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 28
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all his life. In his home place he has eighty acres and. also owns another farm of seventy acres east of Summitville about two miles.
Robert E. Webster was born in Madison county on his present estate February 25, 1868, a son of Daniel W. and Elizabeth (Bear) Webster. The family belongs to the same stock which in an earlier day pro- duced the noted orator and statesman Daniel Webster. Daniel W. Webster was the son of Robert and Rebecca (Fisher) Webster. Robert Webster during the early days brought his family from the state of Delaware to Madison county, and reached this part of Indiana in time to secure land direct from the government in Boone township. Later he sold his old homestead and moved into Van Buren township. Daniel W. Webster and wife had a family of seven children, namely : Oliver, Robert E., Jane Canup, Daniel F., Arthur; and two that died in infancy.
Robert E. Webster was reared in Van Buren township, and all his early schooling was attained in the old Allen school. His first teacher was John Vinson, and under other instructors he continued until be was fairly well equipped in the fundamentals of knowledge. While a schoolboy he also worked on the farm, and at the age of twenty-six began renting the home place, where he has since lived and of which he has since become owner.
Mr. Webster was married April 21, 1894, to Miss Etta L. Johnson, a daughter of Joseph Johnson, one of the well known old residents of Madison county, concerning whom more information will be found on other pages of this work. The three children of Mr. and Mrs. Webster are : Ethel, Vern, Joseph W. and Helen E. Mr. Webster is affiliated · with the Knights of Pythias Gas Belt Lodge, No. 361, and his family belongs to the Methodist church. By good management and with thrifty ideas of agriculture he has brought his place to rank with the best improved in Van Buren township. He built, in 1912, a modern residence, and has a complete set of new out-buildings.
DANIEL F. MUSTARD. The president of the Citizens Bank of Ander- son, Daniel F. Mustard, is an old-time resident of Madison county, having lived within the boundaries of this civil division of Indiana all of his life. He belongs to a family whose name has been borne with honor and usefulness in this county for practically all the years since the pioneer epoch, and his own career has been one of exceptional service, beginning with the time of his part in the Civil war as a soldier of the Union and continuing with distinguished positions in the public affairs of the county and with over thirty years of active connection with banking in Anderson.
Daniel F. Mustard was born in Lafayette township, Madison county. on the 20th of October, 1844. In 1850 his father, William Mustard, who was an early settler of this county, moved from Fayette township to Anderson. Daniel, or Dan, as he is more familiarly known among his friends and associates, entered the public schools of this city and there remained, working at intervals in his, father's shoe shop, learning the shoemaker's trade, until he reached the age of seventeen. He was a good student, and also diligently applied himself to acquiring a trade as a basis for his subsequent work in life, soon becoming an expert and skilled workman.
When the Civil war came on he was sixteen years old. About two years went by, and then his patriotic enthusiasm would no longer allow him to stay at home, and on the 6th of April, 1863, he enlisted in the Thirty-
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fourth Indiana Infantry as a private in Company I. After about fifteen months of service he was detached, and until the close of the rebellion was a musician in the regimental band. He was with his command during the memorable siege of Vicksburg in the summer of 1863 until the very last battle of the war at Palmetto Ranch in Texas, a small skirmish fought on the 13th of May, 1865, fully a month after the surrender of Lee to Grant at Appomattox. Owing to conditions existing with Mexico at that time the regiment was retained in Texas until February, 1866, when it was discharged, this regiment having the honor of being the last one discharged from the service. Returning then to Anderson, Mr. Mus- tard once more became associated with his father in the boot and shoe business, remaining with him until March, 1868. He was then given the appointment of deputy auditor under James M. Dickson, a position which he filled with credit to himself and with fidelity to the interests entrusted to his charge for two and a half years. On leaving the auditor's office he was employed by Dr. Joseph Pugh, at that time treasurer of the county, as a clerk in his office, remaining there for a number of months. Later for six months he was employed in the recorder's office. This was followed by service as deputy clerk under Thomas J. Fleming. On leav- ing the clerk's office in 1871, Mr. Mustard took a position as book- keeper in the First National Bank of Anderson, and in that way gained his first detailed experience of banking. He remained with the First National until August, 1873.
When Weems Heagy was elected to the office of county treasurer Mr. Mustard was again appointed deputy treasurer, and fulfilled the functions of that position while Mr. Heagy was treasurer, a period of four years. The fine business qualifications of the deputy treasurer, together with his long experience in that and other county offices and his thorough integrity both in public and private life, caused his many friends in the party and county to present his name for nomination in the office of county treasurer. They carried their point successfully, and he was nominated on the first ballot and in the elcetion was chosen by a vote which was in the nature of the highest possible personal compliment, for he ran two hundred votes ahead of his ticket. His name was on the ticket that elected "Blue Jeans" Williams for governor of Indiana, in the memorable campaign of 1876. When his term of office expired Mr. Mustard was again placed in nomination by his party and re-elected by a majority of over nine hundred. He thus served two terms in that important office, and since then has been closely connected with the busi- ness affairs of Anderson.
Politically Mr. Mustard is a stalwart Democrat, and since arriving at the age of majority has been an ardent worker for the success of his party. He is an Odd Fellow, and has received all the honors that a subordinate lodge can bestow. He has been treasurer of Anderson Lodge, No. 131, and of Star Encampment, No. 84, for more than twenty-seven years.
In 1871 Mr. Mustard was married, and his children (as he calls them). six in number are : Fred E. Mustard, his only son, and his wife Nelda and daughter Janet; Mrs. Ethel M. Cline, his only daughter, her hus- band, Frank C. Cline, and their daughter Adelaide Johana, all of whom live near his home in Anderson, and this is an exceptionally happy and devoted family.
Industrious to a fault, temperate at all times and under all cir- cumstances, frugal and cautious in the disposition of his means, Daniel
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F. Mustard has for a number of years been honorably accumulating for himself and family a handsome competence. In his public as well as private relations with his fellow citizens it can be truthfully said that his honesty has never been questioned or brought into question. Strong in his attachments and quick to appreciate a generous act, he can appeal confidently to his generation and to those who have known him from childhood, in sunshine and shade, to say that he has not been ungrateful.
GEORGE B. MCDERMIT. One of the independent and progressive farmers of Boone township is George B. MeDermit, who has in his home place, located on the rural free delivery route No. 28 out of Elwood, one hundred and twenty acres of fine and well improved land, his mother's place, and he also owns and operates other land in the same township aggregating more than two hundred acres. He conducts his farming on businesslike principles and after looking over his farm and understanding somewhat of the man it is not difficult to under- stand his reasons for success.
George B. DeMermit was born on the MeDermit farm which he now occupies, the date of his birth having been December 28, 1871. He is a, son of Samuel and Julia (Minnick) McDermit. Samuel McDermit came froin Mason county, West Virginia, and bought land in Boone town- ship of Madison county, comprising a portion of the estate now owned by his son George. The Minnick family also came from Mason county, West Virginia, and Mr. MeDermit's mother had one sister, Sarah Over- shiner, who lives in Boone township. Mr. MeDermit's father was buried at Forestville cemetery. The children in the family of Samuel MeDermit and wife were eight in number, mentioned as follows: Margaret, de- ceased ; Martha Minnick; John D .; Edward; Charles E .; Samuel H .; one that died in infancy; and Mr. MeDermit of this review.
George B. McDermit as a boy grew up on the old homestead in Boone township, and during the winter seasons attended the Red Oak school- house. He finished his education in the Marion Normal College, but did not prepare for teaching, and has followed agricultural activities all his life. While attending school he also worked on the farm, and is a thoroughly experienced man in farming and stock raising. He began by renting land, and from the gradual accumulations of his industry and thrift saved enough to increase his landed property from time to time, and now the McDermits have one of the best estates in Boone township.
Mr. McDermit is unmarried. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Improved Order of Red Men, the Neoskaleta Tribe, No. 149, and the Haymakers at Alexandria, Indiana.
. RALPH B. CLARK. In his native city of Anderson Mr. Clark has found ample scope and opportunity for effective business enterprise and has gained a secure position as a representative citizen of the county with good claims upon popular confidence and esteem in the community that has always been his home, and in the progress and prosperity of which he maintains the deepest interest. He is a member of the firm of Clark and Raber, which conducts a flourishing retail jewelry business, and is also general manager of the Merchants Fire Insurance Company, one of the strong institutions of its kind in the state, with general offices at Anderson.
Ralph B. Clark was born at Anderson, Indiana, on July 24, 1866,
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and belongs to one of the oldest and most honored pioneer families of Madison county, where his grandfather George Clark established a home at an early period, and continued to reside in Fall Creek township until his death at the patriarchal age of ninety-two years. Grandfather Clark contributed his quota to the development and progress of the county, and was a man who enjoyed the unqualified esteem of all who knew him.
The parents of Ralph B. Clark were Ralph N. and Mary A. (Jack- son) Clark, both of whom were born and reared in Indiana. The mother was a daughter of Hon. Andrew Jackson, another of the sterling pioneers in Madison county, and a resident of Anderson at the time of his death. Andrew Jackson became the owner of an excellent landed estate in Madison county, and was long numbered among the representative agri- culturists and stock growers of this favored section, having given spe- cial attention to the raising of high grade horses and cattle. He was a man of energy and enterprise, was broad in his views, and enjoyed the unqualified confidence and esteem of his fellow men. Ralph N. Clark continued to reside on his homestead farm until his death, which oc- curred in 1872. He was born in 1820. His wife survives him by a number of years.
Ralph B. Clark is indebted to the public schools of Anderson for his early educational advantages, which included the curriculum of the high school. After leaving school he entered a jewelry store at Ander- son and learned the trade of jeweler and watchmaker. Thoroughly equipped in this line, in 1888, Mr. Clark engaged in the retail busi- ness on his own account, and from a modest beginning built up a large and prosperous enterprise, which for years has been a center of patronage for most discriminating buyers. For a number of years Mr. Clark conducted the business under his own name, and then ad- mitted his brother-in-law, William Raber, to partnership. This alliance has since continued and the firm of Clark and Raber has a thoroughly metropolitan jewelry establishment at 1008 Meridian street. where they carry a large and select line of watches, clocks, jewelry, silverware, etc. Mr. Clark has long been one of the prominent and progressive business men of Anderson, and his success has been the direct result of fair and honorable dealing, and personal popularity. In 1905 he had the dis- tinction of being elected president of the Indiana Retail Merchants Association, and remained in that office five years. He has been gen- eral manager of the Merchants Fire Insurance Company since 1906. and has been an important factor in developing that large and sub- stantial corporation.
Public spirited in his civic attitude, Mr. Clark has always given his influence and cooperation to the furtherance of measures and enter- prises projected for the general good of his home city and county, and has long had a prominent place in the local Republican party. In this connection he has done much effective campaign work in the interests of his friends and the general party organization, and in 1912 his name was prominently brought forward in connection with the office of state senator from this district. The general wave of Democratic snecess of course defeated his political aspirations. Mr. Clark served two years as a member of the Anderson Board of Public Works, and for one year was a member of the Board of Pensioners of police. In the Masonic fraternity he is affiliated with Mount Moriah Lodge No. 77, F. & A. M .; Anderson Chapter No. 52, R. A. M .; and Anderson Commandery No. 33,
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K. T., and also belongs to Banner Lodge No. 416, Knights of Pythias. In 1906 he became one of the organizers of the Merchants Fire Insurance Company of Anderson, has served as its secretary since its incorpora- tion, and has done much to bring it to its present substantial and important status in the insurance field of Indiana.
In 1891 was solemnized the marriage of Mir. Clark to Miss Olive B. Burnett. She was born and reared in Anderson and is a popular figure in social affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have three children: George L., Ralph Walker, and Mary Ellen.
JOHN H. KOONS. The eminence of Anderson among the industrial centers of Indiana has been due to the presence here of a group of men possessed of special genius as inventors and manufacturers and of fine capabilities as organizers and business builders. Capital has been less conspicuous in the net results than personal ability, and it is with pride that the city regards its lists of industrial executives. One of these is Mr. Koons, the inventor and consulting engineer of the Koons Oil Fur- nace Company, designers and manufacturers of the Koons Hot Blast low pressure oil burning system, for all kinds of heating.
John H. Koons has had a long and varied experience in me- chanical fields and has been identified with Anderson since 1904. He was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1860, a son of John W. and Mary (Buss) Koons, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania. As a boy he attended the public schools and a select school in his native town. His first work on leaving school was as a clerk in a drug store. His inclinations were for applied mechanics, and he soon learned the trade of machinist under his father. After that he traveled extensively as a journeyman workman through the western states. including Cali- fornia, Arizona and others, and gained a broad knowledge of both manufacturing and operating lines of his work. In 1898 he returned to Allentown, Pennsylvania, and for some time was engaged in farming in tbat city. Afterwards he moved to Ohio, and was in the oil fields at DuBois near Lima, being interested in the cil business and also work- ing at his regular profession. He was there about eighteen months and in 1901 moved to Anderson which has since been his prominent home. Mr. Koons is able to work out almost any problem of practical mechan- ics, and has an original ability of invention, the most practical and profitable result of which has been the Koons Oil Furnace, now being manufactured by the company of which he is consulting engineer and a member. The fuel used in these furnaces is exclusively petroleum, and the furnace is constructed on a special design for complete combus- tion of this fuel. It has proved very practical, economical, and wher- ever tried, however severe the test may have been, has not only satisfied every claim made for it, but has won permanent friends and advocates. The company which manufacture the furnaces have succeeded in intro- ducing it into many states of the Union and after the years in which the business has been promoted the name of Koons Hot Blast Furnace has attained a standard of quality and value which sells itself. Mr. Koons is not only an inventor and designer, but a good business organizer and executive, and the company with which he is associated is regarded as one of the strongest industries in the city of Anderson. Associated with Mr. Koons in the practical direction of the concern is Mr. J. M. Millett, secretary-treasurer of the company. The plant is located at 630 Meridian street, and has a fine equipment of machinery, its power
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being supplied by electric motors. The furnace has been designed and has a practical use for store, business houses, churches, schoolhouses and residences, and not only furnishes superior heating facilities, but is demonstrably more economical than most furnaces now in use.
In 1895 Mr. Koons married Miss Clara Evett, of Lehighton, Penn- sylvania, in which city she was born, reared and educated. They have no children. Mr. Koons is affiliated with the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, and the Travelers Protective Association. In one of the best residence districts of Anderson he has his home, built in 1911, which in point of architectural design is one of the most attractive and is . among the most modern in its appointments and furnishings in the eity.
FRANK KNIGHT. The possibilities of any business are almost unlim- ited when there is a foundation of thorough and reliable workmanship, square dealing in every relation between the business and its patrons, and a thorough regard for the wholesome business principles and prac- tiees. Mr. Frank Knight of Anderson has for many years been iden- tified with the painting and decorative trade, and has built up as a contractor a business such as the proprietors of many more ostentatious industries might well envy. He is deemed one of the responsible and public spirited citizens of Anderson, and has been a resident of this city for upwards of forty years.
Frank Knight was born in Logan county, near West Liberty, Ohio, on Christmas Day of 1848. His father was James and his mother Barbara (Daley) Knight, the former born at Richmond, Indiana, in 1818. Grandfather William Knight was a native of Kentucky. one of the early settlers of both Ohio and Indiana, was a miller by trade, and worked at different mills in both states. His death occurred in Ohio, and his wife also passed away in that state.
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Frank Knight received his early training at West Liberty. attend- ing both the common and high schools. and also was a student in a select school at Bluffton, Ohio. When he left school it was to begin work in the mill with his father, and he continued in that line of business until his twenty-first year. He then went south and located at Chattanooga. Tennessee, a town which was then just coming forward as an industrial center. and enjoying a great boom. He remained there for three years and engaged in the building business. During that time he became very familiar with the local citizenship and also with the historieal localities of Lookout Mountain and other points about the city. In 1875 Mr. Knight located at Anderson, where for several year's he followed his trade as painter and paperhanger. He then became associated with other parties in the milling business for four years. and until 1884 was connected with the firm of E. E. Henderson & Com- pany in painting and decorating. In the latter year he too !: up con- traeting in painting and decorative arts by himself, and from small be- ginnings has gradually built up a large and valued service in these lines. He has painted many of the fine residenees both inside and out, has done a great deal of all classes of decorative work in churches, schoolhouses, had the contract for the work on the courthouse of Ander- son, and at the state capitol in Indianapolis, painted the outside, did the papering and freseoing and decorating of the interior in both the senate and house of representatives chambers. He has a large local business and employs a staff of many workmen during the busy sea-
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son. His careful and honest work speaks for itself, and he has built up his enterprise until it now needs no advertising or unusual exploitations.
Mr. Knight in 1876 married Miss Martha Kemp, a daughter of Joseph L. Kemp, a native of Logan county, Ohio. Her father is now living in his ninety-fourth year, and is hale and hearty and is in full possession of all his faculties. The only son and child of their union is Franklin J., now a resident of Los Angeles, California, and engaged in the automobile business. He is married and has a home of his own.
Mr. Knight is a Republican in politics, but has never been an office- seeker, though he has given his assistance in the campaigns of his friends. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias fraternity. His large and substantial residence in Anderson is located at the corner of Eighth street and Madison avenue, and is one of the model homes of a very attractive district. Mr. Knight is fond of his home and family, and keeps a large place in his affections and time for domestic interests. He has one of the handsomest lawns in Anderson, beautifully set with shade trees and cared for so as to bring out every point of beauty and neatness.
JESSE ROTHROCK. An industry which during the past several decades has grown and flourished in eastern Indiana, is the operation of farm lands for the production of dairy goods. Ever since the necessity for pure milk has been recognized, many of the most progressive farmers and business men have devoted their activities to dairying. One of the best sources of good milk in the city of Anderson is supplied by Jesse Rothrock, who has a thoroughly equipped modern dairy farm in north Anderson.
Jesse Rothrock was born on a farm six miles south of Columbus in Bartholomew county, Indiana, April 6, 1860. His father was Jesse Roth- rock, born near Rotterdam in Holland, a country noted for its great dairying industries. The grandparents came to America, accompanied by their children, and located in South Carolina, where both died shortly afterwards. The children were then scattered, and Jesse Rothrock, Sr., found a home with a planter and slave holder in that state. After he had reached young manhood he came west and located in Bartholomew county, Indiana, which was his home until 1857. He then went to Shelby county, Illinois, where he bought a tract of land direct from the government. That land under his capable industry was improved into a good farm, and by the erection of good buildings afforded a comfort- able home to the senior Rothrock until his death in 1898 in his eighty- second year. Jesse Rothrock, Sr., married Sarah Wilson. She survived her husband a number of years, and died in 1908. There were three daughters and one son in the family.
Jesse Rothrock, the only son, was reared on a farm, had a substan- tial training in all the fundamentals of agriculture, and continued to make his home with his parents until 1885. He then came to Indiana, and located at Greencastle, where he was engaged in farming for five years. From there he transferred his home to Madison county, and bought land on Meridian avenue in North Anderson. There he built several tene- ment houses, and while looking after his real estate interests was for several years in the employ of the Local Gas Company. In 1909, Mr. Rothrock bought a farm on Indiana avenue, one mile from the court- house, and there established his present dairy industry. On his farm he has erected a good set of buildings including his comfortable frame dwelling house, which was remodeled from an older house. In the farm
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