Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 71

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 932

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MEMORIAL RECORD OF

and public spirit of Samuel Franklin Day, one of the most valued and honored citizens of Huntington.

a NOS T. TAYLOR, vice-president and manager of the Citizens' Bank of Huntington, Indiana, has spent almost his entire life in this place, and is prominent in commercial circles.

A native of Ohio, he was born in Clark county, January 17, 1840, and is the second son of William Taylor, who in 1841 emi- grated with his family to Indiana, which was then on the frontier of civilization. His youth was spent in attending the then com- mon schools of Huntington until fourteen years of age, when he began learning the shoemaking trade, remaining on the bench for two years. Within that time he became convinced that opportunity in that line of trade for advancement was so very slow from the profits of his own labor that he resolved to employ hands to do the work, and with his father's consent took the management of the little shop, employing workinen and do- ing his own cutting and fitting. His father had a little room located on East Market street, and so well did he do the work and manage the business that in 1858 his father agreed to give him half the profits of the business thereafter, after the family and other expenses had been paid. This was an incentive for the young man, and he worked industriously almost night and day until 1865, when he bought out his father's inter- est in the business, paying several thousand dollars for his share, which was less than $500 at the time the partnership was formed, and thus becoming sole proprietor.

His well directed efforts, his capable management and his diligence brought to

him prosperity. His business steadily and constantly increased, and he was forced to seek more commodious quarters in order to furnish room for his additional workmen which his trade demanded. In 1866 he erected a three-story block of brick buildings on Jefferson street, known as the Taylor Block, one of the finest blocks at that time in the city. In 1871 he formed a partner- ship with J. V. Griffith in the manufacture of plow handles and barrel hoops. He was connected with this work, in addition to the boot and shoe business, for eleven years, and helping to build from a small concern a large manufacturing establishment, which is now owned and conducted by the firm of J. V. Griffith & Son. The same year, in con- nection with F. Dick and others, he organ- ized the Citizens' Bank, which opened its doors for business in September, 1871. In 1876 Messrs. Taylor and Dick purchased the interests of the other stockholders, and one year later the present commodious and substantial bank building was erected, and they have made the Citizens' Bank one of the most reliable and solid monetary insti- tutions in northeastern Indiana, its success being largely due to our subject, who has almost entire management of the bank.

In 1876 Mr. Taylor entered into part- nership with C. E. Briant in the manufac- turing of staves and heading, and remained in the business until 1880. At that time he was engaged successfully in the boot and shoe business, plow-handle and hoop-manu- facturing with Mr. Griffith, manufacturing staves and heading with Mr. Briant and in the banking business with Mr. Dick. To each business he gave his personal attention. In 188t he sold his interest in the plow- handle and hoop manufactory and in the Briant stave works. In 1886 he sold his

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shoe store and concentrated all his time and means upon the Citizens' Bank, at whose head he is yet, and the business is equal to that of any other institution of the kind in the city.

On the 20th day of September, 1877, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage with Miss Emma Moore, a daughter of Samuel Moore, and by their union have been born two children: Paul, now eight years of age; and Miriam, five years old. Mrs. Taylor is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is an estimable lady, who has made her home the abode of true hospital- ity. Mr. Taylor has always been a sup- porter of the Republican party, but takes no active part in political affairs except ex- ercising his right of franchise.

0 L. STOUT, M. D., Upland, Grant county, Indiana, is ranked with the prominent physicians of of his county. A resume of his life and ancestry is as follows:

John Stout, Dr. Stout's father, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, in the year 1825, a son of George Stout, who had emigrated to Ohio from North Carolina, his native State. The Stouts were members of the Society of Friends. Grandfather Stout was drafted in 1812, but not required to serve as a soldier. The Doctor's mother was before her mar- riage Miss Catherine Yount. She was a native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, born in 1824, daughter of John Yount. Grandfather Stout left Ohio in 1837 and came over into Indiana, settling in Monroe township, Grant county, this township at that time being nearly all wild land. His house was located on the road between Fort Wayne and Indianapolis and was a

stopping place for nearly all the early travel- ers through this part of the country. Here he cleared up and improved a farm, which some years later he sold and then removed to Illinois. Finally, however, he returned to Indiana, and his death occurred in Monroe township, Grant county. The Doc- tor's father, John Stout, assisted in the clearing of the farm above referred to, and after his marriage, which occurred in this county, he bought a new farm in Monroe township, on which he lived until January, 1890, when he moved to Upland. Here his wife died in 1894. She was a member by birth of the German Lutheran Church, but belonged to the United Brethren Church for a number of years before her death. She was a most estimable woman and was loved by all who knew her. Following are the names of their six children: Josiah, O. L., Andrew Y., William E., George H., and John W.,-all of whom are living and all in Grant county with the exception of Josiah, who resides in Tennessee.

Dr. O. L. Stout, the second born in the above named family, dates his birth on his father's farm, December 6, 1853. His edu- cation was received in the district schools and at Marion, and for five years, from 1874 to 1879, he was engaged in teaching. In the spring of 1879 he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Corey, of Van Buren, Grant county. That fall he entered medical college at Louisville, Kentucky, where he graduated in 1881. After his graduation he practiced for six months at Van Buren, from there came to Upland and opened an office, and here he has since re- mained, having built up and maintained an excellent practice at this place. He be- longs to the regular medical profession.

Dr. Stout was married in the fall of 1881,

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to Miss Frances M. Saxon, a native of Grant county, Indiana, and a daughter of William Saxon, deceased. They have one child, Ellis T.

Both the Doctor and his wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church at U'pland, in which he is a Steward and Trus- tee. He is also vice president of the board of trustees of Taylor University. He is a member of several fraternal organizations. In the I. O. O. F. he is Past Grand of the Lodge at Upland and has been a delegate to the Grand Lodge of Indiana. He has a membership in the Grant County Medical Society, the Delaware District Medical Society and the Indiana State Medical Society. Of the former he served as Presi- dent one year, from 1894 to 1895. His political views are in harmony with the principles advocated by the Republican party.

O LIVER P. LOGAN worthily repre- sents that great body of men with- out whom this country would be but a wilderness indeed. He is a native " Hoosier," born in Rush county, In- diana, September 20, 1832, and has been engaged in farming during his entire life. He now resides on section 28, Liberty town- ship, Wabash county, Indiana, which has been his home for forty-one years. His fa- ther, James Logan, was born in Ireland, in 1803. and came with his parents to America when about eighteen months old. The family located in South Carolina, where the grandfather of our subject died. His grand- mother subsequently emigrated with the family to Fayette county, Indiana, being among the earliest settlers of that county. This was about 1822, at which time James

Logan was nineteen years of age. Shortly afterward he entered land in Rush county and spent his first winter on the same. His marriage to Elizabeth Mann occurred in Rush county. She was born in Brown county, Ohio, in 1806. Her father, John Mann is supposed to have been of Scotch de- scent, while her mother was a native of Ger- many. To James and Elizabeth Logan were born nine children, eight of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. Both parents were members of the Baptist Church and died in the full assurance of faith. The fa- ther died at the age of seventy-six and the mother at the age of seventy years. Before his death, James Logan became one of the largest land owners in Rush county. He was a man well known and universally es- teemed through that whole region of country.

The subject of this sketch, the fourth born of the family, grew to manhood under the parental roof and remained at home as- sisting in farm labor until his marriage. He received but a very limited education in the old log school-house, with its puncheon floor and slab seats. His marriage to Miss Susan Winship, occurred in 1854. She was born in Boone county, Indiana, and at the age of six years moved with her parents to Rush county, this State. Soon after their mar- riage the young couple removed to Wabash county, and located on the farm where our subject now resides. There were no im- provements on the place at the time, save a little log cabin about sixteen feet square. Into this cabin they moved and there hap- pily lived until times grew better and they were able to build the present handsome and commodious farm residence, which was erected at a cost of $2,300 and is supplied with natural gas for heating and lighting purposes. Mr. Logan continued actively

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engaged in farm work until 1892, when he retired, that he might peacefully enjoy the fruits of a life well spent. He is now the owner of 363 acres and has given each of his six children a farm of 100 acres. The children are: Lydia J., wife of Oliver H. Mason, of La Fontaine; Margaret E., who married William F. Stone, died in 1880, leaving one daughter, six days old, who has been reared by our subject and has been named after her mother; Horatio S., of Liberty township; Ida B., wife of L. B. Morris, of Liberty township; William H., of Liberty township; Emma L., now the wife of Frank S. Olds, of Logansport, In- diana, who has one son, named in honor of her father.

In politics Mr. Logan is a Jackson Democrat, and has voted the party ticket since obtaining his majority. Like every other public-spirited man, he takes great in- terest in political affairs, but has never sought public office. He was, however, a candidate for Representative for the Legis- lature from Wabash county, but failed of election. He is a member of the regular Baptist Church, of which body his wife is also a member. He was one of the building committee in the erection of the brick church in Liberty township, and is now one of the trustees of the church.

On coming to this county, Mr. Logan was in very limited circumstances. In the purchase of his first 150 acres he expended nearly every cent that he had; but with characteristic energy he commenced to clear the land, and in due time had one of the finest farms in Wabash county. From time to time he added to his possessions, both in land and stock, and notwithstanding he has so amply provided for his children he is yet in comfortable circumstances and

can have no fear of the future. A Christian man, he has ever endeavored to live in ac- cordance with the teachings of the Master, and no man in Wabash county is more highly honored and respected.

ILLIAM FRANKLIN SWAIM is one of the honored veterans of the late war, who faithfully fol- lowed the old flag on Southern battle-fields and aided in the Union cause until hostilities had ceased. To his duties of citizenship in times of peace he has been alike true and faithful, and his fellow towns- men, appreciating his worth and ability, have frequently called him to public office. A man well worthy the high regard in which he is held, we take great pleasure in present- ing to our readers the record of his life.

Mr. Swaim was born on the old home- stead two miles east of Warren, Indiana, March 16, 1843. There the days of his childhood and youth were passed and his education was acquired by about sixty days' attendance in the year at the country schools of the neighborhood. Thus at rare intervals he continued his studies for eleven years, but under his father's instruction he obtained much valuable knowledge. In 1863 he began teaching, but after two weeks gave up his school to enter the army, en- listing on the 5th of December, 1863, as a member of Company D, One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana Infantry. The regiment rendezvoused at Kokomo, Indiana, and left for Nashville, Tennessee, on the 16th of March, 1864, going thence to Charleston, Tennessee, and joining Sherman's army at Ringgold, Georgia. It was assigned to the Second Brigade, First Division, Twenty- third Army Corps, under General Scofield,

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the flanking corps of the Atlanta cam- paign. On the 22d of July, 1864, the same day that McPherson fell, Mr. Swaim was taken ill in front of Atlanta, and after being in the field hospital for a time he was sent to Knoxville. Ou the 20th of September he left the hospital and returned home on a furlough. When his leave of absence had expired, he returned to the hospital and then joined his regiment, December 8, 1864, at Nashville, Tennessee, participating in the battle at that place on the 15th and 16th of the same month. The army then pursued Hood to the Tennessee, where the troops were put on boats and sent down the river and np the Ohio river to Cincinnati, on their way to Parkersburg, where they were expected to take a train for Washington. Owing to ice in the river they were forced to go by rail from Cincinnati to Washington. After a month spent in the capital, they took boat at Alexandria for North Carolina, and landed at the mouth of Cape Fear river, whence they went to Fort Anderson, and to Beau- fort, North Carolina, by boat. They pro- ceeded by rail to Newbern, North Carolina, and thence marched across cypress swamps to Goldsboro, participating in the battle of Kingston on the way. Joining Sherman they went to Raleigh and on to Greensboro, where Johnston surrendered. At Charlotte, North Carolina, they did guard duty until August, and then went to Lincoln, where they remained until November. In Septem- ber Mr. Swaim was detailed to serve as Cap- tain's clerk at Salisbury, and continued to discharge the duties of that office until mus- tered out on the 2d of December, 1865. Eleven days later he was honorably dis- charged, at Indianapolis.

Mr. Swaim at once returned to his old home and engaged in operating his father's

farm for two years, when he purchased forty acres of the old home place and forty acres adjoining, successfully cultivating that land from 1868 until 1881. He also worked at the carpenter's trade during that period, and then removed to Warren, Indiana. Subse- quently he sold his farming property. In 1882 he began conducting a planing-mill in company with his brother-in-law, Franklin Shaffer, under the firm name of Shaffer & Company, the connection continuing for four years, when the mill was sold. Mr. Swaim then engaged in teaming and in looking after various contracts. In 1890 he was elected a member of the town board of Trustees. In 1893 he was elected Treas- urer of Warren corporation, and the suc- ceeding year was re-elected. On the 27th of May, 1894, he was nominated by the Re- publican party for the position of County Auditor, and elected by the good majority of 403. During his term of office he took up his residence in Huntington, but still re- tains the ownership of his residence in War- ren, with the expectation of returning to that place.

On the 21st of February, 1867, Mr. Swaim wedded Miss Mary Thompson, a daughter of John Howard and Mary Ann Thompson Thompson. She was born in Huntington county, November 20, 1841. They had one child, namely: Alfred Ed- ward, who was born September 16, 1868, was married September 1, 1889, to Amelia M. Irwin, daughter of William Madison and Mary Magdalena Minnich; Irwin. They have one daughter, Edith Marie, born in Warren, November 8, 1890.

In March, 1857, Mr. Swaim united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, has since been a faithful and consistent member, and for thirty years has been one of its officials,

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P.s. Allm.

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serving at the present time in four different positions. He is a faithful worker in the effected the purchase of the Bluffton Ban- Master's vineyard and does all in his power to advance the cause of Christianity. His life is a consistent and helpful one, well worthy of emulation. For five years he has been a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge of Warren, and for three years past has been one of its Trustees.

HILEMON A. ALLEN .- The his- tory of a State, as well as that of a nation, is chiefly a chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon society. The world judges of the character of a com- munity by those of its representative citi- zens, and yields its tributes of admiration and respect for the genius or learning or virtues of those whose works and actions constitute the record of a State's prosperity and pride; and it is this record that offers for our consideration the history of men who in their character for probity and benevo- lence and the kindly virtues, as well as their integrity in the affairs of life, are ever afford- ing to the young worthy examples for emu- lation. He to whose career we now turn attention is a native son of the State of Indiana, and his life has been one of con- secutive endeavor in the higher planes of usefulness, so that there is eminent consist- ency in according him representation in this volume. Professor Allen is now the editor and publisher of the Bluffton Banner, and this paper has been brought into distinctive precedence through his able efforts.

The Professor, who had a marked predi- lection for journalistic work, became iden- tified with the same in the spring of 1891,

when, in partnership with J. H. Ormsby, he

ner from Captain E. Y. Sturgis, and the publication of the paper was continued, under the firm name of Allen & Ormsby, about two years, when our subject purchased the interest of Mr. Ormsby and has since had entire control of the enterprise. The Banner has gained pronounced prestige under his effective management, and it now has a larger circulation by far than any

other paper published in Wells county. The paper was established in 1850, and has always been the chief and official paper of the county, being Democratic in politics. The first editors and proprietors were Samuel G. Upton and Lewis S. Grove. It has passed through many hands, namely, in order, T. J. McDowell, George McDowell, James Gerry Smith, D. J. Callen and T. B. Gutelius, J. H. Smith, Theodore Horton & Company, James Gerry Smith again, Will- iam J. Craig, Homer L. Martin, E. A. K. Hacket, Martin & Roth, S. S. Roth, Sturgis, Gorrell & Gorrell, E. Y. Sturgis, . Allen & Ormsby and lastly P. A. Allen.

In 1891 the paper was enlarged to an eight-paged quarto, and in January, 1894, to a twelve-paged six-column sheet,-its present size. It is a faithful and reliable news journal and honest in criticism. As an evidence of its high standing we may refer to the fact that its circulation is con- stantly increasing, and it is read and appre- ciated in thousands of homes.

Prof. Allen is a native of Whitley county, Indiana, where he was born on the 29th of January, 1853, being the eighth in order of birth of the nine children of Nathaniel and Eliza (Force) Allen, both of whom were born in Akron, Ohio, representatives of honored pioneer families of the Buckeye

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State. They were married in their native State, and in 1843 they removed to Whit- ley county, Indiana, which section at that time was still almost entirely unreclaimed from the primitive wilderness. Locating on a tract of heavily timbered land, the father gave his attention to clearing a farm, and also erected a sawmill, which was the first in the county and which was duly appre- ciated by the early settlers. The family abode was a modest log cabin, such as was typical of that place and period, but the in- telligence and progressive character of Na- thaniel Allen was such as implied consecutive advancement in temporal affairs, and his well directed efforts were potent in effecting the development of the county. For many years he was a Class-leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was an active worker in the cause of Christianity. He passed into eternal life in 1883, at the age of seventy-five years. His wife was also a devoted member of the Methodist Church and was a woman of noble and gentle char- acter. She died in 1878, aged sixty-two years. Of the nine children of Nathaniel and Eliza Allen three died in infancy, and of those who lived to attain maturity we offer brief record as follows: William and Wesley W., who are engaged in the mer- cantile business at Coesse, Whitley county; Wallace, a farmer in Kansas; Cynthia, who became the wife of Isaac Hall, of Whitley county, is now deceased; Mary, the wife of John W. Waugh, of Allen county, Indiana, died in January, 1893; and Philemon A., the immediate subject of this review.

Philemon A. Allen grew to manhood in his native county, and through his youth his life was that of the average boy reared on the farm. He attended the district schools in the winter months, while during

the summers he assisted in the cultivation of the paternal acres, incidentally gaining that sturdy appreciation of the absolute values in life which ever comes to the intel- ligent individual who thus lives in close com- munion with nature's visible forms. At the age of twenty years he was enabled to realize his ambition and take advantage of broader educational opportunities than he had hitherto enjoyed. He entered Fort Wayne College, where he continued his studies about two and one-half years, after which he be- became a student in the Normal School at Lima, Ohio, completing the course in that institution at the age of twenty-five years. His abilities were such that he was soon ac- corded preferinent as a tutor in the Fort Wayne College, where he accepted a posi- tion in the spring of 1875, and retained the same for a period of two years. At the ex- piration of this time he resigned his position to accept the superintendency of the graded schools at Ossian, Wells county, where he remained four years, bringing the schools up to a high standard, and giving evidence of the fact that his executive ability was as pronounced as was his efficiency as an in- structor.

Upon closing his term of service in the Ossian schools, Professor Allen made a three- months sojourn abroad, traveling through England, Ireland and Scotland, and encoun- tering many interesting experiences, which his receptive and assimilative powers ren- dered very valuable to him. Upon his return Professor Allen was appointed superintendent of the public schools at Bluffton, and his effective labors in this field are best shown in the fact that he was retained in this im- portant capacity for a full decade. Under his regime was graduated the first class in the high school, and to his earnest and well

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directed endeavors, it is conceded, Bluffton owes to a very large extent the high reputa- tion which has been maintained by its school system.

In the spring of 1891 Professor Allen re- signed the position which he had filled so long and so acceptably, and thereupon pur- chased an interest in the Bluffton Banner, as already stated. The Board of Education was most reluctant to accept the resignation of the superintendent, and endeavored to prevail upon him to retain the incumbency; but our subject had long been desirous of entering the newspaper field, and felt it ex- pedient to take advantage of the opportunity thus afforded. He has ever maintained a lively interest in educational affairs, and the public schools of Bluffton have to-day no more vigorous and valuable a friend and supporter than Professor Allen. While he has been a citizen of Bluffton for but fifteen years, the public positions which he has re- tained have been such as to bring him into contact with all classes of people, and there is no man in the community that has a greater number of stanch and admiring friends than he, for he has served faithfully and well, has been animated by a deep human charity, and has so directed his course as to fully merit this esteem and friendliness. As an educator he holds dis- tinctive prestige in the State, and he has proved himself equal to the demands placed upon him in the various positions which he has held, and has changed his base of oper- ations in each instance in a purely voluntary way. As a writer he is succinct, ready and convincing, ever discerning and taking the vantage point, and giving force to his every utterance by the manifest sincerity and good faith which is evidenced, and his editorials have commanded marked at-

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Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 71

Author: Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 932

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 932