USA > Indiana > Fountain County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 13
USA > Indiana > Warren County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 13
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Samuel Rice is a native of the Hoosier state, his birth having occur in Montgomery county, t! is state, on October 14. 1846, and he is the son al J. M. B. and Mary Ann (Jiet ollum) Rice. The e parents were both han reared and married in Kentucky, but they were early settlers of Montgomery county, Indiana. Subsequently they moved from Ji mugomery county 10 Fountain county where the father secured two hundred acres of land, com prising the present farm of the subject. Here the father followed the , i'm of husbandry during the rest of his active years. He was a veteran af to. Mexican war. He and his wife became the parents of thirteen children, of which number the following are living: Jonathan, Washington. Isaac, Kate (married a Mr. Howard). Vesie ( married William Maltimore), and the subject. J. M. B Rice was a Democrat in politics, but never aspired to public office, being content to devote his attention to his personal affairs. He was a charter member of the lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows at New- town.
Samuel Rice was reared under the paternal roof and secured his educa- tion in the common schools. He was reared to the life of a farmer and has never seen any good reason why he should forsake that vocation for any other. In this he has shown good judgment, for as a farmer he has demonstrated ability of a high order, having maintained the farm at the same high standard set by his father before him. He is up-to-date in his methods and does not hesitate to investigate new ideas, being progressive and advanced in his make-
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up The war is well improved in every respect and ~ numbered anking Il Dest farms of the township.
In 1871 Mr. Rice was united in marriage with Wie Viele the il rogito I John and Many Abolt, who were very early sufler- in bythe wayson mang here from Ohio, To Mr. and Mrs Rice have been 'arte de tolli children: Mary Bertie became the wife of Anas Warren, Readylet me kar deceased: they had one son, Lexty; Zeda is the wife of Timer Jonathan of Richland township, and They have one child. Sangel : Ala A is :lic Jo Bert Hayes, of Richland township; Ethel married a Sur Fin al seth mother of two children. Alfred and Keneth. Mrs. Atice Rice the! an Member quently Mr. Rice married Alice Riesterer, the daughter of Sele. Sue Rondom
Politically, Mr. Rice is a Democrat and has been active in the inter- his party. He served Richland one tery ar trustee, giving an efficient bol satisfactory administration of the office. He is a member of the Baje a church, in the various activities of which he takes an interest, being at present time a member of the board of trustees. He lias taken tin . to support enterprises for the welfare of the community and is a stockhe cer and . men- ber of the board of directors and vice-president of the Melot Band Possessing a genial disposition and an unassuming attuale before his Bed men, he has easily made friends and is well liked throug's in the ogromny.
CHARLES M. COGGINS, M. D.
There is no class to thom greater gratitude is he from the world at large than the self-sacrificing. sympathetic, noble-minded men whose ite work is the alleviation of suffering and the ministering of comfort to the afflicted. to the end that the span of human existence may be lengthened and a great degree of satisfaction enjoyed during the remainder of their earthly sojourn. There is no standard by which their beneficent influence can be measured; their helpfulness is limited only by the extent of their knowledge and skill, while their power goes hand in hand with the wonderful laws of nature that spring from the source of life itself.
One of these worthy benefactors of mankind is Charles M. Coggin -. 00e of the well known and successful general physicians of Fountain county, why for a number of years has maintained his home in the vicinity of Covington. He was born in Knox county, Ohio, August 18, 1853, and is the soll ni Jonathan and Louise (Marquand ) Coggins. The father, who was a native of Philadelphia, was a carpenter by trade, which he followed all his life, and.
CHARLES M. COGGINS, M. D.
MRS. MARY O. COGGINS.
omaine there dall 1896. chen To removefor Instant spent h seis anth his daughter at AS town wire lo bont manrets to ci
tor tos old-time Honesty and arle try. Meine cksont hogyplatite man Charles Mi. Coggins grew to marsun' al it really com his early education in the common schools and the high des lat of Men Ohio. Having determmed on a medical career early of the lis began din study of medicine in his home town, later attending tor mentile mire in the medical department of the University of Michigan at Are Mylor We then entered the Ohio Medical School at Cincinnati, were le trile mie. cellent record and from which institution la was graduates with the hero 1876. On March 2d of that year he came to Snowdy's at lon to county, Indiana, where he began practions bis profession, ne with In vol with encouraging success from the first and white hat estate office until today he ranks with the leading general prac Tioners Tothis post on the state.
Doctor Coggins was married in 1878 to Mar; O. Snoch, dardieof Samuel 1. and Susan ( km 15) Snoddy, one of the best london and nost il fluential families of the locality, Samuel Shoddy having been one of HD earliest settlers of Fountain county He built the first mill bothi- locality it Cole creek, in 1800, which he operated maril 1885, when is sans took change of it. reconstructing the same, and they still successfully operate this mail. which is one of the best known in this and adjoining contres. Mas. Caggins grew to womanhe od and received her education in Fountain county. One child has been born to the subject and wife, Grace, who married Prof. Will- nam M. Nye, of Purdue University, and her death occurred on September 16, 1907.
Politically, the Doctor is a Republican and he is loyal to his party's prin- ciples. He was elected a trustee of Wabash township in 1908. He belongs to the Fountain County Medical Society and holds membership with the Knights of Pythias at Snoddy's Mills.
Doctor Coggins has a fine modern home, facing the road and Cole creek. and he has been very successful in a financial way. He owns a splendid thirty-six-horse-power Auburn automobile. He first came to Cole creek or Snoddy's Mills many years ago as physician for the Bunker Coal Company, as mining was carried on much more extensively here then than now. Per- sonally, he is a genial, obliging gentleman and is popular with all classes.
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fountain comme, cool the mother un promening the neglect aconsiste we
advancement of Attica and certainly so otlar pglobal da inpressed his personality upon the und sunt hejna ne nu patellate an 48 Ercised so panert an influence in divertite and controlling the to top terests of the city. The writer realize The Futility of allrondine isation tin limits of this review, a succinct account of the life at a mal mose sehreu- ments form no inconsiderable part of the history of Mountain con wye th best he can hope to do being but a habit cantime of The bending there of an career and a tribute to his worth as a ferro facts ilor me one omaral business establishment and at the same time latagine arsidont ty for The general welfare of a people whose interdits he las est hal where
J. Frank MeDermond, the lead merchant of Atthe Sand me of ie largest in northern habana, is a nadie of Fond cho moments . on | var- korco 30000 April 14. 1867, having first seen the light of day in the cry Wolf by vous honors as his place of residence. His ither war Holm V mal native of Cumberland county. Pomsylvania, who in ton moved xxum flat state to Attica, Indiana, and established himself in the mer anie falamos. and who in the course of a few years forged rapidly forward with a male beginning to a commanding place among the leading merchant of The town From time to time he was obliged to increase the capacity of his store in order to keep pace with the demands of his customers and at his death, which occurred in the month of May. 1890, he was proprietor of the largest dry goods establishment in the city and had much more than a local reputation in business circles. Mary Hendricks, who became the wife of John W. McDer- mond, was also of Pennsylvania birth and a full cousin of the late Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks, formerly governor of Indiana, Vice-President of the United States and for many years among the nation's most eminent states men. She lived to be fifty-nine years of age and departed this life in Attica. October, 1890, five months after the death of her husband, who passed away in May, 1890.
J. Frank MeDermond spent his childhood and youth in his native town. received his educational training in the public schools of the same, and at an
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
early age was taken into his father's store where by practical experience he soon acquired a knowledge of the basic principles of the mercantile trade. Perceiving in his son a natural adaptability for business hi. ather spared no reasonable efforts in his training and it was not long until the lad ar familiar with nearly every detail of the establishment and become quite a capill and obliging salesman. That be might have a knowledge of every phase of the business he was permitted at the early age of thirteen to accompany his father to New York City where he learned how to buy goods and make creditable bargains, and the experience which he there required among wholesale dealers and firms proved of great value to him in after years.
Trained with the object of ultimately succeeding to the management of the business, young MeDermond kept this end constantly in view and made it paramount to every other consideration. Bending every energy in the direc tion of mastering his calling and becoming something more than an ordinary merchant, his advancement was rapid and while still a mere youth he was able, with his father's counsel, to take charge of the business and mature plans for its enlargement. After the death of his father he assumed control of the business, which under his efficient management ha: grown greatly in volume and importance until he is now at the head of the largest mercanti.e establishment in Attica, carrying a stock e mal to any in Danville or Lafayette and comparing favorably with the most extreme mercantile house in the northern part of the state. In the management of this large and cut tantly increasing business he manifested not only keen discernment of its every de- tail, but executive ability of a high order. To meet the growing demands of the trade he has enlarged the capacity of his store, from time to time erecting new and improved buildings and adding many new features in order to keep abreast of the times and in touch with the most advanced thoughts in all that pertains to the mercantile trade. Believing in the efficacy of advertising as a medium for extending his business, he has already expended something in excess of forty-two thousand dollars in this direction, the result of which has been the increase of his sales by more than one million dollars, besides giving him wide publicity and adding very materially to Attica's reputation as an important business center. Another means of increasing his patronage are the bargain days and reduction sales which he holds from time to time and which, being extensively advertised, are always largely attended not only by the people of the city but by customers from the country and from other and distant points.
Under the title of the Progressive Department Store, which is really ten stores in one, he carries a full stock of nearly everything required in
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the mercantile line, including dry goods, dress goods and ales carpets we and linoleum, women's and men's wearing apparel, show- and fiblir go ok, men's and boy's clothing, hats, millinery and women's furisblogs. forminic. pianos and sewing machines, cut glass, chinaware and novelties, simte housekeeping goods, Butterick patterns and Delineators and many fall articles, the mention of which would transcend the limits of this sketch.
While intent on a Ivancing his own siterests in building up a busine -. house which the people appreciate and which is a credit to himself and an honor to the community. Mr. McDermond has not been unmindful of his duty to his city and county, to the material prosperity of which he has ca tributed quite liberally during the past few years. He has been especially active and enthusiastic in advancing the claims of Attica as a business point and safe place for the investment of capital to which, and other equally com- mendable end, he has labored assiduously, encouraging to the extent of his ability all worthy projects and enterprises and assisting in elevating varion- utilities and promoting public improvements which have resulted greatly in the city's prosperity and welfare. Not the least of his efforts in the directr.m. indicated have been accomplished through the medium of the Merchauts Association, an organization which has done more perhaps for the materi: ! growth of Attica than any other agency. He served as president of the Merchants' Club for two years and was instrumental in having it mergel into the State Association, under the title of the Merchants' Association, and was also one of the seven men to procure the upbuilding of Attica, prominent among their efforts being the platting of an addition and the selling of 'ots at nominal prices so as to encourage investment and add to the growth and welfare of the city.
Mr. MeDermond has been importuned at different times to accept the office of mayor and councilman, but this as well as all other public . honors he has persistently refused in the belief that he can accomplish more for the city as à private citizen than as an official. Not the least of his contributions to the material growth and beauty of Attica is the magnificent modern resi- dence which his family occupy, in addition to which he owns a cozy bungalow on the bank of the Wabash ten miles north of the city where he spends the summer months and entertains his many friends, including his Sunday school class and the various fraternal societies to which he belongs. During the heated seasons he motors to and from his place of business, spending the evenings and nights amid the cool breezes of one of the most attractive and ideal sylvan scenes to be found anywhere along the beautiful river on which his rural home is situated.
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIAN.A.
Mr. MeDermond is a firm believer in revealed religion and for a member of years has been a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church and one of the most active workers in the local branch in Atta. He las p.r.00 interested in the Sunday school, and he contributes liberally to ali que asi good work under the auspices of all denominations, also to private chatten and benevolences, never turning a deaf ear to want and distres of rein muß to assist the deserving poor and unfortunate. Like most enterprising. wide- awake men, he manifests a lively interest in secret frwernal work and at this time holds membership with the following lodges and organizations, having been an influential worker in each, namely: Attica Lodge No 18. Free and Accepted Masons : Attica Chapter No. 105. Royal Arch Masons : Murat Tem- ple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Indianapolis: An- cient Accepted Scottish Rite, Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret. Thirty->ce- ond Degree; Order of the Eastern Star, Attica, Indiana: Lafayette Lodge No. 143. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lafayette, Indiana; Logan Lodge No. 95, Knights of Pythias; Attica Lodge No. 3.' Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Shawnee Camp No. 25, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Shawnee Tribe No. 373. Improved Order of Red . en ; Royal Neighbor- of America, No. 2822, and Modern Woodman of America, Camp No. 175. and of the order of Pocahontas at Pine Village.
Mr. McDermond was married in the year 18go to Emma \. Trebing. of Grand Rapids, Michigan, daughter of C. B. Trebing, and is now the father of five children, whose names are as follows: J. Frank, Jr .. Charles T., Marquita, Anna Marie and Ralph Emmerson.
W. W. SHULTZ.
The subject of this sketch, a successful farmer and stock raiser and since 1909 an honored resident of Newtown, is a native of Fountain county, being a son of Isaac and Am (Ogle) Shultz. the father born in Adams county, Ohio, the mother in Fountain county, Indiana. W. W. Shultz, whose birth occurred on June 5, 1858, was reared to agricultural pursuits, received his education in the district schools of Richland township and grew up to the full measure of well-rounded manhood with proper conception of life and duty. He early turned his attention to husbandry and has continued the same with gratifying financial results ever since, being at this time the owner of a finely improved farm of one hundred thirty-one acres in Richland
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, I'DLANA.
township. where, in connection with tilling the soil, he has achieved an enviable reputation as a breeder and raiser of high grade live stock. As already -land. Mr. Shab resided on his beautiful country place until igog when he moved to Newtown, where he owns a commodious modern home plentifulh supplied with conveniences and comforts, and since the year indicated he has been actively identified with the varied interests of the town. At the present time he is president of the town board and as such has been the means of bringing about much important legislation, besides using his influence in other ways to promote the material growth of the village and add to its reputation as a desirable place of residence. In politics he is a Republican and in his religious belief a Baptist and with his wife belongs to the church of that denomination in Newtown.
Mr. Shultz, in the year 1883, was happily married to Emma Garner. of Fountain county, daughter of Javey and Mahala (Mitchell) Garner, the union resulting in the birth of five children, namely: Percy, who married Ethel Thompson and manages the home farm; Amy, wife of Fred Din- widdie, a farmer of Richland township; Etta; wife of Albert Peek; Linnie, whose husband, Orval Jones, is a Fountain county farmer; Hazel died young. These children are well situated in life and greatly respected in their respec- tive places of residence. They were reared under excellent horne influences and have ever tried to keep unsullied the luster of the honorable family name.
BERNARD S. ORR.
The gentleman to a brief review of whose life the reader's attention is herewith respectfully invited is among the foremost business men of Fountain county, and to his enterprise and progressive methods the city of Attica is indebted for much of its recent industrial development and general material advancement. In the course of an honorable career, his success has been very gratifying and the important position which he now holds in the leading financial institution of his city speaks well for his high standing in business circles and for the trust reposed in him by his associates and the public at large. B. S. Orr is a native of Fountain county; Indiana, and the seventh of a large family of eight children, whose father, James W. Orr, was among the earliest settlers in this part of the state. By occupation James W. Orr was a wagon-maker. He worked at his trade for some years near Rob Roy in Shawnee township, and later turned his attention to farming, which voca-
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
tion he followed until his death, on the 22d of January, 1876. Mr. Orr was a public-spirited man who always took a prominent part in the affairs of the county and for many you was a leader of the Republican party in the township where he lived. He served as county commissioner at one time. was also probate judge, and after holding the latter office always went by the name of "Judge" Orr. The maiden name of Mrs. J. W. Orr was Susan Schermerhorn. She, too, came to this county in an early day and some time after the death of her husband she married Dr. Henry Bacon, of Toledo, Ohio. She is still living and makes Attica her home. The following are the names of the children born to this estimable woman : Vice, James W., John C., Robert E., Lawrence T., Ingold E., Bernard S. and Edmund E .. the last three being an offspring of the second marriage.
Bernard S. Orr was born November 30, 1867, and received his early education and discipline in practical lite on his father's farmi. After complet- ing the public school course, he entered Bryant and Stratton's Business College in Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1887, and a little later he accepted a clerical position in the Farmers and Merchants' Bank, Artica, which he filled very acceptably until promoted to assistant cashier of the institution. He continued in the latter capacity until 1906, when he wa- elected cashier, the duties of which responsible office he has since discharged in a very able and praiseworthy manner, the meanwhile becoming familiar with every detail of the business and earning an honorable reputation as a safe, sagacious and far-seeing financier. In addition to his official functions. Mr. Orr has proven a useful member of the body politic: he has risen high in the confidence and esteem of the public, has always acquitted himself with honor and credit, never fallen below the dignity of true manhood, and in no respect has he resorted to the methods and wiles of the partisan or dema- gogne. He is essentially a man among men and moves as one who commands respect by innate force as well as by acquired leadership.
For some years Mr. Orr has been greatly interested in the material progress of Attica, and by liis activities and influence he has done much in the promoting of public utilities, besides contributing to the material advance- ment of the city along various other lines. He has always stood for public improvements, and to the limit of his ability has encouraged every enter- prise to this end, besides using his means and influence in behalf of every measure having for its object the betterin of the social and moral condition of the community. A Republican in politics, he has never held nor desired public office, nevertheless he manifests an abiding interest in the great ques- tions concerning which men and parties are at issue and, like all wide-awake
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FOUNTAIN AND WARRES COUS TU RAHMAN
citizens, keeps in touch with the times en matters of theonly and proste and has well grounded convictions concerning Me From. Ho Maternal pelo tions are y the the Masonic onder. il which for a felebet af sine he be for an active & mer, having at theliving can Make it die 1 Mb From this Is time.
In the year 1893 Mr Orrent Alma 8. Hughes, daughter of William and Ella ( Foster ) Hughes, were united in marriage, the print and Trace of with one child, a daughter who answers to the name of Fighter It Our Mrs. Orr owns two hundred and seventy-eight acres of ane Lone gy legal township, within two miles of Attica, which, with the forty -amnes mari do Shawnec township belonging to her husband. and the same much f of some- within the city limits, form no inconsiderable part of the apple fortune fui the possession of this couple. Mr. Orr's home, on the corner ist Broadway and Jackson streets, is one of the finest and most valuable in the city, being . model of architectural beauty, modern in every department and equipment and a credit to the owner, who has spared neither pains nor expense to rendi: it comfortable and attractive.
The Farmers and Merchants' Baut. with which Mr. Orr has been long officially identified, was organized in 1864, and is the oldest as well i. the largest, institution of the kind in the counties of Forment and Water Ever since established it has done a large and eminently satisfactory business. which has grown steadily in volume and public conti lerce until at th - toute its record as a safe and reliable financial institution is second to that of in other local bank in the state. The total resources as shown by the report of its condition on the 14th of June, 1912, was $705,894.59, which affords sont idea of the amount of business which the bank commands and the high piace it occupies in the favor of the public. The present officers are: T. Reid Ziegler, president ; J. Allen Wilson, vice-president, and B. S. Orr, cashier.
JAMES THOMPSON.
All credit is due a man who wins success in spite of obstacles and by persistency and energy gains a competency and a position of honor as a man and citizen. The record of James Thompson, one of Fountain county's leading agriculturists and best known citizens, is that of such a man. Here he has spent his long, useful and honorable life, participating in her gradual up building from a wild woodsy waste to one of the choice farming sections of
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