USA > Indiana > Madison County > History of Madison County, Indiana : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume II > Part 10
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Jonas Stewart, M.D.
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY 425
in unison that highest eulogy known to mankind-Died on the field of duty and with the universal esteem, love and respect of his neighbors."
MARTIN L. CROMER. Probably there is no better known citizen in Anderson than Martin L. Cromer, who for more than twelve years has served in the capacity of assistant postmaster here, and whose efficient, courteous and obliging serviees have not only been of great value to his adopted city, but have served to gain him widespread popularity. Mr. Cromer entered upon his career as a member of the legal profession; but since his appointment to his official position he has given the greater part of his attention to the discharge of its duties. He is a native of the Hoosier state, having been born at Newcastle in Henry county, March 9, 1854, a son of Josiah and Mary A. (Schultz) Cromer, natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers of Henry county, Indiana. Josiah Cromer was born July 11, 1825, and was one of twin sors. His father was George Cromer, who was born on the 3d of June, 1788, and the maternal grandfather was born June 3, 1810, in Pennsylvania.
Martin L. Cromer received his early educational training in the public schools of Middletown, Indiana, and from there enrolled as a student at the State University at Bloomington, where he continued to assiduously pursue his studies for several years. Following this he spent two years at Butler University, Irvington, Indiana, and then. going to Springfield, Ohio, spent two years in Wittenberg College and graduated therefrom in 1879. For one year after leaving college Mr. Cromer was engaged in teaching school, and in 1880 he came to Ander- son as an educator, but not long afterward went to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, where he passed twelve months. Returning to Indiana, be located on a farm in Delaware county, where he remained until 1888, and then gave his attention to farming in Madison county. in which he met with a satisfying degree of success, but in 1896 again came to Anderson and began to read law in the office of the well known legal firm of. Wood & Ellis, being admitted to the bar in 1898. In 1901 he began his aetive practice alone, and in the same year received the ap- pointment to the office of deputy postmaster under Robert Grimes, a position he has continued to hold under succeeding postmasters to the present time. Mr. Cromer manifests a commendable interest in all the live topics of the day and withholds his support from no measure which his judgment tells him will be of benefit to his city or its people. His many admirable qualities have gained him a wide cirele of friends, and Anderson numbers him among its dependable citizens. In political matters he has always supported Republican candidates and princi- ples. His fraternal connection is with the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias.
In 1880 Mr. Cromer was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Bron- nenberg, of Anderson, Indiana, a daughter of the late Carrol Bronnen- berg. Three children have been born to this union, namely : Mrs. Ethel E. Forse, whose husband, Harry Forse, Jr., is secretary of the Union Traction Company of Indiana : Maud D. became the wife of Dr. J. D. Miller, a physician at Indianapolis, Indiana; and Grace, who married Dr. O. B. Norman, who is engaged in the practice of medicine at Bed- ford, Indiana.
JONAS STEWART, M. D. Now one of the oldest, members of the med- ical profession in Madison county, and prominently known to the
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medical fraternity throughout the state, having served some years ago as the first president of the Indiana State Medical Association, after it was reorganized and changed from the old title of Medical Society, Dr. Stewart has been identified by residence and by business and prores- sional activities in Anderson since 1870.
Jonas Stewart is a native of Indiana, having been born in Delaware county. January 26, 1843, a son of Lewis and Mary (Crampton) Stew- art. The father, who was a son of William Stewart, a native of Ken- tucky, was born in Highland county, Ohio. The grandfather had first moved his home from Kentucky to Ohio, where he was numbered among the earlier settlers of Highland county. Lewis Stewart attained his education in an old log school house, peculiar to his time, and with such equipment as he could obtain from this primitive school he secured a teacher's certificate or license, and was engaged in teaching for some years during the early part of his career. He married Mary Crampton, who was born in Maryland, and became a resident of Ohio during childhood, her parents also being among the early settlers of Ohio, in Miami county. She died in 1887 in the sixty-eighth year of her life. Dr. Stewart spent his boyhood on a farm, and attended the public schools in Delaware county, Indiana. He later attended school at Troy, Ohio, and in 1862 he entered the Northwestern Christian University at Indianapolis. He enlisted as a private in the Union army, going into the service on August 28, 1862, in Company E of the Forty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, the regiment being commanded by Col. Sam- uel A. Gilbert. The regiment was sent into Kentucky, and later to Tennessee, and he saw a good deal of service in the mountains of Ken- tucky and Tennessee, after which he was transferred with his regiment to Virginia. After nearly three years of soldiering he received his honorable discharge on May 30, 1865, and then returned to college at Indianapolis. He spent one year in study there, then taught school for a while and in this way gradually prepared himself for a profes- sional life. He finally matriculated in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he pursued his studies for some time, and later went to the Long Island Hospital Medical College at Brooklyn, New York, where he was graduated with the degree of M. D. on June 30, 1870. Dr. Stewart at once came to Anderson and opened his office, beginning general practice in August of the same year. He has enjoyed success and distinction in his profession, and during the last two years has given up any attempt to extend his practice and now confines his atten- tion to attendance in professional capacities upon his old patrons, many of whom he has cared for for more than a generation.
In business and financial circles at Anderson, Dr. Stewart is recog- nized as one of the very successful men. He has for a number of years held the position of vice-president of the Anderson Loan Association, and he is also a stockholder in the National Exchange Bank at Ander- son and of the Anderson Trust Company. The doctor owns an excel- lent farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Madison county.
Dr. Stewart is a member of the Madison County Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Association, of which he was the first presi- dent after its reorganization, serving in his official capacity in the year 1904, and he was vice-president of the State Medical Society, in 1897, prior to its reorganization under its present name, the Indiana State Medical Association.
Dr. Stewart has contributed data concerning the physicians of Mad-
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json county to the Medical History of Indiana, edited by Dr. G. W. H. Kemper, and he is also associate editor on the subject of the medical profession for this present history of Madison county. He retains his association with old army comrades through his membership in Major May Post No. 244, G. A. R.
Dr. Stewart was married on September 4, 1870, to Miss Mahala Brandon of Middletown, Henry county, Indiana, a daughter of Greenup Brandon, one of the first settlers of Delaware county, Indiana. He and his wife have been members of the Central Christian Church in Anderson for forty-three years, and are among the stanchest and most reliable members of that body. The handsome family residence is located at 1015 Delaware street.
JAMES A. VAN OSDOL. The bar of Madison county numbers Mr. Van Osdol among its leading and representative members. He has practiced in the courts here for twenty years, and controls a large and important clientage. He is the general attorney for the Union Trac- tion Company of Indiana, one of the substantial and important cor- porations controlling interurban electrie lines in this state. Prior to entering upon the practice of law Mr. Van Osdol gained distinctive success and prestige as a representative of the pedagogic profession, and he is known as a man of fine attainments and sterling character.
He was born in Ohio county, Indiana, August 4, 1860, and is a scion of sterling pioncer families of Indiana, within whose gracious borders were also born his parents, Boston W. and Rachael (Jenkins) Van
Osdol. Like many another who has attained success in professional life James A. Van Osdol gained his initial experience in connection with the sturdy and benignant influences of the farm, the while he availed himself of the advantages of the district school in the vicinity of his home. Proving himself eligible for pedagogic honors, he began teach- ing in the district schools in his native county at the age of seventeen years, and continued in the profession for six years. In the mean- while he had pursued the study of law, and moving to the city of Vevay, in Switzerland county, in 1884, he entered upon the practice of law there. The political situation in the county at that time was such that in a short time it afforded him the opportunity of election to the office of county superintendent of schools, and after serving one term in that office he returned to the practice of law.
In 1893 Mr. Van Osdol came to Madison county and established his home in the prosperous little city of Elwood, where he soon acquired a substantial practice and proved himself one of the resourceful and ver- satile members of the bar of the county. In 1895 he found it expedient to establish his home and professional headquarters at Anderson, the judicial center of the county, and here he entered into practice with Charles L. Henry and Byron McMahan in the practice of law. Later he joined with Mr. Henry and his associates in the organization of the Union Traction Company, and early in the history of that organzation Mr. Van Osdol was chosen its general attorney and has since continued as the head of its legal department. His official duties in this connec- tion have demanded his interposition in many important affairs of the company, and he has represented the same in various cities along the interurban lines controlled by the corporation. He is a man of fine presence, is genial, sincere and direct, and though he has never mani- fested any desire to woo publicity he is known as a loyal and progres-
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sive citizen, and in polities he accords staunch allegiance to the Republican party.
Mr. Van Osdol was married in 1894 to Mrs. Mary F. Goodin, for- merly Miss Gould, then a widow residing at Peru, Indiana, with her little son, Donald Goodin. Mr. Van Osdol also had a son, Robert, by a former marriage, and these four constituted the Van Osdol household when they moved to the city of Anderson, but in 1902 this little circle was increased by the birth of Gould J. Van Osdol. At the present Robert is residing at Pasadena, California, and Donald is at Yorktown, Indiana.
FRED D. WRIGHT. Foremost among the younger business men of Anderson who have 'made good in their undertakings and enterprises may be mentioned Fred D. Wright, secretary and treasurer of the Well- ington Milling Company for a number of years, and identified with the business in a lesser capacity since 1907. He is well versed in mill- ing lore, for he began to take an active interest in the work as early as his seventeenth year, and has maintained a continuous identification with the milling business from that time until the present. His rise has been a steady and continuous one and altogether pleasing to those who have watched his career from boyhood and are conversant with the many excellent traits that have contributed to his success.
A native son of Randolph county, Fred D. Wright was born in the town of Modoe on September 13, 1877. His parents were Willis C. and Mollie (Vardaman) Wright. The father was also a native of Randolph county, and was a farmer by occupation. He is now living in the city of Anderson, but the wife and mother has been called to the home beyond.
Fred D. Wright attended the village school of Modoe until his six- teenth year, and quitting his studies at that time he accepted a position in a flouring mill at Muncie, Indiana, the firm with which he identified himself being the Wysor & Hibbets Milling Company. While in the employ of that company he entered the service of the U. S. Army, en- listing with the Twentieth Infantry, U. S. Regiment. on the 12th of May, 1898. He served in all the engagements in Cuba, and returned home in the following August, receiving bis discharge in November fol- lowing. While with the Wysor & Hibbets Milling Company. Mr. Wright received a thorough training in the milling business, and he continued with the firm for about seven years, leaving their service in 1902. but acquiring in that time a complete knowledge of the business in all its various departments. In that year he came to Anderson and entered the employ of the Wellington & Son Flouring Mill. remaining with them until 1905, when he went to Los Angeles, California, in an effort to better the condition of his health. which, while not incapacitating him for work, was sufficiently bad to eause him some coneern. But a short time in the healthful climate of southern California restored him to abundant health and vigor, and he returned to Anderson in 1906 and assumed charge of the Pioneer Milling Company at Linngrove. Adams county, Indiana. In January, 1913, he acquired an interest in the Well- ington & Son Milling Company, which, by the retirement of James Wellington, the father, came to be known as the Wellington Milling Company. Soon thereafter the son also retired from the concern, leav- ing Mr. Wright in full charge of the activities of the business. Under his regime the mills have taken on new strength and the business is
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being pushed forward to an exceptionally high plane. The plant is equipped with a complete roller system and separators, and every labor-saving device known to the milling business is found in operation in this thoroughly modern and well conducted plant. With a capacity of one hundred and twenty-five barrels daily, the mill runs at capacity the year around. It has a large local trade, and is at the same time engaged in handling wheat, oats and all other grains peculiar to this region, its principal markets being Baltimore, Maryland, and Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio. The care of the business could be in no better hands than Mr. Wright's, for an addition to his thorough knowledge of the business from its more practical side, he is also an accomplished office man, thoroughly qualified to oversee the clerical side of the busi- ness and to understand every detail of office management. He fitted himself for that phase of the work in the Anderson Business College, where he pursued a thorough course of training some years ago.
In 1901 Mr. Wright was married to Miss Iva E. Longfellow. of Rush county, Indiana, a daughter of S. C. Longfellow, for many years a teacher in Rush county and one of the best known men of that dis- trict, and of Rosetta (Durham) Longfellow, a descendant of a pioneer family of Rush county. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wright-Noland C. and Noline M. Wright.
Mr. Wright is a member of Anderson Lodge of the Knights of Pythias and also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at An- derson. The family home is at 203 East Fifteenth street.
OTHO W. DOUGLAS. The work of the firm of Daniels, Lyst & Douglas in the construction of many of the most substantial thoroughfares of Anderson and the surrounding cities and towns, has been of a character not only to leave its impress on the community for many years to come, but to bring the members of the concern prominently before the publie as business men of ability, whose activities are serving to advance their seetion in many ways. Otho W. Douglas, the junior member of this firin, a man of wide and varied experience and versatile talents. is num- bered among those who have been the architects of their own fortunes. Although a man of scholarly attainments, he has worked with his hands and trodden the familiar but difficult self-made way to success. and his career has distinctly demonstrated that force. strength, character and resolution dwell within him, qualities necessary to those who would gain a full measure of prosperity. Mr. Douglas was born in Iroquois county, Illinois, October 25, 1874. He is the third son of James Hamilton Doug- las, a native of Indiana, and a representative of an old and honored family of the Hoosier State. Mr. Douglas came from Washington county, Indiana, to Illinois, where he spent only a short time. when he came back to the State of his nativity. Subsequently he went to Kansas, where he has resided during the past thirty years. His wife passed away at the time of the birth of the subject of this review.
The early educational training of Otho W. Douglas was secured in the graded and high schools of Salem. Indiana, and on leaving the latter entered the State Normal school at Terre Haute. Indiana. Fol- lowing his graduation therefrom, he became a student in the State University at Bloomington, Indiana, and then adopted the vocation of educator and after teaching for some time in the schools of Salem. be- came a teacher in the high school there. He also taught in the Anderson high school six years, and then he turned his attention to business
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pursuits, and became a member of the firm of Daniels & Lyst, the style at that time being changed to Daniels, Lyst & Douglas, and as such it has continued to remain to the present time. This firm, from its exten- sive acquaintance, and the long period in which its members have been known to the business world, is recognized one of the leading concerns of street paving contractors in this part of the state. Mr. Douglas has justly won the American title of self-made man. His career has been one of constant endeavor. A man of great energy and enterprise, of force of character and resolute purpose, at all times his business has been conducted along the lines of commercial honor and personal in- tegrity. Although essentially a business man, he has not been indiffer- ent to the pleasures of social association with his fellow-men, and is pop- ular with his fellow members in the local lodges of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America.
In 1895, Mr. Douglas was united in marriage with Miss Maude M. Zink, of Salem, Indiana, a daughter of Jacob D. and Martha (Crim) Zink. This union has been blessed with the birth of one daughter: Anna Katherine, who is attending school in Anderson. Mr. Douglas and his wife and daughter are members of the First Christian Church. The neat and substantial family residence is located on West Eleventh street. Mr. Douglas is rather independent in his political views, believ- ing it his right to cast his ballot for the candidate he deems best fitted for the office, irrespective of party lines. He has never aspired to public office nor entered the arena as a candidate, but takes a lively interest in all matters that affect the welfare of his adopted community, and may at all times be depended upon to support those movements which make for progress and good citizenship.
J. C. RODGER, V. S. The veterinary doctor and surgeon of today recognizes the benefit of science as applied to his profession, and it is a noteworthy fact that, within the last several decades, the course in this line has been as strict as that of a regular doctor of medicine, while the scope of practice being wider, many of the progressive men of today are taking up the veterinary line in preference. One of the successful veterinarians of Madison county is found in the person of Dr. J. C. Rodger, a member of the firm of Rodger & Catey, of No. 715 Jackson street, Anderson. Dr. Rodger was born near the city of Toronto, Canada, August 24, 1865, and is a son of John and Helen (Cowan) Rodger, both natives of Scotland, the father being a farmer. He was a man of energy, became prosperous and much respected in his community, and owned a large farm in the vicinity of Toronto, where both he and his wife passed away in the year 1901.
. The early education of Dr. Rodger was secured in the public and high schools of Toronto, and he spent some little time on the farm. There he showed a decided inclination for the veterinary profession, this hav- ing been developed through his love and understanding of animals, and he accordingly decided to enter upon a professional career. He entered the Toronto Veterinary College, one of the oldest and best institutions of its kind in America, and was graduated in 1887. coming to the United States in the same year and locating at Anderson. Here he opened an office and established himself as a veterinary surgeon, and as he became acquainted and known as a graduate of a college, his practice extended and he was soon in the possession of an excellent professional business. It now extends not only all over Anderson, but to various points in
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Madison and adjoining counties. He devotes his practice to all domes- tic animals, of which he has made a careful study, and his success in cases of a complicated nature has placed him well up among the leaders of his calling. In 1904 Dr. Rodger formed a partnership with Oscar M. Catey, under the firm name of Rodger & Catey, and this as- sociation lias continued to the present time. Dr. Rodger's skill has caused him to be called upon to lecture on various occasions, and for ten years he was an instructor on Bovine Pathology in the Indianapolis Veterinary College, Indianapolis. He is a member of the Indiana Veterinary Med- ical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association. He is a prominent Mason, belonging to Mount Moriah Lodge No. 77, F. & A. M., to Anderson Chapter No. 52, R. A. M., and to Anderson Com- mandery No. 32. K. T. He is connected likewise with Murat Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and has attained to the thirty-second degree in Indiana Consistory.
The stables of the firm of Rodgers & Catey, at No. 715 Jackson street, are substantially constructed in modern manner, are 32x144 feet, and include all modern equipment, box stalls and exercising yard in the rear.
ISAAC E. MAY. A successful business man and public spirited citizen, Mr. May has been identified by residence with Madison county practi- cally all his life. He began his career as a worker for others, and by industry and ability became master of his own circumstances, and since leaving the office of county clerk a few years ago has been engaged in the jobbing business at Anderson.
Isaac E. May was born July 7, 1861, at Anderson, Indiana, a son of Isaac M. and Samantha (Kindle) May. His father was one of Indiana's soldiers who were sacrificed during the Civil war. Isaac M. May was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, in 1830, came north and settled in Indiana, at the beginning of the war enlisted in Compay A of the Nineteenth Indiana Infantry, was promoted to major, and the business of war leu him back to his native state, and at the battle of Gainesville, Virginia, in August, 1862, he was among the slain. His wife, Samantha (Kindle) May, was born at Anderson, Indiana, January 6, 1836, repre- senting an old family of Madison county, and her death occurred Feb- ruary 26, 1896.
Isaac E. May, who was but one year old when his father died, grew up in- Anderson, received a common school education, and has long been active in publie and business affairs. In 1898 came his election to the office of county clerk of Madison county on the Democratic ticket, and his service continued until 1902, being marked by a most capable administration of the duties connected with that important county office. At the present time Mr. May is engaged in the jobbing of plumbing, gas and mill supplies. Besides his public service as just mentioned, he has served as councilman from the Third Ward of Anderson. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic Order and the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks.
On February 24, 1892, at Anderson, Mr. May married Miss Anna L. Sansberry. Mrs. May is a daughter of James W. and Nancy (Jones) Sansberry, the father an attorney. Mrs. May was educated at St. Mary of the Woods at Terre Haute. To their marriage was born on June 6, 1893, one son, James S. May.
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JONATHAN A. BUSBY. On section nineteen of Stony Creek township is located the valuable and attractive homestead of Jonathan A. Busby. His farm of two hundred and twenty-three acres represents the life work and achievements of a citizen who was born in the township and has lived all his life here a quiet industrious farmer, and man of thorough integrity in all his business and personal relations.
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