USA > Indiana > Memorial and genealogical record of Representative Citizens of Indiana > Part 53
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Major Hitt was born at Brookville, Indiana, May 27, 1843. He is the son of John W. Hitt, a native of Kentucky, and the lat- ter was the son of Martin and Margaret Hitt, both natives of Kentucky. They were extensive farmers there, but finally lib- erated their slaves and moved to Urbana, Ohio, where they spent the rest of their days. Martin Hitt was a real estate owner and
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a local Methodist preacher. His family consisted of eight chil- dren, named as follows: Col. Fletcher, who served both in the Mexican and Civil wars; Thomas S., a Methodist minister; Maria, who married Rev. Aaron Wood, D. D .; Elizabeth, deceased, who was Mrs. Wallace; Sanmel; Caleb was a soldier in the Civil war; John W., father of Major Hitt, of this sketch; and Dr. Willis W. They all became useful citizens and ware enpanceful in their cov- eral vocations.
John W. Hitt, the father, was born March 4, 1803, in Bourbon county, Kentucky. He was a young man when the family moved to Urbana, Ohio, and there he was educated and studied law, but did not practice. Ile followed his brother, Rev. Thomas Hitt, to Brookville, Indiana, and later married a sister of Thomas's wife. Thomas Hitt was for some time pastor of the Methodist church at Brookville, and there John W. Hitt engaged in merchandising for a few years, later became cashier of the Brookville Bank, then for many years was cashier of the Brookville National Bank, of which he was one of the organizers and the largest stockholder; he was the first cashier of that institution. Selling his bank stock, he moved to Indianapolis in 1872, and here he spent his remaining days, dying in 1881, at the advanced age of seventy-nine years, his widow surviving until 1905, reaching a much greater age, ninety-one years. She was born at Brookville in 1816. Her father, Robert John, was county clerk of Franklin county for a number of years. He moved from Pennsylvania, when the government land office was still at Brookville. His wife died at Washington, D. C., at the home of her daughter. They were both buried at Crown Hill cemetery, Indianapolis. He was a strong Republican; she was a natural artist and left many beautiful paintings, and if she had had proper training doubtless she would have become famous.
The following children were born to John W. Hitt and wife: Jane is deceased; Mary is deceased; Laura, deceased, who mar- ried A. D. Lynch, also deceased; Wilbur Fisk, subject of this sketch; George C., who was the youngest.
Maj. Wilbur F. Hitt grew to manhood at Brookville and there attended the public schools, also Brookville College, later Asbury (now DePauw) University, at Greencastle, Indiana. While a stu- dent in that institution he offered his services to the government, enlisting in 1862, in Company K, Eighty-third Indiana Volunteer
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Infantry. He was at once advanced from private to orderly ser- geant and in a short time to sergeant major, the highest non-com- missioned officer in the regiment. On March 13, 1865, he was given a brevet connnission of both captain and major, a very un- usual thing. The commission was signed by the President of the United States. This was in recognition of meritorious services, performance of duty at all times whether in camp or on the field. He was transferred from the Eighty-third Indiana to the One Hundred and Twenty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry as first lieutenant and adjutant on January 1, 1864, and he remained with the latter regiment until August 25, 1865. He participated in the Vicksburg and Georgia campaigns and was in the battle of Nashville. IIe had a horse shot from under him at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia. He had the confidence of both his men and his superior officers, and was an energetic, brave and efficient officer, according to his comrades.
After an honorable discharge, Major Hitt returned to Brook- ville, Indiana, and took a position as teller in the bank with his father. He came to Indianapolis in 1871 as assistant cashier of the Meridian National Bank, the duties of which he discharged in a very satisfactory and able manner for two years, when he re- signed, and in 1878 entered the railway mail service as clerk, his run being between Indianapolis and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1886 he was made chief clerk of the railway mail service, with headquarters at St. Louis, later was transferred to Indianapolis, where he remained as chief of railway mail until 1897, in which year he was made assistant superintendent of railway mail serv- ice, the duties of which took him all over the United States. He resigned from the service on January 1, 1911. He understood thoroughly every phase of his work in connection with the railway mail service and gave the department eminent satisfaction, shar- ing at all times the confidence of the department, and being re- garded as one of their ablest and most trustworthy employes. His record in this connection was most commendable in every respect and one which he should be justly proud, but the Major is a con- servative man and always sought to do his duty according to the right as he saw and understood it, with no thought of praise or public approval, or fear of censure or disapproval.
Major Hitt is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republie, holding the office of junior vice-commander of the local
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post; he is also a prominent member of the Loyal Legion, being chancellor of the Indianapolis organization. He is a worthy men- ber of the Meridian Street Methodist Episcopal church.
Major Hitt was married on November 7, 1867, to Agnes Kercheval, a lady of culture and refinement, and the daughter of Edward R. and Eliza A. (Sellers) Kercheval, both natives of Ken- tucky, each representing excellent old Sauthon familias R. Kercheval was among the pioneer settlers of Indiana, locating in Putnam county as early as 1832, where he engaged in farming, finally making his home in Greencastle, where he engaged in mer- chandising. Ile took a leading interest in public affairs and served as sheriff of his county, also treasurer and other offices. His death occurred at his home in that city on February 14, 1866, at the age of fifty-nine years. He served in the Union army during the Civil war, as quartermaster of the Seventy-third Indiana Vol- unteer Infantry. At the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, he was on the field all day as aid to General Manson, and there he had an arm shot off. Ilis widow spent her last years with her daughter in Louisiana, where her death occurred in 1892 at the advanced age of eighty-four years, her birth having occurred in 1808.
To Edward R. Kercheval and wife six children were born, namely: Evan L. is deceased; Ellen married Robert S. Thurman; Sarah, who is now deceased, was the wife of George W. Whit- weth; James is deceased; William J., who served in the Eleventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, is deceased; Agnes, wife of Major Hitt, is the youngest of the family.
Mrs. Hitt joined the Woman's Relief Corps in 1886, the George H. Thomas Corps, of Indianapolis, and she has taken much interest in the same. At the next clection after she identified her- self with the same she was elected president. In February of the same year she was elected department president of Indiana, in which capacity she served one year. She was appointed national inspector in 1894, and in 1896 she was elected national president, at the national convention held in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in that capacity she served one year. Some idea of the high standing of Mrs. Hitt in this great organization may be gained when we learn that she was elected for this exalted position out of a membership of one hundred and sixty-six thousand women. In 1907 she was made national counselor of this organization, which she held for one year. In all these capacities she discharged her every duty in
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a manner that reflected much credit upon herself and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned, winning a national reputation in her work in connection with the same, and taking a high rank with the progressive, broad-minded women of the day, who are actuated by altruistic principles to do something worth while for humanity. She is a lady of high ideas, esthetic tastes and pleasing personal- ity, honored and estemed is all who have her, and hay friends are embraced by a very wide circle, national in its scope. Mrs. Ilitt is an influential member of the Meridian Street Methodist Episcopal church.
ROBERT ANDREW BUNCH, M. D.
No other profession has accomplished, during the last half century, the progress and development + That have been made by the medical. This was not the work of those who became learned by knowledge obtained from books, or the experiences of a past generation, but by those who rose to new occasions, who thought in new lines and did new things, for "New occasions teach new duties, time makes ancient good uncouth." The man of original thought and action, whose text book forms but the basis of future work, has ever moved forward, taking his profession with him; he becomes a leader, and those that follow reap lasting benefit from his work. Such a man was the late Dr. Robert Andrew Bunch, for a period of twenty-two years one of the best known professional men of Muncie, Indiana. In considering the charac- ter and career of this eminent member of the medical fraternity, the impartial observer will be disposed to rank him not only among the most distinguished members of this important branch of science in his day and generation, in which he had few peers and no superiors, but also as one of those men of broad culture and genuine benevolence who did honor to mankind in general. In overcoming obstacles he exhibited patience and persistence; through a long and busy life, replete with honor and success worthily attained, he knew none but the highest motives, and to the practice of his profession he brought rare skill and resource, such qualities stamping him as a man of extraordinary talent and entitling him to be classed with the benefactors of mankind. His quick perception and almost intuitive judgment rendered him well nigh infallible in diagnosis, and yet, although confident in his own conclusions, he was ever willing to lend an ear to sugges- tions. His touch was gentle and his nerve steady, and no matter how tense the strain or how great the responsibility of a delicate operation, he was ever able to guide his knife "to the unerring line of safety." Throughout his busy life he was ever a hard, en- thusiastie student, thus keeping well abreast of the times, not only in his own country, but also kept in close touch with the medical literature of continental Europe. For he realized the fact that the man who would inscribe his name high on the walls of the temple
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erected in commemoration of great physicians and surgeons must be a perfect master of the construction and functions of the com- ponent part of the human body; of the changes induced in them by the onslaught of disease; of the defects cast upon them as a legacy by progenitors; of the vital capacity remaining in them throughout all vicissitudes of existence. Hle must be, at the same time, wise in human nature wise in the lives of contrat aciones and wise in social amenities.
Doctor Bunch was born on October 28, 1852, at the town of Portland, Jay county, Indiana. Paternally, he was descended from French ancestors, and on his mother's side traced his lineage back to Irish progenitors. William Bunch, grandfather of the Doctor, emigrated from France to the United States in an early day and settled in North Carolina. He served with distinction in the war of 1812, and he moved to Indiana when this state was yet young, settling in the town of Portland, later moving to Plymouth, Marshall county, where he spent the rest of his life, his death oc- curring at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. It was also in the pioneer period that the maternal grandfather of the subject of this memoir emigrated to America from Ireland, locating in Virginia, where he resided many years, then moved to Ohio. Ishmael Bunch, father of the subject, was born in North Carolina, where he spent his earlier years, coming to Jay county, Indiana, when thirty years old and settling west of Portland, where he en- gaged in farming and stock raising. When thirty-five years old he married Margaret Bishop, of Greene county, Ohio, and to this union ten children were born; the five to grow to maturity were, Dixon M., Robert A., Nathan E., John A. and Elizabeth N.
Ishmael Bunch died on February 25, 1865, at his home in Jay county, after an illness of almost two years, Robert A. being quite young at that time, and he was but twenty-one years old when his mother died. Thus the support of a large family fell upon his shoulders and when but a boy he knew the meaning of hard work. These experiences, fostering fortitude and persistence, resulted, no doubt, in his later success, and he was a fine type of the self- made man.
Doctor Bunch attended the public schools of Portland until his fifteenth year, then entered Licher College, at College Corners, two miles south of Portland, studying under Professors Burris and Jones, remaining in that institution for five terms. He also took a course in the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valpa-
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raiso. Ile began life for himself by teaching school for eight years in Jay county and was winning an excellent reputation as an edu- cator, when, believing that his talents should be directed in an- other line, he studied law one year, but not finding Blackstone entirely to his tastes he turned to medicine, and began reading under Doctors Gillam and Allen, of Portland, continuing under their instruction for some time, then began practicing at Geneva. Intro Datlad, Ana Desoto, malana. Desiring to better equip himself for his profession, he entered the Eclectic Medical Insti- tute at Cincinnati, Ohio, in which he completed the prescribed course and was graduated in the year 1881. Returning to DeSoto, he continued practicing there for a number of years, enjoying a large patronage, then, secking a wider field for the exercise of his talents, he moved to Muncie in 1889, where he soon had estab- lished a large and growing practice, and earned a reputation as one of the most successful and best known physicians in Dela- ware county, enjoying up to the time of his death a very extensive and remunerative practice, so extensive, in fact, that he was com- pelled to hire an assistant. In 1891 he took a post-graduate course in St. Thomas' Hospital, London, also studied six months in Vienna, Austria, on general technic. After studying abroad for one year he returned to Muncie and resumed practice here.
Doctor Bunch was married on April 20, 1877, to Mary A. Bair, whose death occurred in 1906. To this union four children were born, named as follows: Rollin II., Fred L. and Morrell M. Bunch, all physicians of Muncie and worthy successors of their distinguished father; and Bessie G., who married Walter Z. Lotz, of Hammond, Indiana.
On June 2, 1907, Dr. Robert A. Bunch was united in marriage with Beulah Batey, of Muncie, daughter of William D. Batey. Her father was born in Louisville, Kentucky, August 21, 1854. Her mother, Mary (Watkins) Batey, was born in Kankakee, Illinois, and lives in Muncie. Mrs. Beulah (Batey) Bunch is the third of five children, four of whom survive, as follows: Maybelle, Ger- trude and Ray W. Batey, all living at home. The Doctor's last marriage was blessed by the birth of one son, Robert Andrew Bunch, Jr.
The death of Dr. Robert A. Bunch occurred on February 16, 1912, after an unusually busy, successful and honorable career. For many years he had made his residence at the corner of Sey- mour and Mulberry streets, later moving to the corner of Jackson
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and Franklin streets. The last few months of his life were spent in his attractive residence at No. 215 South Mulberry street, Mun- cie, where he also maintained his office. He was successful in a material way and has become one of the substantial men of the city. Besides his immediate family he is also survived by two brothers, John A. Bunch, of Muncie, and Nathan E. Bunch, of Argos. Indiana, and one half-brother, Henry Brock, of Dayton, Ohio. A sister, Elizabeth Wayman, of Covington, Kentucky, died a few years ago, but a surviving daughter of Mrs. Wayman, Nor- ene Wayman, was at the funeral, which was conducted from the residence by Rev. E. A. Neville, interment having taken place in Beech Grove cemetery.
Doctor Bunch was a conscientious, ethical doctor, very de- termined, always finishing well whatever he undertook. He loved his profession and his patients loved him. Ile was prominent in eclectic societies of the country, serving as president of the state society for a number of years, being a member of the state and ยท national eclectic medical societies, and he served as president of the former for two terms. He was also an honorary member of the Ohio State Eclectic Medical Society. Fraternally, he belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
The Doctor was a great lover of horses and always kept some fine animals. He was a man of splendid personal appearance, and his genteel manners, genial nature and exemplary character com- mended him to a very wide circle of friends.
The following tribute to Doctor Bunch, which appeared in one of the daily papers of his home city, indicates his high stand- ing there as both a physician and citizen:
"In the passing of Doctor Robert A. Bunch from the activ- ities of this life, there has departed from us one of Muncie's old- est physicians. He was a man, and that is the greatest tribute that any of us may hope to gain when our work is finished here. In the light of his achievements, we think only of the good he had done. Wherever he went, ministering to the ills of mankind, he was respected and loved and admired for the straightforwardness of his characteristic manner. He never failed to offer help when help was needed, no matter what the circumstances of the family might have been. Doctor Bunch was a credit to the medical pro- fession, and his life work, centered as most of it has been in Mu- cie, will never cease to be remembered by those who daily came into contact with him and his ministrations."
SAMUEL HINTON.
To write the personal record of men who have raised them- selves from humble circumstances to a position of responsibility and trust in a mo !!! it is ne vidimmy pleasure. Self-made men, men who have achieved success by reason of their personal qualities and left the impress of their individuality upon the busi- ness and growth of their place of residence and affeet for good such institutions as are embraced within the sphere of their use- fulness, unwittingly, perhaps, built monuments more enduring than marble obelisk or grauite shaft. Of such we have the un- questioned right to say belongs the name of the late Samuel Hin- ton, one of our earliest pioneers, whose name was for three quar- ters of a century well known throughout the northeastern part of Indiana, and although he has long been numbered among those who are serenely sleeping in "God's acre where we all shall rest" his influence is still potent for good, for he was a broad-minded, obliging, kindly, whole-souled gentleman who used his influence in every manner possible to advance the prosperity and general good of Fort Wayne and Allen county. A public-spirited citizen, he was ready at all times to use his means and influence for the promotion of such public improvements as were conducive to the comfort and happiness of his fellow men, and there was probably not another man in the vicinity so long honored by his residence who was held in higher esteem by the population, regardless of all sects, politics or professions. He was especially distinguished by his honesty, firmness of character, piety and intelligence. And he was one of the most unostentatious of men, open-hearted and candid in manner, always retaining in his demeanor the simplicity and candor of the old-time gentleman, and his record stands as an enduring monument although his labors have long since ended and his name become but a memory.
Samuel Hinton was born near Poughkeepsie, New York, on the Hudson river, in the first decade of the nineteenth century. Ife was the son of Thomas and Mary Hinton, his father having been born in the state of New York of Scotch extraction, the paternal grandfather of the subject having emigrated to this country from Scotland in the early days. The mother of the sub- ject was of German descent.
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Samuel Hinton spent his boyhood days in New York and in 1833 accompanied his parents to Fort Wayne, Indiana, having re- ceived his early education in the East. There were no railroads when they came and the canal was only under construction, but they managed to ascend the Maumee river on a raft, from Lake Eric. Samuel was the oldest of a family of six children and thus he had to work bord anti fin ghis pai canto astabiliali a l'avance in the wilderness, for there were only five or six houses in Fort Wayne when they arrived, and among the first people they met were Peter Kiser, ex-Mayor Randall and a Mir. Sauers, who kept a hotel at Columbia and Barr streets. There was a log court house, and the spot occupied at present by the Anthony Hotel was reached through logs and brush by ox team. The First Presbyterian church stood on the site of the postoffice. There were very few white people in all this country, but the vast forests roundabout swarmed with Indians and all manner of wild beasts. They were people of courage and did not permit the hardships and privations to dishearten them but, setting to work with a will, they, in due course of time, became prosperous and had a comfortable home. Thomas Hinton bought the whole of what is now the town of Bloomingdale, and he was one of the leading men of his day in this section of the state, the district which constituted his fine farm being now the northern part of Fort Wayne. He owned one of the first hotels or "wayside inns" of this part of the country, known as "Bull's Head Inn," which was popular with the travel- ing public of that day, and there stopped many a west-bound homeseeker. Thomas Hinton had been a sailmaker in the East, and the family has a sail maker picture which was made under his special supervision, it being now about two hundred years old and it is prized very highly by the family.
Samuel Hinton worked on the home farm for some time, then engaged in the grocery business, later in the manufacture of soap and candles, and he also engaged in farming for many years, later engaged in general buying and selling in Fort Wayne, but for a number of years prior to his death he did no work, living retired at his pleasant residence here; however, his last years were spent at the home of his son, John, the last two years of his life being spent at the home of his daughter. His estate consisted of a good farm of eighty aeres at Croesse, Whitley county, Indiana.
On February 20, 18-12, Samuel Hinton was united in marriage with Johanna Smith, of Adams county, Indiana, daughter of Paul and Louise Smith, both born in Germany, as was their daughter,
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Johanna, wife of Mr. Hinton, who was the oldlest of a family of five children, her birth having occurred in the year 1823. The Hintons were very active in the affairs of the Methodist Episco- pal church and they belonged to the church of this denomination known as the Berry Street Methodist church, where the Anthony hotel now stands. Mr. Ilinton was a Whig carly in life, and later a Republican. Although par action in political affatto, in mu sought office. He was quiet and unassuming and very refined, a man who was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was aristocratic and in a way was a fine type of the old-time gentle- man. Ile was fond of reading and was a well educated man, and loved his home.
Nine children were born to Samuel Hinton and wife, named as follows: Cornelia, who married Christian Boseker; he is de- ceased and his complete sketch appears on another page of this work; they became the parents of these children, Mrs. Lidia E. Wheeler, of Eric, Pennsylvania; Harry C. Boscker lives in Fort Wayne, and Ella and Charles Boscker are deceased. Sarah Hin- ton married William Henderson and they are both deceased; seven children were born to them, five of whom are living, two being deceased. William Hinton is deceased. John Hinton mar- ried Anna Welton, of Fort Wayne, and they have five children, Verma, Walter, Chester, Lucile and Evaline, all of whom live at home, except Walter, who married Alta Parker. John Hinton is one of Fort Wayne's restaurantours, being proprietor of a modern and neatly-kept place on South Calhoun street which is very pop- ular with the general public, being one of the best known in this locality and is patronized by people from remote parts of this and adjoining counties; with the assistance of his wife, he has been very successful in this line of endeavor, she being a woman of rare business capacity. Catherine Hinton married Warren Car- penter; they are both deceased, leaving one son, Wilbur Carpen- ter, a successful attorney of Fort Wayne. Harriet Hinton mar- ried Charles Scott, of Joliet, Illinois, which union has been with- out issue. Samuel Hinton is deceased. Alice Hinton lives in Fort Wayne. Laura Hinton married Feldman Kring, of Fort Wayne, and they have two children, Elida Cline and Victor Kring.
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