USA > Indiana > Indiana and Indianans : a history of aboriginal and territorial Indiana and the century of statehood, Volume V > Part 15
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Having thus indicated his industrial po-
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sition in Indiana, it remains to say a word concerning his personal career .and his family.
Mr. Adams was born on a farm in Park- County, Indiana, December 12, 1853. He is a son of Harvey and Eliza (Caruthers) Adams. His father was born in Ross County, Ohio, July 25, 1825. When a young man he removed to Vigo County, Indiana, and from there to what is now Sand Creek Station in Parke County. There he took a tract of land on which few improvements had been made, and re- deemed it from the virginal wilderness. On a part of this farm is today located the Indiana State Tuberculosis Hospital. Harvey Adams was the type of man whose life is worthy of record, though it contained no spectacular elements of episodes. He lived an ideal Americanism, was honest, upright, a progressive and hardworking farmer, and he died at his home in Parke County April 3, 1904. His wife, Mrs. Eliza Adams, was born in Parke County Novem- ber 4. 1826. That date in itself indicates that her people were among the first settlers there in the Wabash Valley, and lived in that region when the Indians and wild game were far more plentiful than white people and domestic animals. She died June 15, 1912. It is from such unassuming parentage that the best of American citi- zens have sprung.
Joseph D. Adams was the third of the eight children born to his parents, five of whom are still living. His early life was devoid of exciting incidents. During the summer months he worked on the home farm and during the winter attended dis- trict schools. His early schooling was sup- plemented by attendance at the old Friends Bloomingdale Academy when Prof. Barna- bas C. Hobbs, later state superintendent of public instruction, was at the head of the institution. Like many other young men of the day Mr. Adams resorted to school teaching, and altogether taught some eight or nine terms, until he engaged in selling road machinery. In politics he has always been a republican. On April 13, 1876. he married Miss Anna Elder. Three children were born to them. The daughter, Anna Laura, now deceased, married Rev. Edward Henry, and she left two children, Anna Lou and Lanra Margaret. The active busi- ness associates of Mr. Adams in the J. D.
Adams & Company are his two sons, Roy E. and William Ray.
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CHARLTON ANDREWS, author, lecturer, journalist, and educator, is a native son of Connersville, Indiana, born February 1, 1878. His parents are Albert Munson An- drews, pharmacist, and Marie Louise An- drews, a writer and a pioneer in the woman's suffrage movement. She was one of the leading spirits in the founding of the Western Association of Writers, and for several years served as its secretary. Her death occurred in 1891.
Charlton Andrews is a graduate of De- Pauw University, 1898, University of Paris, 1898-9. Chicago University, 1904, and Har- vard University, 1911. His first work af- ter leaving college was as a newspaper man, was afterward prominently engaged in edu- cational work, and in 1914 entered upon his work as lecturer in the Brooklyn Poly- technic Institute. He was a member of the Civilians' Military Training Course, Fort Totten, Long Island, 1917, is a mem- ber of the Andiron Club, New York City, and with the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Among his works as an author may be mentioned : "The Drama Today" (1913), "The Technique of Play Writing" (1915), "His Majesty the Fool" (a play produced at The Little Theatre, Philadelphia, 1913), and other works, and has contributed to numerous magazines. In 1916 he was made play receiver for The Theatre Magazine.
In Brookville, Indiana, May 15, 1901, Mr. Andrews married Mande Cory Smolley.
BERT H. HARRIS. There are few men who have not at some time in their lives had an ardent ambition to be railroaders. In that great industry, as in many other lines, "many are called but few are chosen." It is a long and arduous climb to the heights of promotion and responsi- bility, and many drop out on the way.
One of the prominent railroad officials living at Indianapolis, and trainmaster for the Pennsylvania lines, is Bert H. Harris, who was first granted his desire to connect with the railroad when eighteen years of age. He was born at Martinsville, In- diana, in 1869, son of John F. and Mary (Schlayman) Harris. His father was of French ancestry and a native of Alsace- Lorraine, while his mother was born in
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Germany. They were early settlers in Martinsville. After attending the public schools of his native village Bert H. Har- ris counted it a most happy day when he was taken to work at the railroad station of the Pennsylvania lines in the capacity of messenger. There was a good deal of leisure time, and he rapidly picked up and acquired an expert knowledge of telegra- phy. He was assigned as operator at Mar- tinsville Station for about a year, later for two years was station agent, and in 1894 the Pennsylvania Company trans- ferred him to Indianapolis as chief clerk to the trainmaster. In 1896 he was made yardmaster at Bushrod, Indiana, and held those responsibilities about eight years. He then returned to Indianapolis to become trainmaster of the Vincennes Division, and has lived in this city continuously since then. August 1, 1918, Mr. Harris was hon- ored by.another substantial promotion, be- ing made trainmaster of both the Indian- apolis Terminal Division and the Vincennes Division, including the terminals at Vin- cennes. This was an office carrying with it considerably enlarged duties and responsi- bilities. One of the outstanding facts ir his record as a railroad man is that his service has been continnous with the Penn- sylvania lines, and thirty years in their employ constitute him a veteran, though he is just fifty years old.
Mr. Harris takes the greatest pride and interest in his work as a railroad man, but feels an even deeper personal interest in his happy family, and particularly of late in the experiences and achievements of his soldier son. Mr. Harris married at Spencer, Indiana, Miss Florence A. Mor- gan, of that city. Their three children are Lieut. Paul A. Harris, Agnes Harris, and Harry Harris. The older son, Paul, vol- unteered in the first officers' reserve corps for training in May, 1917. Later he was selected for coast artillery service, and completed his training at Fort Monroe, Virginia, where he was commissioned a second lientenant. Since then he has been promoted to first lieutenant, and has made a splendid record both in the technical branch of the service and as a commanding officer. He was in his third year at Pur- due University when he volunteered for the officers training camp. Mr. Harris and wife are members of the Fourth Presby-
terian Church of Indianapolis, and in pol- ities he is a democrat.
OSCAR C. SMITH. For thirty years or more Oscar C. Smith has been a factor in the business affairs of Kokomo, where he is head of the firm Smith & Hoff, an old established and well known busi- ness in furniture, household supplies, and undertaking, located at 118-120 East Wal- nut Street.
Mr. Smith is a man of broad and pro- gressive views, and his place among In- diana merchants is an indication of the fact that he is now serving as president of the State Chamber of Commerce of In- diana. He was formerly prominent in the Kokomo Chamber of Commerce, and gave up the presidency of that body in order to handle the responsibilities of his present office.
Mr. Smith was born May 15, 1862, at Mooresville, Indiana. His home has been in Kokomo since January, 1874. In 1880 he graduated from the Kokomo High School, and during the next five years had some valuable experience and rendered some good service as a teacher in Howard County and the City of Kokomo. Follow- ing that he entered the book business under the name O. C. Smith. With Mr. Louis Mehlig he subsequently formed the part- nership of Smith & Mehlig, drugs, books, and wall paper. This business was con- tinued nntil 1900, when Mr. Smith sold his interests to Mr. Mehlig. He then bought a half interest in the furniture bus- iness of Kellar & Company, thus estab- lishing the business of Smith & Kellar. Four years later Mr. E. W. Hoff bought the Kellar interests, and for the past four- teen years the firm of Smith & Hoff has enjoyed an unequivocal standing and pros- perity in Kokomo.
Mr. Smith was one of the founders of the Kokomo Chamber of Commerce in 1913. He served as its president from 1915 to 1917, when he resigned to devote his time to the State Chamber of Commerce as president. He is now in his second term of that office. Fraternally he is affiliated with Lodge No. 29, Knights of Pythias, having passed all the chairs, also with the Lodge of Etks, with the Improved Order of Red Men. and is a member of the Grace Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a re- publican, without aspirations for office
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In 1890 Mr. Smith married Miss Myrtle A. Maris, of Russiaville, Indiana. She graduated from the Kokomo High School in 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children : Paul M., born August 28, 1891, is a graduate of the Kokomo High School : Arline, born in 1894, died in 1897; and Preston E., born June 28, 1905.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MOORE. Since the beginning of the present century it is doubtful if any one man has done more to influence educational progress and policy in Indiana than Benjamin Franklin Moore. He is in the prime of his activities and his vitalizing influence on educational affairs is more conspicuous now than ever before.
Mr. Moore was born on a farm near Buf- falo in White County, Indiana, April 4, 1858. The Moore family were very promi- nent in the early life and history of that county. His father was a farmer, for many years justice of the peace and was postmaster of his community. Mr. Moore is a great-grandson of a Presbyterian preacher in Pennsylvania and a soldier in the Revolutionary war.
His early life was spent on his father's farm. He attended his first school near home, later the high school at Monticello, and in June, 1884, graduated from the In- diana State Normal School in the full Latin course. Aside from what he has gained by an experience of more than thirty years in educational work he has pursued post- graduate courses in the University of Chi- cago and in Columbia University of New York City. His Master's degree was awarded him by Columbia University in 1912.
Mr. Moore began teaching when only sixteen years old. For eight years his work was done in country districts. For one year he was superintendent of schools at Nineveh in Johnson County, superin- tendent of schools at Monticello five years, was for nine years at Frankfort, Indiana, nine years at Marion, and ten years at Muncie. On April 4, 1918, Mr. Moore was elected dean of the Indiana State Normal School, Eastern Division, and he was in charge at the opening of the school on June 17, 1918.
Besides what he has accomplished as an individual teacher and school administra- tor somme of his broader work in the state at large should be made familiar to the read-
ers. In 1907 he was appointed by the gov- ernor as chairman of the first Indiana State Education Commission to investigate and make recommendation regarding tax- ation and teachers salaries and other edu- cational matters. As chairman of the State Education Commission he prepared seven educational bills, all of which were enacted into laws. As chairman of the com- mittee appointed by the Indiana State Teachers' Association Mr. Moore wrote the present Indiana State Teachers' Retire- ment Law. He was appointed by the gov- ernor as a member of the first Indiana State Teachers' Retirement Fund Board, was first president of the board at its or- ganization August 1, 1915, and still holds that office. He has served as president of the Indiana State Teachers' Association, of the Indiana Town and City Superin- tendents' Association and of other educa- tional bodies. He has always interested himself in community affairs and during the war was a member of the Educational Committees of the State and County Coun- cils of Defense.
C. H. HAVENS is the present postmaster of Kokomo. He has been a resident and newspaper man of Kokomo for many years, and it seems almost a foretelling of destiny that he should have been born in a house just across the street from where the new Federal Building and Postoffice stands.
Mr. Havens was born May 4, 1858, son of Henry B. Havens and grandson of Rev. James Havens. He is of old Virginia an- cestry, and the family emigrated over the mountains to Kentucky and from that state went as pioneers to Rush County, Indiana. His grandfather was known as the "fight- ing minister," and was a type of the pio- neer itinerant preacher and evangelist of which Peter Cartwright was perhaps the most famous example. These ministers carried the Gospel to the backwoods com- munities, and preached in log schoolhouses and even in private homes, and no weather or other conditions could deter them from the performance of their duty. Rev. James Havens was widely known among the early settlers of Rush County and was a most exemplary man. Many years ago a Mr. Hibben wrote a book on his life and serv- ices and this book was widely read. Rev. James Havens had a family of fourteen children, the youngest being Henry B.,
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who was born in Rush County, was edu- cated in the district schools there, and learned the trade of saddler and harness maker. He followed it in Rush County until 1846, when he moved to Howard County, and became one of the first to fol- low his trade in Kokomo. Later he became a grain buyer, and continued that business until 1884, when he branched out in real estate and continued that until his death. He was widely known over Howard County and was very loyal in his allegiance to the democratic party and influential in its be- half.
C. H. Havens, third among the six chil- dren of his parents, was reared in Kokomo, attended the high school, and entered upon his business career as a printer's devil in the office of the Kokomo Democrat. He has been a printer and newspaper man many years, and for twenty years was managing editor of the Kokomo Dispatch. Mr. Hav- ens was appointed postmaster of Kokomo by President Wilson in 1914. He is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, a member of the Elks and Modern Wood- men of America, and very stanch as a democrat.
February 6, 1886, he married at Kokomo Miss Mckinsey. Their two daughters are both married, and one son-in-law is serv- ing with the rank of lieutenant in the American Army.
BYRON FLETCHER PRUNK, A. B., M. D. In the practice of medicine and surgery Doctor Prunk has become widely and fav- orably known at Indianapolis. The oppor- tunities and obligations of the medical pro- fession were impressed upon his attention from an early age, since his father was one of the able men in that field in Indianap- olis, and after duly qualifying himself by technical education Doctor Prunk found himself almost at the start in possession of a gratifying practice.
He was born December 20, 1866, son of Daniel H. and Hattie A. (Smith) Prunk, the father still living at Indianapolis with his son Byron F. The mother died Octo- ber 15, 1911. Dr. Daniel H. Prunk was born in Virginia, and as a child accom- panied the family in 1832 to Hennepin. Ill- inois, and spent his earliest years on a farm there. He took up the study of medicine, attending courses of the Eclectic School at Cincinnati, from which he graduated in
1856. In 1876 he graduated from the In- diana Medical University. He resumed practice at Indianapolis about the close of the Civil war. He served as contract sur- geon and assistant surgeon in the Federal service as a volunteer during that conflict. For sixty-three years he has ably per- formed his duties as a physician. His three sons, Frank H., Harry C., and Byron F., all live at Indianapolis.
Byron F. Prunk was educated in the common schools of his native city, grad- uated from Wabash College, Indiana, with the degree A. B. in 1892, studied medicine at the Indiana Medical College in 1894, and in 1896 received his degree Doctor of Medicine from Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia.
With these qualifications and training Dr. Prunk returned to Indianapolis and at once engaged in practice in the office of his father at 30 South Senate Avenne, where his father had continuously been in practice for forty years. He is a general practitioner. He is a member of the va- rious medical organizations, and is inter- ested in republican party success and be- longs to the First Presbyterian Church.
In 1894 he married Pauline D. Shaffer, a native of Arcadia, Indiana, daughter of William H. and Nancy (Caylor) Shaffer. Her father died in 1908 and her mother is now living in Indianapolis. Doctor and Mrs. Prunk have five children. Byron Parvin, the oldest, born May 29, 1895, was a student in Wabash College when Amer- ica entered the world struggle against Ger- many, became sergeant in Headquarters Company and attended training camp for officers at Camp Taylor, Louisville, Ken- tucky, and became second lieutenant. Harriet Augusta, who was born November 9, 1896, was formerly a student of Emer- son College of Oratory at Boston, and spent one year in the Chevy Chase School at Washington. Helen Louise, born Septem- ber 19, 1899, is in the Indianapolis High School. Horace, born June 16, 1901, in spite of his age found an opportunity to get into the war, receiving his first mili- tary experience in Battery A, Indiana Na- tional Guard, and is now a private in the famous Rainbow Division in General Pershing's army in France. The young- est of the children, Elizabeth, was born November 28, 1908.
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HENRY KNAUFF, the present county treasurer of Miami County, was elected to that office not only on the score of good business qualifications for its management, but also because of his long residence and a publie spirited citizenship he has always exhibited in everything connected with the life and welfare of his home county.
Mr. Knauff has lived in Miami County since he was five years of age. He was born in Germany May 10, 1863, son of George and Anna C. (Kuhn) Knauff, and grand- son of Nicholas Knauff. It was in 1868 that the Knauff family set out from their old home in Hesse Darmstadt, and they landed at Castle Garden on Independence Day, July 4, 1868. George Knauff located in Union Township of Miami County, and having come here with small means rented land until he could buy a farm of his own. This farm was the home of his son Henry until the latter came to Peru to take up his duties at the courthouse. George Knauff was born about 1830. His first wife died in 1871, and he then married Emily J. McDonald, who died in 1908.
Henry Knauff received all his education in the Miami County schools, and except for his official career has always been a farmer. He improved the old homestead until it ranks as one of the best farms of Miami County.
The first important office he held was as trustee of Union Township, to which he was elected in 1900. He served four years and two months, and later was township as- sessor. He and his family are Baptists, and he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Maccabees.
In 1882, in Union Township, Mr. Knauff married Rosanna Deeds. Her father, George Deeds, and her uncle, William Deeds, at one time owned the land upon which the Village of Deedsville is located, that name commemorating the family. Mr. and Mrs. Knauff have five children : Harry E., Charles R., Elsie, Henry Ray and Flo- rence M.
J. GEORGE MUELLER is one of Indian- apolis' most successful merchants. He has been successively pharmacist, druggist, and wholesale drug merchant for over thirty years, and the success, the wide scope and standing of the Mooney-Mueller-Ward
Company is eloquent testimony to his abil- ity and judgment.
Mr. Mueller was born in Indianapolis June 21, 1860, son of Charles G. and Mar- gareta Mueller. His father, who was born in Coburg, Saxony, spent his youth in his native land, but became restive under the cramped conditions and the military sys- tem prevailing there, and emigrating to America landed at Baltimore in 1854. For a time he lived in Connersville, Indiana, and from there came to Indianapolis. By trade he was a cloth maker. At Conners- ville he was employed in the woolen mills, and on coming to Indianapolis engaged in the retail grocery business. One of his first stores was on what was then known as the National Road, now East Washington Street. He was an active business man until the latter years of his life, when he was practically an invalid. He died in 1883. He and his wife were married in Germany, and they had fourteen children, six of whom died before the birth of J. George. Those still living are: Mrs. Anna Hotze, of Indianapolis ; Mrs. Otto Wagner; Emil A., of Indianapolis; J. George; Fer- dinand A .; and Rudolph M. The mother, who died in 1909, lived for many years with her daughter Mrs. Hotze.
From the common schools J. George Mueller at the age of thirteen went to work in the drug store of L. H. Mueller as an errand boy and helper. Thus as a boy he gained the experience and laid the founda- tion of the business which has brought him so much success. In 1881 he entered the Cincinnati College of Pharmacy, graduat- ing with honors in 1883 and with the de- gree Ph. G. He received the gold medal for highest efficiency in his work, and also had honors for his work in materia medica and in botany. During his senior year he was given the responsibilities of quiz master.
From college he went back to the Mueller drug store, and in 1887 bought out the busi- ness, located at Washington and East Street. He continued there as a retail druggist until January 1, 1891.
At that date Mr. Mueller assisted in or- ganizing the Indianapolis Drug Company, and thus laid the foundation for the whole- sale business. His associates in that enter- prise were John R. Miller, deceased, and Dr. Herman Pink, who retired from active
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life in 1908. Mr. Miller was secretary and treasurer of the company. In 1902 it was succeeded by the Mooney-Mueller Drug Company, Incorporated, of which Mr. Mueller has since been secretary and treas- urer. On November 2, 1915, this company was consolidated with the Ward Brothers Drug Company of Indianapolis under the corporate name of Mooney-Mueller-Ward Company. To this flourishing and growing business, with trade connections over all the railroad lines extending out through Indiana and to adjacent states, Mr. Mueller has for years concentrated his abilities and energies.
As a business man he has also been in- terested in the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce and has served as a director. He has been on a number of important committees and is now a member of the Wholesale Trade and Good Roads commit- tees. Fraternally he is affiliated with Pen- talpha Lodge of Masons, the Royal Arch Masons, the Knights Templar and the Mystic Shrine.
October 17, 1888, he married Miss Julia W. Schnull, daughter of Henry and Ma- thilda (Schramm) Schnull, the latter now deceased. The father is founder of Schnull & Company, the well known whole- sale grocers of Indianapolis. Mrs. Mueller is active socially and in church affairs, and has given much of her time in the past vear to various departments of war work. They have a son and daughter, Clemens O. and Norma J. The son, born in 1889, is buyer for his father's wholesale drug house. He married Zuleme Kinney. The daughter is talented in music and is identified with several vocal organizations in Indianapolis.
JOHN WILLIAM BAILEY was born near Scottsburg, Indiana, a son of the Rev. James P. and Virginia Caroline Bailey. The father was a minister in various places in Southern Indiana and the mother was a daughter of a Baptist minister. After a thorough training in Franklin College and the University of Chicago John Wil- liam Bailey entered the Baptist ministry, and has filled pastorates at Fairbury, Illi- nois, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and Pella, Iowa. was professor of Biblical Literature in Cen- tral College, later president of Central Col- lege, and was extension instructor in the University of Chicago. He has served on various important committees of the Iowa
Baptist Convention for several years, and was chairman of the committee on reorgan- izations.
Reverend Bailey married Celestine Wood, and they have four children, Harold Wood, Ernest Richard, Margaret Ruth, and John William.
MICHAEL W. STAUB is junior partner in the firm of Staub Brothers, one of the lead- ing establishments around the Public Square of Anderson, and they were first in business as tobacconists. The partnership comprises Joseph P. and Michael W. Staub.
Both were born at Metamora, Indiana, Joseph on December 23, 1877, and Michael on April 18, 1879. They are sons of Joseph P. and Frances (Kuntz) Staub. The father came from Alsace-Lorraine, Germany, when about nineteen years of age, spent one year in New York, and com- ing to Indiana spent one year in Brookville, and was later at Metamore. He was a shoe- maker by trade, and by constant industry and careful thrift managed to provide for his family and rear them to lives of useful- ness. He died April 27, 1916.
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