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 29
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yard, constituting the real factory of his business, he has a commodious dairy barn, and beside it is a large silo. All the equipment is first class for dairy work, and Mr. Rothroek has consistently maintained a high standard for all his products, which are sold in the local market.
In 1884, Mr. Rothrock married Viola Evans, who was born at Green- castle, Indiana, a daughter of Professor James E. and Susan J. Evans. Her father was a well known teacher at Greencastle, where he died in middle life. Mrs. Rothrock was reared in Greencastle, and received her education in the academy of that city. The family of Mr. Rothrock consists of himself, wife and one daughter, and they are all members of the Friends church, in which Mr. Rothrock was reared.
DANIEL MARCUS JOHNSON. One of the attractive and valuable farms of Van Buren township is the place of Daniel Marcus Johnson, compris- ing one hundred acres of fine land located about four miles northeast of Summitville and on the Johnson road. Mr. Johnson began his career as a renter, by thrift and good management saved sufficient means to make his first purchase of land, and is now one of the substantial agricul- turists of the county. He brought a thorough experience and ability to the improvement of his place, according to his standards of what he wanted this l'arm to be. It is therefore a farm which has been largely shaped out by his own labors and plans and represents both a comfort- able home and a gratifying source of income.
Daniel Marcus Johnson was born September 11, 1869, on the Har- rison Allen farm in Van Buren township, a son of Joseph and Eliza- beth (Allen) Johnson. Joseph Johnson married Miss Allen in Hancock county, 'and then brought his young wife to Randolph county, and thence to Madison county, where he bought land in Van Buren township. He was a successful farmer, and a man of local influence, and his death on April 7, 1908, was a distinet loss to the community. He is buried in the cemetery of the Odd-Fellows. The thirteen children in this family were: Manson U .; Minerva J .; Jesse A .; Daniel M .; Mary E., who died May 29, 1909 ; Lewis W .; Amanda L .; Etta L .; John C .; Della A .; Pearl A., James M., and Sarah, all three now deceased.
Daniel Marcus Johnson was married September 30, 1903, to Estella May Taylor, a daughter of George and Alice (Howe) Taylor. Her parents now live in Bartholomew county, Indiana, where George Taylor was born. He was the son of Powell and Hattie Taylor. George Taylor was a farmer, was educated in the common schools, and has been one of the prosperous farmers near Columbus. The five children in the Taylor family included the following: Mrs. Johnson; Louie Mobley; Bessie Galbreith; Hattie Stoughton, of Elizabethtown, Indiana; Georgie Guinn, of Columbus, Indiana. Mrs. Johnson received her education in the com- mon schools near Columbus, Indiana, and has been well trained for her part as a home-maker and mother. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have two children, George C. and Martha E.
Mr. Johnson was brought up in Madison county, and as a boy attended the "Zedekar" school. While going to school he worked on the farm. Finally he rented land and began accumulating the money for establishing himself independently as a farmer. He then bought a farm and has since increased his means with every year. His chief occupa- tion has been farming and the raising of the Duroc hogs, and he sends a large number to market each year. Mr. Johnson is a member
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of the Primitive Baptist church and Mrs. Johnson is a member of the Missionary Baptist church.
JAMES M. - HUNDLEY. When a boy James M. Hundley was a Union soldier. His early experiences and associations were with a farm, and he had his full share of farm life. He was a railroader and also a street car driver, finally finished his education, was a school teacher, was admitted to the Indiana bar about forty years ago, and was for many years one of the leading lawyers in the north half of Madison county, and at the same time active in official affairs. Mr. Hundley is now retired and enjoys the activities and atmosphere of country life, devoting all his time to the cultivation of a valuable little fruit farm near north Summitville.
James M. Hundley was born July 6, 1848, in Clinton county, Ohio, a son of William and Jane (Martin) Hundley. The father came from Leesburg, Virginia, settled in Ohio when a young man and for a num- ber of years was a blacksmith at the town of Lynchburg. Ohio. The children in his family were: John, deccased; James M .; Amanda P .; William, Alvira, Andrew, George, Mary, all deceased; Clara Latchaw and Jasper, deceased.
James M. Hundley was reared in Grant county. His father had moved to that county in 1851, and built the first blacksmith shop at Fairmount, where he plied his trade for a number of years. After a brief period of schooling in Grant county, the war came on and diverted the attention of the school boy from all thought of school. He enlisted in the Fifth Indiana Cavalry, but on account of his youthful years was taken out and had to bide his time for a while. Afterwards. in August. 1864, he enlisted in Company E of the One Hundred and Fortieth Infantry, under Col. Thomas J. Brady, and during the last two years of the war was in service in the department of the Ohio under General Schofield. The division commander was A. D. Cox and the brigade commander was the late General Thomas Henderson of Illinois. Return- ing home a veteran, young Hundley found that in the meantime his father had moved. to Van Buren township in Madison county. and soon afterward he left home and began work as a brakeman, on the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, running out of Indianapolis. After that for a time he was a street car driver on the College avenue line in Indi- anapolis. All the time he had his thoughts and ambitions centered upon better things, and in order to be properly equipped for his larger field, he attended school. and finished his education in the city schools of Marion and Anderson. Afterwards he was employed as a teacher up to 1886. In the meantime in 1874 he had gained admission to the bar, and from 1886 until 1897 was actively identified with his profes- sion in Summitville. In January, 1897. President Mckinley appointed Mr. Hundley postmaster at Summitville, and by reappointment under President Roosevelt he served two terms in that office.
Mr. Hundley in the session of 1904-05 was chosen a member of the State Legislature from a flotarial distriet comprising Madison. Clinton and Tipton counties. The present home of Mr. Hundley is on the out- skirts of north Summitville, a pleasant little farm of forty acres, and there he follows his inclinations as a fruit grower. He also raises poultry and hogs and is making a profit as well as a delightful home and a pleasant occupation for his old age.
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October 23, 1874, Mr. Hundley married Miss Sarah Fennimore, a daughter of Henry and Barbara (Holt) Fennimore. The five children of Mr. and Mrs. Hundley are: Maggie L., deceased; Verna M., at home ; William H .; Frank M., who married Mabel Johnson; and John E., at home. The family all are communicants of the Christian church.
FRANK W. WITTER. The genuine western spirit of enterprise and progress is exemplified in the careers of such men as Frank W. Witter, of Van Buren township-men whose laudable ambition, persevering determination and energetic natures have enabled them to conquer many adverse circumstances and surmount numerous obstacles, and to advance steadily to a leading position in their chosen walks of life. A resi- dent of Van Buren township for upwards of a quarter of a century, Mr. Witter has during this time gained the high regard of his fellow- citizens by his genuine worth, and as the owner of 170 acres of land, all acquired through the medium of his own efforts, he is today recog- nized as one of the leading representatives of the best farming interests of his community. He is a native of Indiana, having been born near the city of Liberty. Union county, May 13, 1865, and is a son of Henry and Mary A. (Moss) Witter.
Henry Witter was born in Union county, Indiana, and still makes his home on the old farm near Liberty, where he has carried on suc- cessful farming ventures through many years. He and his wife have had ten children, namely : Charles; Lizzie, who is the wife of Mr. Ardery ; Frank W., of this review : Riley: Elmer; Ollie, who is deceased; Etta; Willie, who is now in the United States government service in the Philippine Islands ; Clarence; and Inda.
Frank W. Witter obtained his education at the old Witter school in Union county, so named because it was located on his father's place, and during this time was thoroughly trained in agricultural pursuits while assisting his father and brothers in the work of the home place. He remained with his father until he was twenty-three years of age, and then struck out for himself, beginning his operations in Union county and coming to Madison county about the year 1888. Here he first located.on a farm of sixty aeres, located on what is now known as the Witter gravel road, about one and one-half miles northeast of Summit- ville, and to this he has added from time to time until he now has 170 acres. all under a high state of cultivation. He has cultivated this land until it now pays him handsomely for his labors and bumper crops give eloquent evidence of Mr. Witter's ability as a farmer. He has a fine herd of sleek, well-fed cattle, raises high grade horses, and also deals extensively in hogs and sheep, and in all of his transactions shows him- self to be an able and honorable man of business. It is always pleas- ant to trace the history of a man who has won a high place in the respect and esteem of his fellow men by his own intrinsic worth and merit, and such a sterling citizen Mr. Witter undoubtedly is. He has made the interests of his community those of his own, and while he has not served in public offices has aided in securing good men and measures for his community, thus contributing materially to its welfare. In his political views he is a Republican, while his religious connection is with the Meth- odist Episcopal church.
On February 16, 1888, Mr. Witter was married to Miss Susie Shank- lin, born near Cottage Grove, Indiana. daughter of John and Fannie -
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(Miller) Shanklin, who came from Butler county, Olio. Mr. and Mrs. Witter have no children.
ALVA THORN, one of the most progressive and successful agricultur- ists of Madison county, is the owner of a handsome farm of 260 acres, located in Van Buren township, and has the added distinction of be- longing to that class of self-made men of which this county is justly proud. His methods of farm management show sound judgment com- bined with deep scientific knowledge of his vocation, and the results of his labors demonstrate the fact that high-class farming as an occupation may be made profitable as well as pleasant. He has been a resident of this region throughout his career, and during this time has firmly estab- lished himself in the respeet and esteem of his fellow-citizens through his public spirit and striet integrity.
Alva Thorn was born on a farm in Van Buren township, Madison county, Indiana, and is a son of Charles and Eliza (Knight) Thorn. His father, a native of Illinois, came to Madison county as a youth with his parents, Stephen and Jane (Lewis) Thorn, the former of whom entered land here from the United States government and continued to follow agricultural pursuits throughout his life. Charles . Thorn followed in the footsteps of his father, adopting the vocation of tilling the soil, and through a life of industry and perseverance succeeded in becoming a substantial and influential man of his community. He and his wife were the parents of five children : Alice, who married Marison H. John- son and is now deceased; Zina, who became the wife of James M. Gilmer; Elizabeth, who died in girlhood; Mary, who married Geo. Underwood; and Alva.
Attending the distriet schools of Van Buren township during the short winter terms and devoting the rest of the year to helping his father in cultivating the home farm, the boyhood of Alva Thorn was passed in much the same manner as that of other Indiana farmers' sons of his day, and when he reached the age of twenty-one years he was thor- oughly prepared to engage in the battles of life. He started his career as a farmer on a tract of land rented from his father, a part of the old home place, but subsequently purchased a property of his, own, to which he has since added by purchase from time to time. On this land he has erected good and commodious buildings, including a comfortable modern residence not far from Summitville, and various other improvements have made this a very desirable property. In addition to being a suc- cessful general farmer, he has met with a gratifying success in breed- ing hogs and cattle, and as a business man is recognized as being pos- sessed of more than ordinary ability.
Mr. Thorn was married March 22, 1888, to Miss Martha J. Johnson, of Van Buren township, daughter of Reuben and Sarah (Hastings) Johnson, old settlers of Madison county. Mrs. Thorn is a native of Grant county, Indiana, born August 30, 1863, the fifth in a family of seven children, two sons and five daughters, namely: Daniel B., a resi- dent of Grant county, an agriculturist and manufacturer; Sophronia E., the widow of Andrew Dickey and a resident of California, and she has four children, two sons and two daughters; Mary E., wife of William R. Lewis, a resident of Grant county and a shoemaker by trade ; Robert R., a resident of Van Buren township, an agriculturist and married; Mrs. Thorn, next in order of birth; Amanda M., wife of Wilson T. . Leach, a resident of Madison county and an agriculturist; and Nancy
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A., deceased. Reuben Johnson, the father, was a native of Indiana and by vocation was an agriculturist. He was educated in the common schools, was a Democrat politically and was a member of the Independent Order of Oddfellows. Both he and wife were members of the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. Johnson died in 1901, aged sixty-five, and Mrs. Johnson is now a resident of Fairmount, Indiana. She was born in Indi- ana. Mrs. Thorn was reared and educated in her native county and she has faithfully performed the duties of wife and mother in establishing their nice and pleasant home. When she and her husband began their married life they had but little cash capital, but a large fund of ambition and aggressiveness to make their way independently, which they have done, and they have the respect of their many friends. Their pretty home is known as "Fair View." To their union have been born three children : Claudia B., who married Otto Carmony, and is engaged in farming in Van Buren township and they have one little daughter, Nilma Irene; Vedah Pauline, who married Walter Kirkwood, of Fair- mount township, and has one son, Hubert D .; and Simon C., who is at- tending the public schools in the eighth grade. The family is connected with the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which Mr. Thorn takes an active interest.
MARTIN M. BEESON. In America, pre-eminently a land of self-made men, opportunities for achieving success are to be found as in no other land. The youth of energetic spirit, ambitious nature and industrious habits may here establish a position for himself in any of the various vocations of life, provided that he respect the principles of integrity and honorable dealing, for his fellow-citizens will quickly recognize and ap- preciate the force of character and persistent determination which have enabled him to work his way from a humble position to one of independ- ence and prominence. Madison county is fortunate in that it numbers among its best citizenship many men who have been the architects of their own fortunes, and in this class undoubtedly stands Martin M. Beeson, of Van Buren township, the owner of a valuable tract of 120 acres of land, located on the Thorn road, about four and one-half miles north of Summitville. Mr. Beeson is a native of the Hoosier State, hav- ing been born in Johnson county, October 29, 1867, and is a son of Isaac and Emma (Hendricks) Beeson.
Isaac Beeson was a native of Wayne county, Indiana, from whence he removed to Johnson county, and in 1875 came to Madison county, his subsequent agricultural operations being carried on in Boone and Van Buren townships. He became a substantial citizen and moderately successful agriculturist, and died in Van Buren township October 10, 1912. Of the family of eight children, M. M. is the last survivor.
M. M. Beeson was seven years of age when he accompanied his par- ents to Madison county, and his education was secured in the public schools of Boone township. During the period of his educational train- ing, he spent the summer seasons in assisting his father on the home- stead, and after he left school continued to remain under the parental roof until reaching the age of twenty-three years. His entrance upon a career of his own as an agriculturist occurred when he rented a tract of land in Van Buren township, and for fifteen years he worked faith- fully and industriously, carefully saving his earnings with the end in view of becoming himself a land-owner. In 1906 he realized his ambi- tion when he purchased his present property, a farm which he has since
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developed into one of the best of its size in the township. He has eu- gaged successfully in general farming and has also met with prosperity in his stock raising ventures, his well-fed cattle invariably bringing good prices in the markets. Thoroughly versed in modern methods, he has neglected no opportunity to familiarize himself with the advancements which have been made in his vocation in recent years, and his property gives ample evidence of the presence of thrift and good management. He is a worthy representative of the farming interests of Madison county, and throughout his career has been interested in the growth and development of this region, doing all in his power for its progress and development.
On October 5, 1890, Mr. Beeson was united in marriage with Miss Laura M. Nutt, and to this union there have been born seven children: Lennet and Russell, both deceased, Elva, Emma, Orville, Marie and Murray. Mrs. Laura M. Beeson is a native of Union county, Indiana, born May 15, 1869, the eldest of six children-four sons and two daugh- ters born to Levi and Harriett ( Knowland) Nutt --- and all the family are living at present (1914), namely : Mrs. Beeson; Nelson, a resident of the far west and by trade a decorator; Clara, residing in Sum- mitville, Indiana; George, a resident of the Republic of Mexico and a carpenter; Arthur, a resident of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Clyde, a resident of Van Buren township, married and an agriculturist. Mr. Nutt, the father, is a native of Union county, Indiana, and was educated in the common schools. He was a soldier in the Civil war for four years. Politically he is a Republican and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Nutt is a native of Butler county, Ohio, and she and her husband are retired in life and reside in Summitville, Indiana. A re- markable fact in the Nutt family is that there has never been a death within its circle. Mrs. Beeson was educated in the common schools. She is a worthy matron over one of the beautiful homes in northern Madison county, and she and her husband enjoy the high esteem of all who know them. In his religions faith Mr. Beeson is identified with the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. He is a Democrat, but has taken no active part in political matters. His modern residence is located on Summitville Rural Free Delivery Route, No. 26, and near the home is located the handsome new barn, built to replace the original structure, which was destroyed in a disastrous fire, August 31, 1912.
REV. BALTHASAR BIEGEL. The cross and the emblems of the Catholic church were exhibited in Elwood many years ago, when the first Mass was celebrated in the house of John Buchanan, then situated on the corner of Main and Sixteenth streets, and thereafter services were fre- quently held in what was called "The Section House," which was later removed to South B street and is now ocenpied by Mrs. William Rooney. During these pioneer days the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was also offered up in the house of Bernard Bauer, then on East Main street. at the home of Gustav Kramer on South Anderson street, and in that of Bridget Smith, located two doors east of the present site of the St. Joseph's Church, and now owned by William Fessler. Prior to 1860 the village was, at irregular intervals, visited by missionary priests, these bold and self-denying workers, including Father Maloney, Father Clark and Father Fitzmaurice, who came from Indianapolis, Lafayette and Anderson to minister to the spiritual needs of the few scattered Cath-
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olies. . In 1860 the place became a station and thereafter was regularly attended on week days by Father McMahon, who was pastor at Anderson from 1860 to 1865. During Father McMahon's time, two lots, each 66x132 feet, were purchased from William Barton and Peter Well, then on Simmons, but now South A street, each costing sixty dollars. The money for one lot was raised by the Catholic people, and for the other it was borrowed from John and Thomas Smith, and the deal was made by Father McMahon and John Buchanan in 1862. Father McMahon was succeeded by Father J. B. Crawley, who attended Elwood from 1865 to 1884 while residing at Anderson, and under his charge the station became a mission, and was attended once a month, on Sundays. In February, 1880, the little flock decided to build a church, as the following statement by Father Crawley indicates, this being at the same time the first record of the parish that can be found, viz: "Elwood, Madison county, February 3. 1880. Be it hereby known that on this date of Feb- ruary 3, 1880, Bernard Bauer of Elwood and James Cornelius of Cur- tisville, were duly elected by the vote of the Catholic congregation of Elwood and vicinity, treasurer and secretary respectively, and are em- powered to collect and hold funds for the erection of a Catholic Church in Elwood, guaranteeing sufficient security to collect and hold same." Steps were immediately taken to raise money by subscription and fes- tivals for the erection of this first church, which was a brick structure, 25x40 feet, with a small vestry, 10x10 feet on the east side. The build- ing, the estimated cost of which was $1,500, was completed in the fall of 1881 and was dedicated by Bishop Dwenger. At that time the follow- ing families constituted the parish : Bernard .Bauer. John Besch, John Buchanan, James Conner, James Cornelius, Frank Gieselbach, Patrick Healy, James Kelly, Gustav Kramer, Daniel O'Brien, John Doyle, Pat- rick Dugan, John Finan, James Gallagher, Michael Gavin, Patrick Red- dington, William Rooney, Patrick Shay, Bridget Smith and Richard Wilson. Father Crawley is still held in grateful remembrance by the few surviving old settlers. He made many trying and irksome trips on the handear visiting Elwood and other missions from Anderson. Father F. C. Wiechman succeeded him, and attended the Elwood mission from 1884 to 1889, while he was pastor of Anderson. He attended the place on the fourth Sunday of each month and enjoyed great popularity among all classes.
In 1889 the mission was raised to a parish with Rev., Balthasar Biegel as the first resident pastor, the appointment going into effect Sunday, July 28, 1889. This also was the first appointment of Rev. Father Biegel, who had just been ordained in June of the same year. Elwood, now a city of twelve thousand inhabitants, at this time numbered only eight hundred inhabitants, but the village had before it a promising future and prospects of a rapid growth. Natural gas had just been discovered. in this locality and industries were looking for locations. The history of the city dates back to March 1, 1853, when it was laid out as a town by James Anderson, Mark Simmons, and J. B. Frazier, and called Quincy, but to avoid confusion in the mail, the name was changed to Elwood, July 21, 1869. The history of the Catholic church has been contemporaneous with that of the city. The first Catholic settler who came to the vicinity was Patrick Shay. a native of Ireland, who passed away an honored citizen March 10, 1907. When, in 1857, the Pennsylvania railroad was built through Elwood, about half a dozen other Catholic families came to the village, being of sturdy Irish and German nationality. At the
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time of Rev. Father Biegel's appointment, Bishop Dwenger said: "El- wood is now a small mission, but it will soon be a large parish. You will have a great deal of hard work to perform, and I may have to give you a little financial aid in the beginning. Let me know when you need it." However, the generous people of Elwood managed to keep their pastor. above water, and never let him want for anything, and the assistance offered by Fort Wayne was never needed.
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