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 13
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Curran Beall, the elder, was born on a farm near Centerville, Wayne county, Indiana, and was educated in his native locality, coming to Madi- son county about 1846 after attaining his majority and here settling in Richland township, where he spent the remaining active years of his life in successful farming operations. He was married here, and he and his wife became the parents of six sons, of whom two survive : Cur- ran; and Archibald, who married Laura Coburn and has seven children -James, Fred, Arthur, Rosa, Garland, Brutus and Lilian.
"Jack" Beall was reared on the old homestead where he was born and received his early education in the schoolhouse which was located on the old Tappan farm in this locality, this training being supple- mented by attendance at tlie Mount Hope school in Anderson towushin. During his school period he assisted his father in the work of the home place, and until twenty-two years of age remained under the parental roof, at that time removing to a property of eighty acres some miles dis- tant in Lafayette township. After renting this land for a short period, he returned and rented a like property belonging to his father, but not long thereafter went to North Anderson, where he carried on teaming. Returning to agricultural pursuits, he operated his mother-in-law's farm for several years, subsequently located on another rented property. and at the time of his father's retirement from active life again returned to the homestead, of which he was made manager. Here he has intro- duced various innovations and made numerous improvements, both as to buildings and equipment. Trained in the old school of practicability, he has combined with this the ideas and methods of modern days, with the result that he has achieved material success and a firmly established position among the agricultural leaders of his community.
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MICHAEL STRIKER
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Mr. Beall was married August 20, 1882, to Miss Mary Belle Kinna- man, daughter of Henry and Frenie (Huntzinger) Kinniman. Mr. Kinnaman came to Madison county from Missouri and settled in Lafayette township where he was successfully engaged in farming up to the time of his death. He had three children: Mary Belle, who married Mr. Beall; Rose M., who married Mr. Parsons; and Gertrude, now Mrs. Carpenter. Mr. and Mrs. Beall have two children: William Curran, who married Cora Verinillion, and has one child, Nondes; and Ora Madi- son, who married Olive Pence, and has one child, Durwood. Mr. and Mrs. Beall are consistent members of the Christian church, in the work of which they have shown a commendable interest. The family enjoys the privileges of membership in the local lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men, in both of which he has numerous friends. He is a Democrat in politics and has never held any public office.
MICHAEL STRIKER. When the Striker family first located in Ander- son much of what is now within the city limits was open country covered with hazel brush or wood, and Eight Street, now one of the busiest thoroughfares of the county seat, wound in and about the trees which still cumbered its course. . Various members of the family have been well known in this city and county and Mr. Michael Striker was for a long number of years successful as a butcher and wholesale and retail dealer in meats, but is now living retired.
Michael Striker was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the fifteenth of October, 1850. His father was Adam Striker. Both he and his wife were natives of Baden, Germany, and one of the brothers of Adam came to America, but his settlement and his career from the time he landed have not been known to this branch of the family. Adam Striker was rerred in Germany, attended school steadily during boyhood and then began an apprenticeship after the thorough German fashion to the stonemason's trade. His apprenticeship completed he married and with his bride set sail for America. The ship on which they took passage battled for three months with the waves before it landed them in New York City. From there they came to Cincinnati, where he was employed at various kinds of work for a time. When the Pan Handle Railroad, now one of the principal lines of the Pennsylvania System, was being constructed to Madison county, Adam Striker took employ- ment with the building contractor and assisted in felling the trees and clearing the right of way, and later helped to construct the road beds. In the woods not far from the present site of the Pennsylvania Railroad Station in Anderson, he built a log shanty, which served as the first home of the Striker family in Anderson, and it was there that Michael Striker first lived and became acquainted with this vicinity. When the railroad had been built through this part of Indiana, Adam Striker re- mained in Anderson, and followed his trade during the seasons when there was work, and also eked out his income at various other kinds of work. He was an industrious man, was much esteemed by his fellow citizens, and continued a resident of Anderson until his death at the age of seventy-seven years. He had married in Germany Catherine Dittus, who died at the age of sixty-nine. They reared nine children, named Michael, John, Adam, Henry, Jacob, Robert, Charles, Ben, Frank and Catherine.
Michael Striker was only a child when the family came to Ander- .
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son, and though the pioneer period in the strict sense had passed Mad- ison county was still sparsely populated, and as already stated a greater part of what is now the site of the city of Anderson was in the tim- ber and brush. Wild game was still quite plentiful in the surrounding soil and occasionally deer and wolves were heard and seen in the vicin- ity. Michael Striker was reared to habits of industry and thrift, and was a mere boy when he began contributing the results of his labor to the support of the family. When he was a boy, he was apprenticed to the butcher's trade with Joseph Shawhan, a well known local butcher of that time. During the first year he got no pay with the exception of an occasional piece of meat which he carried home to the family. During the second year his pay was three dollars a week, and at the age of eighteen he was a capable butcher, and during the winter was employed at the local packing house in dressing hogs, and being an expert in that line he earned five dollars a day, all of which he gave to his father. At the age of twenty, Mr. Striker was ready to start in business for himself. His capital was very limited, and he rented a shop and a slaughter house. For some time he had no horse nor vehicle to assist in the business. He bought a beeve from John Q. Gastin at the Omaha Switch, and a hog from another party, and having butchered those animals began business. He was successful from the start, and soon afterwards formed a partnership with Maurice Wallace, making the firm of Striker & Wallace. This continued for about three years before being dissolved, after which Mr. Striker continued alone and did a flourishing business up to 1910. In that year he turned over his large stock and interests to his son, and having acquired a handsome competency retired from business.
Mr. Striker in 1875 on the twenty-seventh of October married Miss Samantha Talmadge, who was born in Rush county, a daughter of William John and Priscilla (Highfield) Talmadge, a pioneer family of Rush county. Mr. and Mrs. Striker's children are Lafe, Clifford and Nellie. The son Lafe married Florence Zimmer, and has four children named Catherine, Lois, Mary J., and Martha.
WEEMS BRONNENBERG. Agricultural methods have changed very materially during the past several generations, and now that progression among the farmers has become a vital national issue there is every reason to suppose that still further advance will be made along all lines. Inter- urban service, the telephone and the automobile, with the consequent bettering of the roads on account of the increased popularity of the last- named, have brought the farmers much closer together and have placed them in close touch with the centers of activity, and the man today who devotes himself to the cultivation of the soil finds himself more inde- pendent than any other worker in the world. Among the progressive, public-spirited citizens of Richland township is found Weems Bronnen- berg, the owner of 123 acres of fine land located on the Daleville road, a property that has been accumulated through years of persistent and well- directed effort. Mr. Bronnenberg was born on the old Bronnenberg homestead in Richland township, Madison county, Indiana, April 8, 1860, and is a son of Michael and Franeone (Forkner) Bronnenberg, and a brother of Isaac B. Bronnenberg, a sketch of whose career appears in another part of this volume.
Weems Bronnenberg received his education in the public school at College Corners, and was reared on the old homestead, where he remained
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until twenty-three years of age. At that time he left the parental roof and embarked upon a career of his own, locating on an eighty-acre tract of land on the Daleville road, in Richland township. An industrious, persevering workman, thoroughly trained in agricultural methods, he has made a distinct success of his ventures, and as time has passed has added to his property by purchase, now having 123 acres of land under a high state of cultivation. This has been improved by handsome build- ings and modern equipment and machinery, and is considered one of the finest properties of its size in the township, its every detail giving evidence of the skill, thrift and good management of its owner. In addi- tion to general farming, Mr. Bronnenberg engages in stock raising, and his cattle are of high grade, demanding excellent prices in the local markets.
Mr. Bronnenberg was united in marriage with Miss Susan M. Cham- bers, daughter of George and Rebecca (Walters) Chambers, old resi- dents of Madison county who are now both deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Bronnenberg there have been born seven children: Pearl; Bessie, who is the wife of Walter Imil, of Richland township; George, who married Bertha Imil, also of this township; Chester; Claude; John and Ethel. The children have all been given good educational advantages and Claude has attended one term in the Anderson High School. The family home is located on Anderson Rural Route No. 4.
Mr. and Mrs. Bronnenberg are valued members of the Christian church, and have always taken an active part in its work and have numerous friends in its congregation. Mr. Bronnenberg is Republican in his political views, but votes independently and, while not a politician or seeker for public preferment, he has not been indifferent to the duties of good citizenship, and at all times has given his earnest support to able men and beneficial measures.
WILLIAM BUTLER BRONNENBERG. Success has amply attended the efforts of William Butler Bronnenberg, who has devoted himself with diligence and energy to the farming business all his life. Few men in this community have surpassed or equaled him in his accomplishments in the field of agriculture, and he is representative of the best and most progressive class of farming men in the county and state today. Begin- ning with little or nothing, Mr. Bronnenberg is today the owner of some- thing like 250 acres of the most fertile land in the county, which yields him richly and repays him goodly measure of prosperity for every shred of energy expended upon it.
Born on August 25, 1853, on the farm of his parents in Union town- ship, William Butler Bronnenberg is the son of Henry and Mariah (Forkner) Bronnenberg, whose sketch appears elsewhere. As a boy at home, he attended the district schools of Union township, finishing his training in the Chesterfield schools. His father was a farmer, and the boy was early trained in the business for which he was destined. In young manhood he married and established a home of his own, Catherine Diltz becoming his bride. Two children were born to them,-Horace and Esther, both of whom are occupied with farming interests. The wife and mother died in young life, and in 1884 Mr. Bronnenberg mar- ried a second time, choosing Sallie Butler, of English descent, who by a previous marriage to William Manger had one child,-Emerson. The latter is married to Hazel Hancock, and has two sons,-Harold and Ralph. Sallie Butler Bronnenberg is the daughter of Jacob and Rachael
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(Porter) Butler, who were natives of southern Ohio, and who never left that state. The father of Jacob Butler was a native son of Germany, as were also the parents of his wife, Rachael Porter, and all were people of the most sterling worth, well esteemed wherever they were known, and valuable additions to the communities wherein they located. To the second marriage of William Butler Bronnenberg one son was born, -- Cecil Bronnenberg, now attending school at Anderson. Mr. Bronnen- berg is actively engaged in farming. He is a Democrat in his political belief, active and prominent in local politics, and fraternally has mem- bership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Spiritualists' Association of Chesterfield.
EMMOR WILLIAMS. Among the highly respected citizens of Madison county who have returned to agricultural pursuits after many years spent in other lines of endeavor, Emmor Williams, of Adams township, is a representative example. He has always been an industrious, ener- getic workman, making his own way in the world by well directed efforts, and has fairly earned the respect and esteem in which he is universally held. Mr. Williams was born on a farm in Fall Creek township, Madison county, Indiana, June 21, 1848, and is a son of Samuel F. and Arie A. (Rice) Williams.
Henry Williams, the grandfather of Emmor Williams, spent his entire life in Williamsburg, New York, which was named in his honor. There was born his son, Samuel F. Williams, who was reared in the Empire state, from whence he came to Henry county, Indiana, in 1829, and located near New Eden. He was married in Henry county, and came to Madison county in 1842, and after some preparation was ad- mitted to the bar in 1858. He continued to practice law throughout the remainder of his career, served as justice of the peace of Adams town- ship for twelve years, and died at New Columbus, Indiana, one of the well known and substantial men of his community. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, of whom Emmor is the only survivor.
Emmor Williams received his education in the district schools and as a young man learned the trade of stationery engineer, an occupation which he followed for many years. When twenty-four years of age he removed to Pennsylvania, and subsequently went to Kansas, but event- ually returned to Anderson, Indiana, where he was engaged at his voca- tion at excellent wages, being an expert workman. In March, 1910, he returned to agricultural purstiits, in which he has been engaged to the present time. He carries on general farming and stock raising, and has been uniformly successful in his operations, being known as a good business man and a practical farmer.
On September 21, 1871, Mr. Williams was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary L. Myers, of Berlin, Pennsylvania, who was educated in the schools of Pennsylvania and the normal school, and for some years prior to her marriage was engaged in teaching. Three children have been born of this union : Annie H., who became the wife of E. E. Coffelt and died on the 31st of October, 1894; Martha, who died in infancy ; and Mary C., a graduate of the common schools, who is now the wife of A. H. Kirk- land, of Anderson, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are consistent mem- bers of the Christian church, in the work of which both have been active. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order, Ovid Lodge, No. 164, A. F. & A. M., of which he is Master, and Pendleton Chapter, No. 51, R. A. M .; to Anderson Lodge, No. 746, I. O. O. F., and to Anderson Lodge, No.
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464, K. of P. In political matters he is a Republican. He has always been a willing supporter of movements promoted with the idea of ad- vancing the welfare of his community or its people, and has ever been a friend of education, morality and good citizenship. He has a wide acquaintance in Adams township, where his numerous friends testify to his general popularity.
EDWARD E. LYST. The architectural beauty of the city of Anderson, Indiana, has been brought about by a group of men of ability and artistic training who have possessed the publie spirit necessary to cause them to labor faithfully and assiduously in transforming an ungainly, half- formed municipality into a business and residence center of which its citizens may well be proud. Years of experience and a wealth of ideas have been brought into this work, and the services of a number of the most able contractors in the state have been enlisted. Prominent among them is Edward E. Lyst, of the well-known contracting firm of Daniels, Lyst & Douglas, who has lived in this city all of his life, and who, during the past decade, has risen to a high place in his chosen vocation. Mr. Lyst was born in Anderson, Indiana, October 10, 1870, and is a son of Thomas J. and Ellen (Smith) Lyst.
Thomas J. Lyst was born in Butler county; Ohio, in 1833, and there passed his youth, receiving a common school education and early en- gaging in general contracting work. At the outbreak of the Civil war, he enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company M, Seventy-fifth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and continued to serve with that organization for three and one-half years, participating in numerous hard-fought battles and taking part in what is known as "Sherman's March to the Sea." Receiving his honorable discharge with a record for gallantry and faithful service, he returned to his con- tracting operations, and became one of the leading contractors in various kinds of street work and paving. and continued to follow this same line of endeavor until his death in 1900. His widow still survives him and makes her home in the city of Anderson.
Edward E. Lyst acquired his education in the public and high schools of Anderson, and on leaving school received his introduction to the contracting business as an employe of his father, continuing with him in cement and concrete paving work until the older man's death. ' He then remained alone until 1904, when he joined the firm of Daniels & Lyst and five years later Mr. O. W. Douglas became connected, making the firm of Daniels. Lyst & Douglas, one of the largest concerns of its kind in the state. The business has enjoyed a gratifying growth, and carries on extensive operations in street work, paving, concrete construction of all kinds, not only in Anderson, but in all parts of the United States, and during the busy season a small army of men are employed. It has been the policy of the firm from the start to purchase only the best of materials from the most reliable of firms and factories. thus assuring their customers of the finest materials, while they themselves furnish the best of work that can be done. To this method of doing business may be given the credit for the success the firm enjoys, and the high reputa- tion it maintains among the contractors of this State. Among his asso- ciates Mr. Lyst is known as a capable, energetic and thoroughly quali- fied man, whose wide and varied experience makes him a valuable asset to the firm in matters of importance. He is an enthusiast in his work, and has the power of enthusing others. He has been an investor in much
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city realty, and owns a modern residence at No. 916 West Seventh street, together with other valuable property in the city.
In 1905 Mr. Lyst was united in marriage with Miss Josephine Banks, of Anderson, Indiana, daughter of John Banks, who was at one time a well known business man of Richmond, Indiana. Mr. Lyst has interested himself in fraternal work to the extent of securing membership in Ander- son Lodge of Odd Fellows and Lodge No. 209, Benevolent and Pro- teetive Order of Elks, as well as the Modern Woodmen of America and other organizations, but while he has always treasured the privileges of membership, he has never held office. He has never aspired to position in the political field, although he supports Republican candidates and principles.
DAVID R. CARLTON. Naturally a man's success in life is measured by his prestige in business, political or social circles, and when he figures prominently in all it may be reasonably assumed that he is possessed of more than the average ability. Among the men of Elwood, Indiana, who have risen to places of prominence in business life and have also attained eminence in the political arena, stands David R. Carlton, county reeorder of Madison county, and one of this section's most popular and capable officials. Mr. Carlton was born in Lafayette township, Madison county, Indiana, September 24, 1877, and is a son of William James and Anna (Nading) Carlton.
Richard Carlton, the paternal grandfather of David R. Carlton, was a native of Ireland, born in County Tyrone, who came to the United States in his twenty-second year and located in Madison county, Indiana, where he and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Ferguson and was also a native of Ireland, spent the remainder of their lives. William James Carlton was born in Madison county, in October, 1849, and passed his boyhood on his father's farm, securing a liberal common school education. He early adopted the calling of carpenter, subse- quently becoming a prosperous contractor, principally devoting himself to work on public highways and public work, and served as assessor of Madison county for one term. He married Miss Anna Nading, a native of Pennsylvania, born in Lancaster county of German parentage, and they became the parents of several children.
David' R. Carlton received his education in the public and high schools of Elwood, Indiana, and after leaving the latter became a clerk: in the boot and shoe establishment of Lane Brothers, of Elwood, where he remained two years. He then secured a like position with the Pitts- burgh Plate Glass Company, at Elwood, a position he resigned two years later to become record clerk for the American Plate Glass Company. On leaving the latter concern, Mr. Carlton embarked in business as a sales- man for the firm of Lewis A. Crossett, of North Abbington, Massachu- setts, but subsequently returned to Elwood and became interested in the business of W. T. Wiley & Company, general merchants and dealers in dry goods, boots and shoes. Later he was a partner in the firm of Carlton & Collett, of Elwood, general merchants, afterward taking over Mr. Collett's interest and continuing in business as D. R. Carlton & Co. up to the present time.
In 1903 Mr. Carlton was married to Miss Lenna A. Hamsher, daugh- ter of Dr. F. M. Hamsher, a well-known dental practitioner of Lafayette, Indiana, and to this union there have come four children: James Hamsher, Jane Ann. Kathleen and Wilma Martha. Mr. Carlton has
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always affiliated with the Democratic party, and has taken an active part in local, county and state polities. In the fall elections of 1911 he was his party's candidate for the office of county recorder, and was elected to that position, taking charge of the duties of the office January 1, 1912, for a term of four years. He has proven himself a most faithful, capable and conscientious publie official, and has firmly established him. self in the confidence of his fellow-citizens. Fraternally, Mr. Carlton is connected with Quiney Lodge No. 230, Free and Accepted Masons; Elwood Chapter No. 109, Royal Arch Masons, and has attained the Scot- tish Rite degree. For some time he has been a member of the Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he served as exalted ruler, and has also been a member of the Grand Couneil. Dur- ing his long residence in Madison county, Mr. Carlton has formed a wide acquaintance, and his popularity is attested by a wide circle of sincere friends.
THOMAS MORRIS. Perseverance. intelligence and industry combine to form the price of success in farming in these modern days of agricul- tural work, when the hard. unremitting toil of former years has given way in large degree to the scientific use of modern machinery and a comprehensive knowledge of intelligent methods of treating the soil. Madison county is the home of many skilled farmers who treat their vocation more as a profession than as a mere occupation and take a par- donable and justifiable pride in their accomplishments. among these being Thomas Morris, the owner of eighty acres of fine land located on the Lapel road in Anderson township. The successful farmer of today realizes that to forward his own interests he must advance those of his locality-that there can be no individual achievement without com- munity development-and with other earnest and hard-working citizens Mr. Morris has labored to forward movements for the benefit of his township and its people, thus fairly earning a place for himself among those whose activities have bettered their localities.
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