USA > Indiana > Fountain County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 21
USA > Indiana > Warren County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 21
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Mr. Helms moved to his present location February 29, 1866, where he has one hundred and five acres, which he has brought to a high state of culti- vation. He is now practically retired, just living there to oversee the work, enjoy his home, and look after his other holdings. He owns some property in Veedersburg and also has some shale lands. Mr. Helms is looked upon as one of the most influential men in his community. He is a member of the New Light Christian church, which he helped build-in fact he did more in its erection than any other man. He is independent in politics, not being a slave to a political party, but rather voting for men and the principles which they exemplify. He is a type of the men who have made the state of Indiana grow, men of sound principles and the strength of their convictions, willing to lend their influence at all times to the cause of justice. He is a man for the generations to come to look back upon and admire.
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
ELLIOTT W. KIRK, M. D.
It requires something more than a few years in a medical school to fit one for the successful practice of medicine nowadays. One must have proper innate attributes, such as fortitude, self-reliance, courage and initiative, an altruistic spirit and a gentlemanly address ; coupled with these characteristics, . one must be a profound and untiring student, making everything else sub- servient to his vocation. The auspicious start Dr. Elliott W. Kirk, of Veed- ersburg, Fountain county, has made in this line of endeavor would indicate that he is well fitted both by nature and training for the career of a general practitioner of medicine and since establishing himself here he has met with encouraging success and the future for him is particularly bright.
Dr. Kirk was born at Robinson, Ill .ois, April 13, 1874. He is the son of John and Emeline Victoria ( Holmes) Kirk, natives of Newark, Ohio, and there the Doctor's father accompanied his parents to Ilinois about 1850, and there over sixty years ago they established the family home when the wide, wild prairies were very sparsely settled. The mother of the subject moved from Ohio to Illinois about two years after the Kirks moved there, and there the Doctor's parents were married and engaged in farming.
Seven children were born to John Kirk and wife, named as follows: Victor L., who lives in Robinson, Illinois; Elliott W., of this review ; Arthur is deceased; Allen J. P. is farming near Robinson, Illinois; Addie A., who married Ellsworth Tobin, a farmer living near Robinson, Illinois; Enoch Leslie is deceased; Mary A. married Elmer Tobin, a farmer, and they live in Michigan.
The father of the above named children was a Democrat, and, fraternal- ly, a Granger. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a steward.
Dr. Kirk was reared on the home farm and he received his education in the common schools at Robinson, Illinois, later attended Wabash College,. Crawfordsville, Indiana, from which institution he was graduated in 1899. After finishing his college work he began the active duties of life by teaching in the high school at Veedersburg for two years. He then went to Nashville, Tennessee, where he held teaching fellowship in Vanderbilt University for three years. The first year he took post-graduate work, and the next two years he took the course in the medical department. He finished his last year in medicine in the Central College of Physicians and Surgeons at Indianapo- lis, Indiana, in 1905.
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
After completing his course in medicine Dr. Kirk came to Veedersburg and began the practice of his profession and here he has continued to the pres- ent time with ever-increasing success, taking rank among the leading medical men of this section of the state and he now has a large and lucrative practice with the town and surrounding country.
Dr. Kirk was married on May 6, 1905, to Maud Elizabeth Walker, daughter of I. J. Walker and wife, of Veedersburg, an excellent family here, and to this union two children have been born, Esther Marion, born March II, 1906, and Margaret Emeline, born August 10, 191I.
Politically, the Doctor is an independent Republican and, fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, the Order of the Eastern Star, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors. He is a member of the Commercial Club at Veedersburg, also belongs to the Fountain and War- ren County Medical Society. Religiously, he is a member of the Clirist- ian church and is treasurer of the local congregation. Hs is a young man of pleasing address and is popular with all classes.
JOHN H. GRAY.
Conspicuous among the representative farmers and business men of Fountain county is the well known and highly esteemed gentleman whosc name introduces this sketch. Few men have done as much as he to promote the material interests of the township lionored by his citizenship and it is with much satisfaction that the following brief review of his life and tribute to his worth is given a place in this volume.
Daniel Gray, the subject's grandfather, was a native of Pennsylvania and by occupation a stone mason. He lived a number of years in the state of his birth, removing thence in an early day to Michigan, where he followed his trade for some time, subsequently migrating to Indiana, where he lived the remainder of his days. William Gray, son of Daniel and father of the sub- ject, was born in 1827, in Pennsylvania, and in 1852 came to Indiana and settled in Richland township, Fountain county, where he worked for a number of years at his trade of carpentry. Being a successful mechanic he never lacked employment and many of the dwellings, barns and other buildings in the township were the work of his hands, in addition to which he utilized his skill in the making of much of the furniture used by the early settlers, also farming implements, tools, etc., for which there was always a great demand.
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
In politics he was an old-line Whig, and as such wielded a strong influence for his party, kept in close touch with the times and was a man of keen, prac- tical intelligence, sound judgment and spotless integrity. Sarah Persing, wife of William Gray, was also a native of Pennsylvania, born in the year 1827. She was a woman of excellent character, a devoted wife and mother, and spared no pains in the rearing of her children and instilling into their minds and hearts the principles of rectitude to the end that they might grow up noble men and women and prove an honor to the family name. The oldest of the family was John H., the subject of this review, after whom were the following in the order indicated : Horace, born in 1851 ; Clara, in 1854; Edith, 1858; and Mabel, whose birth occurred in the year 1860.
John H. Gray was born February I, 1849, in Pennsylvania, and was a child of three years when the family moved to Indiana. He was reared under excellent home influences, attended as opportunities afforded the district schools and while still a youth began working at the trade of carpentry under his father's direction. Possessing natural mechanical skill, he soon became a proficient workman and he continued building for a number of years in his own and other towns. In connection with mechanical work, he also gave much attention to agriculture, became the owner of several tracts of valuable land and in due time forged to the front rank among the successful farmers of the county. His realty at the present time amounts to three hundred and forty-seven acres, the greater part cleared and in a high state of cultivation, while his improvements, including one of the finest and most commodious residences in the county, compare favorably with the best in this part of the state. The imposing dwelling which he now occupies is modern in every respect and sumptuously furnished, was erected under Mr. Gray's personal supervision and nothing was lacking to make it complete in all its parts, being among the largest, best arranged and most attractive homes in Fountain county.
Mr. Gray has made a success of life and is today one of the financially solid men of the community in which he resides. In addition to his large landed and agricultural interests he is a heavy stockholder in the Newtown Bank, which institution owes its inception and subsequent growth to him more than to any other individual. It was he who called the first meeting to consider the advisability of establishing such an institution, and when it was decided to push the matter, he secured over seventy-five per cent. of the stock, besides using his efforts in other ways to arouse an interest in the organization and insure its popularity. He also took an active part in organizing the local telephone system at Newtown, purchased stock and has ever since manifested
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an abiding interest in the enterprise. In many other respects, he has labored for the material progress of the town and township, advocating all laudable measures for the general good and sparing no reasonable efforts to advance the social and moral welfare of the community. A progressive Republican in politics and well informed on the issues of the day, he takes no part in polit- ical matters further than to vote his principles and defend the soundness of his opinions.
Mr. Gray, in the year 1870, was imited in the bonds of wedlock with Charlotte Coen, whose parents, Isaac and Rachel. (Sears) Coen, moved to Fountain county many years ago and were among the pioneer settlers of Richland township. Mr. and Mrs. Coen died in the years 1892 and 1900, re- spectively. They had a family of nine children, whose names were as fol- lows: Mrs. Theresa Riffle, John, Mrs. Rilla Parrot, Mrs. Mary Rolfing, Mrs. Alice McCally, Mrs. Celestia Kerr, Francis and Lincoln, the subject's wife ยท being the fifth in order of birth and one of the five now living. To Mr. and Mrs. Gray three children have been born, namely: Elwood married Annie Quigle, and lives on the Coen homestead in Richland township; Lelia Leona, wife of Wilber F. Parnell, of this county, and William, who married Ethel Dagger, a farmer and stock raiser of Richland township.
THOMAS SHULTZ.
The record of a life well spent, of triumph over obstacles, of perseverance under difficulties and steady advancement from a modest beginning to a place of honor and distinction in the community, is worthy of permanent record. On the roster of the names of those who have been prominently identified with the development and upbuilding of Fountain county, Indiana, that of Thomas Shultz merits a place of honor. All his life he has been a resident of this county, and his energies have always been effectively directed along normal lines of effort and business enterprise, through which he has made distinct contribution to the progress of this favored section of the state. His life has been characterized by integrity and usefulness and such has been his associa- tion with business and civic affairs that it is altogether proper that a record of his career be perpetuated in this publication.
Thomas Shultz was born in Richland township, Fountain county, Indiana, on January 29, 1853, and he is the son of Isaac and Anna (Ogle) Shultz. The father was born in Ohio on August 4, 1823, and the mother was a native of
THOMAS SHULTZ.
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
Richland township, Fountain county, Indiana, born on August 4, 1827, on the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. These parents had a family of eight children, namely: Thomas, the subject of this sketch; George, who is living west of Newtown; William W., of Newtown: Henry L., who lives in Louisiana; Laura is the wife of John Crawford, who lives near Attica, in Logan township; Andrew died young; Edgar is living in Richland township, this county; Monroe, who lived at Newtown, died in 1912; besides these, Leroy, Louisa and Angeline, who were older than the subject, died in child- hood. Isaac Shultz was a farmer and an early settler of Fountain county, having come here from Ohio with his father, William Shultz, in 1830, at which time they settled about three miles northeast of Newtown. The date of his birth was August 4, 1823, and on February 15, 1844, he married Anna Ogle, who was born on August 4. 1827. He was a Methodist in religious be- lief. In politics, he was first a Democrat, but because of his opposition to slavery he joined the Whig party, and finally became a Republican on the formation of that party. His death occurred on March 6, 1888, being sur- vived a number of years by his widow, whose death occurred on May 30, 1904.
Thomas Shultz, who has lived on and operated the old home farm, re- ceived his education in the common schools, though, having always been a wide reader and close observer, he has gained a vast fund of valuable knowl- coge-aside from his school course. He has always followed the vocation to which he was reared, owning now a fine farm of three hundred and sixty- seven acres of good farming land in Richland township, and in this time- honored vocation he has met with a large measure of success. Aside from his farming interests, Mr. Shultz is also interested in a number of other enterprises which have contributed to the commercial and economic welfare of the community. He was one of the moving spirits and president of the organ- ization of the Newtown Bank, having probably done more than any other one man to secure the organization of the institution. He was also active in the organization of the Newtown Telephone Company and is the president of that organization at the present time. He was also one of the group of men who. organized the first building and loan association here, so that it is seen by this record that Mr. Shultz has been foremost in every good work for the advancement and progress of his home community. His efforts have not gone without recognition by his fellow citizens and his standing in the community is an enviable one in every respect. He has taken an active interest in local public affairs and he has rendered efficient service as a member of the county board of review and the township advisory board.
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
Mr. Shultz has, politically, given his support to the Republican party, and is now aligned with the Progressive branch, in the success of which he is interested. His religious membership is with the Presbyterian church, of which he is a liberal supporter. He is a deacon in that body and at the time of the erection of the present building he took a leading part in advancing the work, being at that time treasurer of the society and in many ways con- tributing to the success of the enterprise.
In October, 1910, Mr. Shultz left the farm and moved into a pleasant and attractive home in Newtown, where he now resides, though he still gives his active direction to all his interests, agricultural and business. His town home is surrounded by an acre of land and here there is ever in evidence the spirit of true hospitality.
In 1874 Mr. Shultz was married to Clara Gray, the daughter of William M. and Sarah (Persing) Gray. William M. Gray was born in Pennsylvania in 1821 and became a carpenter by vocation. In 1852 he came to Fountain county, Indiana, locating at Newtown, where he became a successful carpenter and builder. Politically, he was a Republican, fraternally, a Mason, and in religion a Presbyterian. He died in 1908 and his wife in 1888. They were the parents of the following children: John H .; Horace, who is represented elsewhere in this work; Clara, wife of the subject of this sketch; Edith, who became the wife of Charles Kerr, and Mrs. Mable Ogle, of Newtown.
To Mr. and Mrs. Shultz have been born three children, namely: Murray I., who married Blanche Van der Volger; Chalmer T., who is cashier of the Bank of Newtown; Horace S., who married Abigail McCauley. In every avenue of life's activities Mr. Shultz has faithfully performed his full duty and, because of his pronounced business ability, his, well deserved success and his high personal character, he has won and retains the sincere respect and esteem of the entire community.
CHARLES ALBERT BROWN.
Standing for upright manhood and progressive citizenship, the subject of this sketch has long occupied a conspicuous place among the representatives of the business interests of Fountain county and his influence in every rela- tion of life has made for the material advancement of the community in which he resides and the moral welfare of those with whom he has been brought into contact. Charles Albert Brown, well known contractor, comes of an old
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
family, the genealogy of which goes back to an early period in the history of this section of the commonwealth of Indiana, and from that day to this mem- bers of the family have played well their part in the affairs of the community.
Mr. Brown was born at Attica, Fountain county, Indiana, June 17, 1858, and here he grew to manhood and has spent his life. He is the son of Michael C. and Elizabeth J. (VanSickle) Brown, who were born in Wabash township, Fountain county, Indiana, and whose parents spent their carlier years in Ohio, from which state they came to Fountain county, Indiana, in pioneer times and established their home in Wabash township, where by perseverance and hard work they won in the face of obstacles and early hardships and discourage- ments, and here the father spent the rest of his life, dying on August 10, 1873, in Shawnee township. He was a cabinet-maker by trade, but farming was his chief life work. Politically, he was a Democrat, but was not a public man. His widow has survived him thirty-nine years, and still resides in this county, having now attained an advanced age.
Nine children were born to Michael C. Brown and wife, namely: Alice, who married, first, Samuel Biggs and, second, W. B. Stocking; Charles Albert, subject of this sketch; Martha, who married John Dawson; Maggie, who mar- ried Joseph Hickman; Emma, who married, first, John Corey, second, William Wolf, and, third, J. B. Yazel; Mary married Thomas W. Williams; William, who died in infancy; Simon married, first, Carey Picket and, second, Cora Gorman; and Minerva, who married, first, James Curtis and, second, William Lamb, was the youngest of the family.
Charles A. Brown received his education in the common schools of Van Buren and Shawnee townships. He improved his opportunities and received a very practical education. During the summer months when he was a boy he assisted his father with his work about the place, also learned something of carpentry under him. He perfected himself at the carpenter's trade, also spent five years in mill work and two years as an engineer.
In 1880 Mr. Brown entered the business of contracting and building, in which he is still actively engaged, having thus for a period of thirty-two years been actively identified with the line of work for which he seems to have been well qualified by both nature and training, and many substantial and attractive buildings of all descriptions stand as monuments to his skill throughout this locality. He is a very careful and conscientious workman and has been both a close observer and a student of modern architecture and, being ever honest and straightforward in his dealings with his fellow men, he has the good will and the confidence of all classes.
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
Mr. Brown was married on November 1, 1883, to Mary E. Ward, daugh- ter of Samuel and Effie (Keep) Ward, the former of Scott county, Kentucky, and the latter a native of Fountain county. To this union two children were born, Effie E., who lives at home. and one who died in infancy.
Politically, Mr. Brown is a Democrat, and he has been more or less inter- ested in the affairs of his county in a political way. He is the present trustee of Troy township, and for six years was a inember of the city council, filling these offices with eminent satisfaction. He has long been prominent in fraternal affairs, being a member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Tribe of Ben-Hur.
THOMAS M. POWELL.
That life is the most useful and desirable that results in the greatest good to the greatest number, and, though all do not reach the heights to which they aspire, yet in some measure eachi can win success and make life a blessing to his fellow men. It is not necessary for one to occupy eminent public positions to do so, for in the humbler walks of life there remains much good to be accomplished and many opportunities for the exercise of talents and influence, that in some way will touch the lives of those with whom we come in contact, making them better and brighter. In the list of Fountain county's successful citizens, the late Thomas M. Powell, of Attica, long oc- cupied a prominent place. In his record there is much that is commendable, and his career forcibly illustrates what a life of energy can accomplish when plans are wisely laid and actions are governed by right principles, noble aims and high ideals. During his long and busy life no word of suspicion was ever breathed against him. His actions were the result of careful and conscien- tious thought, and when once convinced that he was right, no suggestion of policy or personal profit could swerve him from the course he had decided on. His career was complete and rounded in its beautiful simplicity; he did his full duty in all the relations of life, and he died beloved of those near to him, and respected and esteemed by his fellow citizens. In offering the following resume of his life history it is believed that it will serve as an incentive to the youth whose careers are yet matters for the future to determine.
Thomas M. Powell, who at the time of his death was the oldest mer- chant in Attica, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 8, 1833, and his death occurred on April 30, 1912. He was the son of George Powell, an
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
able and prominent physician in Baltimore, who was not only unusually suc- cessful in his professional field, but who took a leading part in advancing social, moral and religious work. Mr. Powell received a good practical edu- cation in the public schools of his native city and remained at home until 1857, in which year he came to Attica, Indiana, with which city his interests were ever afterwards identified. He first took employment here as a tinner in the shop of I. W. Hart, who a few years later sold the business to William Fow- ler, in order to enter the army, Mr. Powell remaining an employe in the shop under Mr. Fowler. Subsequently, he became himself proprietor of the shop. Early during the war of the Rebellion Mr. Powell, feeling that his services were needed in the defense of the national union, enlisted in the Seventy- second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but a short time after his enlist- ment he was taken ill and, after spending some time in a hospital, he. was discharged for disability and returned home. Though disappointed that he was not able to actively defend his country in her hour of need, Mr. Powell's loyalty was in evidence all through the remainder of the struggle and as a home worker and supporter of the cause in many material ways he rendered valuable and appreciated service. He was among the first to organize for the observance of decorating soldiers' graves and for many years was one of three persons who annually perfected arrangements for this beautiful service.
Referring to the active years of his mercantile life in Attica, one who knew him well spoke of him as follows: "Mr. Powell was the oldest mer- chant in Attica, having been in business here for nearly a century. In the early days he temporarily dropped his tools and for a time was editor of the Attico Ledger when it was under the management of C. W. Bateman. He manifested some ability in this line and, after returning to the tinner's bench, frequently gave evidence of natural talent in prosc and in occasional verse. His business knew no variation. He was a familiar figure, going between home and business with clock-like regularity, his industry and devotion through the long years offering a striking example of faithfulness. Perhaps he had more than his share of mercantile troubles, but, undauntedly, he 'kept everlastingly at it' and from them emerged with integrity unscathed.
"The chief corner-stone of his life was honesty and no condition could arise that would cause the people who knew him to question that. To illus- trate this characteristic an incident may be given. At one time, under the stress of financial clouds, it became necessary for him to settle with a whole- sale firm by giving his note. Later, when he emerged from the tangle, hc wrote the firm he was ready to meet the obligation. The reply came that the note was paid. He insisted that it was still due and finally persuaded the
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