USA > Indiana > Indiana and Indianans : a history of aboriginal and territorial Indiana and the century of statehood, Volume V > Part 39
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Along the west side of the Wabash, in the vicinity of Terre Haute, was found iron ore of good quality and close to the beds of block coal. Forty or fifty years ago these ores were found in sufficient quantities to justify their being gathered up and carted to Terre Haute, where they were utilized in the Vigo Blast Furnace. which had been established by Mr. Craw- ford and his associations and which was the last one of the old group of Indiana fur- naces to go out of blast. It ceased opera- tion about 1895.
The late Andrew J. Crawford belonged to a family of iron masters in Pennsylvania. He was born at Westchester, Montgomery County of that state, November 7, 1837, a son of Alexander L. and Mary (List) Crawford. His parents were Pennsylvan- ians and of Irish and German stock. Alex- ander L. Crawford was an ironmonger and did much to upbuild the early iron industry in Pennsylvania. He is credited with hav- ing established the first iron plant at New- castle and also constructed the first railroad ont of that town, known as the Beaver Valley Railroad, connecting with the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago. In the course of time his enterprises made him one of the big iron men of Pennsylvania.
The son of a successful father and reared in a home of sound and substantial ideals, Andrew J. Crawford received a
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thorough education and as a boy became familiar with the various .operations in- volved in the manufacture of iron. This experience qualified him for his later in- dependent achievements. At the age of thirty-two he came to Indiana, and after a survey of different localities decided upon Terre Haute as the scene of his operations. Terre Haute at that time had a foundry and several other industries employing a number of iron workers, and these led Mr. Crawford to locate here. He built the Vigo Blast Furnace and also erected the North Rolling Mill, known as the Wabash Iron Works Company. He became president of the Wabash Mills, while his brother, J. P. Crawford, was secretary and treasurer. The rolling mills and kindred interests sub- sequently organized under the Terre Haute Iron & Steel Company, of which Mr. Craw- ford was vice president. The rolling mills continued operation until 1899, when they were sold to the steel trust. Mr. Crawford was also interested in the coal mining in- dustry and was a member of various bank- ing and financial organizations of Terre Haute.
In politics he was a staunch republican, but never appeared as a candidate for a public office. He was a member of the Masonic Order. Among those who knew him and appreciated his character he is re- membered for his remarkable sagacity in business affairs, and also for a genial dis- position and pleasant manner, so that he was one of the best beloved citizens of Terre Haute and his entire life was an example of rectitude and honor which may well be cherished by his descendants.
December 26, 1865, he married Miss Ann E. Ibinson, of Newcastle, Pennsylvania. They became the parents of five children : Alexander L., deceased; Mrs. Mary E. Kidder, of Paris, Illinois; James A. ; John L .; and Mrs. Anna M. Bartlett, of Phila- delphia.
ABRAHAM HARSH, president and sole owner of the Tiger Coal and Supply Com- pany of Richmond, was a railroad tele- grapher and station agent for a number of years in Ohio and Indiana, and on leaving railroading he took up the coal business and is now a veteran in that line. He has built up a large and prosperous business at Richmond. dealing in coal, coke and build- ers' supplies.
He was born in Wayne County, near Wooster, Ohio, son of Zachariah and Han- nah (Meyers) Harsh. His father and mother both came from the City of Wurms in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and first located at Massillon, Ohio, and afterwards moved to Wooster, where they lived and died. His father was a silk weaver and an umbrella maker by trade. He died in 1897 and his wife in 1885.
Abraham was the oldest in a family of nine children, six of whom are still living. To the age of fifteen he attended public school at Wooster, then acquired a knowl- edge of telegraphy, and was assigned his first duties as an operator at Louisville, Ohio, with the Pennsylvania Company. He spent fifteen years in the service of that railroad, as operator and station agent at different point, and was also connected for a time with the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway.
In December, 1901, Mr. Harsh formed a copartnership with E. D. Howe, under the name Howe & Harsh, dealers in coal and coke. They were associated together for eighteen months, having a flourishing busi- ness at Lima, Ohio. Mr. Harsh then bought the interest of his partner and continued at Lima from 1903 to 1906. Selling out, he came to Richmond in the latter year, es- tablished a yard and entered the coal busi- ness under the name A. Harsh Coal & Sup- ply Company. In October, 1916, he sold the business, but re-entered it in July, 1918, at which time he organized the present cor- poration. the Tiger Coal & Supply Com- pany. He is also a stockholder in the Cliff- Wood Coal & Supply Company at Lima, Ohio, and is vice president and a stock- holder in the First National Bank and has other banking and real estate inter- ests. Success has come to him in generous measure as a result following many years of persevering labor and well directed energy.
In 1877 he married Fannie M. Pence, daughter of Jeremiah and Susan (Myers) Pence of Louisville, Ohio. Mr. Harsh is independent in the matter of politics, is affiliated with Webb Lodge of Masons at Richmond, with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Findlay in Hancock County, Ohio, with the Encampment at Mansfield, Ohio, and is a member of the Richmond Commercial Club and of the Jewish Order B'nai B'rith.
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MRS. HARRIET MARSH JOHNSTON, of Muncie, has engaged in many of those broader activities and interests which are often associated with the successful busi- ness man and citizen, but in her case these have come and have been subsequent to her faithful work as wife and mother. Mrs. Johnston is one of Indiana's notable women of the present century.
Her father was long prominent in Mun- cie as a banker. His name was John Marsh, a native of Preble County, Ohio. In early life he followed the business of hatter in Eaton, Ohio, and for two terms served as treasurer of the county. He moved to Delaware County, Indiana, in 1854, and his career is of special interest because of his active connection with one of the branches of the old Indiana State Bank. The Muncie branch of the State Bank was organized July 2, 1856, and began business in January following. Mr. John Marsh was the first president of the institution. This local branch went into voluntary liquidation following the passage of the National Bank Act of 1863. The Muncie National Bank was chartered as its succes- sor and with the same officers. Mr. Marsh resigned as president in 1874, and took an active part in organizing the Citizens Bank, which in 1875 was made the Citizens Na- tional Bank. Mr. Marsh was the first cash- ier of this institution and held that office until his death in 1887. Thus for over thirty years he held a place of prominence ยท in Muncie's financial affairs. He was a man of model Christian character, kind and generous to a fault, and his memory is still held in grateful regard by the older resi- dents of Delaware County. He was a very active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Muncie, was a charter member of the Masonic Lodge of that city, and was an upholder of the principles of the re- publican party from the age of twenty-one. He married Mary Mitchell, who died in 1900. They had a family of seven chil- dren, all living but one.
The old Marsh home at Muncie has been the residence of Mrs. Harriet Johnston all her life. She was born there October 25, 1860, being next to the youngest of her father's children. She attended the com- mon and high schools of Muncie, graduat- ing from the latter in 1878. She was also given a thorough musical education in the Cincinnati Musical College, and for a num-
ber of years was organist of the Methodist Church of Muncie.
October 11, 1881, she married John R. Johnston. Mr. Johnston was born October 11, 1857, had a good education and began his business career with his father in the wholesale drug business. After coming to Muncie he was deputy recorder and was holding that position at the time of his death in 1885. He was a republican and a member of the Episcopal Church.
After four years of happy married life Mrs. Johnston was left with the duties of home maker and home provider. For a time she worked as assistant teller in her father's bank, but since 1897 has been engaged in the fire insurance business, and has built up one of the best agencies in the eastern part of the state. She repre- sents a number of the old reliable compan- ies and for many years has given her per- sonal attention to all phases of the busi- ness, even to the adjustment of losses.
While a very energetie business woman Mrs. Johnston is most widely known through her sustained activity and interest in everything affecting the promotion of culture and of wholesome institutions in her home city. She is a vice president of the Muncie Art Association, was one of the charter members of the Art Students League, is a member of the Conversation Club, and has been prominent in literary and civic movements of various kinds. Re- cently she was one of the leaders in raising Delaware County's quota for the Liberty Loan. Mrs. Johnston possesses the happy faculty of being able to direct her complete energy and enthusiasm to the subject im- mediately at hand. When she is in her business office everything is business, but many of her best friends and warmest ad- mirers know her only as a good citizen and as a woman intensely interested in matters of literature and art. Mrs. Johnston has a wide acquaintance with the world of books and with the world of travel. She has vis- ited Europe twice and has also toured the Oriental countries of China and Japan.
The primary stimulus to her business career was provision for her son, in whose mature attainments she properly takes great pride. Her son, Robert Johnston, was born August 22, 1883. From the Mun- cie public schools he entered Cornell Uni- versity and was thoroughly trained for the profession of mechanical and eivil engi-
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neer. He is now established at Detroit in the manufacture of high tension insula- tors, and has built up a very prosperous business, one of his largest recent contracts having been awarded him by the govern- ment. Mrs. Johnston is chairman of the Muncie Chapter of the Red Cross, and has been very active in the work.
JOHN F. KLUMPP. Elwood is a city that became prosperous under the impetus afforded by the natural gas discoveries of the '80s, and its present industrial status is largely a reflection of that early era. One of the big plants there, whose products are known all over the world, is the Mac- beth-Evans Glass Company. The assistant superintendent of this plant is John F. Klumpp. His father is active superintend- ent, but the son virtually manages the en- tire establishment at Elwood.
His father is John J. Klumpp. a veteran in the glass industry. John J. Klumpp is of German ancestry, a son of Charles Klumpp, who was born in Germany and came to America and spent the rest of his life at Pittsburg. He was an expert me- chanie, and he reared a family of three sons and two daughters. John J. Klnmpp was the second youngest of these children and was educated in Pittsburg, but at the age of twelve went to work in the glass factory of George A. Macbeth Company at Pittsburg in 1877. His first work was as carrying in boy, and he has spent practi- cally all the rest of his life, a period of forty years, with the Maebeth Company, though for a time he was with the Thomas Evans Company, until it merged with the Macbeth concern in 1898. John J. Klumpp acquired phenomenal skill as a glass worker. His talents were exhibited in the Chicago and Pittsburg Glass Expositions, where he did all sorts of fancy glass mak- ing. He worked his way up until he- was traveling salesman through the eastern states for the Thomas Evans Company. After the merger of the two concerns he was factory manager for the Eighteenth Street plant of the Macbeth Evans Glass Company at Pittsburg. In 1902 he came to Elwood as general superintendent of the Elwood plant. His duties in recent vears have become of a more general na- ture, and he is general supervisor of prac- tical glass making at the Elwood and Marion plants .in Indiana and the Toledo
plant in Ohio. The practical oversight of the Elwood industry is therefore left to his son. The Elwood business employs about 400 people.
John F. Klumpp was born at Pittsburg September 8, 1884, son of John J. and Ida (McCurry) Klumpp. The mother is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. John F. Klumpp at the age of fifteen left public school to go to work with the Thomas Evans Com- pany at Pittsburg as assistant paymaster. Two years later he was promoted to ship- ping clerk, and was then transferred to the general offices at Pittsburg as assistant manager of the order department for two years. In 1902 he came to Elwood, and was assistant cashier of the Elwood works one year, was then cashier and office man- ager until 1910, since which date he has been assistant superintendent under his father. He also has various other business interests, and is vice president and a di- rector of the Madison Manufacturing Company, a clay products concern employ- ing about thirty-five men. He is chair- man of the Industrial Committee of the Elwood Chamber of Commerce.
In 1906 Mr. Klumpp married Gladys V. Moore, daughter of T. F. and Olive (Tharpe) Moore of Hamilton County, In- diana. Her father is a farm owner. They have five children: Dorothy Vernon, born in 1907; John Alford, born in 1908; Man- rice Franklin, born in 1915; Robert Harold, born in 1916; and Betty Jean, born in 1918. Mr. Klumpp is a Royal Arch Mason, and is very active in the First Methodist Episco- pal Church, being a steward of the church, and was assistant superintendent of the Sunday School in 1913. Politically he is identified with the republican party. In 1910 he was candidate for alderman from the Third Ward, but lost the election by nine votes. He was a delegate to the State Republican Convention which nominated James Watson for governor.
FREDERICK HAMILTON CRITCHFIELD is general superintendent, production man- ager and mechanical engineer for the Pierce Governor Company at Anderson, the largest manufacturers of gas engine gover- nors in the world. This is one of Indiana's important industries and one that gives, prestige to the City of Anderson as an in- dustrial center.
Mr. Critchfield has had a most interest-
WILLIAM TAYLOR
SamTaylor
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ing and varied experience as a mechanical engineer, and has followed his trade and profession practically all the way around the world. He was born at Kendallville, Indiana, November 9, 1886, son of James H. and Jeannett (Weaver) Critchfield. He is of English ancestry. Back in the time of Lord Baltimore two brothers, Rupert and Elwin Critchfield, came to America from Swasey, England, settling in Mary- land. Elwin subsequently returned to England and during the troubles which divided that country into civil war at the time of the reign of Charles I he lost his head. Rupert more fortunately chose to remain in this country, moved to Vir- ginia, and there established a family. In a later generation some of the Critchfields fought as gallant soldiers of the Revolu- tion.
Mr. F. H. Critchfield received his early public school education at Shelby, Ohio, and in 1902 graduated from St. Vincent Academy at Columbus. From earliest boy- hood he has had a tendency and marked inclination for mechanical pursuits. His technical education he picked up largely through practical experience. His first regular employment was with the Darling Motor Car Company at Shelby, Ohio. Then for three years he was with the William Powell Company at Cincinnati in a me- chanical position, and from there went half way around the world to Japan and was a mechanical engineer in the service of the Japan government for eleven months at Nagasaki and Yokohama. On his way back to America he spent thirteen months at Turin, Italy, where he was employed by the Fiat Motor Car Company in its engi- neering department. Returning to the United States, he was for a short time con- nected with the Rumely plant at LaPorte, Indiana, as mechanical inspector, then for eighteen months was mechanical inspector for T. W. Warner at Toledo, and was gen- eral foreman for a time with the Zenith Carburetor Company of Detroit. Prior to coming to Anderson he was production manager and efficiency engineer of the Gar- ford Manufacturing Company at Elyria, Ohio. He resigned that place and came to Anderson in Julv. 1916, to begin his con- nection with the Pierce Governor Company. This company has three factories and em- ploys a total of 300 men.
August 10, 1912, Mr. Critchfield married
Cecelia Weigel, of Cincinnati. They have two children, Frederick James, born in 1913; and Ranghilde Cecile, born in 1916. Mr. Critchfield is a democrat nationally but is non partisan in local affairs.
HENRY ANDREW TAYLOR. The Taylor family has well earned the riches of com- munity esteem which is paid it by reason of long residence, successful business enter- prise, and the constant expression of high 'character and liberality in behalf of all in- stitutions and movements.
The pioneer of the family at Lafayette was Maj. William Taylor, who was born at Hamilton, Ohio, November 27, 1828, his parents being also natives of Ohio. Major Taylor died at his home on South Ninth Street in Lafayette January 18, 1899. A local paper at the time referred to him as a "gallant soldier in time of war and in peace a citizen without reproach." Further it said: "In all the relations of earthly existence Maj. William Taylor filled the full measure of sterling manhood. His standard was the highest, and he lived up to that standard in every act of his life. Major Taylor has left the legacy of a good name, which will be a source of pride and comfort to the loved ones who survive him. His duties, public and private, were well performed, his life's work conscientiously done, and he has lain down to rest at the age of seventy years. His kindness and nobleness of character will not soon be for- gotten.
Major Taylor came to Lafayette in Octo- ber, 1849. At first he was engaged in the lumber business with his father, later took up the coal business, and was iden- tified with the Natural Gas Company at its inception. After the death of Alexander Wilson he bought the private bank which was the oldest banking institution of La- fayette. With his son Henry A. as partner Major Taylor was active as a banker until his death. He was regarded as one of the most trustworthy advisers on financial matters in the city.
His title was well earned by his credit- able service in the Civil war. At the out- hreak of the rebellion he joined a three months regiment. and was captain of Com- pany E of the Tenth Indiana. He then be- came major of the Fortieth Indiana Regi- ment, and served from September 21, 1861, to March 9, 1862. He was an active mem-
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ber of John A. Logan Post No. 3, Grand Army of the Republic, and was also affi- liated with the Masons and with the Im- proved Order of Red Men.
On May 30, 1854, Major Taylor married Miss Angeline Hubler. She was born at Miamisburg, Ohio, October 24, 1833, daugh- ter of Joseph and Anna (Davis) Hubler. When she was a small girl her parents came to Lafayette, and she attended private schools in that city and at the age of seven- teen graduated from the Wesleyan Female Seminary at Fort Wayne. Mrs. William Taylor died in Chicago, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Harriet T. McCoy, on Feb- ruary 5, 1915. What her life meant to the community was well expressed at the time of her death in the following words: "She was one of the leading women of the county and was intensely interested in the welfare of the city and its institutions. She was a woman of high ideals, cultured and accomplished, made many friends and was revered by all who knew her. She was for years active in the social life of the community and her home was the scene of many brilliant functions. She was a mem- ber of one of the oldest families in the county, having lived in this county for nearly three quarters of a century."
Major Taylor and wife had three chil- dren: Walter W. Taylor; Henry A .; and Mrs. Harriet McCoy.
Henry Andrew Taylor had a brief life, but one filled to overflowing with business achievements and with every activity and influence that betoken the fine character and high ideals. He was born at Lafayette February 4, 1869, and died at Lafayette December 18, 1905, when in his thirty- seventh year. He was educated in the pub- lic schools of Lafayette and also attended Purdue University. In 1886, at the age of seventeen, he went out to Redfield, South Dakota, and was associated with his brother Walter in the banking business for six years. He then removed to Moline, Illi- nois, and for two years was a director in the Moline Plow Company. On his return to Lafayette he became associated with his father, and they bought the old banking house of Wilson & Hanna, reorganizing and continuing it under the firm name of William Taylor & Son. After his father's death he continued the business until Octo- ber 1, 1904, when this bank and that con- ducted by William S. Baugh were consoli-
dated and a new organization known as the American National Bank promoted, of which Henry A. Taylor was president at the time of his death.
The fullness and scope of his career are perhaps best reflected in words that were written of him at the time of his death: "Mr. Taylor's career was one that might well serve as a criterion for any young man starting out on a business life. He represented the best type of progressive citizenship and enjoyed the fullest confi- dence of every person with whom he was ever associated in business. He was ever alive to the interests of Lafayette, and his heart was set on bringing this city into prominence as a commercial and industrial center. He gave money, time and personal effort to every movement tending to benefit the city and many times gave public mat- ters precedence over private business affairs. No young man ever sought de- served aid from Henry Taylor and went away disappointed.
"His integrity was as unquestioned as his generosity and his personality was charming and most attractive. In his passing Lafayette has lost one of its most useful citizens and his place will be hard to fill. Mr. Taylor was quiet and unas- suming but he held in reserve an abundance of vitality and mental vigor and his keen- ness and remarkable gift of insight and judgment were often commented upon. In social and business affairs alike he was the center of interest and his opinions were always regarded as sound and unques- tioned. Equally notable was his perse- verance and ability to overcome obstacles and discouragement.
"Henry Taylor was treasurer of the La- fayette Telephone Company and one of its originators. He was the moving spirit in the company's progress and is responsible in large measure for its success. He held a large amount of stock in the Sterling Electric Works and was treasurer of the Central Union Life Insurance Company. Mr. Taylor served for some time on the West Side School Board. He was a thirty- second degree Mason and was also affiliated with the Elks, Eagles and Druids.
"In public life and in his home Henry Taylor's presence was like a ray of sun- shine and his pleasing personality asserted itself wherever he went. He was a verit- able prince among his fellow men and will
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be missed for a long time to come. His whole make up, rugged and robust as it seemed on the surface, teemed with good will, malice toward none and with charity for all, and often he went out of his way to aid one in distress. At the bank he was the living exponent of good cheer and buoyant spirits, and all of the men asso- ciated with him in business admired him for his manly traits of character and sterling business qualities. He was square with himself and the world. At the club he was always the center of an admiring group, and his beaming countenance and hearty handshake endeared him to all who met him in a business or social way."
At Moline, Illinois, April 15, 1891, Henry A. Taylor married Miss Cornelia Louise Friberg. Mrs. Taylor, who is still living at Lafayette, is a daughter of An- drew Friberg, who died at the Taylor home in Lafayette October 11, 1894.
Andrew Friberg had a most interesting career. He was born in Sweden April 8, 1828, and learned the blacksmith's trade in his native country. Coming to the United States in 1850, after nine months in Chicago he went to Moline, Illinois, and seven months after entering the employ of Deere, Tate & Gould was made foreman of their blacksmith department, a position he held twelve years. In 1864 he went west to the mountains, but the following year returned to Moline and in company with Henry W. Candee and R. W. Swan started the implement manufacturing works of Camdee, Swan & Company, with Mr. Friberg as manager. In 1870 this concern was developed into the Moline Plow Company, and Mr. Friberg con- tinued actively connected therewith in dif- ferent capacities until November, 1893. He was the vice president for a number of years 'before his death. He soon after- wards came to Lafayette and spent his last days at the home of his daughter.
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