USA > Indiana > Fountain County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 2
USA > Indiana > Warren County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66
Politically, Mr. Dotson is a stanch Democrat and he has been active in party affairs. For some time he served at a councilman at Veed: rsburg, and is at this writing very ably discharging the duties of mayor of this place, winning the hearty approval of all concerned, irrespective of party ties, and he is doing much for the permanent good of the place and is deeply interested in its growth and moral welfare. His term of office expires in 1913. Fra- ternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he is a member of the Commercial Club. He is a young man of pleasing address and is a good mixer, popular with all who know him.
ELVIS SCOTT BOOE.
The prominence of Elvis Scott Booe, the widely known and popular president of the Bank of Kingman, Indiana, is such that he is regarded as one of Fountain county's leading business men and most influential financiers, having for several decades taken a prominent part in the upbuilding of the locality in a material and civic way, ever wielding a wide and potent influence for the general good of the same, and ever showing by his fealty to high principles that he merits the high esteem in which he is universally held. He is a man of keen business discernment, wise foresight and seldom makes a
347
FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIAN.I.
mistake. He has been the principal motive force behind the strong, osserva- tive and popular institution of which he is the head, and at the same time is a plain, straight forward, unassuming gent'eman whom it is a pleasure to meet.
Mr. Booe was born in Fountain coumy, Indiana, October 2. 1853. 114 is a son of Lorenzo Dow Bode and Eleanor ( Moffatt ) Book, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively, each representing fine oll Southern families. These parents grew up in the South, were educated and married there, and they devoted their lives to general agricultural pursuits. They came to Fountain county, Indiana, as early as 1827 and here became well known among the pioneers. The paternal grandfather, Joseph Booe, was one of t. > prominent men of the early period of the county's history. Many of his sterling traits seem to have descended to his son, Lorenzo Dow, and thence to the subject, Elvis S. Booe. The father of the subject settled on Scott's Prairie, where he developed an excellent farm and spent the rest of his life, successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. His death occurred on bis home place in April, 1878, at the age of seventy-five years. His widow survived a number of years, passing away in 1884. at the age of seventy-nine years. They were the parents of the following children: James M. is a retired farmer of Veedersburg; Josephine died in 1Sgo, at the age of sixty-seven years; Thomas M. is a practicing physician at Loda, Ilinois : John A. is a druggist at Crawfordsville, Indiana ; Simpson M. died in 1890; Elvis Scott, subject of this sketch, the youngest of the children. The father of the above named children was active in the affairs of the Democratic party, and for years he was a deacon in the Christian church.
Elvis S. Booe grew to manhood on the home farm and there he made himself generally useful during the summer months. Ile received his primary education in the common schools, then spent two years in Howard College, Kokomo, Indiana, and two years at the old Northwestern University, at Indi- anapolis, also two years at Wabash College, Crawfordsville, this state, mak- ing an excellent record in all these institutions and he was graduated from the last named with the class of 1877. He then read law one year, but not find- ing the calling espoused by Blackstone and Kent entirely to his liking he re- turned home and managed the farm, remaining there until the death of his mother and gaining a secure foothold as an agriculturist. In May, 1900, he came to Kingman and, with the exception of the year 1910, when he was a member of the state board of accountants, he has been engaged in the banking business, being at this writing president of the Bank of Kingman, whose large success has been due principally to his able management. He is also inter- ested in the grain business, and he has been very successful in a business way.
348
FOUNTAIN AND WARREN POINTUES, 19101
Mr. Bone was married on November 5. 1888. to Id: Philpott, a Laty of many estimable characteristics and the daughter of Harris Philpott, a highly esteemed old family of Scott's Prairie. This union has been blessed by the birth of one daughter, Genevieve, now a student at the University of Thingis. where she is making a fine record.
Mr. Booe is a member and liberal supporter of the Christian church, and Ile belongs to the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Politically, he is a Democrat. and has long been active and influential in the ranks. He was a member ; the town board of kingman for six years, and in 1885 he was elected to the state Legislature. serving one term in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of his constituents and to the people in general.
FLETCHER W. BOYD.
It is not an easy task to describe adequately a man who has led an enii- nently active and busy life and who has attained a position of relative distinc- tion in the community with which Is interests are allied. But biography finds its most perfect justification. nevertheless, in the tracing and recording of such a life history. I is, then, with a full appreciation of all that i- demanded and of the painstaking scrutiny that must be accorded each statement, and yet with a feeling of satisfaction, that the writer essays the task of touching briefly upon the details of such a life record as has been that of the subject of this review, Fletcher W. Boyd, the popular postmaster at Covington, Indiana.
Mr. Boyd is descended from sterling ancestry. His maternal grand- father was William Yount, who was a prominent and influential citizen in his day. He was an active Democrat in politics and at one time served as recorder of Fountain county. The subject's father, George W. Boyd, who also was a leading citizen of his county, having served as sheriff, was a farmer and was also engaged in the mercantile business at Kingman. In politics he violated the family traditions and became a Republican and he was the first sheriff of Fountain county elected by that party. He voluntarily served all during the Civil war, as a corporal in Company H. One Hundred Sixty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, refusing a commission. He married Alunda Yount and they became the parents of six children, four of whom are still living. The father of these children died on October 30, 1904, and his widow now makes her home with her son, the subject of this sketch.
Fletcher W. Boyd was born February 1. 1874, and he secured his educa-
349
FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES. INDIANA.
tion in the pubac schools, graduating from the high school m 189. He was a popular student while in school and was honored by election for four col- secutive years to the presidency of the alumni associa . After leaving school, Mr. Boy engaged in teaching school, in which he meet with pronounced success, bookkeeping engaging his attention during the summer vacation per ods. He was early recognized as a young man of stering character and in May, 1897, at the age of twenty-three years, he was appointed postmaster of Covington by President Mckinley. So satisfactory was his performance of the duties of this office, that he was successively reappointed to the position by Presidents Roosevelt and Taft. Because of his marked business qualifica- tions and his courteous treatment of the patrons of the office, Mr. Boyd is popular with all and the tenure of his office appears secure for him.
On July 24, 1912, Mr. Boyd was married to Olive E. Taylor, who was born on January 5, 1889, the daughter of Richard and Serelda ( Emerson ) Taylor.
Politically, Mr. Boyd is an active and influential member of the Repub- lican party and has long been numbered among the leading young men of his community. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Order of Ben Hur, the Knights of Pythias and Free and Accepted Masons, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in the last-named order, and has taken all the degrees of York Rite Masonry and has served as eminent commander of the Crawfordsville Commandery, Knights Templar. Religiously Mr. Boyd is a member of the Methodit Episcopal church. It is no effort for Mr. Boyd to make friends, and once made they are always retained. He and his wife move in the best social circles of the community and their home is noted for its hospitality and good cheer.
JOHN HELD.
Descended from honored ancestry and himself numbered among the lead- ing citizens of Warren county, Indiana, the subject of this review is entitled to specific recognition in a work of this character. A life-long residence in this county has but strengthened his hold on the hearts of the people with whom he has been associated and today no one here enjoys a larger circle of warm friends and acquaintances, who esteem him because of his sterling qualities of character and his business ability.
John Held is a native son of Warren county, having been born at Will-
350
FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
iamsport on October 18, 1875. His father, Henry Held, was born in 6:32 and died in 1802. Ile was of German parentage and was one of the early settlers of Warren county. The subject's mother, whose maiden name was Helen Kochler, was born in Germany, emigrating to America in girlhood and locating in Warren county. To Henry and Helen Held were born six chil- dren, four boys and two girls.
The subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools of Williamsport, graduating from the high school with the class of 1802. He then entered the office of the Wl'arren R view, where he was employed a year. at the end of which time he entered the harness business of his father's c tate, of which his brother was manager, holding this position until 1899. Ile then went into the dry-goods business in partnership with his brother Edward, this arrangement continuing until 1904. when he sold his interests to his brother, who is still conducting the business. Mr. Held then entered the agency of the Prudential Insurance Company, and shortly afterwards was promoted to the position of assistant superintendent of the Logansport district, necessitating his removal to Logansport. Subsequently he resigned his connection with the Prudential company and, returning to Williamsport, he formed a partner- ship with his father-in-law, D. C. Boggs, buying the abstracting business of James C. Odle in May. 1910. On July 1, 1911, Mr. Held bought his part- ner's interest and has since conducted the same alone, having met with very gratifying success from the start. He is considered a thoroughly reliable and accurate abstracter and has one of the best sets of abstract books in the county. He is accommodating and obliging and he makes friends of all who have busi- ness dealings with him. In examining the records of the county, Mr. Held has discovered many very interesting facts, some of real historical importance. concerning the early history of Warren county, especially regarding early land titles, pioneer settlers and former land values. Mr. Held contemplates taking up the practice of law and to this end he is devoting his spare time to the study of law.
On the 30th of August, 1898, Mr. Held was united in marriage to Belle Boggs, of Williamsport, who was born on September 21, 1876. She is the daughter of D. C. and Mary C. (Schlosser) Boggs, both of whom were born and reared in Warren county. To Mr. and Mrs. Held have been born two children, Lowell C. and John Earl.
Mr. Held is deeply interested in public affairs and in politics he is aligned with the Progressive party. Religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian church. His fraternal relations are with Falls Lodge No. 202. ยท Knights of Pythias, of which he has been keeper of records and seal since
FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDLINA.
1907. He and his wife are members of Lincoln Temple No. 213. Pythian Sisters, of which M s. Held is past chief. They are both popular members of the best social circles of Williamsport and their home is a popular meeting place for their friends. Mr. Held possesses business ability and because of the high standard of his business dealing he has earned the warm regard of all who know him.
ORLANDO S. DOUGLASS.
No member of the Fountain county bar is more highly esteemed generally or stands higher among his professional brethren than the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. A man's reputation is the property of the world, for the laws of nature have forbidden isolation. Every human being either submits to or rises above the controlling influence which touches. controls, guides or misdirects others. If he be honest and successful in his chosen field of endeavor, investigation will brighten his reputation and point the way along which other. may follow with like success. The purpose of biography is to preserve the records of such men for the edification of succeed- ing generations; thus the lesson of biography may be far-reaching to an ex- tent not superficially evident. The career of Orlando S. Douglass, well known attorney at Covington, Fountain county, is of that class whose example is calculated to be an incentive to others, for his efforts have met with a fair measure of success.
Orlando S. Douglass is a native son of the Hoosier state, having been born in Rush county, Indiana, on December 29, 1858, and he is the son of J. W. and Nancy M. (Glass) Douglass. The father, who was a farmer by pro- fession, was also a native of Rush county and was a man of good standing in his community.
The subject of this sketch received his preliminary education in the pub- lic schools of Champaign, Illinois, and in 1878 he came to Covington, Indiana. Having determined upon the practice of law for his life work, Mr. Douglass entered the office of Schwin & Booe, where he gave earnest study to Black- stone. Kent and other legal authorities for several years, being admitted to the bar of Fountain county in 1886. He at once entered upon the active practice of his profession in Covington, to which he has since given his atten- tion, with very gratifying success. From January, 1891, to January, 1896, Mr. Douglass, in company with John B. Schwin, engaged in the publication of the Covington Friend, a Democratic newspaper, but, aside from this
352
FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDLLN 1.
diversion, Mr. Douglass has applied himself unremittingly to the practice of h profession and allied lines. During the past fifteen years he has given con- siderable attention to the abstracting business, being considered one of the most careful and accurate abstracters in the state.
On June 12, 1889, Mr. Douglass was united in marriage with Kate E. Fields, the daughter of Sanmel and Rebecca ( Cleland ) Fields. She was born in Fountain county, Indiana. To them have been born two children, namely : Margaret and Cleland G., both of whom are at home with their parents.
Politically. Mr. Douglas, has been aligned with the Democratic party, to which he has given his earnest support, though he has never sought election to public office. His fraternal relations are with the Free and Accepted Masons and the Knights of Pythias at Covington.
Mr. Douglass has achieved success not only in a professional way, but from a material standpoint also, and is the owner of one hundred and sixty- four acres of splendid land in Mound township, Warren county, which is well improved and which he has leased out The farmi is located four miles from Covington. His attractive and comfortable residence is located on Crocket street. Covington, and here the spirit of true hospitality is always in evidence. In Mr. Douglass are found united those qualities which go to the making of the successful lawyer and in the course of a practice here externling over a quarter of a century he has at all times commanded not only his full share of the legal business of the county, but, what is of more value to a man, the sincere respect and friendship of those with whom he has been brought into contact. Genial and unassuming in manner, he easily makes friends and always retains them.
SAMPSON REED.
In the death of the honored subject of this memoir, on March 9, 1912, at his home in Covington, Indiana, there passed away another member of that group of distinctively representative business men who were the leaders in inaugurating and building up the financial and commercial interests of Fountain and other counties in western Indiana. His name is familiar, not alone to tlfe residents of the city to whose development he contributed, but to all who are informed in regard to the history of this particular section of the lloosier state. He was identified with the growth of Fountain county for many years and contributed to its material progress and prosperity to an ap- preciable degree. He early had the sagacity and prescience to discern the
Sam, Ban Speed
353
FOUNTAIN AND WARRIN CHONDIES, INUDCE.
eminence which the future had in store for this great and growing section of the commonwealth, and, acting in accordance with the dictates of faith and judgment, he reaped, in the fullness of time, the generous become , which are the just recompense of indomitable industry, spotless integrity mol progres- site enterprise. Greater fortunes have been accumulated by others, but few lives furnish so striking an example of the wise application of found pasines. principle. and safe conservatism as does his. The story of his success is it long nor does it contain any exciting chapters, but in it lies one of the ino- valuable secrets of the prosperity which it records: his Iness and private life are replete with interest and incentive. no matter how lacking in dramatic action. The record of a noble life, consistent with itself and Its possibilities in every direction.
Sampson Reed was a native of the "dark and bloody ground" country. having been ushered into this world in Fleming county. Kentucky, on the 5th of February, 1826, and he was thus at the time of his death in the eighty- seventh year of his age. He was the fifth in order of birth in a family of nine children, four boys and five girls, born to Stephen and Elizabeth ( Castleman) Reed. the Castlemans being a prominent and well-known Kentucky family, of Scotch descent. Seeking better opportunities. Stephen Reed, in 18_6. brought his family to Indiana, the household goods being driven through in a wagon, the subject of this sketch being carried on the lap of his mother, who rode horseback throughout the journey. They settled ou what has always since been known as the old Reed farm, about two miles southeast of Veed- ersburg. Here, amid pioneer conditions, the family was reared. Young Sampson, as soon as old enough, took a hand in the onerous labors attendant upon the opening up of a frontier farm, and here, amid the hardships and pri- vations of pioneer life, he formed the habits of industry, perseverance and economy which were the keynotes to his success in later life. Mrs. Elizabeth (Castleman) Reed died in 1842, and subsequ tly Stephen Reed married for his second wife Sarah A. Finley.
Sampson Reed secured his education in the primitive common and sub- scription schools of the period, which, however lacking in advanced educa- tional facilities, which characterize the schools of today, nevertheless were generally presided over by masters who succeeded in not only thoroughly teaching the rudiments of knowledge, but also inculcated in their pupils prin- ciples of character which had a bearing on their entire lives. Young Reed followed farming during the first active years of his life. Hle remained on the old Reed homestead until about 1858, when he located near Waynetown, and still later moved to Tippecanoe county, this state. In 1868 he located in (23)
354
FOUNTAIN AND WARDES COUNTIES, (SP)NRK.
Newtown. Fountain county, and in 1870 he came (. Craving mon, with whom-b city he was ever afterwards closely identified. He began worte here in the banking busin & with J. G. Hardy, being thus employed enel rey, when he private banking frin of J. G. Hardy & Company was formed. compper ! " J. G. Hardy, Sampson Reed and Benjamin Gardiner. This ago vorone come bination and they continued together until 1886, when the partner lap on dissolved. Mr. Reed then engaged in business for himself, under the mains of the Citizens Bank, of which he was president and which he contado operate up to the time of his death. A half-brother. Worth Reed, i. now at the head of this institution (see his sketch elsewhere in this work ).
In banking circles Sampson Reed was widely known and it is a matter of common knowledge that his business principles were such that no man ever lost a dollar by entrusting him or following his financial advice. Ile was a man of positive ideas and a good judge of human nature, rarely making a mistake in his estimates of people, and accordingly was always ready to be- friend a man in need if he had confidence in him, but he had only contempt for anything bordering on crookedness and no use at all for many of the ways of present-day "high finance." He was eminently successful in his business affairs, and, besides his banking interests, and the substantial brick building in which his banking business was conducted, he was the owner of nich val- uable land. In his death there was removed from Fountain county one of ler most substantial and highly esteemed citizens. Eminently a self-made man. having carved his own way in the world, honestly earning every dollar in his possession, he ranked with the most enterprising and successful of his con- peers and he won a name and reputation which placed him among the repre- sentative citizens of his commitn'ry.
On May 7, 1857. Sampson Reed was united in marriage with Elizabeth Brant. who passed away March 19, 1910. No children were born to them.
Politically, Mr. Reed was a stanch Democrat all his life, believing firmly in the principles of the party, and, though himself no seeker after public office, he took a keen and intelligent interest in political affairs. Religiously, he retained a leaning towards the Methodist Episcopal church, of which at one time he had been a member, and his funeral services, which, in accordance with his desire, were brief and simple, were conducted by the pastor of the Methodist church. Fraternally, he was a member of the time-honored order of Freemasonry, the sublime principles of which he exemplified in his daily life. His remains were temporarily interred in a vault in Mt. Hope cemetery, being later placed in the splendid granite tomb erected by the executors of the estate, where rest also the remains of his wife.
355
FOUNTAIN AND WARREN ANTIES, INDIEN ..
It can be truthfully said of Sampson Reed that in ever, relation of life he was true to every trust and the many tributes to his high stimulus in the world of affairs and as a man and citizen attested to the high place he had in the esteem of those who knew him.
T. 11. McGEORGE, JR.
It is the progressive, wide-awake men of affairs that make the real history of a community, and their influence as a potential factor of the body politic is difficult to estimate. T. Il. MeGeorge, Jr., is one of the leading business men of this section of the state, and has long filled with eminent satisfaction the office of mayor of the city of Covington, and as such it is proper that a review of his career be accorded a place among the representative citizens of the city and county in which he resides. His administration of the municipal- ity has been characterized by conservatism and progress and his foresecing ability and careful methods have gone far to place the city in the enviable position in which it now stands.
Mr. MeGeorge is a scion of one of our most sterling and highly honored pioneer families and is a worthy native son of the locality embraced in this volume, his birth having occurred in Covington, Fountain county, Indiana, August 19, 1868, and he is the son of T. H. McGeorge, Sr., and Anna G. (Stewart) MeGeorge. The father was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the year 1832, and the mother was native of Fountain county, this state. The elder McGeorge came to Indiana when a young man and, having learned the mechanic's trade in his youth. established a foundry at Covington in 1856, which he operated successfully until 1878, building up a large patronage and doing an excellent grade of work. However, upon the last mentioned date he began in the farm machinery and implement business, in which he met with a large measure of success from the first, and which he continued until his death in 1906, at the age of seventy-two years. He was an excellent business man and by close application and good management accumulated a competency. in fact, was one of the leading men of affairs of his day in this locality, and wielded a potent influence in public affairs, doing much for the early develop- ment of Covington. Being a public-spirited man, his support could always be depended upon in furthering any laudable movement for the betterment of his town and county, giving freely of his time and means. Ile was a man of honorable character and obliging nature, and many charitable acts could be related of him.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.