USA > Indiana > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery county, Indiana; with personal sketches of representative citizens, Volume II > Part 52
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Politically, Mr. Goltra is a Democrat and is loyal in his support of party principles. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic Order, having attained the Knights Templar degrees ; he is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. and the Tribe of Ben-Hur.
Mr. Goltra was married on June 8, 1870 to Minnie Wasson, a lady of
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many accomplishments and a daughter of Benjamin and Jane Wasson, and a native of Montgomery county, Indiana, where she grew to womanhood and was educated. To this union two children have been born, William Wasson, of Crawfordsville; and Mary who married Luke Wood; they live in California.
DR. JAMES LEE BROWN.
The profession of dentistry has a worthy exponent in Montgomery county in the person of Dr. James Lee Brown, of Crawfordsville, who, be- cause of his superior skill, is well known throughout this locality, although he is yet a young man, and who ranks high among his professional brethren in the western part of the Hoosier state, for he was, it seems, well adapted by nature for this vocation, being, in the first place, a student, so that he has kept well abreast of the times in everything that pertains to his work, and he is also the possessor of those personal traits which one must have in order to be popular with the masses. He is a man who can be depended upon, and his hundreds of patients know that they can repose the utmost confidence in him and rely upon his judgment. He is also of a social nature and an opto- mistic one-he believes in finding the silver lining to every cloud, maintaining that all clouds have such, and that the obstacles we daily encounter on the road of life should but serve to arouse our combative nature, and cause us to accomplish more rather than yield to the perverse rulings of fate.
Dr. Brown was born in Weverton, Maryland, December 25, 1882, and he is a son of George Wallace Littleton Brown and Jennie Viola (Poffen- berger) Brown. The father was born in the same vicinity as was his son, our subject. He grew to manhood in the Oriole state and there received his education, and spent his life until in the spring of 1890 when he came to Montgomery county, Indiana, as manager of the Postal Telegraph & Cable Company, and he held that position, together with that of the Adams Express Company's agency at Crawfordsville until 1904, giving entire satisfaction to both companies. He was also a real estate agent and was quite active in politics. After leaving Crawfordsville he became assistant right of way agent for the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company with headquarters in St. Louis. He then went with the Cache Valley Railroad Company in Sedgwick, Arkansas, as assistant to the president and general manager, which position he still holds, and he resides at the town of Sedgwick. He is a business man
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of more than ordinary ability and reourcefulness. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of the Masonic Order, including the Council; also belongs to the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks. Politically, he is a Progressive and is much interested in the new movement.
Dr. James L. Brown was eight years old when he accompanied his par- ents to Indiana from Maryland, and he grew to manhood at Crawfordsville, and here was graduated from the high school with the class of 1906. Pre- vious to that, in 1901, he had enlisted in the signal corps of the United States army, and served three years in a most faithful and satisfactory manner, being honorably discharged from the service on April 26, 1904.
After graduating from the local high school he entered the Indiana Den- tal College, at Indianapolis, there making an excellent record and was gradu- ated with the class of 1909. He soon thereafter opened an office in Craw- fordsville and has remained in the practice of his profession here with ever increasing success, building up a large practice with the city and county.
Fraternally, the Doctor belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Patriotic Order Sons of America.
Dr. Brown was married on April 15, 1909 to Mabel Claire McClelland, of Crawfordsville, a daughter of William E. and Anna (Kenyon) Mc- Clelland. She was born here on February 4, 1886, and here she grew to womanhood and received a good education.
To the Doctor and wife one child has been born, Marthine Louise Brown.
ELIJAH M. COX.
A leading young business man of Linden is Elijah M. Cox, a young man of strong character and principle, one who, having arrived at a conclusion is not easily driven from his position. He is an example of one who has over- come every obstacle that has threatened to thwart him, for he was early apprised of the fact that the path of life for every one is beset with many things that would impede one in the race for the coveted goal, and he also knew that the prize is always won by the persevering, the patient and the de- serving.
Mr. Cox was born on September 4, 1874, two miles southwest of Darlington, Montgomery county, Indiana. He is a son of Elijah and Catherine (Mong) Cox. The father was born at the same place as was our subject, the date of his birth being in March, 1849, a son of Elijah and Nancy
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Cox, one of the early families of this community, in fact, few names are bet- ter known in this part of the county than that of Cox, for here the various members have labored as agriculturists, clearing and improving the land, and they have taken much interest in the general progress of the county, and have borne good reputations. It will be noticed that the name Elijah has been a favorite in this family for a number of generations. The grandparents of our subject were natives of North Carolina from which state they came to Montgomery county, Indiana, as early as the memorable year 1812, having made the long journey on horseback. Here the elder Cox found a vast wilderness, roadless and the abode of Indians. But he was a man of courage and self-reliance and here he braved the hardships and established the future home of the family, continuing farming here until within a few years of his death, when he removed to Darlington where his death occurred in 1887 at an advanced age. He was a Republican, and a Quaker. His wife preceded him to the grave in 1871. Their son, Elijah, worked on the home farm until after his marriage when he removed to a farm near Garfield Station, which he operated successfully until his death on July 4. 1908. Like his father before him he became well and favorably known here and was an enterprising farmer. His widow is still living, making her home four miles south of Darlington. They were the parents of six children, namely: Elijah M., of this sketch; Mabel, wife of Jessie Hale, who lives one mile west of New Market; Ashley, who lives south of Darlington; Zelda, who married Elmer Hoffman lives two miles east of Darlington; Lena is the wife of Bert Hale who lives east of Veedersburg; Salome is at home.
Elijah M. Cox, subject of this sketch, grew to manhood on the home farm and he was educated in the common schools, and worked on a farm until 1898 when he came to the town of Linden where he has since been engaged in the automobile and livery business, also drayage. He has been very suc- cessful and has enjoyed a constantly growing business. He is exceptionally well equipped in every respect for the successful carrying on of this line of endeavor, and prompt and honest service is his aim.
Mr. Cox was married on October 6, 1897 to Jessie Milner, of Darling- ton, her birth having occurred just west of there, and she grew to womanhood and was educated in that vicinity.
To our subject and wife three children have been born, namely: Cyril, Chayce, and Marjorie, all attending school at this writing.
Politically, Mr. Cox is progressive in his ideas. He belongs to Linden Lodge, No. 350, Free and Accepted Masons; also Linden Lodge, No. 484, Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the Christian church.
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PROF. JAMES HARVEY OSBORNE.
Although a school man in the broadest sense of the term and as such, making every other consideration secondary to his professional duties, Professor James Harvey Osborne, of Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indi- ana, has never become narrow or pedantic as have so many whose lives have been spent in intimate association with the immature minds within the four walls of the schoolroom. He is a well rounded, symmetrically developed man, fully alive to the demands of the times, thoroughly informed on the leading questions before the public and takes broad views of men and things. By keeping in touch with the times and the trend of current thought he is enabled to discharge the duties of citizenship in the intelligent manner becom- ing the level headed American of today, and his acquaintance with the history of the country and its institutions makes him, in the true meaning of the word, a politician, although he has in every way avoided any public connec- tion with politics as we usually use the term. He believes in progress in other than the profession to which he belongs and, to attain the end, manifests an abiding interest in whatever makes for the material, moral and civic ad- vancement of the community, encouraging all worthy enterprises and lending his influence to means whereby his fellow men may be benefited.
Professor Osborne was born on July 29, 1857 near Roachdale, Putnam county, Indiana. He is a son of John Joseph Osborne, who was born on October 4, 1828 in Kentucky, and when two years old, in 1830, his parents brought him to Putnam county, Indiana, where he grew to manhood, re- ceived such education as the schools of these early days afforded, and there spent the rest of his life engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was always interested in public affairs and was influential in the ranks of the Republican party. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church in the early part of his life. His death occurred near Bainbridge, Indiana, in January, 1908. The mother of our subject was born on March 28, 1833. near Bainbridge, this state, and her death occurred on December 26, 1911. To John J. Osborne and wife five children were born, all living but one, namely : Mrs. Mary E. Allison ; George C. is deceased; James H., of this review ; Caroline B., who married a Mr. Hutchins ; and Jennie Josephine who has remained single.
Professor Osborne received his early education in the common schools of his native community, and he grew to manhood on the home farm. Later in his boyhood days he entered Wabash College, where he made an excellent record for scholarship and was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of
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Arts with the class of 1879. The degree of Master of Arts was conferred on him by this institution in 1885. He was a student of law for two years in Crawfordsville. He did not, however, find Blackstone and Kent as much to his liking as a career of teaching so finally gave up the idea of a legal course. He became tutor in Wabash College until 1885, then was made assistant prin- cipal in the preparatory department, which position he held until 1893, then became associate professor of mathematics and Latin, then for two years he was professor of history here and from 1900 to the present time he has filled the chair of associate professor f mathematics and Latin. As an instructor he has given eminent satisfaction to all concerned and has been a favorite with the hundreds of pupils who have come under him, for he is both an in- structor and entertainer in the school room, and, having remained a profound student, he has kept fully abreast of the times in all that pertains to the branches which he teaches.
Professor Osborne was married on May 21, 1881 to Grace A. Insley, of Crawfordsville, who was born on October 21, 1881 at Sugar Grove, Tippe- canoe county, Indiana. When a child, her parents brought her to Crawfords- ville where she grew to womanhood and was educated, passing through the common and high schools. She is a daughter of James J. and Adeline (Mont- gomery ) Insley. Her mother was a daughter of Isaac Montgomery.
To our subject and wife three children have been born, namely: Helen, born June 3, 1885, married Harley T. Ristine ; she attended high school and studied music; Mr. Ristine is an attorney in Crawfordsville. James I., the Professor's second child, was born February 25, 1887, is a graduate of Wabash College, class of 1906; he later spent a year at Columbia University, New York City, and he is now a student at Oxford, England, having been granted a Rhode's scholarship. Elsie Eleanor, youngest of our subject's children, was born on June 18, 1889, received her education in the schools of Crawfordsville and in Northwestern University, at Chicago, and later studied at Depauw University, Greencastle, and she is now engaged in teaching in the city schools of Crawfordsville.
Professor Osborne owns a pleasant home adjoining the campus of Wabash College, and he owns a productive and well improved farm in Put- nam county.
Politically, the Professor is a Republican. He is a member of the Center Presbyterian church, and has been a ruling elder in the same for nearly twenty years. He has an honorary scholarship in the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity, a society for the promotion of scholarship and friendship among
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students and graduates of American colleges. In the summers of 1901-3, he did post-graduate work in the University of Wisconsin.
DAVID F. MCCLURE.
In placing the name of the late David F. McClure in the front rank of Crawfordsville's business men of a past generation, simple justice is done to a biographical fact, universally recognized throughout Montgomery county by those at all familiar with his history. David F. McClure was a native son of the old Blue Grass state, his birth having occurred in Bath county, Kentucky, on the 15th of December, 1829. He was reared under the parental roof and he was employed during his youth much as the average farmer's boy. The first money he earned was at farm work, for which he received eight dollars a month. Sometime prior to 1850 Mr. McClure came to Montgomery county, Indiana, with which section he identified himself during the remainder of his life. He had the "business instinct" and was early impressed with Craw- fordsville as a commercial center, so he decided to cast his lot here. It was not long until he was able to start into business and the "Trade Palace," as his early store was named, soon gained not only a large and rapidly-growing trade throughout the surrounding country, but its proprietor was at the same time acquiring a reputation as a man of honor and integrity in all his dealings. Mr. McClure formed a partnership with Frank H. Fry, and, after the latter's death, with his son, W. S. Fry, the latter partnership lasting but a short time. Mr. McClure then conducted the business, when he took in as a partner his son-in-law, George W. Graham, the business being conducted by them for some years, when Mr. McClure withdrew and during the following two years he was engaged in the banking business at Ladoga, Indiana, in partnership with W. H. Durham. In 1892 the Crawfordsville store, known then as "The Busy Store," was run under the firm name of McClure & Graham and Mr. McClure remained actively interested in the business until 1897, when he disposed of his interests to Mr. Graham and confined his attention to his splendid farm, in which he took considerable pride. Mr. McClure took an active and intelligent interest in current affairs up to the time of his death and was always found in support of all worthy movements for the advance- ment of the community in any way. His death occurred on November 6, 1904, and his passing away was considered a distinct and irreparable loss to the community in which he had lived and labored to such goodly ends.
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Mr. McClure was married to Elizabeth Carter in 1857; she was born in Shelby county, Kentucky. To this union were born two children, Walter Bright McClure, deceased, and Nancy F., who became the wife of the late George W. Graham, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work.
Mr. McClure was a member of the Mexican War Veterans, having served during that struggle as a volunteer from Kentucky under General Butler, and giving to his country faithful and loyal service. Religiously, he was a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church, in the support of which he gave liberally of his time and means. He was one of the prime movers in the organization of the Young Men's Christian Association at Crawfordsville. He was indeed a man among men and enjoyed to a notable degree the confidence of the com- munity.
GEORGE W. GRAHAM.
Praise is always due to merit, and especially where merit is the product of unassisted energy and perseverance. The self-made man commands our highest respect. Those struggles by means of which he has risen from obscurity to honorable distinction cannot fail to enlist sympathy and call forth the warmest applause. The record of a life well spent, of triumph over obstacles, of perseverance under difficulties and steady advancement from a modest beginning to a place of honor and distinction in the commercial world, presents an example worthy of emulation and is of value to the rising generation. On the roster of the names of those who were prominently identified with the growth and development of Crawfordsville and Mont- gomery county, that of the late George W. Graham merits a place of honor. From his young manhood until his death he was a resident of this city and during these years his energies were effectively directed along normal lines of business enterprise through which he made distinct contribution to the prog- ress of this favored section of the commonwealth. His life was one of signal integrity and usefulness and such was his association with business and civic affairs in Crawfordsville that it is eminently proper that a record of his strenuous, varied, useful and honorable career be perpetuated in this publica- tion.
George W. Graham was born at Piedmont, Virginia, on April 30, 1857, and was the son of James and Catherine Graham. He was reared under the parental roof and attended the common schools of the same neighborhood, applying himself very closely to his text books. In the year 1872 he came
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to Muncie, Indiana, and there began his business career by learning the trade of a jeweler with an uncle. In 1875 Mr. Graham came to Crawfordsville and for a time was in the employ of a cousin, M. C. Klein, with whom he entered into partnership a short time afterwards. In the early nineties Mr. Graham, having by that time a good start, associated himself with his father- in-law, David F. McClure, in the dry goods business, with which line of endeavor he was very successfully identified up to the time of his death. Some years after forming the partnership, McClure retired from the business and thereafter Mr. Graham conducted the store alone, with continued gratifying results until January 1, 1908, when the business was incorporated under the name of The George W. Graham Company, under which name it is still being conducted, and is one of the best known firms of its kind in this section of the state. Starting in as a strictly drygoods store, the business was gradually . broadened in scope until it included many departments, and the "Busy Store" became one of the largest and best known department stores in western Indi- ana, an enormous annual business being done, and their thousands of well pleased and satisfied customers were drawn from a radius of many miles. Intense application, unswerving determination, resourcefulness, business fore- sight marked Mr. Graham; also energy and capacity for work were among his most notable characteristics and his untiring devotion to his business was in a large measure undoubtedly responsible for the breaking down of his health. Mr. Graham had unbounded faith in Crawfordsville and in the development of this city he was an important factor, his personal efforts and influence being at all times given to movements for the advancement of the best interests of the community. His integrity was of that stanch character that at once inspired confidence and his business ability had been so unmistak- ably demonstrated that his advice was frequently sought by others. Aside from his store, Mr. Graham was also associated with D. W. Rountree in the buying and shipping of wool, in which they were successful. For a third of a century Mr. Graham was numbered among the best citizens of Crawfords- ville, for even in his younger days his life was such as to give promise of his later success and prosperity, he being in his later years recognized as one of the leading merchants of the state. His death occurred on September 7, 1908, just at the time when he was realizing the fruition of his plans in business and when life seemed to him brighter than ever before. The "Busy Store" is now under the management of Mrs. Graham, who has shown busi- ness qualifications of the highest order and who is successfully carrying for- ward the work so auspiciously inaugurated by her husband.
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On September 21, 1878, occurred the marriage of George W. Graham and Nancy F. McClure, the daughter of David F. McClure, who is repre- sented elsewhere in this work. To this union was born one daughter, now Mrs. Elizabeth Linn who, with her mother, survive.
Mr. Graham was a man of rare business ability by nature, and most of the great success which attended the noted store with which he was con- nected was directly due to his untiring efforts, whose absolute devotion to his business and untiring and persistent efforts were the subject of comment among those who were cognizant of his daily life. He was also a man who possessed strong domestic tastes and was very devoted to his home and family, finding his greatest enjoyment therein.
The time-honored order of Free and Accepted Masons found in Mr. Graham an appreciative member and he held membership in all the bodies of the York Rite, including Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery, having served as eminent commander of the last named body, He was also a prominent member of the Supreme Tribe of Ben-Hur, in the original organ- ization of which he took a prominent part and was the first past chief of Simonides Court. Politically, he gave his support to the Republican party, though he was never a seeker after public office of any nature. Kindly and genial in his relations with others, Mr. Graham easily made friends and all who came in contact with him were inspired with feelings of respect and admiration, for "he stood four square to every wind that blew," and was ever true to every trust reposed in him, besides being a genial, companionable, obliging gentleman of never failing courtesy.
BENTON SWITZER.
The old-fashioned notion that hard work, patient industry and far- sightedness make for success in the various avenues of life, does not seem to be accepted so universally in our day. The spread of pessimism engendered in many phases of our complex life is in a great measure responsible for lack of faith in the old idea. However, if we observe conditions, closely we will find that the intelligent individual who leads a practical and industrious life will reach a point of success commensurate with his efforts. The life of Benton Switzer, one of the leading agriculturists and stock men of Union township, Montgomery county, will afford us an instance of this, for he is an advocate of persistency, honesty and the adoption of modern methods in his
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vocation, the economy of labor, and he therefore gets the largest results pos- sible from the minimum amount of labor and expense. It is a delight to look over his well-cared-for acres, his sleek, well-bred livestock and to visit his neatly kept home, for he believes in having system about everything he does, and this is perhaps very largely due to his pronounced success in his chosen field of endeavor.
Mr. Switzer was born in Wayne township, Montgomery county, Indiana, March 19, 1862. He is a son of John A. and Maria (Stout) Switzer. The father was born in the above named township and county on June 11, 1833. He is a son of James and Mary (Donaldson) Switzer. James Switzer was born in Kentucky in 1804. He was a son of John Switzer. It was in the early twenties that James and Mary Switzer moved to Montgomery county, and entered land in Wayne township, which they developed from the wilder- ness and there made a good home. They were the parents of six children, namely : William, Abram, John A., Milton, Eliza, who is the wife of John Vaughan; Isabelle, who is the wife of Alex McClure; only two are now liv- ing, Abram and Mrs. McClure. James and Mary lived their entire lives on the home farm in Wayne township. James died in 1887.
John A. Switzer received the usual educational training in the common schools of those early days, and he spent his boyhood days working on the home farm, later engaged in the grocery business at Thorntown for two years, then went back to Waynetown where he engaged in the hardware business for one year. He was very successful in these lines of business, but the country having stronger allurements, he returned to the farm where he re- mained until his death on October 20, 1906. Politically, he was a Repub- lican, and in religious matters a member of the Methodist church. He be- longed to the Horse Thief Detective Association. Maria Stoutt was a native of Fayette county, Indiana, and was a daughter of Wilson and Esther Stoutt. early settlers in that county. She was born on August 29, 1837 and is still living.
Benton Switzer received a fairly good common school education and he worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years of age, then got a share in the farm. He has always engaged in general farming and stock raising, and is the owner of two hundred and ninety acres of excellent land, which he has brought up to a high state of cultivation and improvement, all under the plow. He has a good home and substantial outbuildings. He handles live stock for the market and no small portion of his annual income is derived from that source.
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Politically, Mr. Switzer is a Republican, and he belongs to the Methodist, church. He is also a member of the Horse Thief Detective Association.
Mr. Switzer was united in marriage to Lucy Atkinson in 1814. Her death occurred in 1897, and on May 23, 1900 he was united in marriage to. Clelie M. Brown, a daughter of the late Salen and Mary (Hamilton) Brown. Mrs. Brown is a native of Fountain county. Salen Brown was a native of Montgomery county. His death occurred in 1883. Mrs. Brown is still liv- ing at the age of sixty-seven years.
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BOUND TO PLEASE THE Heckman Bindery m.
FEB. 65 F. MANCHESTER, INDIANA
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