USA > Indiana > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery county, Indiana; with personal sketches of representative citizens, Volume II > Part 13
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agricultural interests, he determined to become his own employer, and to this end located on a neighboring farm. He was successful from the start and each succeeding year found him further advanced, until he eventually became one of the most progressive general farmers and stock raisers in Montgomery county and he is now the owner of a valuable and highly improved landed estate of eight hundred and twenty-nine acres, a part of which is in Indiana and a part in Illinois. It is all productive, well tiled, tillable and fertile. He sold out part of his farming interests in the year 1890 and removed to his present commodious home in the town of Wingate. Here he was not long idle, almost immediately entering into a partnership with Mr. Sturm. The succeeding year he materially improved the appearance of the main thorough- fare of his town when he erected thereon one of the most substantial, attrac- tive and convenient brick blocks in this section of the state. He has been engaged in the mercantile business here since 1891 and has built up a large and ever growing trade with the surrounding country, carrying at all seasons a complete and carefully selected stock of up-to-date merchandise.
Mr. Cording is a Democrat and has long been active in the ranks. Fra- ternally, he belongs to the Masonic Order, having attained the thirty-second degree in that time-honored fraternity. He is a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Murat Temple, Indianapolis. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is a liberal supporter of the same. He is also a Knights Templar, and a member of the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the National Detective Association.
Mr. Cording has been twice married, first, to Ellen P. Dick, who was born and reared in Montgomery county, Indiana. Together they began their home life upon the farm, and there remained for twelve years. After the death of Mr. Cording's first wife he was united in marriage to Villa Hayes, who was born near Elmdale, this county.
Our subject's family consisted of three children, namely: Effie died in infancy ; E. John, who was a student in DePauw University, at Greencastle, Indiana, died in 1904; and Opal, who is at home.
GEORGE RAYMOND WHITE.
The subject of this sketch, well known manager of Music Hall in Craw- fordsville, is a man who has engaged in many lines of endeavor, and has shown that he is the possessor of varied talents, inheriting many of the com- mendable traits of his distinguished father, who was one of the noted men
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of his day and generation in western Indiana, whose name will continue to be honored by the people here through succeeding generations.
Mr. White was born August 28, 1868, in Crawfordsville, and he is a son of Michael Daugherty White and Laura E. (McMechan) White. The father was born on a farm in Clark county, Ohio, September 8, 1827, and was a son of Lanson and Mary (Daugherty) White, the former a native of New York, and was a son of Nathaniel White, a Revolutionary soldier, who first emigrated to Ohio and thence to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and died there at the age of seventy-six years, at Greenbush. Lanson White came with his father and his own family to Tippecanoe county in 1829, locating on a farm. His death occurred in 1844 in that county. Mary Daugherty White was born in Pennsylvania in April, 1807. From that state she came to Ohio with her parents and there married Lanson White, in 1824. Her death occurred in Danville, Illinois, in 1892.
Michael D. White received his early education in the common schools, as times afforded, in Tippecanoe county. In 1848 he removed to Craw- fordsville and attended what was known as the old County Seminary, later was a student in Wabash College for a period of four years. Then on ac- count of his health he went to Darlington and clerked in a store for one year. Deciding upon a legal career he returned to Crawfordsville in 1853 and read law with the late Gen. Lew Wallace, for one year, after which he was offered full partnership, which he gladly accepted. He made rapid progress in his studies and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1854. and in the fall of that year was elected prosecuting attorney for the common pleas court, of Montgomery and Boone counties, serving two years, refusing a second term. He continued to practice law with Lew Wallace, the latter being elected state senator in 1856, from Montgomery county, and during his absence Mr. White conducted the affairs of the office alone. This partner- ship lasted until 1859, when Mr. Wallace joined Col. Sam C. Wilson, Mr. White retaining the old office. In 1860 the latter was elected state senator, having the distinction of being the first Republican ever elected senator from Montgomery county. He served with distinction for a period of four years, giving entire satisfaction to his constituents, and refused a second nomina- tion. That was during the Civil war period, and while serving as senator Mr. White was largely engaged in raising soldiers for service in the Union army. After his term of office had expired he resumed the practice of law, and in 1876, having continued to take an active part in public affairs, he was
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elected to Congress, the duties of which responsible post he discharged with rare fidelity and satisfaction for a period of two years, but was defeated for a second nomination by a gang of scheming politicians, although he was un- doubtedly the people's choice. He resumed the practice of law, and con- tinued a leader of the local bar until in August, 1911, when he retired.
Michael D. White is a member of the Masonic Order. He has been recognized as a social member of the Tribe of Ben-Hur. He belongs to the Christian church. On April 29, 1858, he was united in marriage in Craw- fordsville to Laura E. McMechan. She was a daughter of Dr. James G. and Eliza McMechan, and she was born in Crawfordsville on May 14, 1837. Her father was a native of Ohio, and he came to Montgomery county in an early day, and here practiced medicine until his death on June 7, 1899, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. His wife preceded him to the grave in 1892. To Michael D. White and wife ten children were born, five of whom are still living, namely: Mellie E., wife of Wallace A. Stillwell, of Los Angeles; John L. lives in Portland, Oregon; George Raymond, subject of this sketch; Grace M., wife of Earl C. Finlay, of Spokane, Washington; and Anna L., wife of Howard L. Shaw, of Dayton, Ohio.
George R. White received a good common school education, and he learned telegraphy when a young man, and he worked at this for the West- ern Union, in Indianapolis, St. Louis and a number of other places, wherever he was sent, following the same until 1898, giving eminent satisfaction, being an expert and a conscientious worker.
When the Spanish-American war came on in 1898, Mr. White enlisted for service in the signal corps as a telegrapher, and served out his term of enlistment. In the meantime he injured his wrist, which permanently dis- abled him for his chosen work as telegrapher. He then engaged as a broker, with offices in the Knights of Pythias building, Crawfordsville. He was a member of the Chicago and New York exchange. He subsequently engaged in the picture show business, operating in Independence, Kansas, for three years, then sold out and returned to Crawfordsville, buying out the Air- dome, next to the Ben-Hur building. This he now leases, and manages the Music Hall, the only opera house in Crawfordsville, and he is making a great success of the same, giving the people excellent shows.
Politically, he is a Republican. He belongs to the Christian church, and is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is well liked and has a host of friends wherever he is known.
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LOUIS W. OTTO.
It is no very rare thing for a poor boy in our country to become a pros- perous man and occupy a commanding position in the business world, but many who have fought their way from poverty to wealth, from obscurity to prominence, retain some marks and scars of the conflict. They are apt to be narrow and grasping, even if not sordid and unscrupulous. Louis W. Otto, well known and successful jeweler of Crawfordsville, Montgomery county, although he did not come up from the ranks of the poverty stricken, and has not reached the affluence of the rich, yet he has worked his way from a modest beginning to a comfortable station in the world of affairs, being an instance of a man who has achieved success without paying the price at which it is so often bought. His success has not removed him further from his fellow men, but has brought him into nearer and more in- timate relations with them, and, although he leads a busy life, he has yet found time to devote to those interests which develop the intellectual and moral nature of man, living not to himself alone, but willing to assist his fellow man on the highway of life when ever proper occasion presents itself. He is of German extraction and seems to have inherited many of the char- acteristics that win from his sterling ancestors.
Mr. Otto was born in Ripley county, Indiana, December 10, 1864, and is a son of Franz E. and Marie Otto. They were both born, reared and educated in Saxony, Germany, and there they spent their earlier years, finally emigrating to the United States and settling in Ripley county, and became very comfortably established through their thrift and frugality. and here spent the rest of their lives, having been deceased now a number of years. They were honest, hard-working people, and respected by their neighbors.
Louis W. Otto left the old homestead in Ripley county and received a good common school education. When a young man he learned the watch making and jeweler's trade, becoming quite proficient in them, for he went into the work enthusiastically, having been apprenticed to an excellent work- man in Aurora, Indiana, remaining with him three years, then one year as a journeyman.
Thus well equipped for his chosen vocation Mr. Otto went to Pomroy, Ohio, where he remained for a time, then to Gallipolis, that state. We next find him in Kentucky, following his trade in Georgetown and Paducah, re- spectively. He then came back to Indiana and located at Rushville, and
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from there came to Crawfordsville in 1885 and started in business on Green street, where the Western Union telegraph office is now located, being in partnership under the firm name of Rost & Otto, and they continued to- gether for four years, when they dissolved partnership and our subject located at III South Washington street, remaining there ten years, then came to his present location, in 1899. He was successful from the first and has enjoyed a constantly growing and lucrative business, his hundreds of customers coming from over a wide radius of territory, and many of the customers he had a quarter of a century ago still patronize him, this being sufficient evidence of his honesty and courtesy in dealing with the public. He has an attractive and modernly appointed store, carrying at all times a large and carefully selected stock of jewelry and everything commonly found in an up-to-date store of this kind, diamonds and fine jewelry being what he specializes on.
Politically, Mr. Otto is a Republican, but he has never been especially active in public affairs. Religiously, he belongs to the Methodist church. He is prominent in fraternal circles. He belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men, being Past Great Sachem of Indiana in this order. He holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America, and is a member of the board of auditors of the Head Camp; he also belongs to the Tribe of Ben- Hur and the Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Otto was married in October, 1889, to Mary Keegan, a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Keegan, a well known and highly respected family. Mrs. Otto, who was a woman of gracious personal characteristics, was called to her eternal rest in October, 1912, leaving three children, namely: Marie, who is in Vassar College; Fredeick Keegan and Elsa Louise are both at- tending high school in Crawfordsville.
Mr. Otto was twice elected president of the Crawfordsville Commercial Association.
JASPER HORNBECK.
The gentleman whose name heads this paragraph is widely known as one of the enterprising merchants of Montgomery county. Jasper Horn- beck, now a leading grocer of the city of Crawfordsville, has for years been prominently identified with the commercial interests of his locality. His well directed efforts in the practical affairs of life, has capable management of his business interests and his sound judgment have brought large rewards
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for the labor he has expended, and his life demonstrates what may be accom- plished in this free land of ours by those who show a willingness to work and be honest in the various relations of life.
Mr. Hornbeck was born on December 23, 1843, in Madison county, Ohio, and he is a son of Andrew and Clarissa C. (Carrell) Hornbeck. The father was also a native of Madison county, Ohio, and was a descendant of Virginians who settled in that county at an early date. He came to Tipton county, Indiana, in 1848, and engaged in farming, having entered eighty acres of land from the government, and bought one hundred and eighty acres. This he hired operated and used it for the grazing of his herds. He engaged, in connection with general farming, in stock raising and cattle driving. He was very successful, especially as a stock man. His death oc- curred in Tipton county in 1852. Politically, he was a Democrat, and in religious matters a Methodist.
Clarissa Carrell-Hornbeck, mother of our subject, was also born in Ohio and was also of Virginia stock. Her death occurred in Fountain county, In- diana, in 1887.
Jasper Hornbeck received the usual log-school education, which he at- tended three winters, then began his business career by clerking in a grocery store on East Washington street, Indianapolis, remaining there two years, during which he gave his employer satisfactory service and learned the ins and outs of this line of endeavor. He then began working for the first ice cream manufacturer in Indianapolis, remaining with him one year, then went to Tipton, Indiana, and clerked in a dry goods store. Then he worked on a Boone county farm until 1861, when he enlisted in Company G, Fifty- fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in the three months' service. He was de- tailed to guard prisoners at Indianapolis, later going to Kentucky and was in the battle which started at Cumberland Gap and was also in the engage- ment at Richmond, Kentucky. After a very faithful service he was honor- ably discharged.
After his career in the army Mr. Hornbeck went to Whitestown, where he engaged in the grocery business for himself, which he conducted one year, after which he returned to Indianapolis, where he engaged in the grocery business on Virginia avenue for a year, then went again to Tipton and clerked in a general store two years, then was in a general store in Thorn- town for five years. We next find him at Darlington, in the general mer- chandise business for himself, which he conducted with his usual success until 1872, when he went to Arkansas and clerked for three years, after
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which he returned to Crawfordsville and clerked for four years, then worked as a stationary engineer for three years for the Montgomery Lumber Com- pany. He next took a position with Henry Alfry, the noted heading factory and saw mill man, remaining with him for a period of twenty-seven years, giving eminent satisfaction, as might be inferred from his long retention. In 1909 Mr. Hornbeck purchased his present grocery store in Crawfords- ville and has since conducted the same, enjoying a large and growing trade, with the town and county.
Politically, he is a Republican, and he belongs to McPherson Post, Grand Army of the Republic. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Methodist church.
Mr. Hornbeck was married, first, in November, 1862, to Susan Barn- hart, who was born at Mt. Holly, Ohio, in 1839. Her death occurred on December 25, 1882. In December, 1884, he was again married, his last wife being Emma Chapman, who was born in Boone county.
SAMUEL DUNN SYMMES.
Perhaps no one agency in all the world has done so much for public progress as the press, and an enterprising, well-edited journal is a most 'im- portant factor in promoting the welfare and prosperity of any community. It adds to the intelligence of the people through its transmission of foreign and domestic news and through its discussion of the leading questions and issues of the day, and more than that, it makes the town or city which it represents known outside of the immediate locality, as it is sent each day or week into other districts, carrying with it an account of the events trans- piring in its home locality, the advancement and progress there being made, and the advantages which it offers to its residents along moral, educational, social and commercial lines. Montgomery county is certainly indebted to its wide-awake journals in no small degree, and one of the men who has been a potent factor in the local field of newspaperdom is Samuel Dunn Symmes. He has long been connected with journalistic work, and his ability is widely acknowledged among contemporary newspaper men and the public in general.
Mr. Symmes was born in Pleasant, Indiana, October 20, 1856, and he is a son of Rev. Francis Marion Symmes and Mary Jane (Dunn) Symmes. The father was born on November 18, 1827, near Symmes Corners, Ohio. He was a son of Daniel T. and Lucinda (Randolph) Symmes. Daniel T.
SAMUEL D. SYMMES
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Symmes was born at the same place, as was his son. This family was one of the early settlers of Butler county. Mrs. Symmes was a direct decendant of Pocahontas, the famous Indian maid of old colonial Virginia. Rev. F. M. Symmes was graduated from Hanover College, later from Princeton Theological Seminary, at Princeton, New Jersey. His first charge as Presby- terian minister was at Pleasant, Indiana, and later he had charges at Vernon, Crawfordsville, Brazil, Bedford, Lebanon, Romney, Alamo, Paoli and Or- leans, then went to Pittsburg, Kansas, in 1883, also had charge of churches at Florence and Derby, Kansas, later returning to Pittsburg, where his death oc- curred on September 5, 1905, after a useful, honorable and devoted life, hav- ing done a most commendable work as a minister of the Gospel, being well liked and popular wherever he went and building up the churches of which he had charge. He was an earnest and eloquent pulpit orator and a man of pleas- ing personality. He belonged to the Masonic Order, including the Knights Templar degrees. He could fill any position in that branch of Masonry. Politi- cally, he was a Republican; however, his ancestors were Democrats. He and Mary Jane Dunn were married in March, 1855. She was living at Craw- fordsville. She was a daughter of Nathaniel A. and Sophia (Irvin) Dunn. Her father was one of the first settlers of Montgomery county, locating at Crawfordsville when there was but a mere handful of houses. He owned what is now the northwest quarter-section of what is at present the main part of the city, also owned several farms, being one of the most substantial and best known business men of the county in his day and generation. In his early life he was a tanner by trade. He served in the war of 1812. He and his wife were natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Symmes died on February 12, 1895.
Samuel D. Symmes, of this review, received his education in the com- mon schools of Lebanon, and in Wabash College. He learned the printer's trade in the old Star office, and worked at that for a period of twenty years, becoming well known to the trade in this section of the state and highly effi- cient. He was then elected township trustee, in which position he served from August, 1895, to November, 1900, also from January 1, 1905, till January 1, 1909. This was in Union township in which is the city of Craw- fordsville. He discharged his duties in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. When he was first trus- tee of this township he worked out the plan of consolidated school, men- tioned in the educational chapter of this work.
After his term of office had expired he purchased the Sunday Star at
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Crawfordsville, which he ran successfully for four years. It is now a part of the Journal.
Mr. Symmes was prominent in the organization of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and is now national vice-president of that organization, which has grown into a large body. He is also state secretary. He is fill- ing these positions in an eminently successful manner and has become widely known in this connection. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and has filled all the offices in the local lodge, and was representative to the Grand Lodge. He is a member of the Masonic Order, also the Modern Woodmen of America, the Order of Owls, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a charter member of the Tribe of Ben-Hur. He belongs to the Printers Union.
Mr. Symmes was married on March 31, 1883 to Nancy, Jane McCaine, a daughter of Vardaman McCaine and wife, of Bedford, Indiana. Her father was a native of Ireland.
To Mr. Symmes and wife five children have been born, four of whom are living, namely : Frank A., of Indianapolis, is an attorney; Clyde B., of Evansville, Indiana; William V., who is at home and attending school; Ruth M. is the wife of Henry O. Armstrong, and they live in Crawfordsville.
ARCHELAUS CHRISTIAN AUSTIN.
This is an age in which the farmer stands pre-eminently above any other class as a producer of wealth. He simply takes advantage of the winds, the warm air, the bright sunshine and the refreshing rains, and with the help of the Creator and by virtue of his own skill in handling nature's gifts he creates grain, hay, livestock and vegetables, all of which are absolute necessities to the inhabitants of the world. One of the best known and most successful agriculturists about the city of Crawfordsville is Archelaus Christian Austin, who is the owner of a very valuable and productive farm adjoining the city.
Mr. Austin was born in the city in which he has been content to spend his life and where he still resides, on November 19, 1843. He is a descend- ant of one of the pioneer families of Montgomery county, being a son of Samuel Wilson Austin and Nancy (Beaver) Austin. The father was born on November 18, 1818, in Bath county, Kentucky, and was a son of John Baden Austin and Nancy (Vanhook) Austin, the former having been born
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near the Natural Bridge, Virginia, in 1796, and when a young man he came with his parents to Bath county, Kentucky, where he worked, and enjoyed little better conditions than the average for those primordeal times, being a Missionary Baptist minister. Eventually, he removed to Montgomery coun- ty, Indiana, and purchased a farm at the western edge of the city of Craw- fordsville, but shortly afterwards traded the same for a stock of goods at Pleasant Hill. From there he returned to Crawfordsville, and upon the or- ganization of Montgomery county was elected its first auditor, remaining in that office for a period of eight years. During all these years of varied en- deavor he continued to preach occasionally and did much good among the pioneers. His death occurred in 1868 or 1869. He married Nancy Van- hook. They became the parents of seven children. Her death occurred while Mr. Austin was in his second term of office as auditor.
Samuel Wilson Austin was educated in the common schools of Mont- gomery county, and in his early manhood days he clerked, later working as bookkeeper in Crawfordsville for Campbell, Galey & Hunter, during the war of the Rebellion. The second year after the organization of the First National Bank he was its head bookkeeper, being later advanced to cashier of the same, and remained in this position to within about two years of his death, which occurred in November, 1892, at an advanced age. He was well and favorably known throughout this locality. and was an excellent business man and broad-minded citizen. Politically, he was a Republican. He was a Methodist, and he belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and Nancy Beaver were married on January 6, 1842. She was a daughter of Christian and Mary (Shoemaker) Beaver, and her birth occurred on February 24, 1822, in Montgomery county, Indiana. Her parents were pioneers here. She died in May, 1860, leaving four children, namely : Archelaus Christian, of this sketch; Albert O., who lives five miles north of Crawfordsville; Henry M., who lives west of Crawfordsville; Frank is a resident of Crawfordsville.
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