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 4
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JOHN W. LAMBERT, originator of the famous Lambert Patented Friction Transmission, and treasurer and general manager of the Buck- eye Manufacturing Company. The "Sage of East Aurora" has said: "To achieve fame, seek out an unpopular cause that you know is right ; then work for it, live for it, die for it." There is something reflecting this thought underlying the struggles of those pioneers of industrial progress who have had the hardihood to disagree with established ideas and processes and substitute for them new methods and revolutionary inventions. Through years of discouragement and ridicule, Alexander Bell brought his telephone to final public acceptance, and today many will agree that he is the greatest benefactor of modern business. But, a short time ago, Peter Cooper built a locomotive and dreamed of trans- continental traffic. Luxurious trains now take us from New York to San Francisco in five day's-a forceful tribute to the far-sightedness of this pioneer who dared work against public sentiment that the wheels of progress might revolve with greater speed. There are those living who laughed at the "impossible" invention of Samuel Morse. We all remember the public skepticism that preceded the epoch-making achieve- ment of Marconi.
The point is that these men, with scores of others like them, believed in their ideas and fought for them through every sort of discouragement until success and approval finally smiled upon them. From their efforts we draw a lesson that, even in our smaller, more prosaie undertakings, eannot fail to leave its impress upon our work. Things worth while seldom come easily or over night. And just as there seems to be some- thing inherent in mankind that scoffs at the attempts of our giant brothers to overturn established practices, just so does it seem to be the habit of the big men of all times to keep on and on, unmindful of discouragements, overcoming barriers, hopeful and confident of making
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their dreams come true. Big men are attracted to the big problems. Bridge building, canal digging, railroad construction, and, more re- cently, automobile building, have drawn the daring masters of com- merce, the seekers after the romantic in business.
Even in the pioneer days of the automobile business, certain conven- tions of construction were established. Some of these were uprooted early to be succeeded by the improvements that necessarily follow in the rapid development of a new world-industry. Others, though thought by many to be basicly wrong, held on and even to this day few have had the hardihood to attempt the changes that mean so much opposition on the part of those who decry a disturbance of set methods. But the business, since its inception, has attracted many men who have not been content to build on the ideas of others. For the most part they have played "the game for the game's sake." They have found no joy or profit in their work except as they might discover faults and remedies for them; except as they might plan innovations and, after a hard struggle, put them "over the plate."
Twenty years ago-almost a life-time as things are reckoned in the automobile world-a man of this type began building a self-propelled vehicle at Anderson, Indiana, where he was already regarded as one of the successful manufacturers of the town. To be sure, he did not spend his time experimenting with a conventional car. Cut and dried methods did not appeal to him in the least. It was a three-wheeler to which he turned his thoughts and his inventive capacities. And he built a successful three-wheeled car, only to abandon the idea, as a whole, on the grounds that his deeper study of the market failed to show him the necessary commercial possibilities of a vehicle of that type. But that abandoned three-wheel enterprise formed the founda- tion of a business today grown to sturdy proportions. The present Lambert pleasure ears and power wagons, known wherever automobiles are bought and sold, are its proud successors in the affections and in- terests of the man whose name they bear, John Lambert. Even during the time he was trying to perfect a three-wheeled car that would be practicable and marketable, Mr. Lambert had his attention focused upon certain features of conventionable automobile construction that he knew to be sources of certain trouble and confusion, and which he in- tuitively felt could and should be remedied. Many improvements, now of universal adoption, are products of his thought and industry; but, without doubt, his most important invention is what is now known in the trade as "The Lambert Patented Friction Transmission."
In his earlier work, Mr. Lambert used in the cars he built the usual type of gear transmission. That he abandoned it is, in itself, a forceful argument in favor of the simpler form of transmitting power from engine to driving mechanism, based on the time-tried principle of fric- tion. His mechanical mind grasped the idea that the tendency in auto- mobile construction should be toward simplicity. He foresaw that a universal use of power-driven vehicles depended upon a reduction of up-keep and maintenance costs, rather than upon a lowered cost of first production of selling prices. He knew that there were thousands of men who could afford to buy a car, but who could not afford to run the gauntlet of expense necessary to maintain one, based on the then tremendous outlay for broken and worn-out parts due to compli- cated construction and to the lack of mechanical knowledge and skill of those who wished to do their own driving. This amounted to a con-
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viction, and he decided at once to begin the experimental work that has since resulted in the perfection of the simple, powerful, fool-proof and safe Lambert friction transmission. The greatest difficulties encountered in attaining success for his product lay more in convincing the public of its value than in perfecting it, mechanically-just a repetition of the difficulties that the pioneers of progress have been up against for all time.
Practically all other builders of automobiles employed the gear type of transmission. Many of them, due to the tremendous popularity of the automobile itself, and the unexpected demand that characterized its earlier history, were highly successful from the standpoint of large output and high profits. People unfamiliar with mechanics and me- chanical principles reasoned that if the friction type of transmission had such extraordinary advantages as were claimed for it, why were not these large builders using it?
Naturally, those who had automobiles to sell wanted to sell their own. They laughed at the Lambert form of transmission. Many "knocked" it outright without reason or thought; others damned it with faint praise ; all refused to see, or at least to recognize its superior points until there grew up among users, dealers and manufacturers a prejudice against it. But this did not, by any means, discourage the Lamberts. Though theirs was the only concern using this transmission innovation ; though they were compelled to fight this commercial battle "alone and unaided, they knew the principle of their invention as well as the application was right; and they knew that ultimately a proper and just recognition would come. That correct theory and right judgment will rise to the surface of universal usage is an inexorable law. And so they continued to employ in their pleasure cars their simple friction device. Each year saw an increasing output; each season a growing tendency toward greater public favor. They built into every part of their product an honesty of intent and purpose that gradually won for them an honorable standing, not only among those who used their car, but among competing manufacturers as well. They built strain- bearing parts more heavily; they sought to simplify construction wherever it could be done without sacrifice of strength or efficiency ; they used better materials than most of the manufacturers who pro- duced cars of their price-better iron, better steel, better tires, better axles.
Early and late, season after season, they planned to build each car better than its predecessor, to produce a line of models that would, more nearly than any other, meet the needs and requirements of those "to whom they sought to sell. Today finds their plant a busy hive of industry, filled with an army of hurrying workmen, behind orders nearly every day in the year, and with plans for expansion and increased output that will satisfy the hundreds of dealers who are clamoring for their line.
Today .we find the old prejudice against the friction system of trans- mission practically laid to rest among the other ghostly impediments of iprogress, with scores of successful manufacturers of both pleasure and commercial cars adopting it without fear of outcome, and the Lamberts fighting in the courts of the land to retain, under their patents, the fruits of their labors and brains. The very disputing of their claims may be taken as a public recognition of the worth of their invention.
Since Mr. Lambert began the manufacture of automobiles at Ander-
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son, he has seen the town grow into an important center for the produc- tion, not only of finished accessories and parts of varied character and large output that have won well merited fame and found their way into the wide markets of the world, but of cars other than his own.
John W. Lambert was born in Champaign county, Ohio, January 29, 1860, son of George and Anna (Liber) Lambert, natives of Pennsyl- vania and early settlers of the Buckeye State. He received his education in the public schools of his native state, and then went to Union City, where he formed a partnership with his father, and under the firm style of J. W. Lambert & Company, engaged in the manufacture of fork handles and spokes. Subsequently, he moved to Ohio City, where he was for some time. He conducted an agricultural implement store and grain elevator, and in 1893, came to Anderson from Union City, moving a part of the machinery from the plant at that place to Anderson, this being the nucleus for the present plant. This now covers six acres, is brick construction, and equipped with the most modern machinery of every kind, 250 people being employed in the works. In 1893 it was incorporated under the firm name of the Buckeye Manufacturing Com- pany and the Lambert Gas and Gascline Engine Company, and recently the plant has been equipped for the manufacture of automobiles, a very superior car being turned out. The capital stock of this concern is $100,000, and the present officers are as follows: B. F. Lambert, presi- dent; George A. Lambert, secretary; John W. Lambert, treasurer and general manager. Among his associates John W. Lambert is known as a man of force of will, possessed of the courage of his convictions. It will be seen from a perusal of the foregoing sketch that faith in self and indomitable perseverance have no small place in his character, qualities that have unlocked for him the portals of success and brought out some of its rich treasures. Aside from his business his chief pleas- ure is his home, and his handsome city residence, located at No. 705 Hendricks street, and surrounded by beautiful shade trees, is one of the finest in the city.
In 1884 Mr. Lambert was married to Miss Mary F. Kelly, of Ausonia, Ohio, daughter of T. T. Kelly. Two children have been born to this union, namely : E. Moe and Roy, who are associated with their father in business. They are manufacturers of gas engines, stationary and port- able farm tractors and commercial motor trucks, railroad inspection cars and gasoline street cars.
HENRY . P. HARDIE. Among the capable public officials of Madison county who are discharging the duties of high public positions with fidelity and efficiency, none is held in higher esteem than Henry P. Hardie, the postmaster of Anderson, a man who has long been identified with the business interests of the city. He is a native of England, born at Woolwich in county Kent, in February, 1867. His parents were Henry and Mary (Johnson) Hardie, natives of England, the former being for a number of years employed in the Illinois Steel Company's works at Joliet, Illinois. He came to Anderson in 1889 and secured employment in the steel and nail works here, continuing with that company until his death, in 1905. His widow still survives, and now makes her home in Anderson.
Henry P. Hardie was brought to the United States by his parents when still a child, and his education was secured in the public and high schools of Joliet, Illinois. After his graduation from the latter he was
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employed for five years in the steel mills at Joliet. In 1889 he came to Anderson and was made foreman of the shipping department of the rolling mill, a position which he held for eleven years. In 1900 he became the bookkeeper for the Terre Haute Brewing Company, a posi- tion which he continued to fill for six years, then becoming assistant manager of the business. In 1906 he was appointed city comptroller of the city of Anderson, under Mayor J. H. Terhune, and acted in that capacity for three years, and Mr. Terhune then dying Mr. Hardie by virtue of his office became mayor and filled out the unexpired term of one year. On the completion of his term as mayor he embarked in the real estate and fire insurance business with a Mr. Luse, under the firm style of Luse & Hardie, and this association has continued with mutual success to the present time. Mr. Hardie assumed his duties as postmaster of Anderson in 1912, for a term of four years, and has been rendering his eity excellent service in the handling of the mails. A courteous, obliging official, with a high conception of the duties of publie service, he has made an excellent record, and Anderson has had no more popular publie servant. For eight years he also served as police commissioner, under two appointments by Governor Mount, and a third under Governor Durbin. He is a Republican in his political views, but he has friends among all political parties.
On the 14th of October, 1889. Mr. Hardie was united in marriage with Miss Susan Harris, of Anderson, a daughter of Richard Harris,, an old and honored resident of this eity and who for many years was manager of the Steel Wire and Nail Works. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hardie, Harry R., who is now engaged in the real estate and insurance business in this eity. Mr. Hardie has for a number of years been prominent in Masonry, and now holds membership in Mt. Moriah Lodge, No. 77, A. F. & A. M .; Anderson Chapter, No. 52, R. A. M .; Anderson Commandery, No. 32, K. T .; and Murat Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., Indianapolis. He is also a member of Anderson Lodge, Nc. 209, B. P. O. E., and Banner Lodge, No. 416, K. of P. He is a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Anderson.
- C. B. PENDLETON, M. D. Among the men of Madison county who have won positions of prestige in various lines of endeavor through the exercise of native ability, good judgment and constant integrity. Dr. C. B. Pendleton, of Adams township, holds prominent place. A member of a family that had been connected with the growth and development of this section for more than eighty years, he has steadfastly maintained the family reputation for public spirit and personal probity, and no man stands in higher esteem in the medical profession, in agricultural affairs or in publie life. He was born on the home farm in Adams town- ship, Madison county, Indiana, which had been entered in 1830 by his paternal grandfather, John B. Pendleton. His father, A. E. Pendleton, was born in 1830 on this farm, was here reared and educated, and on growing to manhood was married to Mary A. Richwine, by whom he had nine children, of whom four are living in 1913: Dr. C. B .; C. V., who makes his home at Rochester, Indiana; Dr. O. F., a retired dentist now living in Northern California; and Nina J., who is the wife of John J. MeClure, of Los Angeles, California.
Curtis Bern Pendleton attended the district schools during the winter terms, and in the summer months assisted his father in the work of the home farm. Subsequently he became a student in the
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National Normal school at Lebanon, Ohio, and for some years thereafter was engaged in teaching public schools in Henry, Madison and Fulton counties. Later, deciding upon a medical career, he entered the Physio- Medical College of Indiana, and after his graduation therefrom entered upon the practice of his profession at Mechanicsburg, Indiana, where he remained for twenty years. Following this he became a farmer and for eight years was engaged in tilling the soil of Adams township. Although he had always been an independent voter, on May 13, 1912, he was elected trustee of Adams township on the Republican ticket, and has continued to hold this office to the present time. At the time of his election he located at Markleville, where he discharges the duties of his office and looks after the needs of a large and representative med- ical practice. He was a member of the First District Medical Associa- tion, and at one time was president of the State Physio-Medical Asso- ciation, of which he is still a member. He also holds membership in Mechaniesburg Lodge, No. 327, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is past noble grand, is also a member of the Encampment, and with his wife is a member of the Rebekahs, in which she is past noble grand. Dr. Pendleton is the owner of eighty acres of land and his wife of seventy acres, all this property being under a high state of cul- tivation. It is devoted principally to general farming, but they have also had success in breeding stock, principally thoroughbred Duroc hogs. As a physician Dr. Pendleton is a close student, an able practi- tioner and a steady-handed surgeon, and as such has become widely known in the ranks of his profession, holding a high place in the esteem of his confreres and that of the public at large.
Dr. Pendleton was married to Miss Flora B. Reed. daughter of Dr. W. C. Reed, of Mechanicsburg. She was born in Henry county, Indiana. and there educated in the district schools, subsequently taking a course in the Mechanicsburg schools. Three children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Pendleton : Dorothy F., a graduate of the Middleton High school and later a teacher, is now the wife of C. R. Keesling, of New York City. Leo E. married Miss Hallie Painter, a graduate of the Hartford City, Indiana, schools, and subsequently a teacher therein, daughter of Joseph Painter, of Hartford City. They have one child, Lois E. George H., who pursued the agricultural course in Purdue University, and is now engaged in farming in Adams township. He married Miss Agnes Copeland, of Hancock county, Indiana, who was formerly a high school teacher. The members of this family are all widely known and highly respected in Madison county, where their friends are only limited to the number of their acquaintances.
THOMAS JENKINS DOTY, a well known farming man and a pioneer resident of Green township, Madison county, was born near the place where he now makes his home, on August 25, 1838. He is the son of John and Sarah A. (Parsel) Doty, both natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Madison county some time prior to 1838, and here lived the remainder of their lives. John Doty entered government land and established a home on the virgin soil of Indiana, ultimately gaining a prominent place in the agricultural activities of the county in which he located with his family. He became the father of nine children, two of which number are living at the present time (1913). One of the two is Margaret Doty, who never married, and who makes her home with Thomas J. Doty, her brother.
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Thomas J. Doty was reared on the farm where he now lives and his early education was received in the local schools, being somewhat limited in its scope as a result. He helped his father to improve the government homestead upon which they settled, and in time, as owner of the place, came to reap the further benefits of his early years of toil on the old farm. He continued with his mother until he had become of age, his father having died when he was a boy of tender years, and set out for himself in the activities of life. With the call of President Lincoln for troops in April, 1861, Mr. Doty was among the first to respond, and he was with Captain Edwards in Company B of the Second Indiana Cavalry., He took an active part at Chickamagua and remained in the service until the end of the war, being one of those to receive a pension from the government for his service at that crucial time. Upon the close of the war he settled down to farm life once more, and though he was utterly lacking in capital, he met with success in the agricultural industry. In recent years he has been retired from active farm life, but still retains his fine place of one hundred and forty-six acres in Green township.
Mr. Doty was married on February 28, 1878, to Miss Sarah A. Davis, who was born in Fall Creek township, a daugliter of Bailey Davis. To Mr. and Mrs. Doty four children have been born, concerning whom mention is made briefly as follows: Arlie, the eldest, is a graduate of the common schools of this community, and is married to Ida Miller, and is engaged in farming in Green township. Vinnie is the wife of Ott Kinkade, living in Fall Creek township. Anna is the wife of Walter Reidenbach and lives in Hamilton county, Indiana, and Louella is the wife of Ira Schmiler, of Ingalls.
Mr. Doty is a member of the G. A. R. and attends the Methodist church. He is a stanch Republican in his politics and is one of the valued citizens of Green township, where he has passed his long and useful life thus far.
JOHN H. RAYMER. No more honored and respected citizen might be pointed out in Green township than John H. Raymer, who has been a resident of the county since about 1860, or since he was eighteen years of age. He was born in Maryland, on September 20, 1843, and is the son of W. P. and Lena (Prior) Raymer, both of whom were born and reared in Maryland. They came to Montgomery county, Ohio, where they passed the remainder of their lives, which had been devoted to the business of farming. W. P. Raymer was a man of prominence in his community to the last day he lived. He was a leader in politics, active and responsible in his work for the party, which was that of the Democracy, and was in many ways regarded as a valuable man to his town and county. He and his wife were members of the German Reformed church. They became the parents of nine children, three of whom are living at this writing (1913). Silas, one of the three, is a resident of North Dakota; Sarah J. is the wife of Gideon Coblin, and lives at Bradford, Ohio; and John H. is the subject of this review.
John H. Raymer was a youth of eighteen years when he accompanied his parents from Maryland, his birth state, to Ohio, where the family settled. He had learned carpentering in Maryland and upon coming to Ohio devoted himeslf to that work. He did not stop long in Ohio, but soon came to Indiana, locating in Madison county, and here, on June 11, 1868, he married Emma L. Scott. She was born on September
MR. AND MRS. MARTIN L. GOODYKOONTZ
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4, 1851, in the house where they now live, and was a daughter of Thomas and Rebecca (Stowell) Scott. The young couple settled down to housekeeping on the farm where they live today, and there they reared a family of eleven children, of whom eight are living in 1913. They are named as follows: Carlos S. Raymer, who is post master at Ingalls; Minnie S. is the wife of E. P. Myers, an attorney at Elwood, Indiana; Nora I. is the wife of W. A. Myers, superintendent of the Hartford City (Indiana) Schools; he is a graduate of the State Univer- sity of Indiana; Alta J. is the wife of Samuel Garrett; Nettie C. is the wife of Newton Catty of Fall Creek township; John T. is married and lives in Green township; Earl E. lives at home, as does also Scott P., both of whom are unmarried.
The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Fall Creek, and Mr. Raymer is a member of the official board of that body. He is a Progressive in his politics and has been active in a political way all his mature life. Mr. and Mrs. Raymer are pleasant and admirable people, who have reared a most creditable family, and they are among the most highly esteemed citizens of the township, to which they have given many of the best years of their life, and in whose better interests they have never failed to take an active and telling part. They have prospered in their work, and in addition to material advancement have the greater possessions of good names and pleasing places in the hearts of their fellow townspeople.
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