USA > Indiana > Tipton County > History of Tipton County Indiana > Part 25
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The paternal grandparents of Judge Mount were William and Cathar- ine (Baker) Mount, natives of the Buckeye state and early pioneers in Rush county, Indiana, in which county William died, his wife passing away in Tipton about seven years later. To them were born four children : Barbara, who married William Burton; Nancy, who married William Ricketts; John Thomas, the subject's father; Cary, who died when young.
Judge Mount's maternal grandparents were Hugh and Rachel (Se- wright ) Stewart, natives of Kentucky and early settlers in Rush county, In- diana, where they resided the remainder of their lives. They were the par- ents of five children : Mary J. is the wife of William Tinsley; Martha A. is the wife of Solomon Rader and lives in Walla Walla, Washington; Eliza- beth, the subject's mother ; Lucretia, the wife of Joseph Miller.
Judge Walter W. Mount came with his parents to Tipton county when he was a boy of thirteen and grew to manhood on his father's farm. His early education was acquired in the old Independent school house, later at- tending Holbrook's Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, and then the normal school at Valparaiso, Indiana, graduating from the scientific department in the latter institution. On completing his studies, Judge Mount taught school for six years, living on the farm until his twenty-seventh. year, when he came to Tipton, in 1885, and read law with Judge Robert B. Beauchamp. Being admitted to the bar in 1886, the Judge engaged in the practice of his pro- fession until 1896, when he was elected judge of the thirty-sixth judicial cir- cuit, having previously been city, county and state's attorney. Judge Mount was on the bench until 1902, when he formed a partnership with Judge Beauchamp and practiced law until 1906. In that year he became vice-presi- dent of the Farmers' Loan and Trust Company and after serving in that capacity for two years he became president of the institution, continuing in that position at the present time. The Farmers' Loan and Trust Company was organized in 1906, with N. S. Martz as president, Judge Mount as vice- president and J. C. Urmston as secretary and treasurer. The original capital stock was fifty thousand dollars. In six years the institution has grown until now its resources are over a half million dollars and its surplus is twenty- five thousand dollars. Walter Carter is the present cashier.
On March 26, 1879, Judge Mount married Etta Van Buskirk, daughter of Dillard and Rebecca (Paul) Van Buskirk. Mrs. Mount was born in Tip- ton county, November 3, 1856, her parents being natives of Kentucky and very early settlers in Tipton county, where they lived all their remaining days. To Mrs. Mount's parents were born eight children : Mary Burkhart, Sarah
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Mitchell, Amanda Mitchell, Samuel Van Buskirk, Etta Van Buskirk, Desda Barr, Robert Van Buskirk and George, deceased.
To Judge Mount and wife have been born five children, Cleon Wade. Hazel, Gladys, Alta and one who died at the age of eighteen months. Cleon Wade is an attorney in Tipton. He married Blanche Kelly and they have one daughter, Martha Gail. Hazel married Berchard Brundage, D. D., of Anderson, a Presbyterian minister, and they have one child, Berchard Mount Brundage. Gladys and Alta are at home, Alta being a music teacher.
The Judge owns a fourth interest in and is treasurer of the Tipton Telephone Company, and is owner of a great deal of valuable real estate, being the possessor of a farm of two hundred acres in Adams township, near Elkin, also his home at No. 221 West Jefferson street. Judge Mount and his wife are members of the Christian church, in which he is a trustee. Fra- ternally, the Judge belongs to Austin Lodge No. 128, Free and Accepted Masons, to Tipton Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His support in political affairs is given to the Republican party.
PROF. LARKIN D. SUMMERS.
The life of the scholarly or professional man seldom exhibits any of those striking incidents that seize upon public feeling and attract attention to himself. His character is generally made up of the aggregate qualities and qualifications he may possess, as these may be elicited by the exercise of the duties of his vocation to the particular profession to which he may belong. But when such a man has so impressed his individuality upon his fellow men as to gain their confidence, and through that confidence he retained in im- portant positions, he becomes a conspicuous figure in the body politic of the community. The subject of this review is one of the scholarly men of his county, who, not content to hide his talents amid life's sequestered ways. by the force of will and a laudable ambition forged to the front in an exacting and responsible calling and earned an honorable reputation in one of the most important branches of public service. A well educated, symmetrically developed man, his work as an educator has for many years been of such a high standard of excellence that his position in the front rank of his profes- sion has long been conceded. Keeping abreast of the times in advanced educa- tional methods, and possessing a broad and comprehensive knowledge, he is,
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because of his high attainments, well rounded character and large influence, eminently entitled to representation in the annals of his county.
Larkin D. Summers, present superintendent of schools of Tipton county, was born in Wildcat township, Tipton county, on January 7, 1865, the son of John M. and Martha ( Pumphrey) Summers, both of whom were natives of Indiana. They were the parents of two children besides the subject of this sketch, John C., of Howard county, this state, and Alli Jane, the wife of Wilbur C. I.egg, and residing one mile north of Windfall, Indiana. The sub- ject's paternal grandparents were John and - ( Meliza) Summers,
natives respectively of Ohio and Virginia. Coming to Indiana, they became early settlers of Tipton county, where they spent the remainder of their lives, both being now deceased. They were the parents of five children, John M., Joseph A., Frank, Lewis and a daughter. After the death of his first wife, John Summers again married, the second wife being Anna Mckay, and to this union were born four children, James, Lafayette, Andrew J. and Dora. John M. Summers, the subject's father, was born in Middletown, Henry county, Indiana, in 1841, and was reared in Howard and Tipton counties. In young boyhood he began clerking in a store and later moved to a farm with his parents, where he was reared and has since followed agricultural pursuits. He inherited eighty acres of timber land from his father, which he cleared and improved, and afterwards traded that for an interest in another farm in Wildcat township, to which he has added until he is now the owner of two hundred and fifty-five acres of land there, where he still resides. His first wife, mother of the subject of this sketch, died there on July 21, 1904, at the age of sixty years, and he afterwards married Mrs. Matilda Hinshaw, who is a member of the Friends church. Mr. Summers testified as to his loyalty in the days of his country's need by enlisting' as a private in Company C, Fifty- fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served one year. when, because of an attack of the measles, he was left in such a physical condition that he received an honorable discharge. After the war he again resumed farming. . The subject's maternal grandparents were John A. and Susanna (Herbin) Pumphrey. The grandfather was born in North Caro- lina and his wife in Indiana. They became pioneer settlers in Decatur county, this state, and later moved to Tipton county, where they located in Wildcat township, and there followed farming. Mr. Pumphrey secured one hundred and sixty acres of land, of which he sold forty, and there he and his wife spent the remainder of their days. Among their children are numbered Martha, Mary, Sarah, Larkin, Amanda, Lewis and Marion.
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Larkin D. Summers was reared on his father's farm, some of which he helped to clear and improve. He secured his early education in the district schools and later attended the normal school at Valparaiso, this state, grad- uating from the scientific and classical departments there. At the age of eighteen years he began teaching, and has taught fourteen different terms. His success as a teacher was demonstrated at the outstart, and his services have been in demand in many parts of the county. In 1899 Mr. Summers was elected superintendent of schools of Tipton county, and so satisfactory was his discharge of the responsible duties of that office that he has been retained continuously in that poition for fourteen years, certainly a remarkable testi- mony as to his sufficiency and standing as an educator. The expiration of his term will round out eighteen years of faithful service to the educational department of his county. His years of service as the head of Tipton county's public school system have been characterized by a series of advancements in educational circles, which demonstrates his ability as a man of progressive ideas, and have won for him an honorable place among the county superin- tendents of the state. Possessing great force of character and executive ability of a high order, he has brought the schools to a high standard of ef- ficiency, by weeding out incompetent teachers and insisting that only those of recognized competency and experience shall be employed.
On the 5th day of September, 1894, Larkin .D. Summers was married to Clara O. Johnston, who was born in Marion county, Indiana, on March 13. 1867, the daughter of William T. and Ann (Herrin) Johnston, and to this union has been born a son, Bruce M., who is now in the senior class of the Tipton high school. To Mrs. Summers' parents were born the following children : Clara, Monte, Jessie, Frank, Chester and Joseph. Her paternal grandparents were James and - (Wheeler) Johnston, her maternal grandfather having borne the family name of Herrin.
In his political affiliations Professor Summers is aligned with the Demo- cratic party, in which he has long been active. He has never been an aspirant for public office aside from that which he now holds, but during three sum- mers he served as deputy county surveyor. Fraternally, he is a member of Windfall Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in religion he and his wife are members of the Christian church, in which he is a deacon. Aside from the duties of his office, Professor Summers finds time to devote to the general welfare of the city and county in which he lives, being interested in all laudable enterprises that make for advancement and an earnest advo- cate of all movements and measures having for their object the moral good of
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his fellow men. Personally, he is a genial and affable gentleman, honest and - upright at all times, and enjoys a marked popularity in his home county.
HON. GEORGE HENRY GIFFORD.
It is a well attested fact that the greatness of a community or state lies not in the machinery of government, nor even in its institutions, but rather . in the sterling qualities of the individual citizen, in his capacity for high and unselfish effort and his devotion to the public welfare. In these particulars he whose name appears at the head of this paragraph has conferred honor and dignity on his county, and as an elemental part of history it is consonant that there should be recorded here a resume of his career, with the object in view of noting his connection with the advancement of one of the most flourishing and progressive sections of the commonwealth, as well as his career as a mem- ber of one of the most exacting professions to which man can devote his talents and energies.
George Henry Gifford, well known citizen and prominent member of the legal firm of Gifford & Gifford, at Tipton, is a native of the state of Indiana, . having been born near Falmouth, Fayette county, on January 10, 1850. He is the son of Solomon Wardle and Melinda (Gillam) Gifford, natives, re- spectively of Monmouth, New Jersey, and North Carolina, the mother being brought to Indiana when about three months old. Here the father was born on March 9, 1806, and, when a mere child, was taken by the family to Ithaca, New York, where he remained until 1822, when he came with 'his parents on their removal to Indiana. They located in the edge of Rush county, near the village of Fairview, where the father died in 1853, and his mother some years earlier, in about 1839. After locating in Rush county for some time, Solomon Gifford moved across the line into Fayette county, where he continued his vo- cation, that of farming and stock raising, in which he was very successful. He cleared and improved three farms with the help of his sons, and reared his family to respected manhood and womanhood. He died there, at the age ยท of eighty-eight years, in 1894. His wife died in 1889, aged seventy-seven years. He was a "Hardshell" Baptist in religious belief, while his wife was a Methodist. Though active in political affairs, he never was a candidate for office. The subject's paternal grandparents were Ananiah and Phoebe (War- dle) Gifford, natives of New Jersey and of Scotch descent. They were farm- ing folk and were living in Rush county, Indiana, at the time of their death.
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as before stated. Their children were Noah, Manley, James, John, Solomon W., Freelove, Sarah, who died unmarried, and Mary Hood. The subject's maternal grandparents were James and Phoebe (Cook) Gillam, natives of North Carolina, and early settlers of Fayette county, Indiana, in which place they located just in time to be driven into the fort at Connersville by the In- dians during the war of 1812. The father died in Fayette county, and the mother afterwards moved to Whitley county, this state, her death occurring near Roanoke. Their children were Melinda and James. To Solomon and Melinda Gifford were born twelve children, namely: Sophronia, who was the wife of William Kolb, of Boone county, Indiana ; William MI., deceased; Mahala Jane, who married John Bragg, of Boone county: Alfred, deceased; Absalom, deceased: Jefferson, living in Grant county, Indiana: Phoebe, de- ceased, who was the wife of Donovan Groves; Laura, the wife of Frank Scofield, of Sharpsville, Indiana: Amanda, who died in infancy: Vashti, the widow of Hanson Dawson, now living at Kokomo. Indiana: Freelove, the widow of Alfred Peters, of Rushville, Indiana, and George Henry, the im- mediate subject of this sketch.
George Henry Gifford was reared on his father's farm in Fayette county, Indiana, attended the district schools, and later enjoyed two years' attend- ance at the Milroy high school in Rush county, and one year at the Fair- view Academy. He was then for three years a student in Indiana Univer- sity at Indianapolis, now known as Butler College, finishing his college course in 1872. In 1872 he came to Tipton and took up the study of law, being ad- mitted to the bar in March, 1873, and has continuously practiced his pro- fession here since that time, occupying his present offices since 1878.
Fraternally, the subject of this sketch is a member of the Free and Ac- cepted Masons, holding his membership in Austin Lodge No. 220, and also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks and to the Phi Delta Theta college fraternity. In poli- tics a Democrat, he has been active for many years and in 1892 was elected state senator from Clinton and Tipton counties, serving one term, compris- ing the two sessions of 1893 and 1895. In 1911 he was a delegate to the Demo- cratic national convention at Baltimore. He served as county attorney for twenty years, and in each of these official capacities he has rendered efficient services to his community. He has been active in local enterprises aside from his profession, and is president of the Chicago & Wabash Valley Railroad. He has unreservedly given his support to every enterprise looking to the (18)
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advancement of the material, social or educational interests of his community, and is numbered among its representative and influential citizens.
On June 20, 1872, Mr. Gifford was united in marriage to Anna R. Smiley, daughter of Robinson and Rachel (Maze) Smiley. She was born at Fairview, Indiana, September 17, 1854. Her parents, both of whom are now deceased, were born respectively in Ohio and in Rush county, Indiana. They had the following children : Belle, John B., Samuel R., William, Milton T., Emery, Edgar, Howard and Anna R. Her maternal grandfather was Samuel Maze. To Senator and Mrs. Gifford have been born five children, as follows : Allen W., who is a successful physician 'at Tipton, married Pearl Frazee, . and they have one child, Martha; Frank, who is an attorney in his father's office at Tipton, married Carrie Hall; Glenn Jeff, who is a partner with his father in the practice of law, married Edith Holland, and they have one child living, a daughter, Georgeann; Manley R., who is a dentist in Tipton, mar- ried Nellie Ressler, and they have two daughters, Mary and Jean; Hanson S., a physician at Sharpsville, Indiana, married Ethel Boyd, and they have one child, Hanson. Jr. Senator Gifford owns one of the most attractive residences in Tipton, which is a favorite gathering place for the many friends of the family, for there is always found there the genuine old-time spirit of hos- pitality. The Senator owns a magnificent library, of which he is justly proud. It is an unusually well selected collection of books, in the gathering of which he took the greatest interest and which in a large measure is a reflection of his own character. Senator Gifford has filled a large place in the ranks of the public-spirited citizens and successful lawyers of his day, and that he has done his part well cannot be gainsaid, for his record has been such as has gained for him the commendation and approval of his fellows. His career has been a long, busy and useful one, and he has contributed much to the material, civic and moral advancement of his community, while his admirable qualities of head and heart and the straightforward, upright course of his daily life has won for him the esteem and confidence of the circles in which he has moved.
WILBUR ALONZO COMPTON.
Holding prestige among the successful business men of today, the sub- ject of this review has had much to do in advancing the material interests of Tipton, Indiana, and making it one of the commercial centers of the state. The study of such a life cannot fail of interest and incentive, as he is dis-
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tinctly representative in his sphere of activity and has contributed in no small measure to the prosperity of the city which is his home and field of operation, at the same time establishing a lasting reputation for honor and integrity.
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Wilbur A. Compton, who, as successful business man, efficient and popu- lar public official and a citizen of highest integrity, has won the commendation of his fellow citizens of Tipton, is a native son of the old Hoosier state, and was born in Johnson county on April 9, 1881. He is the son of Leonard and Hattie (Armstrong) Compton, also natives of this state. Leonard Compton was born and reared on a farm in Shelby county, whence he moved to John- son county and there became a farmer, which pursuit he followed through many years, or until his removal to Edinburg, that county, where he engaged in the hardware business. In 1892 he came to Tipton and has here been con- tinuously engaged in the hardware, plumbing and heating business, being as- sociated with his two sons, David R. and Wilbur A. 'In the civic life of Tipton county Mr. Compton has long occupied a prominent place and served one term as treasurer of the county. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife died in 1897, at the age of forty- eight years. They were the parents of four children, Bruce, who died at the age of nine years; David R., already referred to as a partner with his father in business : Irene, the wife of W. T. Harding, of Tipton, and Wilbur Alonzo, the immediate subject of this sketch. The subject's paternal grandfather, David Compton, was a native of New Jersey, as was his wife, and they be- came early settlers of Shelby county, Indiana, where his death occurred in 1912 at the advanced age of ninety-three years, his wife having died in mid- dle life. They were the parents of eight children, John, Leonard, Josephine, Mary, Walter, Flora, Edward and Frank. The subject's maternal grandpar- ents were natives of Illinois, where they died in middle life.
Wilbur A. Compton was reared in Edinburg, Indiana, where he attended the public schools, and later attended the schools of Tipton, graduating from the high school here in 1898. He had entertained an ambition to enter the practice of law and to this end followed his legal studies under Robert Beau- champ. of Tipton. Later, however, he entered his father's hardware store as a clerk and has been continuously identified with this business since that time, now owning an interest in the business. He has not only demonstrated business qualities of a high order, but has taken a live interest in the civic interests of his community, his interest and abilities being recognized when. on May 24, 1912, he was appointed mayor of the city of Tipton to fill out the unexpired term of N. S. Martz. His conduct of the important duties of this
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position has in no sense been a disappointment to his friends, and he is win- ning a high place in the esteem of the community in which he lives.
On June 21, 1911, Mr. Compton married Josephine Kollmer, daughter of Fred Kollmer, her birth having occurred in Akron, Ohio. Her parents, who were natives of Germany, now reside in Kokomo, Indiana. They are the parents of five children, Albert, Otto, Josephine. Emil and Theodore. Mrs. Compton is a member of the Lutheran church and possesses to a notable de- gree those graces of head and heart which win and retain warm friendships.
Politically, Mr. Compton is an ardent Republican, and has been active in his support of this organization. Fraternally, he is a member of Austin Lodge No. 128, Free and Accepted Masons, and Tipton Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Although a quiet and unassuming man, with no ambition for public position or leadership, he has contributed much to the material and civic advancement of his community, while his admirable quali- ties of head and heart and the straightforward, upright course of his daily 'life have won for him the esteem and confidence of the circles in which he moves, and given him a high reputation for integrity and correct conduct. He is one of those solid men of brain and substance so essential to the material growth and prosperity of the community, and his influence is willingly ex- tended in behalf of every deserving enterprise which has for its object the advancement of the community.
JUDGE DAN WAUGH.
The life history of him whose name heads this biographical sketch has been for many years closely identified with the history of Tipton county, In- diana. Throughout the years his life has been one of untiring activity and it has been crowned with a degree of professional success attained by com- paratively few who aspire to eminence in their chosen calling. Years of con- scientious work as a lawyer have brought with them not only increase of practice and reputation, but also that growth in legal knowledge and that wide and accurate judgment, the possession of which constitutes marked ex- cellence in the profession. By a straightforward, honorable course MIr. Waugh has built up a large and lucrative legal business and financially has been proportionately successful, while as a judge of the circuit court he gained a wide reputation as a jurist of ability, courage and eminent fairness.
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His life affords a splendid example of what an American youth, plentifully endowed with good common sense, energy and determination, can accomplish when accompanied by good moral principles. He achieved a splendid record at the bar at an age when most men are merely starting out on their life work, for, from the beginning, he was intensely methodical and unswervingly per- sistent in search of the true light and of the essentials of the legal foundation and sources of legal conception and thought, holding devoutly to the highly embellished record of equity and the sure, certain, invincible methods of prac- tice. Therefore, success could not help crowning his efforts and attracting to him public recognition and appreciation.
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