the present Elks Home. Mr. Wright is treasurer of the Wright Rich Cut Glass Co. and is now building a plant to manu- facture some metal specialties of his own invention under the name of the Wright Metal Mfg. Co. While Mr. Wright is supposed to lead a retired life he cannot content himself without some activity.

He lives in one of the most elegant homes in Anderson on West Eighth street, the fashionable residence district of the city. He is Vol II-24

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modest in his pretensions, close in friendships and a genial companion. He and his estimable wife are prominent in social circles and delight in the entertainment of the legions of their friends. No worthy object of charity escapes their notice, but they are not ostentatious in benevo- lence. The Wrights became residents here when the new Anderson began to take shape and they have helped to transform a country town into a thriving city. They worship at the Episcopal church on Dela- ware street and have been large factors in the building of a new and comfortable rectory and in the maintenance thereof.

PETER RITTER. The agricultural interests of Adams township are ably and worthily represented by Peter Ritter, who has resided in this township all of his life and is now the owner of thirty-two acres of well- cultivated land. An agriculturist throughout his career, he has kept fully abreast of all the changes and improvements that have marked his calling, and, while he has never sought honors in other fields than that in which he entered upon his career, is today accounted one of the substantial men of his section. Mr. Ritter was born on a farm in Adams township, Madison county, Indiana, April 1, 1852, and is a son of Abraham and Mary (Basicker) Ritter. His father, who followed the occupation of tilling the soil, went some years ago to Missouri, where his death occurred, while Mrs. Ritter still resides and makes her home with her daughter and son-in-law. Abraham and Mary Ritter had a family of three children: Peter; Emma Eliza, who is the wife of John Muncie, a resident of Anderson, Indiana; and John, who is an agriculturist of Adams township.

The educational advantages of Peter Ritter were secured in the district schools of Adams township, which he attended during the winter terms, the summer months being passed on the home farm, where he assisted his father and gained a comprehensive knowledge of farming methods. He continued to remain under the parental roof until his marriage, in 1880, at which time he embarked upon a career of his own. General farming has continued to occupy his attention, and through industry, perseverance and the exercise of good judgment and able management he has succeeded in accumulating a handsome and valuable property. He finds a ready market for the produts of his farm, and while he is known as a good business man and one alert to all the opportunities of trade, has the reputation of being a man of the strictest integrity, holding the esteem and confidence of those with whom he has had dealings. Mr. Ritter has interested himself in fra- ternal work, and at this time is a valued member of Pendleton Lodge No. 88, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Emporia Lodge No. 132, of which he is past sachem, and a member of the Grand Lodge, Improved Order of Red Men ; and the Haymakers, in which he has passed through the chairs. Public life or the struggles of the political arena have not attracted him, but he has at all times manifested a willingness to give his aid to movements calculated to be of benefit to this community.

On January 11, 1880, Mr. Ritter was united in marriage with Miss E. Stinson, of Adams township, and to them there have been born four children, namely : Courtney E., who is married and makes his home in Anderson; Orpha A., who is single and living at home; Claude, a graduate of the common schools, who is married and a farmer in Adams township; and Ruth B., a graduate of the common schools and Ander- son Business College, who resides with her parents. Mr. and Mrs.

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Ritter are members of the Christian church. They have lived quiet, honorable lives, fairly earning the regard of a wide circle of friends and the general esteem of the people of the community.

PINILIP G. SHIRLEY. Farming and stock breeding have constituted the main interests of Philip G. Shirley since he located in Madison county in 1888, and he is today one of the prosperous and independent men of the township and county, although it is well known that he established himself here with but the most slender resources in the way of material possessions. His success is a fitting example of the results that attend honest toil, with the exercise of a sound business judgment, such as Mr. Shirley has ever possessed. Prosperity made friendly overtures to him, only when he made aggressive overtures to Prosperity, and so it will always he with the men who strive to gain material success in dealing with the products of the soil, and kindred industries.

Philip G. Shirley was born in the Shenandoah Valley, in Virginia, in November, 1860, and is the son of William and Frances (Grim) Shirley, both of whom are now deceased. He was reared on the home farm in the beautiful valley of the Shenandoah, and was educated in the public schools to the age of eighteen years. When he was twenty- one years old Philip Shirley came to Montgomery county, near Ger- mantown, Ohio, and was there occupied as a farm hand, remaining in the community for four years. In 1888 he migrated to Madison county, Indiana, and this district has held the center of his interests since that day. After locating on a farm in the vicinity of Pendleton, Mr. Shirley devoted himself to the dairy business ,for something like seven or eight years, and at the end of that time he bought a farm of his own, having previously operated a rented place, and settled down to farming in genuine earnest. In addition to his regular farming, he carries on a lively business in the breeding of thoroughbred Jersey cattle and Poland China hogs. He breeds in pure blood, and his place has produced some valuable cattle and hogs in recent years. His success has been a matter of steady and consistent growth and all credit is due to him for the manner in which he has conducted his business since locating here.

In 1894 Mr. Shirley was married to Florence Beard, a daughter of the state of Virginia, where she was reared and educated. They have three sons: Beard, the eldest, is sixteen years of age; Raymond, age fourteen; and Joseph S. All three are attendants at the Pendleton high school, and give promise of worthy accomplishments with the passing years.

Mr. and Mrs. Shirley are members of the United Brethren church, of which Mr. Shirley has long been a trustee and a member of the official board of the church. In his politics he is a Prohibitionist, and is active and prominent in the work of that party. Mr. Shirley is a man who has led a clean and wholesome life, and has many excellent traits which have won for him a place in the general regard of his fellow beings that is most enviable. He had little chance to educate himself in his youth, his schooling being of the district school variety, but he has supplemented that meager training with lessons learned under the greatest of all schoolmasters, experience; and he has been one who was able to profit by his mistakes as well as by his successes and victories. He has the unqualified respect of all who know him, and is cherished in his community as an excellent friend and neighbor,

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while the quality of his citizenship is known and appreciated through- out Madison county.

MICHAEL JOSEPH FOGERTY. In every large community there are found business men who have risen to successful walks of life through the medium of their own efforts, and in this respect Elwood is no excep- tion to the rule. Few, however, of the business men of this place have been the architects of their own fortunes in so great a degree as has Michael Joseph Fogerty, secretary and general manager of the Elwood Iron Works Company. In his youth he received only ordinary educa- tional advantages, but his perseverance, his industry, and his inherent ability have allowed him to forge steadily to the front, and today he is recognized as an important factor in the business life of his adopted city. Mr. Fogerty was born at Bellefontaine, Ohio, September 24, 1875, and is a son of Patrick and Anna (Curran) Fogerty.

Patrick Fogerty, the paternal grandfather of Michael J. Fogerty, was a native of Ireland, who emigrated from his native land to Canada, and came thence to the United States, settling in Bellefontaine, Ohio, where the grandfather died when nearly ninety years of age, his wife also attaining advanced years. He followed farming and railroad con- struction work, was a steady, industrious workman, and had the respect of those who knew him for his sterling qualities of heart. He married Julia Griffin, and they became the parents of five children, namely : John, Patrick, Daniel, Jeremiah and Mary. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Fogerty, also natives of Ireland, were pioneer settlers of Indiana, and lived first at Mount Jackson and later at Indianapolis, where both died in old age, the parents of five children: Mary, Julia, Aumnie, Bridget and Daniel.

Patrick Fogerty, father of Michael J. Fogerty, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, and was a lad when brought to America by his parents. For seven or eight years the family resided at Quebec, but subsequently came to Bellefontaine, Ohio, where the youth grew to manhood, and where he still resides. As a youth he served as a fireman on the "Bee Line," but later embarked in business as the proprietor of a general store, although for the past several years he has lived a retired life. His wife passed away in 1894, in the faith of the Catholic church, of which he is also a member. Mr. and Mrs. Fogerty had a family of nine children, of whom six grew to maturity: Catherine, the wife of Robert P. Dickinson, of Bellefontaine, Ohio; Michael Joseph; Margaret, single, of Bellefontaine; James, living in that city; Jeremiah J., whose home is at Lima, Ohio; and Julia, single, who lives at Bellefontaine.

Michael Joseph Fogerty received his education in the public and parochial schools of Bellefontaine, and as a lad received his introduc- tion to business life as a clerk in his father's store in his native place. He first came to Elwood, in 1898, and here was content to accept a posi- tion as a laborer, although this was but a means to an end, for from that time he steadily advanced as his ability, industry and faithfulness won him promotion. Becoming bookkeeper and salesman for the Elwood Iron Works Company, in September, 1901, he was made general man- ager of the concern, a position he continued to hold until July 1, 1910, when the company was reorganized, and he became a part owner, secre- tary and general manager, offices he has continued to hold to the present time. This institution was established in 1889 by John Holleran, James B. Baird and Gustav Kramer, and at that time employed ten or fifteen

Clara m Neese Reuben. Neese

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hands. At the present writing on an average of eighty-five skilled men are employed in the manufacture of tin-plate machinery, glasshouse machinery and grey iron castings, the pay-roll amounting to about $75,000 per annum. Wayne Leeson is the president of this venture, the business of which extends all over this country and Europe. Much of the success of the Elwood Iron Works Company has come as a direct result of the untiring efforts of its manager, whose progressive ideas, shrewd business judgment and able handling of matters pertaining to employes and employment have served to keep the business free from those misfortunes and setbacks that have meant the undoing of more than one large enterprise. Among his associates Mr. Fogerty is held in the utmost confidence, while his mnen respect him for his ability and esteem him for his fairness.

On June 8, 1904, Mr. Fogerty was married to Miss Genevieve A. Hueper, who was born in Louisville, Kentucky, daughter of Franklin and Rose (Reinhart) Hueper. Mr. and Mrs. Hueper still reside in Louisville, where Mr. Hueper has a prosperous painting and decorating business. They have two daughters: Genevieve and Rose. Mr. and Mrs. Fogerty are the parents of four children: Robert, John, Mary and Joseph. They belong to the Catholic church, and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hiberians and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In political matters, he is a Republican, but has taken only a good citizen's interest in the affairs of the public arena, having been too busily occupied in making a place for himself in the business world.

REUBEN NEESE. Now retired from active business cares, but still one of the largest landholders in Jackson township, Reuben Neese has made a large and worthy success, won entirely as the result of his own well directed efforts. When he and his wife began housekeeping it was in a log cabin home and on a few acres of ground, with practically no improvement. Around that little nucleus he has since built up one of the finest agricultural properties in Madison county. Mr. Neese is known today to be one of the wealthy farmers in the county, and stands high in the regard of his fellow men wherever known.

Reuben Neese has for more than sixty-five years considered Jackson township his home. He was born in that township, January 24, 1847. He comes of a long line of American ancestry, and in almost every generation there appeared a pioneer, one among those who pushed the boundaries of civilization further west. His father was Jacob Neese, born in Meigs county, Ohio, in 1804. The grandfather was Henry Neese, born in Pennsylvania, where he was reared and married, and from which state, he took his family to Ohio, at a time when Ohio was in the far west. The journey was made in flat-boats down the Ohio river until they came to the nearest point to Meigs county, in which county Grandfather Neese was a pioneer. Buying land, he improved a farm, and remained there until his death.

Jacob Neese, father of Reuben was seven years old when, in 1811, he saw the first steamboat go down the Ohio river. That boat had been constructed at Pittsburg by a member of the Roosevelt family, and just a century later, in 1911, an exact duplicate of that pioneer vessel steamed down the river from Pittsburg to New Orleans. When he was eighteen years old Jacob Neese left the parental home and went to western Virginia, where he served an apprenticeship in learning the

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tanner's trade. Completing that training, he entered the employ of John Moore, who owned a farm, a grist and saw mill, and a distillery on Mill creek, in Shenandoah county, Virginia. By his ability he soon rose to the position of superintendent of the industry, and married a daughter of his employer. In 1835 Henry Neese and family came to Indiana. The journey was made across the country, and all the move- able household goods were brought along in a wagon. At the end of each day the family camped by the wayside. Arriving in Madison county, Jacob Neese bought a tract of timber land in section twenty- seven of township twenty, range six east, now a portion of Jackson township. A log house was built in the woods, and it was in that rude home that Reuben Neese was born. Later Jacob Neese built a mill on Pipe creek, and superintended both farm and mill until his death in 1861.

Jacob Neese married Sarah Moore, whose family has a long and interesting record. She was born in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, a daughter of John Moore, who was born in Lebanon county, Pennsyl- vania, and a granddaughter of John Moore, a native of the same locality, while her great-grandfather was also John Moore. The last named moved from New Amsterdam, New York, to Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, where he was an early settler. He secured land from the Penn Proprietor and the deed written on parchment, is still preserved by his descendants, who own and occupy the original tract of land. On that original land purchase John Moore built a large stone house, which is still standing and in good condition. In that house he lived until his death. John, son of the John who first settled in Lebanon county was an only child and inherited the homestead, where he remained a life long resident. He reared a large family. His son, John Moore, grandfather of Reuben Neese was reared in Pennsylvania, but when a young man moved to Shenandoah county, Virginia, and did the work of a pioneer in that vicinity. His father had given him a tract of land, located about four miles east of Mt. Jackson. There he improved the water power, built a flour and saw mill, also a distillery, and cleared and cultivated a large amount of land in the vicinity. A commodious brick house which he built is still standing, and is always kept in excellent repair. It was in that home that John Moore spent his last years. He married a Miss Heiser, a life long resident of Virginia.

Jacob Neese and wife reared eight of their eleven children, namely : Louisa, Amanda, William, Sarah, Eliza, John, Hannah and Reuben.

Reuben Neese was fourteen years old when his father died. His mother died when he was but five years old, and his father married a second time. After living with his step-mother one year Reuben Neese started out for himself, and from that time forward was self-sup- porting. His early employment was in different lines of work, up to the time of his marriage, and his first enterprise after that event was in the grocery trade at Perkinsville. The venture did not prove profitable, and he closed out and took up the trade of shoe making. Later he bought twenty acres of land in section twenty-seven in Jackson township, and on that small tract he began his career as an independent farmer. Practically the only improvement on the land was a log house, and it was in that' humble abode that he and his young wife spe. t six happy years. Success rewarded their thrift and industry, and with the accumu- lation of means other land was bought, and in the course of years the

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results now show in a fine estate of five hundred and eighty acres in Jackson and Pipe Creek township.

Since 1890, Mr. Neese and wife have had their residence in the village of Perkinsville. For nine years there he conducted a thriving store, and also served two terms in the office of postmaster. With the well earned prosperity, Mr. Neese and wife have taken life easily in recent years, and spent much of their time in travel. They have visited nearly all sections of the United States, and a part of each winter is spent in the south. Among his other interests, Mr. Neese is a director in the Farmer's Trust Company of Anderson. Before her marriage, Mrs. Neese was Clara Webb. She was born near. Bell Brook, in Greene county, Ohio, and her father was Isham Webb. Her grandfather, Henry Webb, a farmer by occupation, spent all his career in Greene county. The father of Mrs. Neese learned the trade of blacksmith, and moving to Indiana conducted a shop at Rushville for a time, but later took up his residence at Perkinsville in Madison county, where he died at the age of fifty-three. Isham Webb married Phebe Vaughan, who was born in Green county, where her father John Vaughan was a farmer. Mrs. Neese was a child when her mother died, and she was reared in the home of a step-mother. The only child born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Neese was John S., who died at the age of twenty-two and one-half years. Mr. Neese is a Republican in politics. He has never cared for the honor of office, but for a number of years served as a committeeman. He attended the Methodist church in Perkinsville, and in that city he assisted in the organizing of the Red Men.

ELMAN G. VERNON. Among the old and honored families of Madi- son county whose members have contributed through their activities to the material welfare of the community along agricultural and com- inercial lines and also to the higher culture, that of Vernon is deserv- ing of more than passing mention. One of the oldest enterprises of the city of Anderson is the firm of E. G. Vernon & Son, which was established in 1868 by Elman G. Vernon. This firm handles coal, cement, lime and practically every class of builders' supplies except- ing lumber and building brick.

Mr. E. G. Vernon, who some years ago retired from business and is now enjoying life on a farm a few miles from Anderson, was born in Madison county in 1848, has lived here all his life, and after his early education started out as a young man without any backing, and for many years conducted the principal line of drays for the trans- portation of goods in the city of Anderson. This business led naturally into the establishment of yards and warehouses for the supply of lime, coal and cement to the local trade. In addition he bought a grain elevator situated on the Panhandle Railway tracks at the corner of Main and Fifth streets, and for a number of years was one of the large handlers and shippers of grain from Anderson.

Both during his residence in Anderson and since he left the city Mr. Vernon has always been an enterprising citizen and much inter- ested in the upbuilding of his community. A Republican in politics, he has been liberal in his views, and has often supported the best man regardless of party affiliations. Many people associate his name not so much with business as with music, and in his younger days he was a proficient musician himself and took a prominent part in the organized musical activities of Anderson. He was the first tuba player in the

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county, and one of the organizers of the band which was known as the "Saw Filers Band," which all of the older residents well remem- ber. As a musician he classed along with such men as Carl Makepiece, S. D. Varpell, George Kline and Professor Dallas H. Elliott, the cham- pion cornet player of the west. In his active business career no one ever doubted his honesty and integrity, and he has taken into his retired life the respect and esteem of hundreds of Madison county people.

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History of Madison County, Indiana ; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume I, Part 99

Author: Forkner, John La Rue, 1844-1926 Publication date: 1970 Publisher: Evansville Ind. : Unigraphic, Inc. Number of Pages: 918

Author: Forkner, John La Rue, 1844-1926
Publication date: 1970
Publisher: Evansville Ind. : Unigraphic, Inc.
Number of Pages: 918