USA > Indiana > Miami County > History of Miami County, Indiana : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume II > Part 53
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57
796
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
these orders. He is also assistant surgeon for the various traction com- panies running into Peru. He has long been interested in affairs that effect his adopted city in any way, and has been active in Republican politics. At the present time he has the distinction of being the only representative of his party in the city council. His acquaintance in Peru and the surrounding country is large, and his popularity is attested by the wide cirele of friends who have been drawn about him.
On April 27, 1907, Dr. Lyneh was united in marriage with Miss Kittie Marcello, of Indianapolis.
FREDERICK S. HACKLEY AND LAVANT R. HACKLEY. In the creation of an industrial center at Peru during the early period of this city's history, probably no one individual contributed more than the late Frederick S. Haekley. The Haekley family has been identified with the eitizenship of this loeality for at least seventy years, and has been chiefly noted for its mechanical ability, and at the same time the name has always connoted publie spirited citizenship and high moral worth.
Frederick S. Haekley was the first foundryman in Peru. That in itself is a distinetion which should give his name lasting prominence in the history of this city. With his brother George, he established on East Canal Street in 1843 a factory in which they manufactured plows and other iron eastings. The ore was brought from Cineinnati by canal, and they smelted this ore in their local plant before converting it to the use of manufactured artieles. The plows which they first manufac- tured were short iron-beam breaking plows, and subsequently the "Hackley Patent Iron-Bcam Plow" had a very extensive sale through- out this section of Indiana. Occasionally is met one of the old settlers who vividly reealls this agricultural implement which had such popular use among the early farmers of this eounty and adjoining sections of Indiana.
That old foundry along the banks of the canal had an output of other artieles besides plows. The brothers made iron kettles, soles for bobsleds and a number of other iron castings doing considerable custom work in the latter branch of manufacture. In 1856, it is interesting to reeall, that Mr. Haekley made and installed the iron eells in the base- ment of the courthouse which was construeted in that year.
Frederiek S. Hackley was born in Oswego, New York in 1812. Reared on a farm and receiving only the meagre education supplied by the sehools in that section of New York, when a young man he and his brother started out in life as paek peddlers. That was a not unusual occupation in that time, and many great merehants of our country began their earcers in that way. It was while working at this oeeupation that they arrived in Peru. During their stay here, they recognized their opportunity in establishing a foundry at this point and for earrying out their plan they bought a traet of land on the banks of the canal. That ground was then covered with heavy timber, and after they had cleared this off they used the most suitable timbers for the frame work of their factory. During his long residence in Peru, and in addition to the position which he held among local business men as a manufacturer, Mr. Hackley was foremost as a citizen. He became very aetively inter- ested in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and held official posi- tion in the Grand Lodge of the State. By his industry and rugged busi- ness ability he beeame very prosperous and was at one time vice presi- dent of the First National Bank. His church was the Methodist and his politics was Republican, after the formation of that party, of which he was one of the original members. Though his life was spent in a time when abstinence from alcoholic liquors was not regarded as a
797
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
great thing, he was himself exceedingly temperate in his habits and was never known to use either tobacco or strong drink of any kind. His greatest pleasure was in his home circle and he was a devoted father and held friendship inviolable. During his later years he found time to travel extensively throughout this country.
By his marriage to Louisa Rector, Mr. Hackley became the father of six children, three of whom are now living. Early in 1876 Mr. Hackley represented the Peru Times on the state editorial excursion to Philadelphia, prior to the opening of the Centennial Exposition. On May 16, 1876, Mr. Hackley passed away, owing to the effects of an accident.
Lavant R. Hackley, the only surviving son of the late Frederick S. Hackley, was born in the city of Peru, September 8, 1856. His primary education was obtained in the public schools, and he supplemented these early advantages by two years as a student at the Riverview Military Academy at Poughkeepsie, New York, and also by a brief attendance at the Northern Indiana Normal School in Valparaiso. His practical career began as a clerk in the First National Bank. With the death of his father he became owner and active manager of the foundry, and continued to conduct this old enterprise until 1879, at which time he turned over his interests therein to his mother. Early in life he had learned the machinist's trade, and has always been an expert in this line. He followed his trade in Peru, until 1892, in which year he moved to Indianapolis, and for five years was foreman of the Jenney Electric Motor Company of that city. Returning to Peru in 1897, Mr. Hackley has for the most part engaged in his regular trade, and for the past fourteen years has been foreman of the Peru Electric Company. Although not a practical farmer himself, he is the owner of one hun- dred and seventy acres of fine land in Butler township this state, and operates it through a tenant.
April 28, 1880, Mr. Hackley married Miss Ada Chappell, a daugh- ter of Holly Chappell, a former resident of Peru, and now living in Mattoon, Illinois. The seven children who have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hackley are as follows: Cora, Carl, Murle, Madge, Jessie, Lloyd and Mildred. All the children are living 'except Carl, whose death occurred in infancy. Mr. Hackley in politics is a Republican and he and his wife are members of the Methodist church.
RICHARD H. COLE. Representative of a family which since pioneer times has furnished some of the most successful business men, profes- sional men and officials to Miami county, Richard. H. Cole has himself attained success and prominence in professional affairs and is one of the successful civil engineers of Peru.
Mr. Cole, who is a son of Alphonso Cole, and a grandson of Judge Albert Cole, the history of the family during the early generations, being found on other pages of this work, was born in Peru March 26, 1853. When a boy he attended the local public schools, and has the dis- tinction of having been a member of the first class to be graduated from the Peru High School in 1870. To equip himself for larger usefulness he entered the University of Illinois at Champaign, where during his collegiate work he gave special attention to civil engineering. The prac- tical beginning of his profession was in California, during the year 1875, when he was assistant chief engineer during the construction of the first irrigating canal in Kern county of that state. After his return to Peru he was elected in 1876 surveyor of Miami county, being re-elected in 1878 and serving four years in that office. In the meantime he had also been elected city engineer of Peru, and gave four years of serv-
798
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
ice in that capacity, for one year holding both offices of city engineer and county surveyor.
For about ten years Mr. Cole was actively identified with the press of Miami county. In 1879 he bought a half interest in the Miami County Sentinel, Mr. Louis B. Fulwiler being the other half owner. As a proprietor and active editor he continued in newspaper work with the Sentinel until the spring of 1889, at which time the Sentinel passed into other hands. Since that time Mr. Cole has practiced his regular profession, with offices at Peru, and with many demands for his services, especially in railroad construction and maintenance work.
In politics Mr. Cole was a Democrat up to 1892, but during the suc- ceeding years was unable to support the free silver doctrine advocated by Bryan, and has since been Independent. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias. On November 15, 1882, he married Miss Belle M. Talbott, daughter of William and Mary A. (Cockley) Talbott. Both her parents came from Ohio to Miami county during the early forties, and were married in Peru, their respective families being among the pioneer settlers of this community. Mr. and Mrs. Cole were the parents of one son Richard Alphonso who died in infancy. Mrs. Cole is a member of the First Baptist Church of Peru.
GEORGE M. YOARS. Prominent among the progressive and enterpris- ing business men of Amboy is found George M. Yoars, proprietor of the Amboy Creamery, a business that from humble beginnings has grown to be one of the leading enterprises of the town. Mr. Yoars is one of the self-made inen of his locality, having been content to enter upon his career in a modest capacity, and to work his own way up the ladder of success through the medium of his own energy, ability and well-directed effort. That he has done so is evident by the prosperous condition of his business, and while he has been thus engaged he has won something that is not always gained by the successful business man, the esteem and respect of his fellow citizens. Mr. Yoars was born in Jackson township, Miami county, Indiana, May 2, 1870, and is a son of Philip G. and Nancy A. (Arnold) Yoars.
George Yoars, the paternal grandfather of George M. Yoars, was born in Bremen, Germany, in April, 1818, was reared on a farm, and when twenty-two years of age decided to seek his fortune in America. Accordingly he made his way to Havre de Grace, France, where he took passage on a sailing vessel bound for the port of New York. After sixty days spent on the ocean, anchor was dropped off the coast of the American metropolis, and from that city Mr. Yoars made his way to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he arrived July 4, 1840. On his arrival in New York he was married to Margaret Cook, who had been a passenger on the same ship in which he had made his passage. She was born in Ger- many, on the River Rhine, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Cook, who spent their entire lives in the Fatherland, and who were the parents of the following children : Philip, Catherine, Margaret and Louisa.
George Yoars and his wife first located in Hamilton county, Ohio, and in the fall of 1855 removed to Miami county, Indiana, making their home in Jackson township on a farm of 100 acres which Mr. Yoars pur- chased, and of which sixty acres had been cleared. He made many excellent improvements upon that place and the rich fields yielded to him a good income in return for his labor. Although reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church, he became a member of the Friends' Church after his emigration to America. In politics he was a Republican. His death occurred in 1882 at the age of sixty-four years, and the com- munity lost thereby one of its valued citizens. His children were Mar-
799
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
garet, Philip G., John, Anna and Julia. In 1865, when only sixteen years of age, John Yoars, of this family, enlisted in his country's serv- ice at Richmond, Wayne county, Indiana, and served with the Union army until the cessation of hostilities.
Philip G. Yoars was born in Butler county, Ohio, November 25, 1843, and was twelve years of age when he accompanied his parents in their removal to Miami county, Indiana, which was his home until his death, on the 12th of January, 1914. He acquired a limited education in the district schools and was trained to farm work, so that when he began the operation of land on his own account experience had well fitted him for his duties. As a companion and helpmeet on the journey of life he chose Miss Nancy A. Arnold, and they were married in Jack- son township, Miami county, Indiana, March 10, 1868. She was born in that township, July 5, 1849, a daughter of Nathan and Sarah (Over- man) Arnold. Her father was born in Wayne county, North Carolina, in 1814, his parents being Nathan and Elizabeth (Horn) Arnold. Nathan Arnold, Sr., was a member of the Friends' Society, and about 1817 removed to Indiana, locating in the midst of the forest at Richmond, Wayne county. There his last years were passed, and his death occurred when he was still engaged in agricultural pursuits. His children that reached mature years were Jeremiah, Benjamin, Mary, Margaret, Eliz- abeth, Nathan and Piety. Nathan Arnold, father of Mrs. Yoars, was born in Wayne county, North Carolina, and was only three years of age when brought to Indiana by his parents. Reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier, he experienced many of the trials and hard- ships incident to pioneer life, and his education was such as the prim- itive schools of the period afforded. He was married August 21, 1839, in Randolph county, Indiana, to Sarah Overman, daughter of Cornelius and Rebecca (Ford) Overman, and then located on a farm in Deer Creek township, Grant county, Indiana, establishing a typical pioneer home in the midst of the forest. They led quiet, kindly, God-fearing lives, in harmony with their professions as members of the Friends' Church, in which both Mr. and Mrs. Arnold held the office of elder. They assisted in founding the Deer Creek church and were very active and earnest in the advancement of its cause. About 1847 they removed to a farm of 200 acres in the wild woods of Jackson township, Miami county, and there, devoting his time and energies to the cultivation and improvement of his land, Nathan Arnold spent his remaining days. He was an industrious, straightforward man, true to the principles in which ' he believed, and was respected by all who knew him. His political sup- port was given to the Republican party. In 1868 he was called to his final rest, at the age of sixty-four years. His children were as follows : Joseph, who died at the age of thirteen years ; Cornelius ; Rebecca ; Jacob ; Elizabeth ; Nancy; Mary and Nathan.
Mr. and Mrs. Yoars began their domestic life on a farm in Jackson township, Miami county, and later he purchased a farm of 160 acres one mile east of Amboy, where he lived until the spring of 1898. He afterward made his home in Amboy, where he was regarded as one of the substantial and progressive citizens, and he continued to maintain his interest in Jackson county farming land. He was a man of resource- ful business ability, whose energies were not confined alone to one industry. In addition to his farming operations, he was engaged in grain dealing in 1873, and through the three succeeding years carried on general merchandising in Amboy. He also engaged in the manufac- ture of tile, and through these various avenues of trade added materially to his income. He was also engaged in the creamery business, and his operations were managed with sagacity, discretion and sound judg-
800
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
ment. He was a faithful member of the Society of Friends, as is also his widow and in political matters he was ever a stalwart Republican. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Yoars, namely: George, Wil- liam, Lizzie, Amanda, Thomas, May, Annie, Maggie and Florence. Of these, William died at the age of twenty-four years, and Lizzie died at the age of 34 years.
George M. Yoars received his education in the district schools of Jack- . son township, and was reared to agricultural pursuits on his father's farm. At the age of twenty-two years he left the parental roof to embark upon a career of his own, choosing the creamery business as the medium through which to work his way to success. At first he was employed by others, having had some experience in his father's business, later was made manager of the plant, and eventually engaged in business on his own account. Starting with a small capital in cash, but with a super- abundance of energy, ambition and determination, he steadily built the little business up into one of the leading industries of its kind in the county. The excellence of the product makes it a ready seller in the adjoining markets and there is a steady and ever-increasing demand for the Yoars goods. Due precautions have been taken for absolute clean- liness in the production of these dairy goods, and the laws of hygiene have been strictly adhered to. Like his father, Mr. Yoars has proven himself an able business man, capable in the handling of large issues, and possessed of the courage born of absolute self-confidence. Among his associates he bears an enviable reputation for honorable business deal- ings, and during his residence in Amboy he has gained and maintained a wide circle of friends. He has been honored by election to a position on the town board, where he has faithfully looked after the best interests of his fellow-citizens. With his family, Mr. Yoars attends the Modern Friends' Church, and supports its movements liberally ..
On March 7, 1896, Mr. Yoars was married to Miss Fannie J. Minor, daughter of J. W. and Amelia (Haskett) Miner, and to this union there have been born six children, namely: Fred P., who is single and his father's assistant in the creamery business; Gail W .; Carol, who died at the age of two years and four months; and Jessie Nina, Damon and Irene.
JOHN BOOTH. The founder and executive head of the Booth Fur- niture Company, which was established in 1906, he whose name initiates this review is known and honored as one of the substantial and repre- sentative business men and loyal and progressive citizens of the thriv- ing little city of Peru, judicial center of Miami county. The Booth Fur- niture Company represents one of the important industrial enterprises of the county and has proved a valuable acquisition to the manufactur- ing and commercial interests of Peru. The company has a large and modern plant, fully equipped for the manufacturing of the lines of fur- niture turned out, and Mr. Booth is a thoroughly practical man in this field of enterprise, even as he is a capable administrative and executive officer. He has achieved definite success through his own ability and efforts and as a sterling citizen and leading business man of Miami county he is entitled to specific recognition in this publication.
John Booth was born in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, on the 14th of March, 1864, and is a son of John and Caroline (Shrubshal) Booth, the former of whom was born in the great industrial city of Man- chester, England, and the latter at Dover, England. In his native city John Booth, Sr., learned the trade of machinist, and as a young man he emigrated to the United States, where virtually his entire active career was one of close identification with the work of his trade,
801
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
in connection with which he held various responsible positions. Though the greater part of his life in America was passed in St. Louis, Mis- souri, he was also employed for varying intervals at New Orleans, Louisiana ; Vicksburg, Mississippi; Highland, Illinois; and Terre Haute and Indianapolis, Indiana, in which latter city he and his wife passed the closing years of their lives, secure in the high regard of all who knew them.
John Booth, Jr., to whom this sketch is dedicated, gained his early education in the public schools and manifested his ambition by attend- ing also night schools. When a mere boy he began working under the direction of his father in a machine shop at Highland, Illinois, and there he received the munificent compensation of twenty-five cents a day for his dignified service in driving a horse used in operating the pump that supplied water for the railroad shops in which his father was employed. When about fifteen years of age Mr. Booth began working in the furniture factory of the H. Lauter Company, in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana, and in this connection he gained his broad and accurate knowledge of all details of furniture manufacturing, as he continued in the service of this company during the greater part of the time until 1900. He began at a salary of two and one-half dol- lars a week, won promotion through energy, fidelity and effective serv- ice, and during the last five years of his identification with the concern he held the responsible office of superintendent of the factory. In the meanwhile, however, he had worked for a time in a saw mill in the great lumber woods of Michigan, as well as in the establishment of the Barry Saw Company, of Indianapolis.
In 1900 Mr. Booth engaged in the manufacturing of furniture in an independent way, and he maintained his headquarters in the capital city of Indiana until 1906, in the meanwhile having developed a sub- stantial manufacturing business, in connection with which he gave employment to about fifty hands. In 1906 he removed his manufac- tory to Peru, where he erected fine brick buildings, with an aggregate floor space of about two hundred thousand square fect, to which he has since added to the extent of about one hundred and eight thousand square feet, to meet the demands placed upon the establishment by its constantly expanding business. The mechanical and other facilities of this factory are of the best order, including an engine of one hundred and seventy-five horse power, and employment is given to an operat- ing force of one hundred hands, the major number of whom are skilled artisans who command good wages,-a fact that has definite bearing upon the value of this important industrial enterprise to the city in which it is located.
Though never imbued with aught of ambition for public office, Mr. Booth has shown himself most liberal and loyal in his civic attitude and in politics classifies himself as an independent Republican. He is ever ready to lend his support to those agencies conserving the social and material well-being of the community and is a strong advocate of temperance, not only in the matter of indulgence in intoxicants but also in all other matters that touch the mutual relations of mankind. Both he and his wife are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the family has become one of distinctive popularity in the social activities of Peru.
In the year 1887 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Booth to Miss Minnie E. Wagoner, of Indianapolis, this state, and they have three children, concerning whom the following brief data are entercd: Earl C. is office manager for the Booth Furniture Company; Neil S. is a member of the De Pauw University, at Greencastle; and Lois II. W. is attending the public schools of Peru.
.
802
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
FRANK SPAULDING. A leading business citizen of Peru, Frank Spaulding has been long connected with the industrial interests of this thriving city, and the general confidence which he enjoys among all classes has resulted in his being called to fill positions of high trust and responsibility, in which he has displayed marked ability, executive capacity and conscientious and public-spirited devotion to duty. Mr. Spaulding is a native son of Peru, born March 14, 1869, one of the seven surviving children of the twelve born to William H. H. and Sara Jane (Parks) Spaulding, natives of Ohio.
Mr. Spaulding was reared in Peru and his entire life has been spent here, and he has naturally taken a keen interest in all that affects its welfare. In youth he attended the public schools, but when he was only twelve years of age started upon his own career, as an agent for the Home Sewing Machine Company. Later, when about sixteen years of age, he entered his father's brass and iron foundry, and in due time acquired a financial interest in the business. From early manhood he has been interested in politics, and has never ceased to study questions of moment, and his services have been frequently utilized by the Re- publican party in its councils and on~ committee work. In 1904 he became the candidate of his party for the office of county treasurer, and although Miami is a Democratic county, he received the election by a majority of two hundred and fifty-eight ballots. He assumed office January 1, 1906, and rendered excellent service, and in the fall of 1906 again became the Republican nominee in this Democratic strong- hold and was elected by a majority of three hundred votes. His last term expired December 31, 1909, since which time he has devoted his entire attention to his foundry business, having purchased his father's interest in the enterprise. He is an excellent business man, with mod- ern ideas and the capacity to carry his ventures through to a success- ful conclusion, and his establishment is one that adds to Peru's prestige as a center of business activity.
On September 5, 1900, Mr. Spaulding was united in marriage with Miss Viola Ruth Lavingwood, of Peru, and they are leading members of the congregation of the Presbyterian Church, and general favorites in social circles. Mr. Spaulding is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. For fifteen years he was a member of the Third Regiment Band, Indiana National Guards. He is a man of no pretentions, but is quiet, conservative and thoroughly in earnest in everything he undertakes. During his long residence in Peru he has formed a wide acquaintance, and in it he has never know- ingly made an enemy, or lost a friend save through death. His service in the county treasurer's office was one that reflected credit upon him- self and the county, and this section has had no official who has been more popular, or in whom greater public confidence has been placed.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.