USA > Indiana > Knox County > Vincennes > History of Old Vincennes and Knox County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 20
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Under the protecting influence of a happy home and in the schools of Morgan county Horace Ellis received his early education. He was a student in the preparatory department and also during the freshman year at Butler University, later attending the Indiana University, from which he was gradu- ated with the degree of A. B. in 1896. The year following he received the degree of A. M. from Butler University and in 1900 was awarded the post- graduate degree of Ph. D. from the American University. He holds a life certificate from Indiana which is valid by certification in every state of the Union and a prize greatly desired by educators. At various times he has at- tended the great universities, where he met the most noted teachers of the western world and pursued his favorite studies. Among the institutions he has attended as a special student are Harvard, Leland Stanford, Jr., Univer- sity and the University of Chicago. During vacations from college he served as reporter on the Indianapolis Sentinel. He has been an indefatigable student and investigator and has made a number of original discoveries and observa- tions which he has from time to time announced in educational magazines and reviews. He is also a contributor upon literary subjects of a general char- acter. Thirty years ago Dr. Ellis began as a teacher and his time has mainly been devoted to that profession except when attending college or university.
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His first experience as a teacher was in a country school, and he later taught successfully in graded, village and high schools of Indiana, advancement coming steadily. For four years he was superintendent of the Indianapolis suburban schools; for six years superintendent of the North Vernon, Indi- ana, schools ; and for four years superintendent of schools at West Lafayette ; also having official connection with Purdue University under the administra- tion of Dr. Smart. For two years he was superintendent of the public schools of Franklin, Indiana, and was then called to Idaho, where from 1902 until 1904 he filled the chair as president of the Idaho State Normal School, which is located at Albion. In 1904 he was invited to return to Indiana as president of Vincennes University, a position he has since occupied with honor to himself and with great acceptance to supporters and students of the institution. The university under his experienced management has flourished as never before and is yearly attracting attendance from a wider field.
Dr. Ellis was united in marriage March 3, 1887, to Miss Grace Vinton Mapes, a daughter of Dr. S. H. and Prunette N. Mapes of Lawrence, Marion county, Indiana. She was born in New York, January 19, 1867, and was edu- cated in the Indianapolis public schools and Butler University, where she ex- celled in mathematics and literature. She has a special gift of poetical imag- ination, in which she often happily indulges. She has furnished the maga- zines with some rare contributions and is recognized as a lady of unusual ac- complishments, intellectually and socially. Her father, Dr. Mapes, was one of the noted physicians of Indianapolis, serving for years as president of the Marion County Medical Association and also as president of the United States pension examining board. In the Civil war he gained much distinction as a first surgeon. Two children have blessed the union of Dr. and Mrs. Ellis : Max Mapes Ellis, who married Marion Lee Durbin ; and Ira Howell Ellis. Max Ellis and his wife are connected with the zoological department of the Indiana University, having charge of the biologic station at Winona Lake. He is at the head of the Gimbel expedition to British Guiana dur- ing the years of 1910 and 1911. This expedition is studying the ichthy- ology of the Orinoco and Amazon rivers.
Although not a politician, Dr. Ellis is in sympathy with the principles of the republican party. He was a nominee for the office of state superintendent of public instruction of Indiana during the campaign of 1910 but was not suc- cessful. He is a member of the Indiana College Presidents Association and of the Masonic order and has taken all the degrees of that order up to and in- cluding the Knights Templar. He is now prelate of the Vincennes command- ery. In church relations he is a Methodist. Being a man of genial presence, good judgment and wide reading, he has made many friends not only in the teaching profession but in all the principal walks of life. He is an eloquent and fluent speaker and as a public lecturer his services are in constant demand and he could easily devote his entire time to that work. From a country school teacher to the presidency of a university is a long step ; but such a step
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is not made by chance. Dr. Ellis has fairly won all the honors which have come to him and now, in the prime of life and usefulness, he is daily attempt- ing to perform his duty not only to the university but in all the relations of membership in the great brotherhood of man .. His work and influence are entirely in harmony with the lessons which he learned at the humble fireside of an early Indiana home; and these lessons have brought what they will always bring, when rightly obeyed, a "peace of mind" which not only is syn- onymous with happiness but is that ideal condition which "passeth under- standing."
JOHN L. DONALDSON.
The banking interests of Bicknell are ably represented by John L. Don- aldson, who for ten years past has filled the position of cashier of the Citizens Bank of that place. He was born on a farm near Wheatland, Knox county, December 6, 1865, and is a son of Winthrop F. and Susan (Staley) Donaldson. The father was also a native of Knox county, and was one of its most substantial farmers. He departed this life in 1876. The mother was born in Pennsylvania and came to Knox county, where she was married. She also died in 1876. Seven children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson : Lillie, the wife of W. S. Williams, a farmer living near Vincennes; J. L., our subject; Eli, now in the restaurant busi- ness at Bicknell; Maggie, the wife of B. F. Byers, sheriff of Knox county ; Charles, formerly of Peoria, Illinois, and now deceased; Anna, deceased; and Sanford, a farmer living near Wheatland. Mr. Donaldson, Sr., con- tracted a marriage previous to the one mentioned above, and there were four children born to that union : Mary, deceased; William, of Vincennes; George W., now in the buggy business at Vincennes; and Amanda, de- ceased.
John L. Donaldson was educated in the district schools and at eighteen years of age began devoting his attention to farming. After one and one- half years he took up his residence at Bicknell and was employed as clerk in a store for eighteen months. Having acquired a good general knowl- edge of mercantile affairs, he purchased a half interest in the business, to which he devoted his attention until 1900, having in the meantime acquired ownership of the entire concern. This he still retains, but for ten years past he has been giving his close personal attention, as cashier, to the Citi- zens Bank, of which he was one of the organizers and which has become one of the flourishing and well established financial institutions of Knox county, the officers being: R. M. Robison of Vincennes, president; G. W. Donaldson, vice president; J. L. Donaldson, cashier; and N. P. Sartor, assistant cashier. Mr. Donaldson is also vice president of the Citizens Building & Loan Association of Bicknell, and is the owner of about twenty
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business houses and residences in Bicknell, also being largely interested in real-estate investments elsewhere.
In 1893 our subject was united in marriage to Miss Maude Ballou, of Bicknell, and two children have come to brighten the household: Wayne R. and Byron W., both of whom are students in the public school. Mr. Donaldson ever since arriving at the age of manhood has given his ad- herence to the republican party. Although he has not sought public office, preferring to concentrate his attention on business pursuits, he has been serving most acceptably as president of the town board since 1909. He is a member of the blue lodge and chapter of the Masonic order at Bick- nell, he and his wife were charter members of the local chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Mr. Donaldson is a man of fine business ability, and is regarded as one of the safest advisers in matters of investment that is to be met in this part of Knox county. Having grown up in the county and made a special study of its resources and possibilities, he has had advantages not possessed by many persons, and his judgment is seldom at fault. He be- longs to the class of men who establish the great industries and form the basis of modern financial, commercial and business life.
ALVIN TRACY MCCLURE.
Although in his early business life Alvin Tracy McClure rented land because his capital was insufficient to enable him to purchase property, he is now the owner of valuable farm land in Busseron township, his pos- sessions aggregating two hundred and twenty acres. He was born in Knox county, April 12, 1835. His father, John A. McClure, was a native of Kentucky, and when a young man crossed the Ohio river into Indiana, establishing his home in Knox county, where he followed farming. He was located in Busseron township, and it was upon the old homestead there that his son Alvin was born. The father was three times married. He first .wedded Jane McClure who, though of the same name, was not a relative. They had no children, but followering her death, Mr. McClure married Miss Eliza Ann Haddon of Sullivan county, Indiana. They be- came the parents of three children: Thornton S., Virginia Haddon and Alvin Tracy.
The last named is indebted to the district school system of Knox county for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. He was reared to farm work, receiving practical training in the best methods of cultivating the fields and caring for the stock. He aided his father until he had attained his majority and then started out in life for himself, renting a tract of land. He carefully cultivated this property until he had saved from his earnings a sufficient sum to enable him to purchase a farm. After renting
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for five years he invested in fifty acres in Busseron township, on which he still resides. This did not content him, however, and he added to his land from time to time until he is now the owner of two hundred and twenty acres, constituting one of the rich and valuable farms of this part of the state. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and the land, naturally rich and productive, yields to him splendid har- vests. There are good buildings upon his place and he has secured many modern equipments including the latest improved machinery.
In 1859 Mr. McClure was united in marriage to Miss Martha Phillips and unto them were born six children, of whom five are still living: Han- nibal Hamlin; William; Henry; Myrtle, who became the wife of Virgil Morgan; and Marrietta, who wedded Claude Williams.
Mr. McClure belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and his life is in harmony with his professions. He is a man of kindly spirit, of generous disposition, and of honorable purpose, and his many salient traits of character have won him high regard and warm friendships. Moreover, his industry has brought to him a substantial measure of success, and he is now classed with the representative and valued agriculturists of his na- tive county.
ELI M. DONALDSON.
Eli M. Donaldson, who is identified with the business interests of Bick- nell, but devotes a large part of his time to training dogs, was born in Steen township, Knox county, September 7, 1867. He is a son of Win- throp F. and Susan (Staley) Donaldson and a brother of John L. Don- aldson, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Donaldson was educated in the district schools of Steen township and reared under the parental roof, his parents, however, having been called away when he was ten years of age. As a lad of fifteen he began his struggle with the world and for five years engaged in farming in Steen township. However, he was not entirely happy upon the farm, so he ac- cepted a clerkship in the general store of his half-brother, G. W. Donald- son, at Bicknell. In this position he continued for one year, when his brother, John L., purchased the business, our subject remaining in the establishment under the new management for a period of two years. He next engaged in mining, which he followed for about six years. He was born with a love for animals, especially dogs, and from his boyhood has always had control over dogs which ordinarily people do not possess. This unusual faculty, which is born in the individual and can be cultivated only to a moderate degree, he now decided to put to practical use and he began devoting his entire time to the training of dogs, in which he has since engaged with marked success, having gained a wide reputation in
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his specialty. In the summer of each year he conducts an ice cream parlor at Bicknell.
In 1888 Mr. Donaldson was happily united in marriage at Bicknell to Miss Minnie E. Wilson, a niece of Richard Freeman, who is known as the father of the Bicknell coal mines. Two children have been born to this union, Bonnie Ethel and Carl Eli, both of whom are at home. Po- litically Mr. Donaldson is in thorough sympathy with the republican party and is a stanch supporter of its candidates. He and his entire family are valued members of the Christian church and active workers in every laud- able undertaking which gives promise of enhancing the comfort and per- manent happiness of those with whom they are associated.
JOHN T. SCOTT.
One of the best known and most highly respected men of Knox county is John T. Scott, auditor of the county since 1904, and a public official whose record has been a credit to himself and the public which he so ac- ceptably represents. He is a native of the county and here grew 11p, later engaging in business and gaining a practical knowledge of men and meth- ods which was a good preparation for the responsibility which he now dis- charges. A man of genial manner, just discrimination and safe judgment, he was naturally attracted to a position which calls for the constant exer- cise of trained business discernment and the ability to meet men of all classes and exercise due care in conserving the interests of the county. Mr. Scott was endowed by worthy parents with a goodly heritage of com- mon sense which after all is one of the most valuable boons that can be granted to a human being, and is often worth more than money or lands. No man in the county stands higher in the estimation of friends and ac- quaintances and the records of his office show that he deserves their full confidence.
He was born in Widner township-named after his grandfather, one of the pioneers of the county-on the 24th of September. 1861. It was the year of the beginning of the great conflict for the Union, and Indiana was in the throes of excitement as her sons enrolled their names in the army and marched away by thousands and tens of thousands, willingly making every sacrifice for a cause they held to be sacred. Mr. Scott was the son of James and Salina (Wallace) Scott, both natives of Sullivan county, Indiana. James Scott came to Knox county in his boyhood with his father, Charles Scott, the family locating upon a farm. The father of our subject became a successful farmer, and was well known as an active worker in the democratic party. He served as a township official, and also as county commissioner During his term as commissioner the erec- tion of a courthouse was broached, and he was one of the leading advo-
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cates of the improvement. Owing to ill health he resigned from that office. He departed this life at the age of fifty-six, in 1876. His wife is still living at the advanced age of seventy-seven years. Seven children were born to them, six of whom are now living.
John T. Scott was educated in the public schools of Freelandville, and as his inclination and talents indicated a business rather than an agricul- tural career, he turned his attention to the drug trade. For fifteen years he was a member of the firm of Berry & Scott, and there displayed the qualities that have contributed most to his success in a wider field. His sympathies and support have always been with the democratic party, and in November, 1899, he was appointed deputy county auditor under J. D. Williams, the successful democratic candidate. In 1904 Mr. Williams re- tired and Mr. Scott was appointed to fill the vacancy. At the November election of 1906 he was elected as auditor, and has since served in that position.
On August 2d, 1885, Mr. Scott was united in marriage to Mary A. Cox, a daughter of Henry C. and Jane (Parker) Cox, both of whom were natives of Knox county. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Scott : Edith, Bonnie, Glenn, Byron and Percy. The parents are members of the Christian church and are among the prominent members of the community whose influence is ever for the advancement of young or old, regardless of church, political or social affiliations.
It has been wisely said that one of the most beautiful flowers that un- folds in the universe is the unblemished human character. A leading ob- ject in the career of Mr. Scott has been the cultivation of the better facul- ties and the attainment of high ideals. Judged by the position he occupies in the estimation of those who personally know him, the object in an im- portant measure has been achieved.
EDGAR N. HASKINS.
No field in America presents a more attractive prospect for usefulness to the mind naturally imbued with a love for humanity than the field of educa- tion. So thought Edgar N. Haskins, now superintendent of schools of Knox county, when he entered upon his business career fifteen years ago, and he has seen no reason to reverse his opinion. From the start he earned the money to pay his way through the various schools necessary in the thorough education of the up-to-date teacher and at the feet of some of the most noted teachers and scholars of the present day he has gathered the flowers of wis- dom fit to be woven into a beautiful garland of highest ornament and use through life.
Mr. Haskins is a native of Dubois county, Indiana, born on a farm near Jasper, September. 18, 1876. His father, Nenian Haskins, removed to Du-
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bois county when a boy with his parents, who were among the early settlers of southern Indiana. The family removed from South Carolina in the great tide of immigration that has been flowing westward from the Atlantic coast for more than a hundred years. The mother of our subject, Sarah (Hop- kins) Haskins, was born and reared in Dubois county, Indiana, near Jasper. She had seven children, Edgar N. being fifth in order of birth. His father was reared as a farmer and became a veterinary surgeon and stockman. He was born February 5, 1844, and is now living in active pursuit of his business and profession at the age of sixty-six. He served as recorder of Dubois county from 1882 to 1890 and is a man greatly liked by his friends and has a large circle of acquaintances among the best people of the county.
The education of Edgar N. Haskins began at home but was industriously continued in the public schools and later at the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute and the State University. Had he been satisfied with medi- ocre acquirements he would have preferred an easy life, perhaps as a district- school teacher. Imbued by a great longing to push ahead, without which there is little advancement in any calling, he taught school in the country dis- tricts, beginning at the age of seventeen, and earned money to pay for a higher education. No student at the State Normal was more faithful in the preparation of his lessons and the result is seen in the success that has at- tended his work in any responsibility he has attempted to discharge. He se- cured the A. B. degree from the university in 1907 but previously he had taught with great acceptance in the high schools of Knox county, at Monroe City and Oaktown. For three years he occupied the position of professor of education at Vincennes university and was elected county superintendent in May, 1909, which position he now fills.
In March, 1901, Mr. Haskins was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Lee Chambers, a native of Knox county and a daughter of William and Adeline (Price) Chambers. The family on both sides is of pioneer ancestry and well known throughout this region. Mr. Haskins has brought to the position he now occupies a sympathy for his work and a trained mind which prophesies most favorably as to results. His earlier experience as a pupil and teacher in the district schools is of great benefit, and a love of his profession and ability to know the wants of the young mind and to gauge its powers is not the least of his qualifications. He is fully in sympathy with the application of the most approved methods of instruction and recognizes that the public schools are the foundation upon which the civilization of America is built. Under his supervision four new school buildings are being erected at a total cost of eighty-five thousand dollars. He is paying special attention to ad- vancement of the standard of the high schools in the various townships of the county according to the new law. He is popular with teachers and pupils and during his term of office has made a pronounced impression for good in all parts of the county.
In religious affiliation Mr. Haskins is a Presbyterian and in all the re- sponsibilities of life his desire has been from the years of his boyhood to per-
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form the duties of an honorable citizen and useful member of society. As a teacher in an influential position he commands the respect and esteem of all who know him, and as a gentleman and scholar he is regarded as a safe model for the imitation of a generation upon whose shoulders will in years to come rest the burden of the nation.
JOHN W. EMISON, JR.
Some men are instinctively drawn to public life. They are born with the capacity for leadership and to those men no country in the world offers such opportunities for advancement to important positions as America. Notwithstanding the defects in our system of government, talent and ag- gressiveness when assisted by clear judgment receive their due recognition and in public life are found many of the ablest men of America. Among those who are recognized as important factors in the political affairs of Knox county may be named John W. Emison, who has served for the past five years as postmaster of Vincennes and was recently reappointed to the position. He is one of the best known citizens of Knox county and in busi- ness as well as in politics has won his way to merited distinction.
Mr. Emison was born in Knox county, June 21, 1863, a son of John W. and Sarah (Dunning) Emison, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. He received his preliminary education in the common schools and later became a student at De Pauw University. After laying his books aside he returned to the farm and applied himself to agriculture and stock-raising with very favorable results, becoming one of the important factors in the farming interests of the county. At twenty-nine years of age, being at- tracted to mercantile life, he came to Vincennes and entered the hardware and agricultural implement business under the firm name of Simpson, Emi- son & Lane. After a few years, having been deprived by death of his two partners, Mr. Emison conducted the business alone, but at the end of three years sold an interest to W. J. Nickelson. He is also identified with a num- ber of other business enterprises and is vice president of the Princeton Mill- ing Company, of Princeton, Indiana, and a member of the board of directors of the Knox County Telephone Company. On December 16, 1905, he was appointed postmaster of Vincennes and was reappointed to the office Janu- ary 20, 1910.
On May 16, 1889, Mr. Emison was united in marriage to Miss Mary D. Simpson, of this county, a daughter of A. C. and Margaret (McCord) Simp- son. The father was a well known farmer of Knox county and is now de- ceased. Three children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Emison : John Clinton, born March 9, 1890, and now a student in the senior class of De Pauw University, who represented the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity at the national convention of the organization at Toledo : Richard, born November
JOHN W. EMISON
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II, 1895, a student in the Vincennes high school; and Robert S., born No- vember 14, 1905.
Mr. Emison has for many years taken an active interest in politics and from the time of reaching manhood has been identified with the republican party. He became prominent in its councils and for two terms filled the office of chairman of the county central committee. He is a valued member of the Methodist church, in which he now fills the position of trustee, and is socially connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Tribe of Ben Hur and the Phi Kappa Psi, a college fraternity. He is a man of fine education, having early in life possessed excellent advantages of men- tal training. He made a good start at the beginning of his business career and has never turned backward. Of an optimistic temperament, intelligent, progressive and thoroughly earnest in everything he undertakes, he has a large circle of acquaintances and enjoys a reputation as a man of good judg- ment and one who possesses those attributes that belong to a good citizen. It is safe to prophecy that he will never lend his influence to anything which in his opinion is not to the advantage of the community.
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