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 46
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Isaac Kelly, the paternal grandfather of Mr. Kelly, was a native of Virginia and a pioneer of Madison county, where he was engaged in farming at the time of his death, in November, 1873, when about sixty years of age. He and his wife, who was also a native of Virginia, and who passed away in middle life, were the parents of seven children : Mrs. Hall; William G .; Laura, the wife of William Davis; Marquis D .; Margaret E., the wife of Joshua Gray; Mary C., who married Conkling Ross; and Joseph. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Kelly were natives of North Carolina, who came to Indiana at a very early day, in true pioneer style in covered wagons, and settled in Hamilton county, where they spent the remainder of their lives in tilling the soil. They had the following children : Hiram, Young, James, Abel, Gabriel, Wiley, William, Gideon. Harrison, John. Susanna, Mary, Lucinda, Jeannette and Elizabeth. Marquis D. Kelly was born and reared in Madison county, Indiana, and spent his boyhood on his father's farm, there also learning the trade of blacksmith, which he followed a few years. He subsequently secured a farm of eighty aeres in Monroe township, which he brought to a high state of cultivation, and there reared his family. At this time, he and his wife are living retired in Alexandria. They are members of the Christian Church, and are widely known and highly esteemed. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly had but two children: Isaac S .; and Adelia, who is the wife of A. A. Painter, of Alexandria.
Isaac S. Kelly was reared on his father's farm, and received his education in the public and high schools of Alexandria, and a business college at Anderson. He then became a bookkeeper in the office of Peter Kuntz, a lumber merchant of Anderson, and two years later came back to Alexandria, to enter the Alexandria Bank as bookkeeper. He later became assistant cashier of this institution, and for the past four or five years has been cashier.
The Alexandria Bank was organized in 1SSS, as a private banking house, by Jesse Vermillion and his father, Columbus Vermillion. In 1892 it was reorganized as the Alexandria National Bank, with a capital stock of $50,000, and'S. E. Young became its president. Six years later it was taken over by the Alexandria Bank, with Mr. Young still in the chief executive capacity. The present officers are: S. G. Phillips, president ; R. H. Hannah, vice-president ; and Isaac S. Kelly, cashier. Its capitalization has been increased on several occasions as the increased business has warranted, and it is known at this time as one of the most substantial institutions of Madison county, as well as the oldest in Alexandria.
On December 18, 1899, Mr. Kelly was married to Miss Marie Heri- tage, who was born in Monroe township, Madison county, Indiana, daughter of Henry and Minerva ( Hughes) Heritage, now residents of Alexandria. Mr. and Mrs. Heritage had six children : Emma, Flora, William, Marie, Olive and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Heritage died May 25, 1913, aged sixty-nine years. Two children have been born
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to Mr. and Mrs. Kelly : Kathleen and Pauline. They are members of the Baptist Church, in which Mr. Kelly acts as treasurer. He is a member of the local lodges of the Knights of the Maccabees and the Royal Arcanum, and holds membership also in Necessity Lodge, No. 222, the Canton, the Encampment and the Rebekahs, all of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His political affiliation is with the Democratic party. He takes a deep interest in everything pertaining to the public welfare, and withholds his support from no object calculated to be of public benefit.
GEORGE STOHLER. One of the old and honored residents of Adams township, whose activities as agriculturist, thresher and sawmill operator have gained him material success and a position of prominence among the substantial men of his community, is George Stohler, the owner of 140 acres of well-cultivated land. While not a native of Madison county, Mr. Stohler has resided here since he reached his eleventh year, and few men of Adams township are more widely or favorably known. He was born June 23, 1842, in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Michael and Mary (Swanger) Stohler, also natives of Lebanon county.
The maternal great-grandfather of Mr. Stoliler was a soldier during the Revolutionary war, following the close of which he settled in Penn- sylvania. He was a physical giant, and was noted far and wide for his . great feats of strength. The parents of Mr. Stohler were married in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, and remained there until 1854, in which year they migrated to Madison county, Indiana, and settled in Adams township, here spending the remainder of their lives in agricultural pur- suits. They were the parents of eleven children: John, a resident of Adams township; George, of this review : Mary, who became the wife of Harvey Fry; Michael, who is deceased; Catherine, who became the wife of Adam Forney; Sarah, who is deceased; Elizabeth, who is the widow of George Saunders; Anna, who is the wife of Isaac Monahan; Samuel. a resident of Madison county and Abraham, who lives in Adams township.
George Stohler attended the German schools of his native vicinity in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, and was past eleven years of age when he came to Adams township, here securing his education in the English schools. The winter terms were devoted to his studies, while in the sum- mer months he assisted his father in the work of the home farm. Mr. Stohler continued to remain under the parental roof until his marriage, at which time he embarked upon a career of his own, and for a half century has carried on agricultural pursuits, and at the same time has engaged in threshing and operating a sawmill. He has been successful in his ventures because of good management, business acumen and well- directed effort, and among his neighbors and those who have had deal- ings with him bears the reputation of a man of the highest integrity.
In the fall of 1863 Mr. Stohler was married (first) to Miss Sophie Hick, who was born in Madison county, Indiana, and she died in 1887, having been the mother of five children : Frank, John, Henry, Anna and Walter, all of whom make their homes in Madison county. Mr. Stohler's second marriage occurred in April, 1889, when he was united with Miss Margaret Osmon. She was born in April, 1853, in Butler county, Ohio, and was educated in the German schools of Ohio and the English schools of Madison county, Indiana. They have had no children. Mr. and Mrs. Stohler are consistent members of the Lutheran church of New Columbus, in which he is deacon, trustee and treasurer. He votes
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the Democratie ticket, and has always taken an active part in political matters.
BYRON L. STEPHENS. One of the most progressive representatives of the younger generation in farming in Lafayette township is Mr. Byron Stephens, who is the owner of two tracts of land. He began his career with practically no capital, and by good management and thrift finally secured enough to get started as an independent farmer, and from that time has enjoyed substantial prosperity among the ablest farmers in his part of Madison county.
Mr. Stephens is the son of Samuel and Amanda (Vandament) Stephens. His father was also a native of this county and spent all his life here, the larger part of it in Richland township, subsequently moving to Lafayette township. During his early life he attended the district schools and then engaged in farming. He was the father of five children, three of whom are now deceased, namely: Leoto, deceased, who married Walter Cooper, and her one child Fay is living with Mrs. Amanda Stephens at Florida; Walter, deceased; Byron and Kenneth, both living; and Harry, deceased. Kenneth married the daughter of Barney Flannagan, residing iu Anderson. Samuel Stephens died April 29, 1910.
Byron Stephens who is now the head of his family in this county was born on the old home place September 20, 1877. He attained his education in the country schools, and throughout the time while he was going to school also worked on the home farm, so that he was well equipped by practical experience for his life's work, about as soon as he had completed his book education. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age and contributed his labors to the manage- ment of the farm and the support of the family. Since then he has worked independently, and made enough to buy himself a first class farm of his own. He is the owner of thirty acres of land and has an interest in the home place, where he now resides. He was married on January 25, 1898, to Miss Anna E. Chambers, daughter of Joseph Chambers, the venerable citizen of Lafayette township, a sketch of whom appears on other pages of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens are the parents of four children, namely : Everette, Mary, Donna and Mar- cus. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens have an attractive and comfortable home and are rearing their children in an atmosphere of honor and high- principled conduct. In polities Mr. Stephens is a Democrat, and he and his family are members of the Methodist church.
GEORGE W. KIRK. Lying on the Madison Avenue road, about five miles north of Anderson, is the Linwood Stock Farm, a tract belonging to George W. Kirk, one of Lafayette township's most substantial and progressive agriculturists. Mr. Kirk is well known to the citizens of this township, having resided here all of his life with the exception of a short period passed in the State of Texas, and at all times he has mani- fested a commendable interest in whatever pertains to the welfare of his locality. The general appearance of his property gives evidence of the presence of thrift and industry in its management, and his ability as a business man is widely recognized. Mr. Kirk was born in Lafayette township, Madison county, Indiana, on the old Kirk homestead farm, located near Florida, July 1, 1855, and is a son of William and Amanda (Muse) Kirk. His father came to Madison county as a young man,
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from Fleming county, Kentucky, making the journey in a wagon, and here passed his entire subsequent career, being engaged in extensive agricultural operations. There were eight children in the Kirk family : Sylvester ; George W .; Mrs. Lavina E. Free; Dawson; Mrs. Alice Snow; Nora, who is deceased; Mrs. Ida Graham; and Mrs. Cecelia Jones, now deceased, who had four children, Mrs. Elissa Lestal, Gladys, Kenneth and Ruth.
Mr. Kirk secured his education in the Keller and Free schools of Lafayette township, the latter of which is now located on his home farm. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-five years of age, at which time he went to Texas, and there spent a short period on a cattle range, where he received his introduction into the business that he has made his life work. On his return, he purchased a farm in Lafayette township, to which he added from time to time until it now contains 280 acres. In addition, he has forty acres in Anderson township and seventy-five acres in Pipe Creek township, all of this property being highly cultivated and very valuable. He raises horses and cattle, and has also been engaged for some years in breeding and feeding mules for the home market, his stock finding a ready sale and commanding high prices. His reputation among business men is that of a thoroughly reliable dealer, and he has the full confidence and esteem of his associates.
On April 8, 1885, Mr. Kirk was married to Miss Nora Tappan, and they have had six children, namely: Hector B., who married Sophrone Hancock and has one child, Helen; Greta E., a graduate of the high school, who is now engaged in teaching in the schools of Lafayette towli: ship; John, who is in his third year at Purdue University, where he is taking a course in civil engineering; Joseph, who married Myrtle Paddock, and is managing the operations on one of his father's farms; Georgia, who is attending the Anderson High school; and William Rus- sell, who attends the district school. Mr. Kirk is essentially a business man and has not cared for the struggles of the political arena, taking only a good citizen's interest in affairs that affect his community. Dur- ing his long residence here he has formed an extensive acquaintance, in which he has a wide circle of sincere friends.
SAMUEL MAAG. A resident of Madison county for about twenty years, Mr. Maag represents the class of which the farmer and substan- tial citizen who has come into this county after many of the older families have either retired or immigrated to newer fields, and who through their fresh industry and management are effecting many notable changes in agricultural methods and in the general prosperity of the community. Mr. Maag is a self-made man, has owned all he possesses by hard work and thrifty management, and is now prosperous and a retired resident of Lafayette township.
Mr. Samuel Maag, who owns a farm of eighty acres of fine land on the Florida and Anderson pike, about four miles northwest of Ander- son, was born Marchi 10, 1859, in Zurich, Switzerland. His parents were David and Mary Maag. The father was a dairy farmer in his native country and also had a vineyard. In the year 1864 a friend of the family living in California induced David Maag to bring his house- hold to America. The family located at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The three sons in the family were David S., John M. and Samuel. From Califor nia the father returned to Benton county, near Cedar Rapids. and soon
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afterwards died there. A little later the mother also passed away and thus the sons were left when young and soon scattered to different locali- ties. Samuel Maag was only seven years old when his father died and during the next ten years he remained in Benton county, Iowa, and earned his living by working for other people, exerting his youthful strength to the utmost, in order to earn shelter and food and such opportunities for education as were offered occasionally. He lived for some time with a man named John May, and then hired out his services by the month. When he was seventeen years of age, with his brother David, he rented a farm in Madison county, Iowa, and by working this place with all the energy he possessed and with the combined assist- anee of his brother, made a very comfortable living and put by some savings for his capital. September the 28th, 1879, he was married to Clara Bell Kendall. By their combined industry they bought a piece of land in 1882, and on this one hundred acres they commenced their actual career. Though they were unable to pay for it all at the begin- ning, they managed so that in a few years they had cleared off the debt and were more than even with the world. That remained their home for a number of years, when they finally sold out and came east to Indiana, locating in Lafayette township of Madison county. They bought their present farm in this township on November 14, 1893, and have made their home here for the past twenty years.
Mrs. Maag was the daughter of John H. and Orinda J. ( Armstrong) Kendall. Her father was a native of Madison county, Indiana, and the Armstrong family came from Darke county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Maag are the parents of one daughter, Daisy M. She is the wife of Mr. Wade Bevilhamar and lives near Florida in Lafayette township. They have two sons, Samuel and Landas Adair.
At the present time Mr. Maag is renting his farm to a tenant and himself lives a retired life in the home place. He is a member of the Methodist church at Florida and for the past fourteen years has taken a very active part in the Sunday school as superintendent, and is also a steward and trustee of his local church. A publie spirited citizen and a substantial business man he has been honored by being appointed to the office of trustee of Lafayette township, to fill the unexpired term of Calvin Thompson, deceased. At the time of his appointment the township was in debt $6,320, which was all paid before his term expired, leaving the township out of debt.
ELMER E. HUGHEL. Among the native sons of Madison county who are following in the footsteps of their forefathers and finding success in the cultivation of the rich soil of this seetion, Elmer E. Hughel takes prominent place. As a young man he was inclined to experiment with other kinds of labor, but after a short period decided that the occupa- tion of agriculturist should be his life work, and he now has no reason to regret of his decision for his farm of eighty aeres, located about one-half mile south of Florida, in Lafayette township, is one of the valuable properties of this section, and he holds prestige among the farmers and stoek raisers of this part of the Hoosier State.
Elmer E. Hughel was born on his father's farm in Anderson town- ship, Madison county, Indiana. April 3, 1862, and is a son of Matthias B. and Hettie (Stephenson) IInghel. His father, a native of Ohio, migrated to Madison county as a young man, and purchased a farm in Anderson township, where he has spent his subsequent career, being
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one of the prominent agriculturists of his section and still surviving at the advanced age of eighty-six years. He is the owner of the ground which was occupied by a Moravion mission in the times when the Indians were here. A monument has been erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution to mark this place. (Spoken of in gen- eral history of the county.) There were eleven children in the family of Matthias B. and Hettie Hughel, namely: Alonzo and Samuel, resi- dents of Anderson township; Elmer E .; Grant, who also carries on operations in Anderson township; Clarence, who lives in Indianapolis: Jennie, who married A. Malone; Belle, who became the wife of E. Moore; Lydia, who married A. T. Gillespie; and Florence, Minnie and George, all of whom are now deceased.
Elmer E. Hughel was given good educational advantages, attending the distriet schools in Anderson township and the high school in the city of Anderson. During this time he had spent his vacations in work on the homestead, where he was thoroughly trained in farm labor, but decided to try his fortunes in the commercial field, and for two years, from 1908 to 1910, was in the hardware business. Following this, he went West, but soon returned to his home. At that time Mr. Hughel came to his present property, in Lafayette township, which has been brought to a high state of cultivation. He is quick to adopt modern ideas and methods, having the latest improved machinery and modern buildings, the latter including a ten-room bungalow, one of the finest in the country, fitted with such modern conveniences as hot and coldl water, bath and electric light plant.
In November, 1887, Mr. Haghel was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Jones, daughter of John L. and Sarah (Andes) Jones, and to this uulon there has been born one daughter: Lena, who lives at home with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Hughel and their daughter are mem- bers of the Christian Church, and have been active in its work. Mi. . Hughel has gained a wide acquaintance during his long residence in Lafayette township, and has become known among his friends as a man of sterling character, honorable in his business dealings and sincere and faithful in his friendships. As a public-spirited citizen, he has sup- ported all movements calculated to advance his section, and no resident of Lafayette township has the welfare of his community and its people more at heart.
CHARLES W. MOORE. Success has been worthily attained by Charles W. Moore, of Lafayette township, in the field of agriculture, and to his energy, enterprise, careful management and ceaseless determination this is attributable. He has resided all of his life in this section, and is now the manager of the Moore farm, a tract of ninety-eight acres of well-cultivated land, lying on the Florida turnpike, about two and one-half miles north of Anderson. Mr. Moore was born February S. 1873, on the old Barber farm in Lafayette township, and is a son of James L. and Lucinda (Huff) Moore. His father, a native of Penn- sylvania, lived for many years near Middletown, Indiana, where he carried on agricultural pursuits, but is now living a retired life, enjoy- ing the fruits of years of industrious toil. He and his wife had two children : Mattie Mae and Charles W.
Charles W. Moore secured his education in the Mount Hope public school, and as a youth proved himself industrious and energetie by spending all of his spare time in assisting his father in the work of the
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home place. When the older man was ready for retirement he placed the youth in charge of the homestead, having trained him to ably handle the management, and under the younger man's care the prop- erty has been ably operated. As time has passed, and his finances have permitted, Mr. Moore has made improvements and added to his stock and implements. He is an advocate of modern ideas, keeps abreast of the numerous advances which are constantly being made in his calling, and in his neighborhood is known as a good, practical farmer and ex- cellent judge of livestock. His long residence in this section has given him a wide acquaintance, and his numerous friends testify to his gen- eral popularity.
On June 14, 1899, Mr. Moore was united in marriage with Miss Bes- sie Thornberg, whose father, Richard Thornberg was born and reared in this county and spent his entire career in tilling the soil. There were five children in the Thornberg family : Charles, Ray, Thomas, Bes- sie and Nellie. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have had six children : Lucille, Ray- mond, Mildred, Mary Belle, Howard and Charles L. The members of the family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.
GLENDEN BROWN. Perhaps at no time in the history of the country have the advantages of farin life been so generally acknowledged as at the present. Every student of present day conditions must notice how men in all lines of industry in the crowded marts of trade, are turning their longing eyes to sections where land may be secured, believ- ing that in a return to the soil happiness, health and contentment will return to them and that their children may have a birthright of pure air and freedom. Commendable as this may be, these seekers for rural possessions and the healthful surroundings of the country, do not always succeed and for the very natural reason that farming is both a profession and a trade, a business which demands as much and as thorough a preparation as any other. Therefore the greatest advantage lies with those who have been fortunate enough to have been born and reared on a farm, trained in its various industries and whose greatest interests have always been centered on it. One who has had these favorable opportunities is Glenden Brown, a general farmer and stock- raiser, residing in Lafayette township. Mr. Brown was born June 27, 1870, on his father's farm in Shelby county, Indiana, and is a son of George W. and Margaret L. (McKay) Brown. George W. Brown is a retired farmer residing at Frankton in Madison county. He has always been a man of public spirit and continues active in political matters. Eight children were born to George W. and Margaret L. Brown: James C., Eliza, Glenden, William, George, Rocella, Elmer and Arvilla, all of whom survive except the eldest.
Glenden Brown was fourteen years old when he accompanied his parents to Madison county, having previously attended school in Shelby county, and afterward became a student at Beech Grove, in Madison county. Although he then put his school books aside he by no means considered his education completed and has continued to be in- telligently interested in everything that is going on in the world and thus has become a man thoroughly qualified for public office should he care to accept the same and to give sensible and valuable advice on mat- ters of local importance. He cultivates his own farm of sixty-three 'acres and also a farm of eighty acres belonging to his brother. This
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land lies in Lafayette township and is well adapted to the activities here carried on, grain and potatoes being grown and fine stock raised.
Mr. Brown married Miss Maggie Davis and they had two children born to them, Dicie and Ernie, who survive their mother. Mr. Brown married for his second wife December 2, 1902, Effie G. Wagner, the eldest daughter of Franklin and Rachel (Jones) Wagner, residents of Rush county, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner had a family of four children : Effie, Pearl, May and Inez, all surviving. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have three children : Verle, Dorothy and Nondas. With his intelligent views Mr. Brown is a hearty supporter of the public schools and wil- lingly assists in all movements for the general welfare of his section. He is an example of the best citizenship of Madison county.
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