USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Memorial record of distinguished men of Indianapolis and Indiana > Part 31
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Warden H. Griffith, son of Major William C. Griffith and father of him to whom this memoir is dedicated, was an infant at the time of the family removal to Indiana, and in this state he was reared and educated. He removed in an early day to Illinois and became one of the pioneers of Clark county, where he reclaimed a farm and became a citizen of influence. He married Miss Elizabeth Black and they became the parents of thirteen children, of whom William C. was the second in order of birth, and of the number three sons and three daughters are now living. The parents continued to reside in Clark county, Illinois, until their death, their home having been for a number of years in Marshall, the judicial center of the county.
William Chenoweth Griffith was born on the old homestead farm near Marshall, Clark county, Illinois, and the date of his nativity was May 5, 1845. His early experience in connection with the practical affairs of life was that gained in con- nection with the work of the home farm, which was not large and which afforded to the large family few luxuries and little fortuitous influence. Young William duly availed himself of the advantages of the local schools, and his ambition for securing a more symmetrical education was not to be thwarted, as he himself pro- vided the means for continuing his studies. He attended school at Marshall, about one and one-half miles distant from the home farm, and through his own arduous work he saved the money which enabled him to complete a course in the Illinois State Norman School at Normal, in which institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1871. Thereafter he devoted five years to successful work in the pedagogic profession, and during the greater part of this time he was superintendent of the public schools at Taylorville, Illinois.
In 1876 Mr. Griffith came to Indianapolis, where he assumed supervision of the accident department in the local offices of the Aetna Insurance Company. He continued to be associated with this company about three years and he then entered into partnership with Thomas C. Day, in the stock, bond and loan business, with which he continued to be actively identified during the remainder of his life, the firm of Thomas C. Day & Company building up a large and substantial enterprise in the handling of high-grade securities and the extending of financial loans. Mr.
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Griffith brought to bear in this connection his fine executive and initiative ability, was concerned with financial affairs of broad scope and importance and gained large and worthy success. In all matters of business he set to himself the highest standard and his record in this connection constitutes an ethical lesson. He more than won success; he deserved it. The firm gave special attention to the extending of loans on farm properties and Mr. Griffith, who had charge of the incidental investigations, gained a broad and exact knowledge of land values in this section of the state, his dictum concerning the same being regarded as authoritative. His course in business affairs was marked by absolute justice and fairness, and he was ever ready to extend every possible aid to those whose financial affairs were involved and who were earnestly and honestly working to retrieve themselves. His deep human sympathy was manifest in his business as well as in other relations of life and he showed conclusively that sentiment and business may be made to work to- gether for good. As a citizen he was liberal, broad-minded and public-spirited and he never denied his influence and co-operation to enterprises and measures projected for the general welfare of the community. He held membership in the Board of Trade and the Commercial Club, and was fully in sympathy with the high civic ideals of these representative organizations. In the time-honored Masonic fraternity he became actively affiliated with various local bodies and attained to the thirty- second degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite.
In politics Mr. Griffith was an ardent and effective exponent of the principles and policies of the Democratic party and he took a lively interest in public affairs. Though he was an influential factor in the local ranks of his party, he had naught of predilection for public office, as was shown in his refusal to become a candidate when specially strong pressure was brought to bear upon him to accept nomination for the position of mayor of Indianapolis. He was a man of fine intellectual at- tainments and tastes, was a most pleasing public speaker and was frequently called upon to deliver addresses before educational and other public assemblages. He was an appreciative student and his reading covered a wide range of the best in litera- ture, the while he was a specially fine Shakespearian scholar.
The religious faith of Mr. Griffith was a very part of his being and was shown in kindly thoughts and kindly deeds as well as in earnest effort for the aiding and uplifting of his fellow men and the furtherance of the work of the church militant. He was one of the valued and influential members of the First Baptist church in his home city and his services were freely given in connection with the various depart- ments of its work especially the Sunday-school, in which he was teacher of the Bible class for a long period. He was a member of the board of trustees of his church for many years prior to his death. From an estimate published in an Indian- apolis paper at the time of the death of Mr. Griffith are taken the following extracts: "He came to this city in June, 1876, from Marshall, Illinois, and since that time has enthusiastically identified himself with the state of Indiana and considered himself a thorough Hoosier. He took great interest in the progress of Indianapolis and contributed liberally to all its benevolent enterprises. He was especially tender- hearted toward the poor. No needy person ever appealed to him in vain. During his last illness, covering some nine weeks that he was confined to his bed, letters have come from persons living in different parts of the state, thanking him for kindness shown to them. Mr. Griffith was a man of excellent principles. He was always found on the right side of every moral question. A sincere Christian he held
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that his obligation was first to his God, but he loved his fellow men and, with his genial nature, won many friends. Of pure and elevated tastes, he loved what was noble and refined. A good citizen, a steadfast friend, the city and state have met a loss in his death."
Thomas C. Day, who was so long the business associate and close friend of Mr. Griffith, spoke of him in the following appreciative words: "Mr. Griffith was a successful business man, upright in all his dealings. He combined unusual energy with great force of character. He was deeply interested in all the benevolent enter- prises of the city and contributed liberally to their support. Of a warm, sympathetic nature, he found great delight in doing for others. The needy never appealed to him in vain. Mr. Griffith's strong social qualities made for him hosts of friends both in this city and throughout the state of Indiana." Rev. F. W. Taylor, who was pastor of the church with which Mr. Griffith was connected and who was a mem- ber of the latter's household for several months, made the following statements: "He loved his home. Between the inmates of this home the tenderest intimacy existed. The boys were acquainted with their father; he was their friend and com- panion. Into this home he never brought a cloud. He was always unselfish. Strangers thought him a man of vitality and abundant health. His friends knew that at times he suffered great physical agony. But he made it a point to conceal this pain, lest his family should be alarmed."
On the 26th of December, 1871, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Griffith to Miss Elnora Libbey, who was born in LaSalle county, Illinois, and who is a daughter of Francis and Jane S. (Brown) Libbey, the former of whom was born in the state of Maine and the latter in New York state. Francis Libbey went to Illinois when a young man and became one of the successful farmers and business men of Lasalle county, where he had accumulated a landed estate of twelve hundred acres and where he became a citizen of prominence and influence. His progressive ideas were shown in his earnest advocacy of educational and civic enterprises and he commanded the unqualified confidence and esteem of the community in which he established his home and in which his death occurred when he was about forty-two years of age. His widow long survived him and attained to the venerable age of more than eighty years. She passed the closing years of her life in the home of her daughter Elnora, wife of the subject of this memoir, and there her death occurred on the 29th of December, 1908, her remains being taken to the old home at Ottawa, Illinois, for interment. She was a member of one of the sterling pioneer families of northern Illinois, where her father established his home in 1830. Concerning this noble woman the following statements were made in the Indianapolis Star at the time of her death: "In the death of her husband a crushing blow fell upon Mrs. Libbey, and, at the age of thirty-seven years, she found herself with five young children and, for that day, a large estate to manage. While painstaking and energetic, she was distinguished by a serenity of mind unusual in persons charged with such grave responsibilities. Early in life she became a member of the Baptist church at Deer Park, and in this she maintained her membership until her death, although when living in this city she attended the First Baptist church with her daughter's family. Five children survive,-Mrs. Elnora L. Griffith, of this city; Mrs. Lucy A. Riale, of Ottawa, Illinois; Mrs. Josephine Kendall, of Kewanee, that state; Wallace Libbey, of Ottawa, Illinois; and Howard Libbey, of Columbia, Missouri.
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Mrs. Griffith still resides in the fine old homestead at 1611 Broadway, Indian- apolis, the building having been erected by her honored husband about thirty years ago. The place is endeared to her by many gracious memories and associations and has long been known for its generous but unostentatious hospitality. The high re- gard in which her husband was held was significantly attested at the time of his death, as she received many letters and telegrams of condolence from widely varied sources, Mr. Griffith's business activities having been of such wide scope as to gain to him acquaintanceship and warm friends in many parts of Indiana and adjoining states, Mrs. Griffith has been an active and valued factor in the social, benevolent and religious activities of her home city and has been specially zealous in connection with the affairs of the First Baptist church, of which she has been a devoted mem- ber during the entire period of her residence in Indiana's capital city. She is now (1912) serving her fourth term, of two years each, as president of the Ladies' Social Circle of this church, and the same has a membership of about three hundred. She was a charter member and served as the first vice president of the Y. W. C. A. several years. In company with Mrs. F. F. McCrea she was instrumental in main- taining the order when it seemed on the verge of failure, and they devoted one sum- mer to the raising of funds for its maintenance.
In conclusion is entered brief record concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Griffith: Frank L., who is a graduate of Yale University and who is engaged in the stock-brokerage business in the city of Columbus, Ohio, married Miss Flora Snyder, of that city, and they have two children,-Robert and Marion. Harry W., who likewise was graduated in Yale University, is now manager of the Remy Electrical Company, at Anderson, Indiana. He married Miss Jessie Bird, of Indianapolis, and they have two children,-Richard G., and Nancy B. Howard T., the third son, was graduated in the Indianapolis high school and in a local business college, and he is now associated with the Udell Company, of Indianapolis. He married Miss Cordelia Hughes, of this city, and they have two children,-Jane and Hilda. William C., Jr., the youngest son, was graduated in the high school and is a member of the class of 1914 in the University of Pennsylvania.
GEORGE E. KUHLMAN
CHARLES L. KUHLMAN
Ernest Henry Kuhlman
OR more than a half century a resident and business man of Indi- F anapolis, Ernest Henry Kuhlman was privileged to watch his adopted city develop from a small town of a few thousand inhab- itants to a splendid city of more than two hundred thousand souls, and as a practical business man he contributed his full quota towards that splendid development. He was always deeply interested in all movements tending to the general wel- fare of the city, and from his earliest life in Indianapolis was up and doing for the civic good. As a member of the city council from the Fifth ward at the commence- ment of the Civil war, at a time when the city had only five wards, Mr. Kuhlman gave worthy service to his city, and his entire life was marked by the same hearty interest in its affairs which characterized his early days.
Ernest Henry Kuhlman was born on November 29, 1823, near Bickerburg, Ger- many, under the Prussian government. Such education as he possessed he received in his native land, and he was twenty years of age when he immigrated to America with his parents and one brother. The family located in Indianapolis, and Ernest sccured work as a hotel porter. His German inheritance of thrift and industry enabled him after a few years to buy a lot on the corner of Washington and West streets, upon which he erected a store building and opened up a grocery store. This was in 1856, and he and his wife conducted a thriving business there for many years. His worthy wife, who still survives him, is deserving of no little credit for the success of her husband, as she was unswerving in her allegiance to him and gave unreservedly of her strength and ability in aiding him in the management of the grocery business. A capable manager, her husband placed much dependence upon her ability and tact, and together they made worthy progress in the business. After twelve years they sold their stock of goods, retaining the property, and bought five acres of land on what is now Shelby street. At that time the spot was a wilder- ness and a farming district, and in that place they erected a fine and substantial home, wherein the family lived, and where death came to the husband and two splen- did sons. Mr. Kuhlman conducted a truck-gardening business and had a stand on the market place which he managed with the help of his two sons, until such time as the growing commission business of the city made the stand unprofitable. From that time he devoted himself to the care of his home and lived a quiet life, passing away on October 23, 1897. Mr. Kuhlman was a man of quiet tastes and instincts, and he was happy in the seclusion of his country home and in the good he was able to do in a quiet, unostentatious manner. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of Zion church, in which he was always a devoted worker.
On July 16, 1854, Mr. Kuhlman married Miss Eleanor M. Hansing, a daughter of Charles and Louisa Hansing, both of whom came to the United States from Ger- many in their young married life, when their daughter, Eleanor, was twelve years of age. The father located on a farm in Marion county, where they passed the re-
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mainder of their days. Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kuhlman. George E. was born October 28, 1856. He was educated in Indianapolis and was his father's valued assistant for a number of years. Later he was employed as a checkman at the Panhandle depot. He married Eleanor Hansing, a cousin, and she died two years later. He passed away February 13, 1906. The second son, Charles Louis, was born November 19, 1859. He also was trained in the Indianapolis public schools, and like his brother, helped his father with the work of the market place for some years, after which he learned the trade of a carriage maker. He died on June 30, 1895. Father and sons passed away in the fine old home on Shelby street, and all three are resting in the family lot at Crown Hill cemetery. After the loss of her family Mrs. Kuhlman unable to bear the loneliness of the home where she had lived for so many years, sold the place for $8,000, a conservative figure for so attractive a home, and also the property on Washington and West streets, for which latter place she received $17,000. She is now living at the Blacherne. Mrs. Kuhlman has lived in Indianapolis for sixty-eight years and is well and favorably known by all the oldest and best families of the city. She was confirmed and edu- cated at the old Lutheran school in Indianapolis and is the last surviving member of her family.
Andrew P. Cranor
MAN who was well known throughout the city of Indianapolis, of which metropolis he had been a resident for many years was A Andrew P. Cranor who took an active part in its business and po- litical life. He began his business career as a manufacturer of old-fashioned hominy, and at the time of his death owned one of the finest stands in the Indianapolis market house. As a merchant he was well known for his honesty and for the relia- bility of whatever commodity he put on sale. He carried this characteristic of un- assailable sincerity into the political world, and his party, knowing his reputation, made him judge of elections on more than one occasion. Since his death his widow has been bravely carrying on the work he was forced to lay down and the success that has attended her efforts has been due not only to her business ability, but also to the respect in which her husband was held and to the high status he had estab- lished for his stand in the opinion of patrons and co-workers.
Andrew P. Cranor was born at Williamsburg, in Wayne county, on the 14th of February, 1847. He was the second son of Joseph Cranor, who was a farmer. In his father's family were six children, three sons and three daughters. Andrew Cranor attended the country schools until he had learned as much as could be gained from them, and as he was then needed at home to assist with the work of the farm, he received no further education. He remained at home for several years, but de- cided, on reaching the age of twenty-five, that he could accomplish more in the city. So, with a plan in his head and a slender store of money in his pocket, he came to Indianapolis. His plan, which was to manufacture and sell old-fashioned hominy, proved successful. After a few years spent in making and disposing of this article to individual customers, he earned and saved enough to set up a grocery store on Indiana avenue. A few years later he removed to the eastern section of Indianapolis, where he opened a second and larger store of the same kind. In 1892 he made his last change of location, buying ground and building a house and store on West Eighteenth street. For ten years he conducted a very lucrative business here, but presently determined to sell out this business in order to devote his entire time to another business which he had been successfully developing. This enterprise was the stand at the Market House, which he had established about five years previously. He thereafter conducted the business connected with this stand until his death on the 24th of August, 1910, and his patronage grew with each day.
When Mr. Cranor moved to Eighteenth street there were very few houses in that section and his family are now about the oldest residents in that part of the city. Mr. Cranor was very proud of the rapid growth of this district, being in fact a lover both of his country and his city; yet he was devoted particularly to his own fireside, preferring the society of his family and friends to the life of the clubs.
Mr. Cranor was known as an active worker for the Republican party and in
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addition to being judge of elections he was assessor for his ward, which was the Fourth. He had no church affiliations, believing in a broad Christianity requiring no creed in which to find expression, but revealing itself in an upright life and in kindly deeds. Fraternally he was a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
At Decatur, Adams county, Indiana, on the 20th of September, 1877, the mar- riage ceremony was performed that made Andrew P. Cranor and Mary F. Darwin man and wife. Mrs. Cranor was a native of Monmouth, Adams county, in this state, and was the daughter of Calvin Darwin, who was a saddler and an early citi- zen of that part of the state. Although her parents died when she was quite young, she grew up in this section.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cranor six children have been born: Clyde M., who married Eva Morris, lives in Indianapolis and has no children. The second child of Andrew Cranor died in infancy. Guy H. was educated in the Indianapolis public and high schools, worked with his father for a time and then entered the service of the United States navy. One year was spent in making a trip around the world and three in the Philippines, after which he returned home. Here he married, settling down in Indianapolis. To him and his wife, who was Fannie Johns, was born a son, Harold. Guy H. died on the 28th of January, 1911, and is buried beside his father at Crown Hill. The fourth child, Lulu, is at home. Earl lives at home and is associated with the National City Bank. Effie E., the youngest, is at home. All the children of Mr. and Mrs. Cranor were born and educated in Indianapolis. The latter is a member of the Methodist church and the members of her family are all faithful attendants at the services. Her exceptional ability in practical affairs is evidenced by the fact-referred to above-that after her husband's death she took charge of his stand at the Market House and has, with the help of her children, managed it ever since.
The following is clipped from the Indianapolis News of the issue of August 25th, 1910. "Andrew P. Cranor, 1216 West Eighteenth street, died last night about eight o'clock. He was born in Williamsburg, Indiana, 1848. Coming to Indianapolis in 1875, he engaged in the grocery business. He was active in poli- tics and was a member of the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias lodges. Andrew P. Cranor was for nearly twenty years a familiar figure to every regular patron of the Indianapolis city market. The stand holders on the market yester- day made a purse to provide flowers as a token of their esteem of their former associate. In point of association with the market, Mr. Cranor was one of the oldest men there, having sold his wares before the present market house was built. For years he had been known about the market as 'Judge' Cranor, and though he was one of the most familiar figures on the market, few people knew him by any other name. Every spring for years, Judge Cranor supplied many of those faith- ful to the old traditions with their sweet scented sassafras root, and they depended on him to get it as early as it could be obtained. His faithfulness to business dur- ing the long years of his association with the market enabled him to accumulate some property, though he was not a wealthy man."
Aaron Genung Campfield
N THE death of Aaron Genung Campfield, a contractor and builder, there passed away a man who had spent a long life life in the service of his fellow men. Some of the most sub- stantial buildings in the middle west were erected by him. He was a man independent in thought and act, and his earnest, upright life was an inspiration to those who knew him. That he was a thorough and conscientious workman is evidenced by the excellent condition of the structures that he built. His work took him to differ- ent parts of the country, and this naturally broadened his view of life and increased his innate adaptability. He was a man popular alike with young and old. In politics he was a Republican, but never took an active part in the work of the party. I
Mr. Campfield was born in Morris county, New Jersey, on the 1st of June, 1834. He was the son of Matthew Edwin Campfield, a farmer, and Fannie Mariah (Gen- ung) Campfield, both natives of New Jersey. The former was a descendant of a Connecticut family who had settled in that state early in the seventeenth century. He was the father of eight children. He died at the age of forty-nine, leaving the responsibility of the family to the subject of this sketch, who was then twenty- two years old.
Aaron Campfield was brought up on the home farm, and was the first of the children to leave it to make his way in the world. When quite a young man he learned the carpenter trade in Newark, New Jersey, and later took up contracting. He remained there for several years, coming west during the Civil war and locating at Decatur, Illinois. Later he went to Chicago, where he followed his trade for a short time. After a stay of nearly three years in Illinois he returned to the east. Eighteen months later he started for the west a second time, feeling that the west was the place for him. He located at Council Bluffs, Iowa, and from there went to Springfield, Illinois. His first big contract, the Charlton school house at Charl- ton, Illinois, marked the beginning of his busy and successful career.
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