USA > Indiana > History of the Indiana democracy, 1816-1916 > Part 124
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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916
Mr. Barrett makes his home in Indianapolis at the present time. He served his party as city attorney for the city of Indianapolis until his private practice compelled him to give his attention to this work. His effort will be known to future Democrats, as his period of service extends a long distance into the future.
HOWARD E. BARRETT
A leading attorney of Rush county and an active worker in the ranks of the Democracy of this locality is Howard E. Barrett of Rushville.
Mr. Barrett was born in Hancock county, Indiana, on the 23d day of March, 1862. He attended the common schools of his district, the Spice- land Academy and later entered Valparaiso University, where both the commercial and law courses were taken. Following his graduation from this institution on the 27th day of May, 1885, he was admitted to the bar of Rush county and entered into the active practice of the law.
On the 14th day of April, 1887, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Catherine Veatch of Oaklandon, and their home, then established in Rush- ville, has extended hospitality to many friends.
In the year 1910 he assumed the duties of city attorney for a term of four years, and in this capacity he has demonstrated his abilities as a jurist and his loyalty to the community which he serves. The administration of the affairs of this office has been conducted with the same conscientious zeal which has characterized his work in private practice, and he has fairly won the high esteem ren- dered him by his constituents and the community at large. At the primary election in 1916 he was nominated by the Democrats for the position of senator of the district composed of Rush, Hancock and Decatur counties, receiving a majority of the votes in these counties. He was, however, defeated at the November election.
In some things Mr. Barrett is known as a conservative man, but in movements affecting the progress and development of Rush county and its moral uplift he is in the front rank of the workers.
Politically he has consistently adhered to the tenets of Thomas Jefferson and sought to promul- gate these principles by precept and by example.
OTTO C. BASTIAN
Otto C. Bastian was born in New York state June 8, 1864, and received a public school and normal school education in that state. He then took up the drug business at Danville, N. Y., and in 1887 opened his store in South Bend, Indiana.
He has been very active in both party and civic affairs during the past fifteen years, and is regarded as one of the most public-spirited men in the city. He was president of the board of public works from 1910 to 1914, and during that time great projects that had been in contemplation were carried out. A new water station was built, two trunk sewers constructed, and new streets opened. The Washington street elevation was constructed and a vast saving was made through using gravel instead of concrete for street foundations.
Mr. Bastian was president of the old South Bend Business Men's Asso- ciation, and it was directly through his efforts, seconded by other enterpris- ing men, that the chamber of commerce was established; and he served in the board of directors for four years. No man has the welfare of South Bend more at heart.
Mr. Bastian is always an active Democrat. He was a delegate to the notable state convention of 1888, and has attended nearly all state and congressional conventions since, as well as judicial con- ventions. He is always active in campaigns and a loyal supporter of his party.
He is a member of the order of Elks, the Indiana Club and several German organizations .. He is married, his wife's maiden name being Una Bier hart.
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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916
JUDGE CHARLES S. BATT
Throughout the state of Indiana, Judge Charles S. Batt is known as a brilliant light in the legal profession and the author of improved methods of procedure in the courts of Terre Haute and Vigo county.
Judge Batt was born in Salem, Washington county, Indiana, on the second day of February, 1872. He attended the public schools of New Albany, graduating from the high school of that city. In the year 1901 he entered the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, graduating three years later, having taken post-graduate work. In the same year he was admitted to the bar of Vigo county and engaged in the active practice of his profession at Terre Haute.
In the fall of 1909 he was elected city judge of this place with a majority of over twelve hundred votes in a normally Republican community, and his ability in the discharge of the duties pertaining to this office is well known. In the year 1914 he was appointed city attorney, and in this capacity is demonstrating anew his zeal in the public service.
Since he attained his majority, he has been a consistent adherent to Democratic principles, and has taken an active part in the various campaigns through which he has passed, being much in de- mand as a political speaker throughout his congressional district. In the year 1912 he was elected alternate to the Baltimore convention and served in the place of the regular delegate to this notable gathering. He is also an extensive farmer, being one of the largest land owners in the county, spe- cializing in feed cattle.
He is affiliated with the Indianapolis Consistory, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, 32d degree; Zorah Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Terre Haute, and is past eminent commander of the Terre Haute Commandery No. 16, Knights Templar.
Mrs. Batt, to whom he was married July 10, 1907, was formerly Miss Florence M. Wyeth. By her gracious manner and charm in dispensing the hospitality of their home, she has been a large factor in drawing about them a wide circle of friends.
FRED W. BEAL
Fred W. Beal, Democratic candidate for the nomination of judge of the superior court of Vigo county, was reared in Vigo county. He is the son of Mark and Margaret A. Beal, and the grandson of Uncle Jerry Beal, a pioneer settler of Vigo county. Mr. Beal received his early education in the country and city schools of Vigo county and graduated from the Terre Haute high school in 1889, winning the scholarship to Wabash College. He attended the Indiana State Normal School and afterwards taught school in this county. He was a resident of Otter Creek township when admitted to the bar. He attended the University of Michigan Law School and graduated therefrom in 1893. Mr. Beal was admitted to the bar in 1892, a year before his graduation. He began the practice of law in the office of Davis, Reynolds & Davis, and continued with them until he formed a partnership with Sant C. Davis, who was a brother of Judge S. B. Davis, and this partnership continued until the death of Mr. Davis in 1897.
In 1898 Mr. Beal was elected prosecuting attorney of Vigo county and held the office from 1899 to 1903. In 1908 Mr. Beal was nominated by his party as a candidate for state senator when it was found that Louis P. Seeburger was not eligible to make the race, and was elected.
While in the Legislature Mr. Beal was assigned to some of the most important committees in the senate. He was a member of the finance, judiciary, mines and mining and labor committees. On the latter committee he served as chairman. Some of the most important labor legislation came up during the sessions while he was there. Mr. Beal introduced for organized labor a bill known as the employers' liability act and he succeeded in having it passed in 1911. This law eliminates the fellow- servant rule and is one of the greatest laws for the protection of life and limb of the laboring people of this State. Mr. Beal supported all measures in favor of labor, and on the mining committee
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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916
gave his support to the weekly wage law, the ventilation bill and other measures directed towards the safety and welfare of the miners of the State. He supported measures also for the protection of the railroad men, introducing the switchmen's bill and being instrumental in having it pass. He sup- ported all measures for the benefit of public health and for the benefit and development of the agri- cultural interests of the State. As a member of the finance committee he succeeded in getting neces- sary appropriations for the proper maintenance of the Indiana State Normal School. He was in- strumental in having a bill passed changing the method of electing school trustees of Terre Haute, procuring the enactment of a law whereby school trustees for Terre Haute are elected by the direct vote of the people.
His grandfather, Jeremiah Beal, came from Virginia, and was a lifelong Democrat, with which party all of his descendants have been affiliated and have been enthusiastic workers. Mr. Beal has always been a great admirer of William Jennings Bryan. He attended the Democratic national con- vention in Chicago in 1896 and heard Mr. Bryan deliver the famous speech which caused his nomina- tion at that convention. Mr. Beal also attended the Democratic national conventions at Chicago in 1892 and at St. Louis in 1904, and in 1912 he attended the Democratic national convention at Balti- more where Woodrow Wilson was nominated. Mr. Beal has always been a great admirer of Woodrow Wilson and exerted himself in behalf of his nomination. Mr. Beal, with the Indiana Democratic Marching Club, made the trip to the inauguration at Washington and saw Mr. Wilson take the oath of office.
STUART A. BEALS
In these days of advanced thought and scientific educational methods the man who has in his charge the task of training the infant minds of the com- munity and guiding the later studies of incipient manhood and womanhood must be one of proven worth in various directions. Not only must he be well educated in the actual studies taught in the classroom, but must have that broader education which comes of ripe experience and constant contact with the practical mental and physical problems of youth. That such a man has been found by the citizens of Crawford county, Indiana, is evi- denced by the fact that he has served for eleven years as county superin- tendent of schools. This gentleman is Stuart A. Beals, a native of Indiana, whose birth occurred on the 31st of October, 1871. On the 28th of May, 1899, he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa E. McCullum. Mr. Beals attended the common and high schools of the county, later taking the full normal course. He was for a term of years engaged in teaching in the Leavenworth schools, thus demonstrating his eminent fitness for the position which he now holds. Fraternally he is affiliated with Crawford Lodge No. 470, F. and A. M., and with Wyandotte Lodge No. 268, K. of P.
THOMAS O. BECK
Thomas O. Beck, a prominent citizen of Boone county and resident of the city of Lebanon, was born in the Hoosier State on the 24th day of November, 1858. His childhood and youth were spent in Boone county, and on the 1st day of August, 1881, he was married to Miss Luella Phillips, whose home was also in Lebanon. Both Mr. and Mrs. Beck received their education in the schools of Lebanon, he graduating from the high school. He has for many years been successfully engaged as a farmer and stock-raiser, and is in touch with the various new movements for the aid of the mod- ern, scientific farmer.
He has always been a stanch Democrat and from the year 1904 to 1914 (except- ing one term of two years) he served as the county chairman of that party. He is now postmaster of the city of Lebanon, appointed for a term of four years, and is an honored member of the Indianapolis Democratic club.
Mr. Beck is the father of four sons-Dr. Herma A., Ora O., Arthur and Thomas O., Jr .; and three daughters-Lola I., Lavona L. and Nina B.
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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916
CHARLES BENTON BECK
Charles Benton Beck, now postmaster of the city of Rich- mond, came to his work after a broad experience in the edu- cational and commercial fields; and the efficiency of his admin- istration of the affairs of this office has demonstrated his fit- ness for the work.
Mr. Beck was born on a farm near Burlington, Indiana, on the 18th day of June, 1861, and here his boyhood was spent and his early education received. Later he attended the Indiana State Normal at Terre Haute, and for sixteen years following his graduation he taught in the schools of Cass, Carroll, Vigo and Fulton counties.
On the 16th day of February, 1884, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Inez Louise Cockayne.
He became engaged as a traveling salesman, and for seventeen years sold shoes and rubber goods in the central states. Afterward he located in the city of Richmond, and soon became identified with the local organization of the Dem- ocratic party. During the campaigns of 1907 to 1911 he served as county chairman, and was a member of the state central committee, acting as district chairman, from 1911 to 1913. In 1910 he was a candidate for representative to the state legis- lature.
Mr. Beck is descended from a long line of Democratic ancestors on both sides of the family, one grandfather being a loyal Virginia worker, and the other, Isaac Patty, being descended from the French Huguenots.
LAWRENCE BECKER
Lawrence Becker was born August 10, 1869, in Westphalia, Germany. He attended the German public schools until the family emigrated to America, in April, 1879, and settled in Tolleston, now Gary, Ind. In August, 1879, the family moved to Hammond, where young Becker attended the pub- lie schools. In May, 1883, the family moved to Montana. Here he worked on ranches during the summer and attended the public schools during the winter, until November, 1892, when he entered Val- paraiso University, at Valparaiso, Ind., and for two winters prepared himself for the study of law. In the fall of 1894 he entered the law school of that institution, which he finished in June, 1896, when he opened a law office and settled in Hammond.
In March, 1898, he was elected chairman of the Democratic city central committee, and in May was elected city attorney of Hammond, which (ffice he held until September, 1902. In 1903 he was one of the organizers of the Hammond Public Library and was a member of the library board until his removal to Washington, D. C. In May, 1904, he was elected mayor of Ham- mond, re-elected in 1905 and 1909. In March, 1911, Governor Marshall appointed him judge of the Lake Superior Court. In 1912 he was a delegate to the Baltimore convention. He represented Indi- ana on the committee of rules and joined the members of that committee who favored the abolition of the unit rule, and when beaten signed the minority report which provided that the unit rule should not apply to delegates who had been elected under a statutory primary election, which was adopted by the convention. In the election of 1914 he was defeated for judge of the superior court by the smallest plurality of any candidate on the Democratic ticket. On March 1, 1915, he was appointed solicitor of the U. S. Treasury by President Wilson.
Judge Becker is known as a student of municipal government and political science, and has draft- ed many of the laws of our state concerning municipal corporations and elections. He is a member of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, the American Political Science Associa- tion, and other civic organizations. He has farm interests in Indiana and Montana and is a member of the American Shropshire Sheep Breeders' Association. He is a member of the Elks, Odd Fellows and Masons, and also of several insurance orders.
On September 8, 1898, he married Agnes D. Eaton of La Salle county, Illinois, who was a student at Valparaiso. They have three children: a son, Eaton, born in 1901; and two daughters, Inez and Rose.
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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916
CHARLES H. BEDWELL
Charles H. Bedwell has attained a position of distinction and promi- nence in the legal profession of Sullivan county, and is highly esteemed as a legislator and as a public official of this commonwealth.
Mr. Bedwell is a native Hoosier, born on the 16th day of March, 1884. He attended the public schools of his home district and later entered Cen- tral Normal College at Danville for study in the higher branches and in pedagogy. Later a course in law was taken at Indiana University, and after his graduation he was admitted to the bar of Sullivan county and engaged in the general practice of his profession in the city of Sullivan. There he soon established an enviable reputation as an attorney of ability and in the year 1910 was appointed to the position of deputy prosecuting attorney, in which capacity he served for a period of two years.
In the fall of 1912 Mr. Bedwell was elected to represent Sullivan county in the lower house of the state legislature, and in the 68th general assembly he served with rare zeal and intelligence. During the years of 1913 and 1914 he served the party in the capacity of county chairman, and in that capacity rendered valuable service to the local organization.
Fraternally, Mr. Bedwell is allied with the order of Free and Accepted Masons and with the Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
On March 22,- 1913, Mr. Bedwell was united in marriage to Miss Lulu M. Cain, who has since been the presiding genius of his home and his able assistant in the various undertakings which have marked his career.
JOHN E. BELDING
The name of Mr. John E. Belding is a familiar one to the citizens of Jackson county, being that of a leading hardware merchant of Brownstown and former treasurer of Jackson county.
Mr. Belding was born on the 24th day of August, 1870, on a farm in Grassy Fork township, Jackson county, and in that locality his life has been spent. He attended the public schools, includ- ing the high school of Brownstown, and has since been engaged in mercantile lines. He is a faith- ful Democratic worker, and served one term as county treasurer.
LON E. BERNETHY
Few citizens of Starke county are not familiar with Mr. Lon E. Bernethy, the present station agent and operator at North Judson for the Pennsylvania railroad.
Mr. Bernethy is a native Hoosier, born in Logansport, Cass county, on the 21st day of January, 1856. He attended the schools of Cass county, and in the year 1872 located in North Judson, Starke county. In the fall of 1888 he was elected to represent Laporte, Starke and Pulaski counties in the state legislature, and in the assembly of 1889 was an active participant. He was returned also to the assembly of 1891, and in 1914 was a candidate for nomination for treasurer of state, but with five others was defeated for this office. He has been a diligent worker in the party ranks since in his youth, and has rendered valuable service to the local organization in the various campaigns.
JUDGE HARRY BERNETHA
A prominent attorney in the city of Rochester and an active worker in the ranks of the Demo- cratic party is Judge Harry Bernetha. He was born in Indiana on the 12th day of May, 1867, and attended the public schools of his district. After completing his course of study in the high school he continued his work as a teacher in common schools, looking forward to the law as his chosen pro- fession.
In the year 1890, in August, his marriage to Miss Rhoda Delp was solemnized, and in the same year he began the active practice of law in the city of Rochester. In 1896 he assumed the duties of
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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916
prosecuting attorney of the 41st Judicial District, serving in this capacity for four years; and so zealous was he in the administration of the affairs of this office that he was nominated in 1902 for the still greater responsibilities of judge of the same district. He was elected, and at the expiration of his term of office was re-elected and served until the close of the year 1914.
Judge Bernetha is now successfully engaged in the practice of law, a member of the firm of Holman, Bernetha & Bryant; and still retains that clearness of vision and grasp of various phases of intricate legal problems which characterized his decisions for so many years from the bench.
ANDREW TULLY BITTERS
For many years an honored official in the service of the commonwealth and a leading journalist of the community, Andrew Tully Bitters is well known throughout Fulton county.
He was born in the State of Pennsylvania on the 16th day of January, 1841. Here he attended common school, and at the age of fifteen years ac- companied his parents to Peru. Mr. Bitters was a member of the 87th Indi- ana Volunteers and the Mississippi Marine Brigade from 1862 to 1865. In 1869 he located in the city of Rochester, and here his interests have since centered. In the same year he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, serving in this capacity until the close of 1870. Later, also, he held this position for several years. During the period from 1886 to 1890 he served as postmaster of the city of Rochester, and was a member of the city council for a term. On the first day of May, 1910, he was appointed attendance and probation officer, and in this capacity has since served.
His career as a journalist began in the year 1872, at which time he owned and edited the Rochester Sentinel, and for fourteen years thereafter he was largely respon- sible for the molding of public opinion in the community through the influence of this organ. In the year 1886, however, he sold to Mr. Barnhart.
Mr. Bitters was twice married, his first wife, to whom he was married January 23, 1867, being Miss Sarah J. St. Clair; and the present Mrs. Bitters, to whom he was married April 28, 1901, hav- ing been formerly Miss Eliza Chatten, a native of London, England.
GEORGE A. BITTLER
Successful and popular both in politics and business, knowing that friends are a far greater asset than money in this life that is full of things, setting the pace by becoming the youngest man who ever held the office of treasurer of state in Indiana, George A. Bittler stepped from one place to another in the business world with remarkable speed; all the time, in politics, being filled with enthusiasm and working for the party success, whether as one of the candidates or merely as a private citizen, believing in the righteousness of the party principles.
George A. Bittler was a bank cashier at the age of twen- ty-seven, and four years later was nominated and elected on the Democratic ticket as treasurer of state, with nothing but his own bootstraps, thousands of personal friends of all politi- cal affiliations and his ability and character to bring him over the top. These things all combined to not only secure for him the nomination in a strong field, but enabled him to march into the office with 3,000 votes ahead of his ticket.
Coming from Fort Wayne, where he originally held the position of bank cashier, serving his term as state treasurer, he stepped into the position of vice-president of the Mer- chants' National Bank of Indianapolis, one of the strongest and largest banking institutions in the State, being placed in direct charge of the bond department,
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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916
and in this place represented this strong concern in all the war financing drives in the war with Ger- many, in addition to being in full charge of one of these early and speedily successful campaigns for the community.
The progress made by the Indiana Democratic Club in the accumulation of members from all over the State, and at the same time the construction and enlargement of the handsome club house, was due to the energy, well directed, of Mr. Bittler while he was treasurer of state.
George A. Bittler came of a well-known family. The son of Mr. and Mrs. William Bittler, he was born in Fort Wayne, May 10, 1881. Was educated in the schools of his native city and graduated from the normal school at Woodville, Ohio, in the year 1900, entering the profession of teaching. He was thus engaged at Michigan City for a time. Leaving this profession, he took employment in the mo- tive power office of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Fort Wayne, later entering the banking house of Nuttman & Co. as teller and assistant cashier.
Shortly after he was promoted to cashier, which position he held at the time he was appointed in 1908 by Governor Thomas E. Marshall as deputy state examiner on the state board of accounts to fill the unexpired term of William M. Fogarty, who had organized the Fidelity Trust Company of In- dianapolis and became its head. As a member of the board of accounts he was reappointed in Feb- ruary, 1910, for a term of four years, serving until September, 1914, after he had been nominated by the Democratic state convention over a field of eight candidates for state treasurer. He resigned his office held by appointment to make this race. In the election which followed, as already stated, he led the remainder of the ticket by over three thousand votes. He took charge of the office of treasurer February 10, 1915.
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