USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Past and present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 21
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Mr. Rochester was survived by his wife and three daughters: Mary, born April 4, 1862, died April 19, 1867; Ada, born June 23, 1856, married February 20, 1892, to Judge Albert Duy Thomas, of Crawfordsville; Eliza- beth, born June 22, 1858, married July 13, 1881, to Samuel Probasco Baird; Mrs. Baird died May 27, 1903. at Berne, Switzerland, and is survived by Mr. Baird and their son, Rochester Baird, born September 19, 1882, now one of the younger members of the Lafayette bar. Mrs. William King Rochester died August 27, 1901.
WILLIAM J. ROSEBERY.
Few citizens of Tippecanoe county are as widely and favorably known as William J. Rosebery, the oldest real estate dealer in Lafayette and one of the city's most useful and highly esteemed men. His life has become a part of the history of the community in which he has made his home for many years, and his long and honorable business career has brought him before the public in such a way as to gain the esteem and confidence of his fellow- man and give him a reputation such as few of his contemporaries have at- tained. Keen perception, tireless energy and honesty of purpose, combined with mature judgment and every-day common sense, have ever been among his
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most prominent characteristics, and while laboring for individual success and for the material interests of the community, he has also been largely instru- mental in promoting the moral welfare of those with whom he has mingled.
William J. Rosebery was born near Charleston, Virginia, on the 15th day of June, 1836, but in the fall of the same year he was brought to Indiana by his parents and, with the exception of two years, has since lived in Tippecanoe county. The father, Joshua Rosebery, was born in Maryland, of German parentage, grew to maturity in the city of Baltimore and in early life became a planter, though not a slave holder. He married, in Virginia, Rebecca Bell and shortly after the birth of his second child moved to Clinton county, Indiana, and settled at a place then known as Prairieville, about a mile east of the present town of Clark's Hill. Two years later he came to Tippecanoe county, where he engaged in agriculture, about one mile west of the village of Wyandotte. After residing in that locality until the death of his wife, some time in the early sixties, he went to live with his son, of whose home he continued an inmate until his death, in 1870, at the age of sixty-five, his wife having been fifty years old at the time of her demise. Joshua and Rebecca Rosebery were the parents of five children, three sons and two daughters, two of whom are living, the subject of this sketch being the second one in order of birth. George, who was the oldest of the family and a farmer by occupation, joined the Fortieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at the beginning of the late Civil war, but by reason of disability was obliged to quit the service before the expiration of his period of enlist- ment. He never recovered from the sickness incurred while in the army, dying a few years after his discharge and leaving a family consisting of a wife and son and three daughters. Frances, the third in succession, married a Mr. Saylors and is living in Howard county, this state; Jane, who also resided in Howard county, was twice married, her second husband being Andrew J. Harness. Joshua, the youngest of the family, a married man and the father of one daughter, departed this life in Texas, at the age of thirty-five.
The early life of William J. Rosebery was spent in this county and until the age of nineteen he lived on his father's farm and assisted in culti- vating the same. The first school he attended was taught by his aunt, Miss Mary Bell, who used for the purpose the upper room of his father's dwelling, the school being supported by subscription and patronage by the few families living in the vicinity. Following this, he attended other subscription schools in the neighborhood, later became a pupil of the public schools, in which he finished the common branches, and then entered the high school at Dayton,
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where he completed his educational experience with a fair knowledge of the more advanced courses of study. In 1855. when but nineteen years of age. he was appointed by John W. Martin deputy county treasurer, and served under that gentleman for a period of two years and served four years in the same capacity under Salem F. Fry, his successor, during which time he dis- charged his duties with such efficiency as to bring his name prominently before the Republican party as an available candidate for the office when his principal's term should expire. When the convention assembled he was the choice of the majority of the delegates and at the ensuing election, in 1860, he defeated his competitor by a handsome vote and during the four years ensuing filled the office with credit to hintself and to the satisfaction of the people of the county, proving a very capable and obliging official and comparing favorably with the oldest of his predecessors.
At the expiration of his term as treasurer. Mr. Rosebery, at the earnest solicitation of his successor, continued two years longer as the latter's deputy. making a total of twelve consecutive years in the office, during which period he rendered a faithful account of his stewardship and retired with the confi- dence and gocd will of his fellow citizens, irrespective of political affiliation. Shortly after resigning his deputyship. Mr. Rosebery became associated with Messrs. Daggett, Potter and Martin in the manufacturing of flour and linseed oil. The firm thus constructed operated a large mill and did an ex- tensive business until the financial stringency of 1873 interfered very ma- terially with the enterprise. Six years later the business was practically ruined by a destructive fire, which swept away the entire mill property. The loss sustained was almost total and resulted in the firm being driven into bankruptcy, as the only means of winding up its affairs.
Following this disaster. Mr. Rosebery accepted the position of deputy county auditor, under Primus P. Culver, with whom he served two years, and he also continued in the same capacity during the two succeedmg terms under his successors. Johnson and Barnes, a total of eight years in the office, with the duties of which he became thoroughly familiar, conducting himself in this. as in his former official relations, with an eye single to the interests of the public. At the expiration of the period indicated Mr. Rosebery resigned his position and shortly thereafter opened a real estate. loan and insurance office. to which line of business he has since devoted himself, building up a large and lucrative practice in the meantime and taking high rank among the city's most enterprising men and public-spirited citizens. He has been in his present business since 1883. a period of twenty-six years, during which time he has become widely and favorably known, doing a very satisfactory business in the
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buying, selling and trading of property in the city and county, and command- ing a very extensive patronage throughout Indiana and other states. Besides keeping pace in the matter of loans and insurance with the most successful of his competitors, he is at this time the oldest real estate dealer in Lafayette and his many years of strenuous endeavor have resulted in the comfortable competency which he has accumulated for his declining years, also in the hon- orable position he has attained in the esteem and confidence of his fellowmen.
Mr. Rosebery, on August 2. 1859, contracted a matrimonial alliance with Mary Martin, of Lafayette, daughter of John W. and Sina (Lewis) Martin, the father at one time treasurer of Tippecanoe county, and it was during his term that his future son-in-law acted as deputy in the office. Four sons and the same number of daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rosebery, namely : Henrietta H .; Clara B., her father's assistant ; Sina, wife of Edgar B. Jameson, a grain dealer of Lafayette ; William J., a salesman of machinery ; Jolın M .: Robert P., a telegraph operator, also a dealer in grain at Gibson City, Illinois ; J. Wallace, who is engaged in the heating and lighting business at Gary, this state, and Mary, a young lady, who is still a member of the home circle. The family are members of the First Baptist church of Lafayette, and in his political faith Mr. Rosebery has been a life-long Republican, casting his first presidential ballot in 1860 for Abraham Lincoln. The subject and his wife celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage August 2, 1909. All of their eight children are living and doing well in their respective spheres of activity and the home is frequently cheered by the presence of six grandchil- dren, all bright and interesting, with doubtless many years of usefulness before them.
Mr. Rosebery was a firm and uncompromising friend of the Union during the Civil war and served a short time as a soldier, when Indiana was being invaded by the Confederates under General John Morgan. During the period of enlistment his principal duty consisted in patrolling the Ohio river, between the cities of New Albany and Cairo on the steamboat ram "Hornet," but when the presence of the enemy was no longer feared he received his discharge, there being no further need of his services.
In closing this review of one of Lafayette's most highly respected citizens, it is deemed proper to place before the reader certain facts which by reason of becoming modesty, he might prefer to remain unsaid, but which, in order to afford a true insight into his character and furnish an example worthy of emu- lation by a young man just entering the struggle of life, are eminently worthy of record in this connection. When the financial disaster, previously men- tioned, befell him in the milling business and the firm was forced into bank-
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ruptcy, Mr. Rosebery, though relieved by due process of law from any legal obligation to pay such debts as were thus barred, felt that a moral obligation obtained, a conclusion shared by his wife. Accordingly they disposed of all of their property, ignoring the wife's dower rights, and by strict economy finally succeeded in settling the indebtedness to the last dollar. This magnanimous act is worthy of all praise and in all probability it was the nucleus to an era of prosperity in future years, which has placed the worthy couple in comfort- able circumstances, free from the embarrassing thought of having wronged any man, even through the technicalities of the law.
As already stated, the Roseberys are among Lafayette's most honored and esteemed families, a distinction accorded them not in recognition of great wealth, exalted literary attainments or brilliant social prestige, but because of sterling worth, peaceful and happy home life, filial affection, the domestic allurements and, above all, by the determination to deal justly by all men and to lay up treasures for another and happier sphere of existence.
DARIUS H. FRAZER.
An honorable representative of one of the esteemed families of Tippe- canoe county and a gentleman of high character and worthy ambition, the subject of this sketch fills no small place in the public view, as the important official positions he has held since 1895 bear witness. Benjamin Franklin Frazer, the subject's father, was born in Wheeling, West Virginia. He married Mary McDill, of Ross county, Ohio, and came to Indiana a number of years ago, settling in Tippecanoe county, where his death occurred when his son Darius was about three years old. Mrs. Frazer, who was born No- vember 30, 1816, bore her husband four children, and departed this life on the 2d day of June, 1882. Of the family of this worthy couple two are living at the present time, viz. : Maria, wife of Simeon S. Sims, of Indian- apolis, and the subject of this review. Elizabeth died when a young woman twenty-six years old, and Eliza was called away at the age of twenty, Darius H. being the youngest of the family.
Darius H. Frazer was born August 14, 1853. in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, spent his early years on the family homestead in Wabash township and grew to manhood with well defined ideas of life and its duties and re- sponsibilities. In his youth he attended the district school near his home until obtaining a practical knowledge of the English branches, and as soon
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as old enough was taught the lessons of industry and thrift on the home farm, which he helped to cultivate and which has been in the family name ever since purchased by his father many years ago. On reaching the years of manhood, Mr. Frazer assumed the management of the farm and in due time became one of the leading agriculturists and stock raisers of Wabash township, which representation he still retains. He now owns the home place, a beautiful and highly productive farm of one hundred and fifty-two acres, on which are some of the best improvements in the locality and which he cultivates by means of hired help, the man under whose personal supervision it is now operated having been in his employ for twenty-five years. Mr. Frazer has been active in politics ever since attaining his majority, and for twenty-five years has wielded an influence for the Republican party second to that of few of his contemporaries. . He early became familiar with the history of parties and their principles and has always been in touch with the leading questions and issues of the day, on all of which he keeps himself well informed and abreast of the times. For a number of years he has been a potent factor in local affairs and a leader of his party in Wabash township, where he served very acceptably as trustee, filling the office five years and three months and discharging the duties of the same in a manner highly satis- factory to his constituents. He also held the position of supervisor for five years, during which time he was untiring in his efforts to improve the public highways of his jurisdiction and afford an example much to their credit. In 1906 he was considered the most available Republican in the county for sheriff, and in the convention of that year he easily led all competitors and received the nomination, his triumphant election following. Since taking charge of the office, Mr. Frazer has been unremitting in his duties, proving a capable and popular sheriff, determined in his efforts to enforce the law and bring its violators to justice. That he has proved an efficient and good sheriff is attested by the fact that at the close of his first term he was re-nomi- nated and re-elected, defeating a popular competitor and carrying much more than the normal strength of the Republican ticket in the year 1908. The better to discharge his official functions, he moved in 1906 to the county seat, but, as already stated, still gives personal attention to his agricultural interests, carefully looking after the management of his farm.
Mr. Frazer is a splendid type of the intelligent, up-to-date American, in the full sense of the term a man of the people with their interests at heart. As a citizen he is progressive and abreast of the times in all that concerns the common weal. Although a partisan, with strong convictions and well defined opinions on questions concerning which men and parties divide, lie
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has the esteem and confidence of the people of the community, and his per- sonal friends are as the number of his acquaintances, regardless of party ties.
The domestic chapter of Mr. Frazer's life dates from 1882, on March 6th of which year he was married to Artentia Surface, daughter of Sammel and Nancy Surface, a native of Cass county, Indiana, a union blessed with five children, viz .: Mary, who married John Mantle, and lives on a farm in Wabash township; Frank, formerly a turnkey of the county jail and at present a conductor on the street railway ; he, too, is married, his wife having formerly been Anna Brown, of Lafayette; Margaret, the third child in order of birth, died at Marcelline, Missouri, August 8, 1907, at the age of twenty- two; Homer is a street car conductor; and Lillian is the wife of Albert Ross, residing in West Lafayette. Mr. Frazer and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, active in religious duties and liberal in con- tributing to the spread of the gospel, at home and in heathen lands. Socially, they are greatly esteemed, and since moving to Lafayette have made many acquaintances and warm friends among the best people of the city.
M. M. LAIRY, M. D.
Dr. M. M. Lairy, who by the inherent force of his own industry and determination has achieved success in his chosen profession, and who is now one of the highly honored practicing physicians of the thriving city of Lafay- ette, justly demands recognition in the annals of his county and the following sketch will present a brief review of his career.
The Doctor was born October 6, 1863, the son of Alexander and Mary A. ( Isley) Lairy, both of whom were natives of Ohio and by their respective par- ents were brought to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, when they were yet in child- hood. The father died when the subject of this notice was a mere child, after which the lad had to make his way through life unaided by the care and sup- port usually afforded a son. He remained on a farm until sixteen years of age, when he had received a district school education. He was imbued with a laudable ambition, however, to accomplish something among the ranks of his fellowmen, and had frequent visions of a professional career. It was in 1879 when he entered the Collegiate Institute at Battle Ground, Indiana, and some- time later became a student at the State University at Bloomington, Indiana, when within one year of graduation, he was greatly disappointed at finding
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that on account of sickness and close confinement he was compelled to leave his classes. But after a short time engaged at other work, he was so far re- covered that he was permitted to engage in teaching school, which profession he followed for four years, during which period he met with a gratifying suc- cess as an instructor. Meanwhile he had commenced the study of medicine under Dr. William S. Walker, of Lafayette, and subsequently he matriculated at the Kentucky School of Medicine, at Louisville, from which most excellent institution he graduated in 1892. But wishing to be fully posted along lines not already covered in his medical course, he took a year's course in the Indi- ana Medical College, at Indianapolis, from which he graduated in 1893, after which he immediately came to Lafayette and established himself in practice. His success has been a marked one from the first, his large patronage including many of the best families within the city. He is a thorough reader of medical literature and keeps fully abreast with the times in which he lives, and also takes advantage of the latest discoveries in the science of medicine. In society matters, the Doctor is a worthy member of the Tippecanoe Medical Society, the State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. He is a pronounced Democrat in his political views. In 1898 he was elected a member of the Lafayette city council, from the second ward of the city, and in 1906 he was elected a member of the city school board of which he is now the pre- siding officer.
That Doctor Lairy is a leader among men is seen when it comes to the number and importance of the various positions he has held. He is a member of the visiting staff of St. Elizabeth's Hospital ; member of the lecturing staff of the State Soldiers' Home; member of the medical staff of St. Joseph's Orphanage ; surgeon for the Fort Wayne & Wabash Valley Traction Com- pany ; medical director of the Lafayette Life Insurance Company and the local examiner for several insurance companies. Like many of the present day pro- fessional men, the Doctor is identified with civic societies as follows : Member of the Knights of Pythias, having passed through all the chairs in this order ; also belongs to the Woodmen of the World and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in which order he was trustee for four years.
Doctor Lairy was united in marriage September 22, 1902, to Annie Cas- sel, the daughter of John and Catherine Cassel. The widowed mother of Doctor Lairy married C. H. Grimes. She died in the month of February, 1902; Mr. Grimes now resides in Fountain county. By the second marriage of his mother there was one son born, Rev. J. E. Grimes, who is now pre- siding eleder in the United Brethren church.
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MYRON E. LE GALLEY. D. D. S.
Few professional men have "made good" more rapidly in the sanie length of time as this popular and progressive young dentist. Back of a fine educational equipment, up-to-date and first class in every particular, is found the abounding energy, the knowledge of human nature, the social diplomacy and address which furnish the keys to success. The Doctor has been in Lafayette but thirteen years, yet in that comparatively short period he lias forged to the front until he is recognized as one of the leading dentists of this part of the state. There has been a steady growth and continuous progress with the result that, financially, Doctor Le Galley may be said to be sitting independently in the mansion of his own building. The family is of Ohio origin, their residence for many years being at Bowling Green. There, on the 16th of May, 1872, M. E. Le Galley was born, his parents being John H. and Mary S. (White) Le Galley. Besides himself, there were two children, one, Dr. Henry W. Le Galley, a dentist in practice at Bowling Green, and a twin brother of the subject, Marion Eugene. also a dentist, who died in October, 1907. The father was a farmer and the three boys had the benefit that comes from the out-of-door life incident to agri- cultural pursuits. They, however, had ambitions that led them away from farm life, their aspirations being for professional careers. After the usual routine in the district and high schools, Myron E. Le Galley became a student in the Indiana Dental College at Indianapolis, where he applied himself with a vigor that bespeaks the ambitious pupil. He began his studies in the fall of 1892, and three years later, in the spring of 1895, was made happy by receiving the sheep-skin which certified his degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery and indicated his graduation from a standard school. He found an opening in the Indiana state capital and hastened to take advantage of it, with that sagacity that has always characterized his actions. Prof. E. E. Reese needed an assistant and the recent graduate accepted, having been the Professor's assistant while a dental student, but this last engagement lasted only one year, as Doctor Le Galley was desirous of an independent business of his own as soon as possible. He had for some time had an eye on La- fayette as one of the largest and wealthiest of the state's county seats, and on July 1, 1896, we find him duly installed as a dentist in the progressive capital of Tippecanoe county. At first he worked as an assistant to Dr. Frank M. Hamsher, later purchased a half interest in the business and eventually owned it all. He was successful from the start, and his practice has increased by a steady ratio until it is now extensive and valuable. He
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numbers among his clients the most prominent and wealthy people of La- fayette, and patients come from all the towns and cities for miles around. He is kept busy during all the working hours and the measure of his suce .. . is ample proof of the quality of his professional work. His office is equipped with the latest appliances in his progressive profession, and nothing that science can do to mitigate pain or cunningly furnish a substitute for nature is omitted from the equipment of Doctor Le Galley.
In 1899 Doctor Le Galley married Mildred May Rinker, and has two sous: Kenneth B., born November 29, 1900, and Robert R., born February 28. 1903. The Doctor ranks high in his profession and is an honored member of the State and Northern Indiana Dental Societies, as also the association of local dentists. His other fraternal, religious and professional connections embrace membership in the Knights of Pythias and Woodmen of the World, he being prelate in the first mentioned order. He is a member of the First Baptist church and chairman of its finance committee, and is also a stock- holder in the Casualty Security Association of Indianapolis. Though his early training politically led him into the Democratic fold, he is quite inde- pendent in his views, and in voting at local elections refuses to be bound by party lines, preferring to select those who in his judgment are the best men. In all the relations of life, business, political, religious, professional, fraternal or social, Doctor Le Galley is regarded as a model citizen.
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