History of Montgomery county, Indiana; with personal sketches of representative citizens, Volume II, Part 16

Author:
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Indianapolis, A.S. Bowen
Number of Pages: 664


USA > Indiana > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery county, Indiana; with personal sketches of representative citizens, Volume II > Part 16


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To this second union one child was born, Helen, the date of whose birth was August 7. 1900. She is now attending school.


Walter F. Hulet farmed until he was twenty-five years old in Franklin township, this county, assisting in the operation of the two hundred and forty acres in the old home place. Leaving the farm he went to California, locating at San Jose where he remained three years, then returned to his native county and located in Crawfordsville where he worked as deputy county auditor for a period of seven years, giving a high degree of satisfac- tion to all concerned. Later he organized the Crawfordsville Investment Bank, a private institution which he made a success, and he also organized the Hoosier State Building Association of which he became secretary. For a period of six years he was secretary of the Montgomery County Agricul- tural Association. He was secretary of the Commercial Club Association. He was a member of the building committee which had charge of the con- struction of the Masonic Temple in 1901, and at that time he was also a mem- ber of the local school board. He gave eminent satisfaction in these positions of trust, and he has been very prominent in public affairs.


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In 1904, Mr. Hulet was made secretary of the Crawfordsville Trust Company, which position he is holding at this writing, discharging the duties of the same in a manner to reflect much credit upon himself as a man of business. He has been very successful in a financial way and is one of the substantial men of his city and county. He owns a beautiful and modernly appointed home in Crawfordsville, and he has a finely improved and pro- ductive farm of two hundred and twenty-four acres, all tillable, well tiled, well fenced and on it stands an excellent dwelling and many convenient out- buildings. This place lies in Sugar Creek township and is kept rented. Mr. Hulet also owns a few business blocks in Crawfordsville.


Politically, Mr. Hulet is a Democrat, and while he is influential in local public affairs he is not a seeker after political honors. Fraternally, he has attained the thirty-second degree of Masonry at Indianapolis. He holds membership with the Center Presbyterian church at Crawfordsville.


JOHN REMLEY.


The early pioneers of Montgomery county, having blazed the path of civilization to this part of the state, finished their labors and passed from the scene, leaving the country in possession of their descendants and to others who came at a later period and builded on the foundation which they laid so broad and deep. Among the former class was the well remembered farmer and in- fluential citizen by whose name this biographical memoir is introduced, his arrival being among the earliest. His career here was in the first formative period, and he did much to develop and advertise to the world the wonderful resources of a county that now occupies a proud position among the most progressive and enlightened sections of the great Hoosier commonwealth. Useless to say that John Remley worked hard and honorably earned the reputation which he enjoyed as one of the leading farmers and extensive land owners, and it is also needless to add that he was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him, for he threw the force of his strong individuality and sterling integrity into making the county what it is and his efforts did not fail of appreciation on the part of the local public. His name will ever be in- separably linked with that of the community so long honored by his citizenship, whose interests could have had no more zealous and indefatigable promoter, and his influence was ever exerted to the end that the world might be made better by his presence.


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John Remley was born May 21, 1800, in Lebanon, Ohio. He was twelve years old when his father died. When fifteen years old he began learning the tanner's trade, in Delaware, Ohio, paying for the same with a purse which he found, containing fifty dollars. This old purse is now in possession of his son, Ambrose Remley, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work, and is highly prized by him. John Remley spent five years learning his trade at the end of which time he worked out by the month until the spring of 1824, when he set out on foot to western Indiana, where he had determined to make his future home. He passed through a number of counties without being much impressed, until he reached Montgomery county, which he liked so well that he purchased eighty acres west of Crawfordsville, which land he selected on account of the springs on it, and with a view of establishing a tannery upon it some time in the future. After planting three acres of corn he returned to Ohio, performing the journey on foot as before. The cane used in making this long walk is also in possession of his son, Ambrose, and on it is carved the date of the journey.


Mr. Remley resumed working by the month after his return to Ohio, and on March 3, 1825, he married Sarah McCain, near Lebanon, Ohio. Her father, James McCain, was a native of New Jersey, who had removed to Ohio and died there in 1824. . Her mother was a native of Kentucky and was known in her maidenhood as Ann Dill. She survived until 1845. The McCains were the parents of eleven children.


After their marriage John Remley and wife returned to Montgomery county, Indiana, to make their future home; however, each came by a differ- ent way. Mrs. Remley was accompanied by her uncle, William McCain, and two cousins, this party making the journey on horseback in eight days. Mr. Remley shipped their goods on a flat boat on the Miami river at Hamilton, Ohio, to Terre Haute, this state, walked to the last named city himself and there engaged an ox team to convey his possessions to his homestead, where he arranged them in a small log cabin, ten by twelve feet, which had been erected by the former owner of the farm. Mr. Remley set to work with a will and soon had his place well under way, with crops growing and built a more commodious residence, and established a tan yard, in which he did a thriving business until 1850. A few years after settling on his place here he built a hewed log house, in 1829, but it caught fire and burned just as it was completed. Nothing daunted he then began building a brick house, a large substantial one, which the family occupied as soon as finished, and in that comfortable home his life was brought to a close on January 2, 1879, after a


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long, honorable and successful career. He had prospered from the first, had added to his holding from time to time until he became the owner of over two thousand acres of valuable land. Part of this land and the brick residence is now owned by his son David Remley. The father was active and influential in public affairs, and politically, was a Whig until the Republican party was organized when he transferred his allegiance to that. He was also active in church affairs, a member of the Presbyterian church, being an elder in the local congregations for a period of more than twenty years. He was known for his strict honesty, neighborliness and hospitality and was well liked by all. His widow survived many years, attaining an advanced age, and passing away on January 10, 1890. They were buried at Oak Hill cemetery.


Nine children were born to John Remley and wife, eight of whom grew to maturity, namely : Elizabeth, who remained on the old home place ; James C., who became a farmer near Darlington ; John, who began farming near the Vandalia station in Crawfordsville; Ambrose, mentioned in this work, is farm- ing near Crawfordsville ; Daniel, for many years a successful farmer and stock man in this county, is now living in Crawfordsville, and a sketch of him is to be found in another part of this work; David is still living on the old home- stead, as mentioned above ; Ruhama W., died at the age of twenty-five years.


BYRON RANDOLPH RUSSELL.


The name of Byron Randolph Russell needs no introduction to the people of Montgomery county, for he has long been one of the most familiar figures on the streets of Crawfordsville, where he is known as a man of business ability, public-spirit and honorable character, hence has always had the friendship of all who know him, and, during his long life here he has been of much assistance in the general development of the community.


Mr. Russell was born in White county, Indiana, July II, 1848, and he is a son of Arthur and Lydia ( Waymire) Russell. The father was a manu- facturer in Monticello and had an interest in the woolen mills at Younts- ville which he purchased in 1857. His wife died in 1852 and he later mar- ried Mrs. Rhoda Gilkey, who was a daughter of Dan Yount, the founder of Yountsville. The death of Arthur Russell occurred on January 1, 1858, and our subject made his home with his step-grandfather until he was fifteen years of age. On July 11, 1863, when but a mere boy, he showed his cour- age by enlisting for service in the Union army, as a private in Company G,


.


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Sixty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry. A part of his regiment was in the army of the Potomac under General Porter, then in the Twenty-third Army Corps under General Schofield, in Sherman's army. He took part in the East Tennessee campaign, fought at Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville, and other important engagements, including that at Fort Fisher, North Carolina. He was then transferred to the One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was for some time in the hospital at Greensboro, North Carolina, with the typhoid fever. At the time of his honorable dis- charge on June 22, 1865, he was orderly to the division surgeon. Accord- ing to his comrades he was a most efficient and fearless soldier and his rec- ord as such is a most commendable one.


After returning home he took a course in Wabash College, then studied law under the distinguished Lew Wallace, later taking a law course in the University of Michigan, where he made a splendid record and from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1872. He returned to Craw- fordsville and became a partner in the practice of his profession with the late Judge E. C. Snyder, which partnership lasted a year and a half, then prac- ticed alone for a period of eight years. He has always enjoyed a lucrative practice and is one of the best known and most successful attorneys in the county.


Having ever manifested an abiding interest in public affairs, Mr. Rus- sell was elected on the Republican ticket as justice of the peace, and in 1896 was elected mayor of Crawfordsville, serving two terms in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. During that period he did much for the permanent good of the place. It was during his administration that the city water works were com- pleted, he having been very active in this work; also the first fire department system was perfected. Thus having been for many years very active in all that affects the welfare of his city he is deserving of much credit. He was secretary of the first building association formed in Crawfordsville and through it the present opera house was built.


Mr. Russell is now in partnership with Gaylord McCleur, as attorneys, real estate dealers, abstractors, etc .. and they enjoy an extensive and rapidly growing business.


Mr. Russell is a member of the Knights of Pythias, belongs to McPher- son Post, Grand Army of the Republic, having held all the offices in the same. He has long been very active in the ranks of the Republican party. Per- sonally, he is popular, being a good mixer and genial in his nature.


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On October 1, 1874, Mr. Russell was married to Sylvia E. O'Neal, a daughter of Abijah and Hellen O'Neal, a well known family of Younts- ville, Indiana, having been early settlers there. The death of Mrs. Russell occurred in June, 1905.


CHARLES V. HODGKIN.


It is a well authenticated fact that success comes not as the caprice of chance, but as the legitimate result of well applied energy and unflagging determination in a course of action once decided upon by the individual. Only those who diligently seek the goddess Fortuna, find her-she never was known to smile upon the idler or dreamer. Charles Van Dake Hodgkin, the present trustee of Union township, Crawfordsville, and for years a success- ful business man of Montgomery county, early understood that success comes only to those who work diligently and honorably, so he did not seek any royal road to success, but sought to direct his feet along the well-beaten paths of those who had won in the battle of life along legitimate lines. He had their careers in mind when casting about for a legitimate line to follow, and in tracing his life history it is plainly seen that the prosperity which he enjoys has been won by commendable qualities, and it is also his personal worth which has gained for him the good standing among his fellow citizens in Montgomery county, in which he has spent his active life and is well known.


Mr. Hodgkin was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on July 25, 1848. He is a son of Edward C. and Diana (Scott) Hodgkin, an excellent old family, a complete sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume, hence will not be necessary to repeat same here.


Charles V. D. Hodgkin, received a fairly good education in the common schools and in Russellville College, in Putnam county, Indiana, and when nineteen years of age he started to learn carpentering, and a year later took up railroad carpentering which he continued one year. For the next four- teen years he was contractor and builder at Russellville, and did a large business, many of the best buildings in the vicinity of that place standing as monuments to his skill and honesty as a builder. He then turned his atten- tion to the grain business which he followed with equal success for a period of thirteen years, during which period he was regarded as one of the lead- ing men in this field of endeavor in western Indiana. During that time he was elected trustee of Russell township, Putnam county, and served five


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years, to the satisfaction of all concerned. He came to Crawfordsville in 1898, and continued the grain business in partnership with W. M. Darter, under the firm name of Darter & Hodgkin. He sold out a year later, and engaged in the real estate and loan business here for three years, enjoying a good business. He then went to Indianapolis where he remained eighteen months in the grocery and meat business. He then returned to Crawfords- ville and was elected township trustee, which office he has since held, with entire satisfaction of all concerned, and is looking after the interests en- trusted to him most faithfully.


Mr. Hodgkin is a Republican politically. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and he is a member of the Christian church.


He was married in October, 1886 to Martha J. Alexander, a native of Putnam county, and to this union one child, a son, was born, Edward F. Hodgkin, who is connected with his father in business.


CHARLES GOHMAN.


Montgomery county has furnished comfortable homes for many of the enterprising citizens hailing from the great German Empire, who have been settling within her borders since the early pioneer days when the great Wabash Valley was still the haunts of various tribes of Indians, the Potto- watomies, Kickapoos, Weas and the Miamis, and this forested country was also the home of all varieties of wild creatures common to this latitude. We have always welcomed the Germans, and this has been as it should be, for they have been courageous and not afraid of hard work and have been of untold assistance to us in clearing the heaving forests of beech, oak, elm and ash, and they, too, have helped not only to develop the wild land into good farms, but also to build our substantial dwellings, comfortable barns and imposing business and public buildings. Few of these visitors from that alien land had any capital when they arrived, at least very little, not enough to be of much consequence ; but they didn't need much, for they were strong in body and mind and did not hesitate at obstacles, and thus in the course of time they attained a competency and a position of influence in the locality which they selected.


One of the families from the Fatherland who has played well their part in the industrial affairs of Montgomery county is the Gohmans, a well known


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member of which is Charles Gohman, the popular liveryman of Crawfords- ville, he being of the second generation of his family in this country.


Our subject was born near Ladoga, Montgomery county, on October 19, 1884. He is a son of Theodore and Sarah B. (Reep) Gohman. The father was born in Germany in August, 1852, and in 1858, when six years old, his parents brought him to the United States. The family came on west, locat- ing in Montgomery county and here the old people spent the rest of their lives, and Theodore grew to manhood, received some education in the country schools, and when a young man took up farming for a livelihood and this he followed with much success all his life, dying on February 14, 1910. His widow is still living, making her home south of Crawfordsville.


Charles Gohman grew to manhood on the home farm and there assisted with the general work when a boy. He received a good common school edu- cation. He followed in the footsteps of his father in the matter of vocation and continued farming with gratifying results until 1910 when he purchased a livery and feed barn on East Market street, Crawfordsville, and here he has remained, enjoying a large business. He keeps twenty head of good horses, a splendid equipment of buggies, harness and everything that goes to make up a modern livery barn, and prompt service is his aim. He carries a complete line of feed and does a large business in the same.


Mr. Gohman was married in January, 1906, to Bertha Pointer, a native of Boone county, where she grew to womanhood and received her education. She is the daughter of Thompson and Mary (Furgeson) Pointer, of Boone county, her father being a farmer. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Gohman has been without issue.


Fraternally, Mr. Gohman is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America and the Tribe of Ben-Hur. Politically, he is a Democrat.


DR. CHARLES W. GRANTHAM.


It is as necessary to have our horses and other valuable stock looked after from a standpoint of health as it is to furnish them with proper feed and shelter, for while dumb animals escape many of the multiform ills which beset humanity because they do not break so many laws as we, yet they, through man's carelessness, brutality and various untoward circumstances, become deranged in muscle, blood and bone, and, if not properly attended to, must continue to suffer until death comes to their relief. So we must have


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veterinary physicians, and there is a constantly increasing demand for their services. The old-fashioned "horse-doctor" knew but little of the anatomy, even, of the horse, and his heroic methods often caused the animals more suffering and did no good; but during the past decade or so there has been noted a great advancement in the science of veterinary surgery, and there are great institutions in several of the large cities where this science is taught, the would-be practitioner not being permitted to try his skill or lack of skill on the domestic animal until he is thoroughly prepared and finished a rigid course of training.


One of the most adroit, up-to-date and successful veterinary physicians of Montgomery and adjoining counties is Charles W. Grantham, of Craw- fordsville, a native of the county and well known throughout the same.


Dr. Grantham was born at Ladoga, this county, October 13, 1872. He is a son of Wesley and Caroline (Miller) Grantham. The father was born in North Carolina in 1833, and when a boy he made the long overland jour- ney from the old Tar state to Washington county, Indiana, accompanied by his parents. There they established their home in that county when it was yet litle improved and sparsely settled and there they became very comfort- ably established through hard work, and there the parents spent the rest of their lives. There Wesley Gantham grew to manhood and remained there until the latter fifties when he removed to Montgomery county and settled on a farm, which he developed to a state of productiveness that equaled any in his locality and there he spent the rest of his life, remaining on the same farm for nearly a half century, his death occurring here in 1903. He was a man of honorable impulses and was well known and liked by everybody.


Mrs. Grantham was a daughter of James and Nancy (Lee) Miller, natives of Kentucky, from which state they came in an early day and settled in Walnut township, this county. The death of Mrs. Wesley Grantham oc- curred in 1892.


Charles W. Grantham grew to manhood at Ladoga and there received a good education in the common schools and in the Normal, graduating from the latter in 1890. He then entered the Ontario Veterinary College at Toronto, Canada, where he made a splendid record and from which institu- tion he was graduated in 1904.


Thus well prepared for his chosen life work, Dr. Grantham at once came to Crawfordsville, Indiana, and opened an office and has since been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in Montgomery county, building up a large and constantly growing patronage and he has met with great success all along the line.


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Politically, he is a Republican, and fraternally belongs to the Knights of Pythias.


Dr. Grantham was married on February 12, 1907 to Sallie Fullen, who was born, reared, and educated at Ladoga, where her people have long been well known and highly respected.


To the union of our subject and wife one child, a daughter, has been born, bearing the good old name of Caroline.


SQUIRE RUSK.


The name of Squire Rusk is a familiar sound to the people of the western part of Montgomery county, for there he has long been a resident and has become known as one of our most skilful general farmers, being of the older type of tillers of the soil, rather than a representative of the new school. He has been a very careful observer and is a man of much practical and natural ability, and everyone knows that practical experience counts for more than what one may learn from books; this is true in any line, and is perhaps as strikingly exemplified in agriculture as in anything, if not more so, conse- quently the man who, like Mr. Rusk, has experimented and observed the re- sults all his life, is bound to have mastered a great deal in the science or field of endeavor which claims his attention.


Squire Rusk was born in Wayne township, Montgomery county, Indi- ana, July 2, 1834, consequently he may be said to be a link between the pioneer epoch and the present, for he grew up amid primitive conditions, and helped his father clear and develop the home farm from its wild state, and here he has continued to reside, not caring to change the advantages of his home community for those of any other, being able to foresee in his youth a great future for this section of Montgomery county. He has lived to see great changes take place in his vicinity and he has taken no small part in this transformation.


Mr. Rusk is a son of David and Martha (Ball) Rusk, the father having been a native of Ohio where he spent his earlier years, coming to Wayne township, Montgomery county, Indiana, with his parents in a very early day, the family settling in the wilderness. This entire locality was then the home of only a few white people who had braved the wilds of the frontier, and the Rusks founded the future home of the family in the woods, far remote from


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any center of civilization. They worked hard and endured the hardships incident to such environment.


The father of our subject followed farming all his life. He was more or less active in the affairs of his community, and he served as trustee of Wayne township for some time. His family consisted of six children, three of whom are still living, making their homes in Montgomery county.


Squire Rusk was married in 1882 to Julia Grenard, daughter of Jesse and Mary (Sayers) Grenard. Both the Grenard and Sayers families were early settlers in Montgomery county. Here Mrs. Rusk grew to womanhood and, like her husband, received such education as the early day district schools afforded.


One child has been born to our subject and wife, namely: Edith, who married Walter Runyan, of Wayne township.


Politically, Mr. Rusk is a Democrat and has been unwavering in his allegiance to the party's principles. Religiously, he is a Baptist. He is not active politically and has held no offices, preferring to lead a quiet life.




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