USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Past and present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 50
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FREDERICK MEYER.
Peter Meyer and Elizabeth Keinley, though they left Germany at differ- ent times and by different routes, met by chance, the usual way, at Lafayette, fell in love with each other, married and settled on a farm in Tippecanoe county. Here they resided until 1874, when the farm was sold and the pro- ceeds invested in a grocery store in Lafayette, which Peter Meyer conducted until his retirement. Frederick Meyer, son of Peter, was born on the farm in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, June 1, 1861, learned the grocery business and in 1882 was taken in by his father as a partner. The elder Meyer retired two years later, but the son has continued the business, aside from a brief interval, until the present time. The firm name now is the Meyer Grocery Company, and a carefully selected stock of staple and fancy groceries is always carried and a lively trade is enjoyed, for the reputation of this firm has always been the best. Aside from business, Mr. Meyer has had a prominent official career in many lines. Always a Democrat and one of the influential local party leaders, he has been called upon to serve his party in different capacities and has never failed to "make good." His first venture into the political field was as candidate for councilman from the second ward, in 1894. to which
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office he was elected for a four-year term. He was put forward by his party as their candidate for mayor and, though he was defeated, he made a highly creditable race, as the majority against him was only fifty-four, while the city at that time was about three hundred Republican. The judge of the circuit court appointed Mr. Meyer a city commissioner to assess damages and benefits to property holders in public improvement cases, and he served satisfactorily in this important place until Governor Durbin appointed him a member of the police hard to fill the unexpired term of Max Pottlitzer, resigned, and reappointed him twice, after which Governor Hanly appointed him to the same office, but after serving eighteen months under the Hanly administra- tion, or a total of five and one-half years, he resigned to accept appointment by Mayor Durgen as a member of the city board of public works. which position he has since held, giving satisfaction to all concerned. irrespective of party affiliations.
Aside from politics, Mr. Meyer has been connected with many public movements, organizations and societies. He was for some time president of the local Retail Merchants' Association, and president of the State Mer- chants' Association, of which he is a charter member. When the Jackson Club, the local organization of the Democrats, was founded, Mr. Meyer be- came a charter member and served for three terms as its president. Also on several different occasions, he served as chairman of the Democratic city central committee, and in all of his positions displayed the good judgment. wise decision, self-control and power of planning which make men valuable in all the walks of life. He is a man of popular manners, genial address and well liked by all classes of citizens.
Mr. Meyer married Mary Metzger, a native of Lafayette, and they have a family of bright children, consisting of six daughters and one son. They have all had the benefits of the fine schools of Lafayette and some of them have received a musical education.
Mr. Meyer is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he was reared in the German Reformed church. Altogether he is one of Lafayette's most worthy citizens and his influence was never so great as now, when he is leading member of the important board of public works.
AMOS MYERS.
The respect which should always be accorded the brave sons of the North who left homes and the peaceful pursuits of civil life to give their
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services, and their lives if need be, to preserve the integrity of the American Union is certainly due the gentleman to a brief review of whose life the fol- lowing lines are devoted. He proved his loyalty and love to the government on the long and tiresome marches in all kinds of situations, exposed to summer's withering heat and winter's freezing cold, on the lonely picket line a target for the unseen foe, on the tented field and amid the flame and smoke of battle, where the rattle of the musketry, mingled with the terrible concussion of the bursting shell and the deep diapason of the cannon's roar, made up the sublime but awful chorus .of death. For four years Mr. Myers gave faithful service to his country, and since returning to peaceful pursuits he has been equally loyal to the nation's best interests.
Amos Myers is a native son of the old Buckeye state, having been born in Pickaway county, Ohio, February 1, 1841. He was the son of Reuben and Liza (Reed) Myers, the former of German and the latter of Scotch descent. Reuben Myers was also a native of Pennsylvania and was reared and educated in that state until about 1860, when he came to Tippe- canoe county, Indiana, settling in Wabash township. Here he bought im- proved land and followed the pursuit of agriculture. He was a great home man and was possessed of many sterling qualities of character which com- mended him to the high regard of his fellow citizens. In politics he was a Democrat and took a live interest in the current events of his day. He died at the age of seventy-three years. His wife was also a native of Ohio and was a near neighbor of him whose wife she became. To this worthy couple were born the following children: Martin, deceased; Amos, the immediate sub- ject of this sketch; Jerome, deceased; Martha, now the wife of David Widener; Mary, the wife of Abraham Shambough; Malinda, deceased ; Reuben, deceased.
Amos Myers accompanied his parents to their new home in Tippe- canoe county in 1860, and has been a resident of Tippecanoe county ever since, his only absence from the county being during his service in the army. His early education was received in the common schools of Pickaway coun- ty, Ohio, but he has always been a discriminating reader and a close student of men and events and is considered a well informed man.
In 1861 Mr. Myers enlisted in Company I, Second Regiment New York Cavalry, with which he served during the following four years. He was in many of the most important battles and skirmishes during that great conflict and at all times proved a faithful and valiant soldier. In evidence of the last statement, the following is a list of the more important engage- ments in which he participated : In 1862, Bull Run, Antietam, Cedar Creek
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(two battles), Falmouth, Beaver Dam, Fredericks Hall, Hanover Junction, Brandy Station, Waterloo Bridge, Sulphur Springs, Bristol Station, Manas- sas, Thoroughfare Gap, 'Grove Town, second Bull Run, Chantilly, Sudley's Church, White Plains, Fredericksburg; in 1863, Chickahominy, Chancellors- ville, Beverly Ford, Brandy Station, Aldie, Middlesburg, Upperville, Carr- town, Ashby's Gap, Hanover Junction, Gettysburg, Albertstown, Hunter- town, Round Top, Smithsburg, Jonesboro, Williamsport, Falling Water, Brandy Station, Culpeper, Raccoon Ford, Robertson River, Liberty Mill, James City, Brandy Station, New Baltimore, Stevensburg, Mine Run; in 1864, Ellis Ford, Stevensburg, Beaver Dam, South Anne Bridge, Old Church, New Point C. H., Battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Yellow Tavern, raid of Richmond, Polecat Station, Cold Harbor, Malvern Hill, Notaway C. H., Charlestown, Williamsburg, Berryville, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Mt. Jackson, Harrisonburg, Lucy Springs; in 1865, Char- lottesville, Whitehouse Landing, Dinwiddie C. H., Five Forks, fall of Peters- burg, Deep Creek, Lucia Springs, and Appomattox, where Lee surrendered in 1864, Stony Creek, Ream's Station, Berryville, Fisher's, Bucklan Mills. The regiment in which Mr. Myers served was successively under the com- mand of Kilpatrick, Custer and Sheridan, the great cavalry leaders of the Union army. After the close of hostilities, Mr. Myers received an honor- able discharge and was mustered out at Washington in June, 1865, after which he took part in the Grand Review in that city.
Mr. Myers returned to his father's home after leaving the army and engaged in farming, which pursuit he has followed during the subsequent years and in which he has been fairly successful. He carries on general farming and also gives some special attention to the growing of watermelons and canteloupes, for which he finds a ready market. Mr. Myers, with the assistance of his son Horatio C., has been successfully engaged in the manu- facture of motor boats. Into these they put nothing but the best material and to every detail they give the closest attention, with the result that their boats have given universal satisfaction. They find a quick sale for every boat they turn out and are making quite a success of this business.
In 1866 Mr. Myers married Mary E. Smith, a daughter of John D. Smith. She was born in Lafayette April 6, 1847, and received a good pub- lic school education. They became the parents of two children, namely : Horatio C., who was born September 10, 1868, married Alice Newman, and they have had two children, Grace and John, the latter being now de- ceased. Horatio lives with his father and assists him in the building of motor boats, in which he is an expert. He is a bright young man and is
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at present serving as trustee of Wabash township. He has been active in the Republican party and has served as precinct committeeman continuously since he was twenty-one years old. Fraternally he is a member of the Fra- ternal Order of Eagles and the Improved Order of Red Men at Lafayette. The subject's other child, Leonard, was born March 17, 1878, and was a young man of promise. He enlisted for service during the Spanish-Ameri- can war, being a member of Company H, Second Regiment United States Infantry, but died at Camp Wycoff. He was a good soldier and took part in the battle of Santiago and in the celebrated charge at San Juan Hill.
In politics Amos Myers in a stanch Republican, while his religious belief is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a member and to which he gives a generous support. He is a member of the Union Veteran Legion at Lafayette. He is a man of splendid character and en- joys the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
DAVID CARTMILL.
No citizen in the vicinity of Stockwell, Indiana, is better or more fav- orably known than David Cartmill, who has led not only an honorable but a successful life, having always been a man of great energy and courage, no matter what obstacles came in his way. He was born in Lauramie town- ship, Tippecanoe county, August 15, 1848, the son of James and Mary A. (Johnson) Cartmill, natives of Coshocton county, Ohio, where they were married. James Cartmill was born January 10, 1809, and his death oc- curred December 11, 1872. His wife was born January 14, 1812, and she died August 28, 1877. They were both members of prominent old fam- ilies. They themselves were pioneers, having come to Lauramie township. this county, from Ohio, locating on Lauramie creek. They first rented land, but later bought a farm of eighty-five acres, about four miles south- west of Stockwell. Their children were John, Elizabeth, who married John W. Cosby, all three deceased; Eliza Jane married Thomas Cosby, who was a member of Company I, Eighty-sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and they are both deceased: William, who was a member of same company, died at Nashville, Tennessee, during the war; Jacob, also a member of the above mentioned company, died during the service at Murphreesboro; Sarah, who married Frank Crosby, lives in Lauramie Township; David, of this re-
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view ; James lives in Lauramie township; Ellen married John Ross and lives in Michigan ; Martha died young.
David Cartmill is a self-made man, having worked hard from his boyhood up. His father died when he was sixty-eight years old and Mrs. Cartmill died a year before her husband. The death of James Cartmill oc- curred in December, 1878, and he is buried in the Conroe cemetery. He was a member of the Christian church, and a Republican in politics. He was a good man and was successful, having followed farming all his life.
David Cartmill was educated in the common schools of Lauramie town- ship. He and his brother were compelled to work at whatever they could get to do when young, but this developed in them the ability to go it alone and caused them to succeed in later life.
David Cartmill was married November 30, 1871, to Emma E. Bar- tholomew, daughter of Thomas and Hannah ( Baker) Bartholomew. The former was a native of England, and when he was crossing the ocean the ship encountered a terrible storm and the passengers were compelled to assist the sailors in saving the ship. He landed in New York with only fifty cents. He worked his way through to Ripley county, Indiana, and later came to Lauramie township, Tippecanoe county. He purchased land, having prospered after a few years' hard work. Mr. Bartholomew later sold this to his brother, having eventually become the owner of over three hundred acres. He was born in 1816, and his wife was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1827. Their children were Oscar, who died when young; Edgar M. resides in Colorado; Owen died young; Emma E., wife of David Cart- mill, of this review ; Ocy died young; Eliza is also deceased; James N. is a physician living in Chicago; Ida Florence married James Cartmill, of this township; Henry Newton is married and living at Thorntown, Indiana; Amos is deceased : William A. is also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bar- tholomew were members of the Christian church, the former having been an elder in the same. He was a Republican. His death occurred June 26, 1898, and that of his wife September 18, 1909, and their remains are buried at Clarks Hill. To Mr. and Mrs. David Cartmill the following children were born : Myrtle Alma, who married Thomas E. Conrad, resides in Laura- mie township; Paul and Merl are the children of Thomas E. Conrad; Quincy is deceased; Thomas T. married Ida Blanche McDole and they have one child, Elizabeth Eleanor.
Mr. Cartmill is a Republican in his political affiliations. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has been a steward and has always taken a great interest. He has been a successful man, having
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worked hard and managed well, and he is now comfortably fixed in reference to this world's affairs. He has reared an excellent family, all the members of which are doing well. No small part of his success in life has been due to his faithful wife. This family bears an excellent reputation and is in- fluential in the neighborhood.
CHARLES MARSTELLER CRIST.
The subject of this review has been practically all his entire life in Tippecanoe county and has ever commanded unequivocal confidence and esteem. The name which he bears has been prominently identified with the annals of the county since the early days when the work of reclaiming the sylvan wilds of this section of the state was inaugurated, and here he is now known as one of the sterling pioneer citizens and successful farmers of the county. He rendered valiant service to the Union cause during the war of the Rebellion, enduring the privations and sufferings of those trying days, and during his entire life has manifested the same loyalty of spirit that led him to follow the old flag on many a battlefield. Thus it may be seen that he is peculiarly worthy of representation in a work of this character, his character, services and long residence in the county making him thus eligible.
Charles Marsteller Crist was born on the 28th day of December, 1835, in this county, and he is the son of Benjamin and Loretta (Marsteller) Crist. Benjamin Crist was born where now stands the city of Lawrence- burg, Indiana, on October 15, 1806, and his death occurred September 16, 1877. His wife Loretta was born August 11, 1814, in Preble county, Ohio, and died on January 2, 1878. Benjamin Crist came to Tippecanoe county in 1828 and located at what is now known as West Lafayette, though at that time it was devoid of any kind of a habitation. Indeed, Lafayette itself bore then little promise of that growth which afterwards characterized it. Mr. Crist assisted in making the original survey of Tippecanoe county, the sur- veyor being a Mr. Timmons. He also helped build the first brick house in Lafayette. The country round about was practically a wilderness, broken here and there by small' stretches of prairie land. Mr. Crist entered eighty acres of land through the Crawfordsville land office, the location being de- scribed as in the northwest quarter of section I, township 23 north, range 5 west. The original patent for this land is now in the possession of the subject of this sketch. He also possesses a patent which was issued to his grandfather, George Crist, in 1806, and which bears the signature of Presi-
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dent Thomas Jefferson. Benjamin Crist spent the remainder of his years on this eighty-acre tract and always followed farming as a vocation. Im- mediately after entering upon the land he built a log cabin and the following year, in 1832, was married. He was a soldier in the noted Black Hawk war, following in the footsteps of his father, who had been a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a very successful man in his business affairs and at one time was the owner of one thousand acres of land. He took a keen interest in public matters and was widely known. He served several years as a trus- tee of the Northwestern Christian University, now known as Butler College. In his early days he was a pronounced Democrat in his political views, but in 1856, true to his honest convictions, he espoused the Republican party and thereafter gave his support to it. He was a strong Union man during the war days and did what he could to strengthen that cause. He served ef- ficiently as road supervisor for a number of terms, but was in no sense an office seeker. He was a member of the Christian church at Lafayette, hav- ing been immersed in 1840, and he always gave the church an active and generous support. In his farm work he was energetic and progressive and was generally considered one of the leading farmers of his locality. He gave considerable attention to livestock, particularly cattle, hogs and sheep, and was always in possession of several fine horses. The subject's present farm was crossed by General Harrison and his army on their way to the Tippe- canoe battle ground. Benjamin and Loretta Crist were the parents of eight children, all of whom are deceased excepting the subject and Harriett Eliza, who is the wife of W. B. Simms and lives at Portland, Oregon. Mrs. Crist's family, the Marstellers, were also early settlers in Tippecanoe coun- ty. her parents, Charles Marsteller and wife, being highly respected people.
Charles M. Crist received his education in the subscription schools prin- cipally, attending also the free schools to some extent. He also attended one term at the Northwestern Christian University (Butler College) and alto- gether was considered a well educated man for that day. He has been a close reader and a keen observer of men and events, and today few men are better informed on matters generally than is he. He is considered a splendid mathematician, in the study of which science he took a special in- terest. He remained on the home farm with his father until 1858, when he moved to his present location in Wabash township. At that time he had only about ten acres of land cleared and his home was a log house. Here he went manfully to work to make a home and he succeeded in this laudable endeavor to a satisfactory degree. He took up general farming, to which he has always applied himself and his place has for years been considered one
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of the best farms in the township. He now has a fine home, supplied with all the conveniences of an up-to-date farm home. A man of many fine per- sonal qualities, he has won and retains the warm friendship and regard of all who know him.
Mr. Crist has three times been married. He was first married in 1857 to Amanda C. Thomas, who was born in Tippecanoe township, this county, August II, 1839, the daughter of William Thomas and wife, early settlers in this locality. To Mr. and Mrs. Crist were born two children, Oliver William, of Lafayette, who married Margaret Carroll, by whom he has three children; and Jennie, deceased. The subject's second wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Fout, who bore him two children, Mamie M., who mar- ried Everett Bryant, of Lafayette, and has one child, and Clara L., the wife of George McKinnis, of West Lafayette. Mr. Crist's third marriage was to Hannah Kurlin, the nuptials being celebrated on November 1, 1883. Mrs. Crist was a native of New Jersey, where she was born April 19, 1840. They have become the parents of one child, Carl K., who is single and re- mains at home, having taken upon himself the major part of the burden of the farm work and management. He is a splendid young man and enjoys the esteem of all who know him.
Mr. Crist is a Republican in politics, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln for President, a fact of which he is proud. He has served as supervisor of his township several terms and has also served in several appointive offices, in all of which he acquitted himself with credit. He has always been active in local politics, but has never been characterized as an office-seeker. His religious membership is with the Christian church at La- fayette, of which he is now the oldest living member and of which society his father was a charter member. The church was organized in 1844 by ' Elder John Longly, the first meetings being held in an old school house.
Mr. Crist is a member of Marsh B. Taylor Post, No. 475, Grand Army of the Republic, at Lafayette, this membership standing in evidence per se that the subject was numbered among the defenders of Old Glory during the dark and troublous days of the sixties. Mr. Crist enlisted in 1864 in the Sixteenth Indiana Light Artillery, at Lafayette, under Captain Parks, and served until July 5, 1865. He took part in the battles of Antietam and Bull Run and for a long time was stationed on guard duty along the Po- tomac. He subsequently took part in the Grand Review at Washington. He was stationed at Georgetown when President Lincoln was assassinated and a comrade of his was a witness to this terrible tragedy. For a week after the assassination, Mr. Crist was kept under arms in Washington and was a member of the squad which fired the salute at the funeral.
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RICHARD B. WETHERILL, M. D.
Richard B. Wetherill was born in Lafayette January 10, 1859. the son of Dr. Charles M. Wetherill and Mary C. Benbridge. The father was from an old Quaker family of Philadelphia. He was graduated from the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, the College of France and the University of Gies- sen, Germany. He was a chemist of national reputation for original re- search in the new field of organic chemistry, and he made the first quantitative analysis of the water of artesian wells at Lafayette. He was a charter mem- ber of Indiana State Medical Society. He was the first chemist in the ag- ricultural department in Washington, being appointed by President Lincoln. He was also professor of chemistry in Lehigh University at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He was married to Mary C. Benbridge, a daughter of Thomas Truxtun Benbridge, one of the early pioneers of Lafayette and prominently connected with the early history of the city.
Richard B. Wetherill received his elementary education in the public schools of Lafayette, later taking a special scientific course in Lehigh Uni- versity, 1876-1880. He matriculated in Jefferson Medical College, where he graduated in 1883, and took special studies under Virchow, Von Bergman and Bardelelen in Berlin, Germany. He located in Lafayette in the spring of 1886 to practice his profession. His professional work is in the direction of general medicine and surgery, in which he has been eminently successful. He possesses considerable personal means, being one of the largest land owners in the county. He is also identified with the business interests of the city, being a director of the First National Bank. He is a member of local social organi- zations and a member of the national, state and county medical societies, and is on the surgical staffs of St. Elizabeth's and Home Hospitals.
LAWRENCE JAMES McCLURE.
It is a notable fact that Indiana's sons always have a deep attachment for their native state, and indeed Indiana's history has been a wonderful one in many respects. Her sons have become prominent in every walk in life, and several of them have been the nation's leaders, one occupying the chair of chief executive of this great republic. One man alone, or even a few men, do not constitute the strength of the commonwealth. It is the ag-
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