USA > Indiana > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery county, Indiana; with personal sketches of representative citizens, Volume II > Part 51
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"As a lawyer, he threw his whole soul into his work and to his great legal knowledge 'he added the saving grace of common sense' in such a degree as to make him a most formidable adversary.
"As a citizen, he stood for the highest ideals and his voice was always to be heard in behalf of temperance and morality. But it was as a friend, true, loyal, and devoted, that he won my personal affection, so that I now mourn with you as a kinsman."
WALTER SCHOEN.
One of the most panstaking and successful farmers of Franklin town- ship, Montgomery county, is Walter Schoen. He is a scion of a thrifty and hard working old German family and while his life has been spent here in Montgomery county he gives much evidence of being the possessor of many of the characteristic traits of the people of the Fatherland, traits which are ever commendable and which lead to material success and to honored posi- tions in the community.
Mr. Schoen was born on November 28, 1868 in Franklin township, this county. He is a son of Charles and Lizzie A. ( Heuber) Schoen. The father was born on January 22, 1844, in Germany, in which country he spent his boyhood and received his education, being eighteen years old when he emi- grated to the United States, making the long voyage in an old-fashioned sail- ing vessel. He came on west, stopping in Ohio, where he remained until 1864 when he removed to Montgomery county, Indiana, where he has since remained, successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising on a large scale. He is making his home in the village of Darlington, and owns
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a large fine farm in Franklin township which he acquired through his own close and persistent efforts. Before leaving his native land he learned the shoemaker's trade, but he has stuck to farming since coming to this county. The mother of our subject was born in Fountain county, Indiana, on March 17, 1847, and her death occurred on March 6, 1913. She grew up and was educated in her native community. She was an excellent helpmeet to her husband and was a kind, good woman.
Only two children were born to Charles Schoen and wife, Walter, of this review ; and Arthur.
Walter Schoen grew to manhood on the home farm and there found plenty of hard work to do when growing up. He received a good common school education. On December 11, 1890 he married Hattie Cook who was born on January 4, 1869 in Sugar Creek township, this county, and there she grew to womanhood and received her education. She is a daughter of Henry and Nancy (Wyatt) Cook, who came from Ohio, in which state the father was born on January 17, 1833, and there the mother first saw the light of day on September 17, 1833. They grew to maturity in their native state and were married there after receiving the usual public school training. The mother of Mrs. Schoen was called to her rest in the Silent Land on December 12, 1903. These parents came to Indiana after their marriage and located in Montgomery county where they established the future home of the family, in Sugar Creek township, and there Mr. Cook is still living, running a good farm.
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Schoen, one of whom is de- ceased ; they were named Effie, born September 26, 1891, is living at home ; Martha, born June 4, 1883, died September 24, 1839; Bertha, born October 29, 1894, married Oscar Wirick, a farmer of Walnut township, this county ; Charles, born October 24, 1900, is attending school.
Mr. Schoen has always engaged in farming in a general way and raising live stock of various grades and qualities, preparing large numbers of cattle and hogs for the market annually, being one of the largest and most success- ful feeders in this part of the county. He owns a well improved and care- fully kept farm of eighty acres in Walnut township, all tillable but about five acres. He also has an interest in the farm where he lives, the place of two hundred and forty-three acres, owned by his father. It is all well improved and is one of the choice farms of the township. The excellent improvements on the place were made by our subject's father.
Politically, Mr. Schoen is a Republican. He belongs to the Masonic Order at Darlington. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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C. M. COOK.
One of the methodical farmers of Franklin township, Montgomery county, who has been content to spend his life in his native community is C. M. Cook, and, judging from the continuous success that has attended his efforts as a general tiller of the soil and stock raiser he was wise in remain- ing where he was familiar with the conditions of soil, climate and many other things which one has to learn in going to a new country. This has un- questionably given him an advantage and he did not have to wait a number of years before he could master these necessary features before gratifying returns could be realized. He comes of one of the old families of this town- ship, the name Cook having been a familiar one in this locality and the several members of the same have done much toward its development in many ways, being regarded by all who know them as good citizens in the best sense of the term.
C. M. Cook was born in this township and county on November 28, 1862. He is a son of Charles and Rachel (Rice) Cook. The birth of the father occurred in 1835, and he died February 28, 1868, when in the prime of life. He had engaged in farming. The mother of our subject was born in 1843 and her death occurred in July, 1901. She was one of a family of the following children: John W., born March 7, 1796; Rachel, who married a Mr. Simpsons, was born on April 25, 1800; Andrew J., born July 9, 1818; Margaret, born November 2, 1820; Anannias, born January 22, 1823; John, born September 19, 1825; Rachel, born July 30, 1832; Mary Ann, September 17, 1839; William, born July 27, 1847.
Six children were born to Charles Cook and wife, namely: William C., Frank, Charles, Jr., C. M. Louisa, and Ollie J.
C. M. Cook grew to manhood on the home farm and there assisted with the general work when a boy, and during the winter months he attended the schools of his district.
On September 30, 1893 he was united in marriage to Ora B. Johnson, who was born in Franklin township, this county, and here grew to woman- hood and was educated, later attending college. She is a daughter of H. S. and Edna (Butler) Johnson, both natives of West Virginia where they spent their earlier years. The mother is still living. Mrs. Cook was one of three children.
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cook, three of whom are liv- ing, namely : Effie, born August 2, 1902; Pearl, born September 22, 1894;
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Charles H., born February 24, 1900; Carl, born April 27, 1903 died the same year.
Mr. Cook began farming for himself when a young man and he has continued this vocation with uninterrupted success to the present time. A good grade of live stock is always to be seen about his place. He specialized on Poland-China hogs and shorthorn cattle, however he finds a general grade of well bred stock is a better paying investment, and now carries out this idea. His finely improved, well tilled and productive farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres, all tillable. He has a comfortable dwelling and good out- buildings.
Mrs. Cook was called to her eternal rest on December 24, 1903, and our subject has never remarried.
Mr. Cook is a Republican, having followed in the footsteps of his father politically. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
BRUCE C. POPE.
One of the satisfied farmers of Brown township, Montgomery county, IS Bruce C. Pope, of the Browns Valley locality ; and he should be, for while he does not operate on an extensive scale, he has a neat little farm which keeps him busy and brings in a comfortable income from year to year, so that he and his family live comfortably, and he is devoid of the burdening cares that those who have large business affairs are subject to. Loving the simple life, as advocated by the great preacher-philosopher Wagner, in the little book which Roosevelt praised and recommended, our subject has no ambition to excell in the race for wealth and renown. Therefore he is happy.
Mr. Pope was born in Edgar county, Illinois, August 9, 1863. He is a son of Squire W. and Margaret (Bruce) Pope. The father was born on February 2, 1822, in Kentucky, where he spent his earlier life. In the days of the gold fever, he was one who braved the dangers of the long overland journey across the great plains to California in the early fifties, and he re- mained on the Pacific coast about five years, 'later returning East and locating in Illinois, establishing the family home in Edgar county, where he engaged successfully in farming and where his death occurred on August II, 1903. He often related his interesting experiences in the far West, and he was a man who was liked by all who knew him.
Margaret Bruce, mentioned above, was born in Indiana, in the vicinity
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of Clinton, Vermillion county, near the Illinois state line, and her death oc- curred in 1901.
Two children were born to Squire W. Pope and wife, Bruce C., of this review ; and William S.
Bruce C. Pope was reared on the home farm in Edgar county, Illinois, and there he did the usual light work and chores when a boy, attending the district schools in the wintertime. On June 15, 1887, he married Mary A. Meloy, who was born in Illinois on December 18, 1865, and there she grew to womanhood and received a common school education.
Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pope, all daughters, namely : Bernice is deceased; Amy, Mary F., Ester L. Margaret, Ruth and Merle.
Mr. Pope has always engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is the owner of a valuable farm of eighty acres in Brown township, which is well tiled, fenced and fertilized, and all under a high state of cultivation but about ten acres, and on it stands a very good group of buildings. Here our subject has lived since 1904, and since taking up his residence in this community he has made a host of good friends.
Politically, he is a Democrat and is loyal in his support of the party. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, and is a steward in the same, taking considerable interest in the affairs of the congregation. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic Order at Waveland, also the Knights of Pythias at Browns Valley, and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America.
H. M. BOUNELL, M. D.
It is no very rare thing in this land of ours for a man to achieve his ambition in the face of obstacles, accepting assistance from no one, or at least not depending upon others to bring them to the goal sought. One such is Dr. H. M. Bounell, of Waynetown, who has since taking up his residence in this locality occupied a conspicuous place among the professional men of Montgomery county. His record both as a skilled physician and a public- spirited citizen and honorable gentleman, being without reproach, for in every walk of life he is recognized by all classes as a high-minded, talented, courteous gentleman of perfect integrity and genuine moral worth. He is acting well his part in life, and while primarily interested in his own affairs he has not been unmindful of the interests of others, as his interests to ad-
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vance the public good and promote the welfare of his fellow men abundantly attest. He is eminently worthy of the success he has achieved and of the high esteem in which he is held by all who know him.
Dr. Bounell was born in Lebanon, Indiana, on January 21, 1868. He is a son of Dr. M. H. Bounell. The father, who was a successful practicing physician, was born in 1822, and his death occurred on March 19, 1896. The mother of our subject was born in August, 1882, in this state and she is still living, making her home in Crawfordsville, being now advanced in years. These parents were both well educated, the father having entered Asbury (now DePauw) University, at Greencastle, Indiana, after passing through the common schools, and the mother attended the common schools and a seminary.
Dr. M. H. Bounell was twice married, and his family consisted of six children, three by each wife. Two of them died in infancy.
Dr. H. M. Bounell of this sketch received a good common school educa- tion, and later attended Purdue University at Lafayette, Indiana. After leaving school he began teaching and taught one year in Montgomery county and one year in Boone county, then went West and taught a year in the state of Washington. He was making a good start as a teacher, but having long entertained a laudable ambition to follow in the footsteps of his father in a professional way he abandoned the school room and took up the study of medicine at the University of Louisville, where he made a splendid record and from which he was graduated with the class of April, 1893. He at once located at Jamestown, Indiana, where he practiced his profession with ever increasing success until March, 1895, when he came to Waynetown, this county, and here he has since remained, building up a large and lucrative prac- tice, and taking a place among the leading physicians of the county. He has kept well abreast of the times, having remained a close student of all that pertains to his profession.
Dr. Bounell was married in April 17, 1895 to Elizabeth Shera, who was born in Boone county, Indiana, July 2, 1876. She is a representative of a highly respected old family.
The union of our subject and wife has been blessed by the birth of two children, namely: Heath, who was born on April 17, 1901, is attending school; and Ralph, who was born July 3, 1908.
Dr. Bounell is the owner of one hundred and seventy acres of valuable land, a part of which is in Montgomery county and a part in Fountain county. It is nearly all tillable, is well tiled and well improved. The Doc- tor's home is in Waynetown, and he has a well equipped office near his home.
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Politically, he is a Republican, but has never found time to take a very active part in public affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order, including the Blue Lodge and the Scottish Rite degrees, both in Waynetown. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias. In religious mat- ters he holds membership with the Methodist Episcopal church, and is a tru tee in the same.
C. W. CARTER.
One of the best known and most representative agriculturists and busi- ness men of the northwestern part of Montgomery county is C. W. Carter of Wingate, Coal Creek township, a man who has worked hard and managed well and at the same time has so ordered his ways that he has avoided offense to those with whom he has had dealings or come into contact with in any way, being a man of proper conceptions regarding right and wrong and one who believes in following the precepts of the Golden Rule in the every-day affairs as near as possible, consequently he has ever enjoyed the confidence of his neighbors and acquaintances. For many years he was an extensive dealer in hardware at Wingate, but he has recently abandoned that and turned his attention exclusively to his large and valuable farm just on the edge of Foun- tain county on the west and he has proved that he has the capacity for most any kind of business that he cares to direct his attention to.
Mr. Carter was born on August 17. 1869 in Davis township, Fountain county, Indiana. He is a son of J. F. and Rachael (Washburn) Carter. The father was born on November 18, 1843, in Fountain county, and there he grew to manhood, was educated and devoted his active life successfully to farming and stock raising, being still in that vocation. His wife is also still living. They are the parents of three children, all' living.
C. W. Carter received his education in the common schools of Fountain county and when a boy worked on the home farm. On May 23, 1893 he was united in marriage to Hattie A. Wilson. She is a sister of J. D. Wilson, whose sketch, containing a history of their parents, will be found on another page of this work. Mrs. Carter received a common school education.
Four children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Lloyd is deceased; Avenalle is at home; Leslie and Ruth are the two younger children.
Mr. Carter began life for himself as a farmer which he continued with (80)
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success until 1904 when he came to the town of Wingate and opened a hard- ware store, and soon built up a very satisfactory and extensive business with the surrounding country, but about a year ago he found it to his advantage to return to the farm, and he is now devoting his attention to general farming and stock raising on a large scale. He has a finely improved and well culti- vated farm of two hundred and forty acres just across the line in Fountain county, also land in Fulton county. He has a good grade of live stock and no small part of his annual income is derived from this source. There is a substantial and convenient set of buildings on his land, and he resides in his beautiful, modern bungalow, of nine rooms and neatly furnished, which is one of the most desirable homes in this part of the county.
Politically, Mr. Carter is a Democrat, but he has never been especially active in public affairs, however assists in any way he can in furthering local improvements. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Wingate.
JOHN R. COONS.
In the early days the state of Indiana was often a tempting field to the energetic, ambitious, strong-minded men, and her various counties were filled with them during the time she was struggling up to a respectable position in the sisterhood of states. There was a fascination in the broad field and great promise which the new region of the northwest presented to activity and originality that attracted many men from all over the East and even parts of the South, and induced them to brave all the privations and discomforts of frontier life for the pleasure and gratification of constructing their for- tunes in their own way and after their own methods. It is this class of men more than any other who give shape, direction and character to the business of a community, county or state. Of the class just mentioned was the Coons family, one of the earliest to locate within the borders of Montgomery county and here the various members of the family have continued to play an im- portant part in her affairs from that remote pioneer period to the present day, one of the best known members having been the late John R. Coons, who was a man of talent and fine personal traits of character, and for a long lapse of years one of the best known and popular educators of the Wabash Valley country, and also an honored public official. It was a renowned Roman
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writer who once said, "Pale death strikes with equal force at the turrets of the rich and the hovels of the poor, and distinction, whether of talents of wealth, philosophy, literature or invention, becomes neutral and fades in the presence of death. Naked we come from the invisible world, naked we re- turn thither. Before the final assize, prince and beggar are of the same stature and God is not a respecter of persons." So the life of the subject of this memoir goes on in fairer realms than ours, while his memory con- tinues to be cherished by the host of warm friends whom he left behind, for the influence of such a man is "not interred with their bones" as Shakspere said in his tragedy of Julius Caesar.
Mr. Coons was the scion of a sterling old Southern family, and he was born in the state of Tennessee, on September 28, 1820, on a farm. He was a son of George and Julia Coons, who removed from Tennessee to Indiana in the early twenties, when their son John R., was a small child. They located in the wilds of Montgomery county, where, after hard work and close applica- tion they established a good home, cleared their land and had a productive farm, enduring the privations and hardships incident to the lives of all fron- tier settlers, and they were influential among their neighbors and did much for the early development of the community. They continued to reside on the farm here until their children were grown, then moved into the city of Craw- fordsville where they spent the rest of their lives, both now having been de- ceased many years.
. John R. Coons received the customary pioneer schooling, having at- tended the rural schools during the brief winter months, when he became of proper age, and in the crop season he worked hard on the home farm. He was of a literary turn of mind and when but a boy showed a great ambition to become educated, and so he did by his own efforts, having remained all his life a close student of miscellaneous works, and was one of the best in- formed men on general topics in the county and an interesting and pleasing conversationalist. For many years he taught in the country schools of this locality and did a great work in strengthening the schools, winning the hearty commendation of both patrons and pupils. He also took an abiding interest in public affairs and was one of the leaders in Republican politics in Mont- gomery county, having ever remained faithful to its principles. He was deputy county treasurer for two terms, during which he familiarized him- self so thoroughly with the work of the same and was so prompt and court- eous in discharging the work of the office that the people elected him county treasurer and he held the office with ability and much credit to himself and
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to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. He later was honored by being elected mayor of Crawfordsville and during his administration he did much. for the permanent good of the city, proving to be one of the best mayors the city has ever had, according to a consensus of opinion. He held this im- portant office a number of years.
After his official career Mr. Coons returned to school teaching, which he continued to follow with his usual success until his death on July 23, 1891.
Mr. Coons was twice married, first to Nancy Thompson. To this union three children were born, namely: Albert, who lives in Waynetown; Eliza Jane, who is the wife of Austin D. Sumner, of Hillsboro; and George W. of Crawfordsville. Mr. Coons was married to Mrs. Nancy Carolina Graham, on March 29, 1859. She was born on July 18, 1831, and was a daughter of Noble and Lydia Ann Welch of Greencastle, Indiana, who later moved to a farm near Parkersburg, this state. Noble W. Welch was born on June 6, 1791, and died in 1872. Lydia Ann Welch was born on March 30, 1788, and she died in 1873.
Mr. Coons' second wife had previously married Noble B. Graham in 1847. His death occurred on January 2, 1853. To this last union were four children, Martha, a teacher in the Tuttle Building in Crawfordsville; Julia the wife of George M. Henderson, now living in Indianapolis; Flora, who married Sol Tannenbaum, now deceased; and Wallace, who is foreman of the Crawfordsville Journal.
- Fraternally, Mr. Coons was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in religious matters belonged to the Christian church, and was faithful in his support of the same, and was known to all as a man of integrity and scrupulous honesty.
CHARLES GOLTRA.
By words and by actions the personality reveals its quality, its force, its direction of purpose. The invisible spirit embodies itself in signs of service and in language. Words also are deeds, and actions are syllables of the inner being which we cannot touch, nor weigh. Hence the value of biography, which writes out a life by telling a story of what one has said and done. But since speech is forgotten and actions fade away in the clouds of a distant past, we also listen to those who have been witnesses of the conduct, companions of the journey, sharers of the benefits and benedictions
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of those who contribute to the upbuilding of the country. With such values of biography in mind, we here set forth the leading facts in the life record in one of the leading citizens of Crawfordsville and one of Montgomery county's public spirited and substantial citizens, who has long been prominent in financial circles, as cashier of the Citizens National Bank, Mr. Goltra being a man who has ever enjoyed the good will and confidence of the people of his city and county.
Charles Goltra was born in Jacksonville, Illinois, October 20, 1845. He is a son of Cornelius S. and Agnes Elenore (Johnson) Goltra.
Charles Goltra, of this review, grew to manhood in Jacksonville, Illi- nois, and there received a good education in the common schools, and in the fall of 1866 he entered Wabash College, at Crawfordsville, Indiana, remain- ing there three years, then returned to his native city and entered business, purchasing the Goltra hat store, which place was established in 1837, and for three-quarters of a century was one of the best known business concerns in that section of the Prairie state. Mr. Goltra successfully conducted the same for a period of two years, then came to Crawfordsville in 1871 and opened a gent's furnishing store, under the firm name of Goltra & Babcock, where the First National Bank is now located, and here he met with success from the start, soon enjoying a large patronage. In 1881, in company with Benjamin Wasson, A. F. Ramsey, General Manson and others he organized the Citizens National Bank, in which he started as assistant cashier, which position he held until 1890, when he was elected cashier, and he has continued to discharge the duties of the same to the present time in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of the stock- holders and patrons of the bank; in fact, he has been one of the prime fac- tors in this popular and sound institution since its organization. He has kept well abreast of the times in all that pertains to the best methods of banking, and is known to be conservative, scrupulously honest and unvarying in his courteous treatment of others. At present there are only thirteen of the original thirty-one organizers living. The capital stock is one hundred thousand dollars, with a surplus of fifty thousand dollars. Prompt attention is given to collections, and a general banking business is carried on.
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