USA > Indiana > Tipton County > History of Tipton County Indiana > Part 38
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. Politically, Mr. Groves is an earnest supporter of the Democratic party, in which he has long been active, while, fraternally, 'he is a member of Hobbs Lodge No. 777, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Austin Lodge No. 128, Free and Accepted Masons, at Tipton, and Camp No. 5378, Modern Woodmen of America, at Hobbs. He has been successful in his material affairs, and is the owner of stock in the First National Bank of Tipton. He is known to all who have formed his acquaintance to be a man of genuine worth and integrity, scrupulously honest in all his dealings with his fellow men and has won the respect of a host of good friends throughout the county.
FRED M. RECOBS.
The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his neighbors and fellow citizens. The life of the honorable subject of this review has been such as to elicit just praise from those who know him best. owing to the fact that he has always been loyal to trusts imposed upon him and has been upright in his dealing with his fellow men, at the same time lending his support to the advancement of any cause looking to the welfare of the community at large.
Fred M. Recobs is a native of the county now honored by his citizenship, having been born about a mile and a half southeast of Tipton on July 19. 1874. He is descended from sterling ancestors, his paternal grandfather, Fredericks Recobs, having started from Ohio to Indiana in the early days, but dying on the way. His wife completed the journey and established her home in Tipton, where she died when past eighty-four years of age. She was a pensioner of the war of 1812, and among their children were Joseph,
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William and James. The subject's maternal grandparents, who bore the family name of Burnett, were natives of Virginia. The subject's parents were James and Lydia C. (Burnett) Recobs, both of whom were born and reared in Ohio, and there their marriage occurred on October 30, 1848. Mr. Recobs was a veteran of the Mexican war, having enlisted in his native state, and at the end of that brief struggle returned to Ohio. In 1849 he and his wife came to Indiana, and stopped at Strawtown a short time and then came to Tipton, where they remained continuous residents up to the time of their deaths. Mr. Recobs worked at the blacksmith trade with his brother- in-law, Isaac Houser, about thirteen years, and then engaged in farming, owning several tracts of land in different places in the county, and at one time owning the land now occupied by the county poor farm. He died on November 22, 1911, at the age of eighty-three years and several months, his widow dying on February 21, 1910, aged seventy-seven years. Religiously. Mr. Recobs was a member of the Christian church and his wife a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a Mason and was the first man raised by the Tipton lodge. To him and his wife were born thirteen children. eight of whom grew to maturity, namely: Jennie, the wife of M. Recobs, of Tipton; Mary, the wife of E. E. Van Buskirk, of Tipton: Verrell F., the wife of J. E. Forkner, of Kempton, Indiana; Dr. Robert M., of Tipton; Frederick M., of Tipton: Samuel T., also of this city; Harry, deceased. and Gay, a daughter who died single.
Fred M. Recobs was raised on his father's farm until the age of twenty-four years, and during his youth he attended the district school. re- ceiving a good practical education. In 1899 he quit the farm and went to Colorado, where he was employed as a stationary engineer. After remain- ing in the west about four and a half years, he returned to Tipton county, where he has resided continuously since. He lived with his parents until they died and then married. Prior to the latter event he was elected sheriff and is now the incumbent of that office. From 1909 until 1911 he had served as deputy sheriff under Frederick W. Beck, and had thus received good practical experience in the affairs of that office. He has proved to be eminently qualified for this responsible position, and is discharging his duties to the entire satisfaction of the county.
On December 24, 1912, Mr. Recobs married Mrs. Emma Wagstaff, daughter of George Epperson. By her former marriage Mrs. Recobs was the mother of two children, Verne E. and Charles Dudley Wagstaff, both students at Indiana University.
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Politically a Democrat, Mr. Recobs has always been actively interested in the success of this party, being a prominent figure in its councils and being considered a man of sound judgment in the management of campaigns. Mr. and Mrs. Recobs are members of West Street Christian church at Tip- ton. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Austin Lodge No. 128; Tipton Chapter No. 114, Royal Arch Masons; Tipton Coun- cil, Royal and Select Masters, and Tipton Commandery No. 52, Knights Templar. He is also a member of the Improved Order of Red Men. He and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, she being a past worthy matron of both the Elwood and Tipton chapters. Mr. Recobs is a man of splendid personality and because of his exemplary habits and persist- ent energy he has attained definite success in life and enjoys the esteem and respect of the community in which he resides.
SENECA G. YOUNG.
In touching upon the life history of the subject of this review the aim is to avoid fulsome encomium and extravagant praise, yet to hold up for consideration those facts which have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life, a life characterized by perseverance, energy and well de- fined purpose. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pronounced upon the man by the people who have known him long and well. Standing today among the intelligent and enterprising business men of Tipton, Tipton county, Indiana. he has performed well his part in life and is deserving of the success which has attended his efforts.
Seneca G. Young was born in Kent. Jefferson county, Indiana, May 17. 1849, the son of William B. and Catherine (Green ) Young, natives of Ohio. William B. Young was twice married, his first wife, Catherine Green, dying in 1853 in her twenty-third year. She was born in Jennings county, Indiana. and her parents were natives of North Carolina, who removed from that state to Jennings county, Indiana, at an early date and passed their lives there. Catherine (Green) Young was the mother of two children, Seneca G., and Mary, who is the wife of S. W. Long, of Lincoln, Nebraska. The second wife of William B. Young was Mary Green, a cousin of his first wife, and five children were born to this union : Lulu, the wife of William Hardy, and Anna, the wife of Thomas Yeager, of Tipton : three died in infancy.
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William B. Young, the subject's father, was reared in Brown county, Ohio, and came to Tipton, Tipton county, Indiana, in 1850. He was a cabinet-maker and opened a small furniture and undertaking establishment in 1852. From a very humble beginning, the father gradually built up a splendid business, until, in 1881, he had one of the most complete establish- ments of the kind in the city. At that time his son, the subject of this re- view, purchased the business and has since continued as the owner. The father was a member of the Christian church and was a Master Mason. In the Civil war he was captain of Company K, One Hundred Fifty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served ten months. He died in Tipton, April 19, 1909, in his eightieth year, and is survived by his widow.
The maternal grandfather of the subject was James Green, of North Carolina, a pioneer of Jennings county, where he died at an advanced age, the father of seven children.
Seneca G. Young was reared in Tipton and attended the public schools of this city, and after completing his education he was employed in his father's store, continuing as an assistant until he purchased the business. He has a large and well kept place, completely equipped with the best of stock, and has a splendid patronage, his genial and obliging manners having won for him many friends.
On October 24, 1874, the subject was united in marriage to Jennie Nance, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Lay) Nance, and to this union have been born four children : One died in infancy : William died at the age of eighteen months; Herbert died in his fifth year: Elizabeth married N. R. Lebo and they reside in Tipton. Mrs. Young was born in Johnson county, Indiana, her parents being natives of Kentucky and pioneers in Johnson county and later in Tipton county, where they lived the rest of their lives, he dying in 18go and she in 1885. They were the parents of four children : Theodore M., Mary Jane, Mrs. Young, and Catherine, who married M. L. . Bowlin.
Mr. Young and his wife are members of the Christian church, to the support of which they contribute liberally of their means. The subject's fraternal relations are extensive, he being one of the best known and most consistent followers of the Masonic precepts in the community, being a mem- ber of Austin Lodge No. 128; Tipton Chapter No. 114, Royal Arch Masons : Tipton Council No. 80. Royal and Select Masters, and Tipton Commandery No. 52, Knights Templar. For forty-three years Mr. Young has been affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, and for the same length of time with
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the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of Tipton Lodge No. 220 in the latter order. He also holds membership in Tipton Lodge, Knights of Pythias. Always taking an active interest in political affairs, Mr. Young has supported the principles of the Democratic party and was honored by election four terms as mayor of his home city.
NOAH ROBERT LEBO.
Conspicuously identified with the business and material interests of Tip- ton, Tipton county, Indiana, is the subject of this sketch, who has won for himself an honorable position in the community and is a distinctive type of the self-made man. Not a pretentious or exalted life has been his, but one that has been true to self and to which the biographer may revert with no. small degree of satisfaction.
Noah Robert Lebo was born in Noblesville, Indiana, May 27, 1871, the son of William and Eliza (Deck) Lebo, natives of Pennsylvania. To the subject's parents were born eight children, namely: Adeline, who is de- ceased ; Frank J., deceased; George M., deceased; William H., of Hamilton, Ohio: Noah Robert; Harvey J., of Tipton; the two first born died young. William Lebo was reared in Berks county, Pennsylvania, and in his young manhood was employed as a cigar maker, which trade he followed for some time, later learning the art of tailoring. A very early settler in Hamilton county, Indiana. he located in Noblesville in 1868 and opened a tailor shop, where he continued in this business until 1879, when he removed to Alex- andria, later closing out his business in that city and coming to Tipton in 1884. In Tipton the father of the subject was engaged in the tailoring business. which he continued until his death on December 9, 1899, in his sixty-ninth year. His wife still survives him, she having reached the eightieth year of her life on October 9, 1913. William and Eliza Lebo were originally members of the German Lutheran church, but on their removal to Tipton they united with the Methodist Episcopal faith.
The paternal grandfather of the subject was Jonathan Lebo, he and his wife being of German descent and natives of the Keystone state, where they spent their lives. Jonathan Lebo was a blacksmith and was the father of Jonathan. Jacob, William, and two daughters. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Lebo were named Deck, they also being natives of the Keystone
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state, where they lived their entire lives, he dying in his eighty-fourth year and she in her sixties. They had but one child, the subject's mother.
Noah R. Lebo was but eight years old when his parents went to Alex- andria, and after five years in that city came with them to Tipton, where he grew to manhood and has lived until the present time. In his boyhood he ac- quired a fairly good education in the schools of the two cities named, and on the completion of his studies he accepted employment in the grocery store of Alpheus Benett, where he worked for three years, and then served an ap- prenticeship at the tailor's trade, which he has followed since, first in part- nership with his father from 1891 to 1894, and then independently. He has a high-class trade and does a large business, employing several skilled work- men.
On June 12, 1901, the subject of this review was united in marriage to Mary Elizabeth Young, daughter of Seneca G. and Jennie (Nance) Young. Mrs. Lebo was born and reared in Tipton and is a member of the Christian church.
Mr. Lebo is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Austin Lodge No. 128, Free and Accepted Masons, to Tipton Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, to Tipton Council, Royal and Select Masters, to Tipton Commandery, Knights Templar, and to Murat Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Indianapolis. The subject also holds membership in the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Politically, he is a "standpat" Republican.
The business interests of the subject are varied, he being a director in the Farmers' Loan and Trust Company, the Tipton Building and Loan Asso- ciation, the Tipton Telephone Company and the Young Furniture Com- pany, in the affairs of which he takes an active and intelligent interest.
JESSE O. BOWLIN.
Specific mention is made of many of the worthy citizens of Tipton county within the pages of this book, citizens who have figured in the growth and development of this favored locality and whose interests are identified with its every phase of progress, each contributing in his sphere of action to the well-being of the community in which he resides and to the advance- ment of its normal and legitimate growth. Among this number is he whose
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name appears above, peculiar interest attaching to his career from the fact that his entire useful and busy life has been spent within the borders of this county.
Jesse O. Bowlin was born in Jefferson township, Tipton county, In- diana, about two miles west and a half mile north of Goldsmith, on July 5, 1887. He is descended from honored ancestors, his father, John R. Bow- lin, having for many years been prominent in educational affairs in this county. John R. Bowlin is a native of Tipton, born May 23, 1858, and was reared partly on the farm and partly in the city of Tipton. He followed various occupations, and for twenty-one years was numbered among the successful and popular teachers of Tipton county, his ability and efficiency being recognized by his election to the responsible office of county superin- tendent of schools, to which he was re-elected, serving two terms. He is now deputy county surveyor, and is numbered among the well-known and highly esteemed citizens of the county. The subject's paternal grandpar- ents were Cliffton R. and Erthelda (McElhaney) Bowlin, the former a na- tive of Johnson county, Indiana, the latter of Ohio. They were early settlers of Tipton county, where they spent their remaining years. They were the parents of seven children, John R., David H., Mary, Willard, Effie, Nellie and Frank. To the subject's parents were born two children, Jesse O., the immediate subject of this sketch, and Gladys, who is a student in Chicago University. In the maternal line the subject is descended from William and Marinda (Eliason) Longfellow, who were natives of Wayne county and early settlers of Tipton county. They are both deceased, the grandfather at the age of seventy-two years and his wife at the age of eighty-three. They were the parents of twelve children, ten of whom lived to maturity, namely : Lucinda, Nancy J., Henry H., Sarah E., Louisa, James, Thomas, Newton, Rella, Agnes and two who died in infancy.
Jesse O. Bowlin was reared chiefly on his father's farm and secured his education in the district and the public schools of Tipton. At the age of seventeen years he began teaching school, but later become a student in the university at Valparaiso, where he graduated in the scientific, commercial and engineering departments in 1909. He was then employed at railroad civil engineering a year, and then for a year taught in the high school in Meckling, South Dakota. Returning to Tipton county, he assisted his father on the home farm, and in the fall of 1912 was elected county surveyor, as- suming the duties of his office on January 1, 1913. He is the present in- cumbent of that office and is discharging his duties in an able and satisfactory
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manner. Politically, Mr. Bowlin is a Democrat, and has long been actively interested in the success of his party.
On August 29, 1911, Mr. Bowlin was married to Marcia I. Dye, who was born in Boonville, Porter county, Indiana, on September 4, 1888, the daughter of Edgar R. and Hattie (Edminster) Dye, and to this union was born one child, Agnes Grace. Mrs. Bowlin died in April, 1913, at the early age of twenty-five years. She was a faithful and earnest member of the Christian church and was a woman of many excellent qualities of head and heart; which won and retained for her the friendship and esteem of her entire circle of acquaintances. Mr. Bowlin now lives with his parents at No. 226 North Conda street. He has, by virtue of his strong individual qualities. . won his way to a high standing in the estimation of his fellow citizens, hav- ing by sheer force of character won his way from an humble beginning to a place of prominence in the community, and because of his attainments he is entitled to special mention in a volume of this character.
ELIJAH B. MARTINDALE.
Conspicuously identified with the business and material interests of Tip- ton county, Indiana, is the subject of this review, and he has won for him- self an honorable position in the community and is a distinctive type of the successful self-made man. Not a pretentious or exalted life has been his. but one that has been true to itself and to which the biographer may revert with feelings of respect and satisfaction. Identified in a prominent way with various interests, and having attained prestige by successive steps from a modest beginning, it is eminently fitting that a sketch of his life, together with, an enumeration of his leading characteristics, be given in this connec- tion, as he is recognized as a man of strong and alert mentality, deeply inter- ested in everything pertaining to the advancement of the community along material lines, and today is recognized as one of the progressive men of the county of Tipton.
Elijah B. Martindale was born in Henry county, Indiana, October 27. 1850. the son of Samuel P. and Armilda (Oldaker) Martindale, both natives of the Hoosier state. To these parents were born six children, namely : Josephine L., deceased, was the wife of Elder Jacob B. Blount; James M., deceased; Elijah B .; Samuel P., of Indianapolis, Indiana; two who died in infancy. The father was reared in Henry county, Indiana, and was a school
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teacher in his younger days, afterward living in Indianapolis and in Putnam county, coming to Tipton in 1870, when he engaged in mercantile and marble monument business, having previously engaged in farming and trading in stock in Putnam county. The last seven or eight years of his life he resided in Ripley county, Indiana, dying there in his eighty-third year, his wife hav- ing preceded him to her reward five years, in her seventy-fifth year. She was a member of the Christian church.
The paternal grandparents of the subject were Elijah and Elizabeth (Boyd) Martindale, natives of North Carolina. He was a minister of the Christian church and took the confession of Benjamin Franklin, one of the shining lights of the Reformation. Coming to Indiana when but a boy, Elijah Martindale settled in Henry county, where he grew to manhood and passed his days, his death occurring in his eighty-second year, his wife living to be ninety-one years old. They had fifteen children, thirteen of whom lived to be heads of families : Newton, Benjamin, Samuel P., Simeon, William, Rob- ert, Elijah B., James, Mary, Eliza, Elizabeth, Belle and James M .; the other two died young.
The subject's maternal grandfather was Jacob Oldaker, of German descent and an early settler in Wayne county, Indiana, where he died on his farm about 1856. He was the father of William, Jacob, Mary and Armilda.
Elijah B. Martindale was born in Henry county, Indiana, and later lived in Delaware, Marion and Putnam counties, this state, coming to Tipton in 1870, when he was about twenty years old, and has since resided here. He attended the public schools at Indianapolis and the preparatory department of the Northwestern Christian University. After coming to Tipton he engaged in the mercantile business and ran a general store with his brother, James M., and his father, the firm name being Martindale & Sons. This connection con- tinued for five years, when the subject took up insurance and real estate as a business and has since continued in that line from March, 1885, to the present time. Mr. Martindale was one of the organizers of the Tipton Building and Loan Association in 1887, and was its first secretary and has continuously served in this capacity since, having the active management of this institution.
On October 3, 1871, Mr. Martindale was united in marriage to Jennie Parker, daughter of Dr. Isaac and Jane ( Rittenhouse) Parker. To this union have been born two children, Effie E., who married David S. Fish, of Tipton, and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Martindale was born in Tipton, Tipton county, Indiana, in January, 1854, her parents being natives of the
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Buckeye state and her father one of the early settlers and influential men of Tipton, he having a dry goods store, a saw- and grist-mill and a livery stable, and, in addition, practiced medicine. He and his wife died here, he at the age of fifty and she in her fortieth year. They had six children live to ma- turity, Josephine, David H., Noah W., Jennie, James and Levica.
Mr. and Mrs. Martindale are members of the Christian church, in which they take an earnest and active interest, Mr. Martindale being an elder and having served as a Sunday school teacher for over forty years.
MARCELLUS RACOBS.
It is hard for the present generation to properly appreciate the brave deeds of the "boys in blue," who sacrificed so much on the altar of patriotism during the momentous national crisis of the early sixties, but as the years go by the immensity of their deeds will be realized to a fuller extent and each veteran will be accorded full measure of credit and praise. A member of this great army of patriots is Marcellus Racobs, now a retired farmer and justice of the peace, living in Tipton, Tipton county, Indiana, a man who has spent a great part of his life in this vicinity, finding here ample opportunity for the exercise of his talents, and he has done much for the general welfare of the same, being public spirited and a good neighbor.
Marcellus Racobs was born in Fayette county, Ohio, August 13, 1845. the son of Joseph and Ruth (Van Treese) Racobs, natives of Ohio, and the parents of ten children, as follows: Marcellus: James, deceased: William : Joseph, deceased: Corrella Jane, the wife of Edward Coffman, of Cloverdale. Putnam county, Indiana; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of John Snyder. of Ross county, Ohio: Ella, the wife of P. R. Reed, of Greenfield, Indiana : Alma, who died single: Anna, deceased. was the wife of Ed Koon, of Shell Lake, Wisconsin : Frank, of Valley Mills, near Indianapolis, Indiana.
Joseph Racobs, the subject's father, was reared in Fayette county. Ohio, and was a farmer there for a number of years, later conducting a store at Washington Court House, Ohio. In the fall of 1867 he removed to the Hoosier state and located in Cicero township, near Tipton, Tipton county. but soon afterward went to Kansas, settling near Independence, in Mont- gomery county. that state. Remaining in Kansas for a few years. he re- turned to Indiana and located in Putnam county, and while there became an
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invalid, soon removing to Tipton to live with his son, the subject, and here he died in 1894 at the age of about eighty-two years. His wife survived him and died in Putnam county in 1908 in her seventy-eighth year. They were members of the Christian church.
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