USA > Indiana > Fountain County > Portrait and biographical record of Montgomery, Parke and Fountain counties, Indiana : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens : together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 64
USA > Indiana > Montgomery County > Portrait and biographical record of Montgomery, Parke and Fountain counties, Indiana : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens : together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 64
USA > Indiana > Parke County > Portrait and biographical record of Montgomery, Parke and Fountain counties, Indiana : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens : together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 64
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Martin S. Jack owns five hundred and thirty- nine acres of arable land, all of which lies in Parke County with the exception of about sixty- six acres in Putnam County. This is all well im- proved and in a fine state of cultivation, and on it are located six residences. Mr. Jack is one of the most extensive farmers in the eastern part of the county, and also keeps fifty head of cattle on his large
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estate to which he devotes a great deal of his at- tention. He learned the carpenter's trade in an early day, which occupation he followed for several years, and it was his close application to this trade that made for him the bulk of his property. Po- litically our subject is a stanch Democrat and has held the office of Assessor of Green Township for two terms, also serving abont eight years as Justice of the Peace. He has been a faithful worker in the Methodist Church for twenty-five years, and has contributed liberally to its support.
Mr. Jack has had a natural genins for handling tools, and has been successful in all of his under- takings-in the occupation of a carpenter as well as that of a farmer. He has made his fortune by his own ingenuity and skill, and is regarded as one of the highly respected citizens of this township. While working at his trade he built ten houses and four school-houses, besides a large amount of shop work. Our subject's father, before his death, amply provided for his last wife, leaving to hier use eighty acres of land, $1,000 in cash, and a large amount of personal property.
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A MARTIN, M. D., of Bellmore, Parke County, is well known as a leading physi- cian of this place, whose skill and success in practice place him well at the head of his profession, in which he has been engaged for more than a decade. He was born in Union Township, this county, on November 21, 1851. His father, R. A. Martin, was a native of South Carolina, and lived there until Dr. Martin reached the age of fourteen years, when he came with his parents to this county in 1821. He married Sarah J. Shaw, of Illinois, who came of Tennessee and Irish stock, the father of our subject being also of Irish de scent. The marriage was celebrated in Clark County, Ill., and soon after the young couple located in Parke County, where they remained during the rest of their lives. The father died at the age of sixty-two years, and the mother passed from this life upon attaining the same age.
Dr. Martin is the ninth in order of birth in a family of ten children. He received his education
in the district schools and carried on farming until reaching the age of twenty-five years. At this time he commenced the study of medicine in Keokuk (Iowa) Medical College, and then read medicine under Dr. Goss, of Rockville, with whom he remained one summer and was graduated in 1879. At the end of that time he was taken into partnership with the Doctor and remained with him six years, they carrying on practice at Bell- inore. He is now doing a lucrative business, his genial disposition as well as his ability to relieve suffering quickly endearing him to his patients, while in social and business life he is a pleasing companion and a prominent citizen.
In 1890 Dr. Martin was elected to the office of Trustee of Union Township, which position he has held to the satisfaction of all concerned. For some time he has been identified with the Parke County Medical Association, and is one of the leading members of the Knights of Pythias, be- longing to Lodge No. 60 of Rockville. The political views of the Doctor have brought him into affiliations with the Republican party, which he has always supported with his ballot and in- fluence.
Dr. Martin was happily married in 1881 to Miss Christina Bane, the accomplished daughter of William and Catherine Bane. To these worthy parents were born two children-Blanch and Jule. The eldest child was taken from thein by death at the youthful age of four years.
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Z OLLIE THORPE is largely engaged in the dry-goods business at Jessup, Parke County. He was born in Shelby County, Ky., April 9, 1861, to Lee and Eveline (Brown) Thorpe, who were also natives of Kentucky, were reared, married and died in their native states. They were the parents of six children, of whom our subject is the fifth in order of birth. The other five are named Ransom, Richard P., Thorn- ton T., Clinton B. and Lucy D., who became the wife of John H. Miles.
Zollie Thorpe was reared upon a farm after the usual manner of farmers sons, receiving only a com-
Alef Duett
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mon-school education, and was early in life left to the cold world to eke out his own subsistance and lay the foundation of his own fortune. How well he succeeded can readily be discerned by those who are his patrons in his mercantile pursuits. Working on a farm in his native state until 1883, he came to Parke County, Ind., and here con- tinued his agricultural pursuits until January, 1893, when he left the farm and entered the mer- cantile world, purchasing the general merchandise stock of goods owned by Abraham Sallee. His place of business is in the little hamlet of Jessup.
Mr. Thorpe, being of a domestic nature, realized that "it was not good for man to be alone" and took unto himself a wife in the person of Miss Cora Yowell, of this county. They were united in marriage, January 5, 1888. The fruits of this union are two sons-Clinton C., born December 7, 1888; and Crawford E., born February 7, 1892. These are two bright vivacious little boys, who, with their childish prattle and boyish pranks, make home happy. Mr. Thorpe is also the present acting Postmaster as well as resident agent for the Adams Express Company. The duties of these two responsible positions, in connection with his mer- chandise trade, keep him busy for the greater part of each twenty-four hours, but being an ener- getic and ambitious man he accepts the situation and is ever on the alert to do his best for his em- ployes and patrons. He has the only stock of goods in the village and aims to keep such a clean and well-selected lot of goods as is necessary to supply the surrounding community with anything they require. And the best of all this is, he is able to dispose of his goods at prices equal to those of the dealers in adjoining towns and is always will- ing to receive in exchange not only cash, but any and all products the farmers wish to sell, and will give to them as high a price as the market will admit.
Politically this gentleman is a Democrat of the conservative kind, and socially a man of entertain- ing ability and courtesy. The family residence is nicely located, is very large, and is complete in all its appointments. It is a typical home where love and paternal affection reign supreme.
A LEXANDER PUETT. To this gentleman belongs the distinction of being the oldest surviving settler of Rockville. When he came to this now flourishing city its first house was building, a tavern erected by a man named Ray. Since that early day he has wit- nessed many marvelous changes in the surround- ings, has seen the hut of the frontiersman give way to the comfortable residence of the farmer and the merchant, and has himself contributed to no small extent to secure the wonderful transformation that has been wrought.
A native of North Carolina, Mr. Puett was born in Burke County, January 15, 1809. His father, Coleman Puett, was a farmer in that state and during the War of 1812 was detailed to convey provisions to the army of Gen. Jackson, which he did, hauling the supplies across the country to the soldiers. About 1814 he removed to Monroe County, Ind .. where he entered a tract of Govern- ment land and was one of the earliest settlers of that section of the state. Later he came to Parke County, where he cleared several eighty-acre tracts and remained until his death in 1833. After im- proving his first purchase he traded the property for the place now occupied by the subject of our sketch.
Alexander Puett was about five years old when he accompanied his father to Indiana, where he passed his boyhood in Monroe County. At one time, when he and his sister were quite small, they went out, as usual, to drive the cows home and in the woods began to play, blindfolding each other and wandering around in childish sport until they were a long way from home. As they could not make the cows go along the road they wished to take, the children left the cattle and wandered off to a creek, where they saw three Indians. Realiz- ing that they were lost, Alexander wanted to go to the red men, but his sister being afraid refused, so they crouched down among the leaves, where they remained hidden until the savages had passed by. They then traveled for some distance along a road and finally reached an old hollow log where they decided to remain until morning, but hearing the sound of some one chopping they went to the barn
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which they found to be that of a pioneer preacher. The latter took the children home on horseback, reaching there about daybreak and finding the other members of the family in the deepest anxiety over the absence of the little ones.
About 1824 Mr. Puett came to Parke County, where he grew to manhood, receiving his educa- tion principally in the Quaker schools of the home neighborhood. In 1843 he married Miss Minerva Strain, and unto them were born four children, three of whom are now living: Charlotte, wife of William Overman; Lney, who married A. C. Bates, and Welby, a farmer residing in Parke County. After his marriage Mr. Puett located on the farm where he now resides, and through strenuous exer- tions brought the one hundred and sixty acres to a high state of improvement. For twelve years he lived in a hewed log house 18 by 24 feet in di- mensions, after which he resided in a brick resi- dence until 1860 and then tore down that structure erecting the house which still stands. His first wife died about sixteen years after their marriage, and in 1850 he was united to Miss Margaret E. Allen, who, after the death of her father, William Allen, of Kentucky, accompanied her widowed mother in 1833 to Indiana and located nine miles north of Rockville.
Mr. Puett has been extensively engaged in buy- ing and shipping stock and while thus engaged made a number of trips to Milwaukee and Madi- son, Wis., as well as to various southern points. For about five years he carried on a mercantile business in Rockville. He is now the owner of two hundred and sixty acres where he makes his home. At one time he owned six hundred and forty acres, but has divided the property among his children. Politically he has always been in active sympathy with the Democrats and has served as Constable for several terms. His reminiscences of the early history of this section of the country are most interesting and he is an entertaining con- versationalist. He is one of the few now surviving who were present at the treaty made by Gen. Cass with the Indians at old Fort Dearborn in 1838, when abont seven thousand Indians "smoked the pipe of peace with the pale face."
H ENRY RANDOLPH occupies an honorable position in the estimation of his fellow- citizens and is residing on his fine farm of two hundred acres in Section 34, Fulton Township, Fountain County, Ind. He is not yet bowed down with the weight of years, nor has his honorable position any tinge of venerability, for he was born on Silver Island in the year 1838, being a son or Aaron and Charlotte (Lunger) Randolph, the former of whom was a son of John Randolph, who was of Scottish origin.
The mother was born in Ohio and was a daugh- ter of Isaac Lnnger. Aaron Randolph became a resident of Fountain County, Ind., in 1826, and at once entered one hundred and twenty acres of Government land. His days were devoted to ex- tending and improving his possessions and at the time of his death he was the owner of six hundred and forty acres of valuable and well tilled land, the result of his own endeavors. He was first united in marriage to Miss Margaret Carnan, by whom he became the father of two sons and two daughters: Phineas, who was born in Fountain County, Ind., in 1824, was married to Miss Harriet Mead, by whom he has three children, and is now following the occupation of farming; Julia was born in Fountain County in 1826, was married to Philip Park, with whom she removed to Iowa, and there remained until her death, which occurred in 1870, leaving besides her husband three children to mourn her loss; Jane, who was born in Fount- ain County in 1828, was married to David Park, a farmer of this county, but in 1868 left him a widower with three children; and Francis, who was born in this county in 1830, was married to Miss Debby Lindsey, and is now following the occupation of farming near Danville, Ill.
The brothers and sisters of Henry Randolph are as follows: Harrison, who was born in 1836, was married to Jane Wright, is the father of three children, and is following the enlling of an agri- eulturist on a fine farm of one hundred and seventy acres (he is a stanch Republican and was elected to the office of County Commissioner of Fountain County in 1888, and owing to his indefatigable labors he is gradually paying off the debt of the
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county); Mary, a sister, was born in 1840 and was married to Walter Donell, and they are now resid- ing at Waynetown, Montgomery County, with their seven children; Margaret, who was born in 1841, was married to William Wann, who was following the occupation of farming at the time of her death in 1864, leaving her husband with one child to care for; Willie was born in 1843, married Mary Hob- ert, by whom he has six children, and is following the calling of a carpenter at Waterman; a sister that was born in 1846 died in 1849.
Henry Randolph, the subject of this sketch, was married to Miss Clara Cook, of Walton, Ind., but a native of New York, where she first saw the light of day in 1841. She was a daughter of Bar- ney and Hannah (Osborne) Cook, and their union was consummated in 1860. They are residing on Silver Island and are the parents of the following children: Harry, who was born in 1864, is married to Emma Cates, by whom he has one child; Fred was born in 1865, and was married to Ora Burn- sides, by whom he has one child; Charles was born in 1866, was educated at Covington and is now residing at home; John was born in 1869, was educated in the Deaf and Dumb Institute, and is making his home with his parents; Carl was born in 1877; Maggie was born in 1879; and Carrie, was born in 1882.
Mr. Randolph started out to fight the battle of life for himself as the owner of about fifty-five acres of land that his father generously gave him, and being exceptionally industrions and pushing, he was not content with remaining the possessor of that small farm, but from time to time increased it until he now owns a fine tract of two hundred acres in the home farm, which is exceptionally well conducted and looked after by Mr. Randolph, who is acknowledged to be a shrewd, practical and thrifty agriculturist. Besides this he is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of good land in Parke County and eighty in Illinois, all of which is valuablefarming land and under cultivation. He devotes his land principally to the culture of corn and wheat, but raises all agricultural products, and underneath this valuable land is a vein of coal of five and a half feet thickness. He built for him-
self a pretty modern house of eight rooms in 1879, and here he and his wife dispense a refined and generous hospitality.
G EORGE W. ROHM, an active and enterpris ing young man, is one of the owners of one of the finest mills in Jackson Township, Parke County. This mill is situated on the Big Raccoon, and was built in the year 1821, and rebuilt in the year 1881 by his father. It has a capacity of fifty barrels per day, is splendidly fitted out with a modern roller system, and the flour produced is of the finest and best brands. Mr. Rohm is an energetic business man, is pros- perous in the pursuit of his calling as a miller, and well liked by all who know him. He receives all his mail at Mansfield.
Mr. Rohm was born in New Bedford County, Penn., June 30, 1864, and is the son of Jacob Rohm, who was also a miller by occupation. He commenced in this business when twelve years old and continued until 1864, when he left for De Witt County, Ill. Here he had an interest in three mills, one of which he built himself in that county, and in the year 1871 disposed of it and removed to Wright County, Iowa. In this last-named county he purchased a farm. but thinking his former trade more preferable, he sold out and built a mill at Clarion with the expectation of a railroad passing through the town. But this plan failed and he finally went to Hamilton County in the same state, where he rented a mill for a period of two years. At the expiration of this time, in 1875, he bought the Mansfield mill in this county, which he operated until 1881. Jacob Rohm then built the present mill, which was completely re- modeled in 1886. At this time he sold to each of his sons, our subject and E. H. Calvin Rohm, a one-fourth interest. In 1893 he retired from the partnership, which is now known as Rohm Broth- ers, the two sons being equal partners. Rohm Bros. are now erecting a mill in Rockville, which they intend, when completed, to be one of the finest and best mills in the state. The father
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makes his home near Fincastle and is a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary A. Hixon, and is a native of Penn- sylvania, in which state she was carefully reared and educated. She is the mother of five children, two daughters and three sons, whose names are as follows: E. H. Calvin, a resident of Mansfield; Marella, who is the wife of C. F. Pruett; Lizzie, who is the wife of A. E. Cole, of Putnam County, this state; George W., our subject; and Jacob J., who was killed by the cars in August, 1892.
George W. Rohm was ten years old when he came to Parke County with his parents. He at- tended the Commercial schools at Terre Haute, later supplementing his study there by a course at the Normal at the same place, and also at Dan- ville, teaching four successive terms up to 1886. He then entered into partnership with his father and brother, as above stated, but early in 1892 took sole charge of the business, forming the pres- ent partnership with his brother in April, 1893. The business is successful, the mill having a large local trade. Their square dealing and genial manners have won for them hosts of friends, both in business and social circles.
As a companion on life's journey, the gentle- man whose name heads this sketch chose Miss Alice J. Van Zant, daughter of H. W. and Mary Van Zant. This estimable lady was born in Parke County, Ind., and received a good education in her native place. By this union Mr. Rohm and his wife have become the proud parents of three children, whom they named Guy, Arthur and Cora -all still under the parental roof. Our subject, socially, is a member of the Bridgeton Lodge, No. 169, of the Free and Accepted Masons.
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J ONAS S. MILLER, is one of those men about whom it is a pleasure to write. He is mod- est in his opinion of himself, not claiming the worth and importance that others are ready and anxious to ascribe to him. He is quiet and unassuming in manner, as such characters always are, and holds the high place which has been given
him in the public favor by right of what he is, and not of what he claims. It is a grateful task to write of such an one, and the only danger is, that sufficient merit will not be ascribed; yet the hearts of his friends, and they are very many, will supply any lack of words on the part of the writer, or any failure to express happily the true thought.
Mr. Miller was born in Reading, Pa., April 27, 1831. His parents, Samuel and Susan Miller, were both born in Pennsylvania and were the chil- dren of farmers. He himself was reared on a farm, living there until eighteen years of age, at which time he began to learn the carriage trade at Reading. He served four years as an apprentice under bond to remain the full time. After learn- ing his trade, he worked a few months in Reading, then went to Circleville, Ohio, remaining there one year as a journeyman, earning money to buy a horse and saddle, after which he rode back six hundred miles across the mountains to his old home, being sixteen days on the road. Reading is fifty miles from Philadelphia.
Mr. Miller next weut to Pottsville and with a young man from there, proceeded to Tiffin, Ohio, where they opened a shop, remaining in business together for two years. At the end of this time they sold out, and he went to Fremont, the same state, remaining there one year, working and trading horses. After this he came back to Circle- ville, having made some money, and six months later went to Indianapolis by rail. He worked there one year, and in February, 1856, came to Crawfordsville, where he opened a shop with his brother Samuel, who came with him and who was a blacksmith. They were partners until his brother's death, about two years since. They . worked up a large and flourishing business, it hav- ing reached an extensive scale even before the war. This business will be more fully described in detail in the sketch of Mr. Albert S. Miller, the son of our subject and his successor in the manage- ment of the factory.
Mr. Jonas Miller has given his entire attention to the carriage business for so many years that to him must be given the full credit due the founder of so extensive an industry, while his brother Samuel must also receive his share, for his own
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part in the work was by no means an unimportant one. The partnership existing between the brothers was a remarkable one, extending over a period of thirty-five years. They possessed many characteristics in common, and the long close con- nection between them was never broken by bicker- ings or disagreements, but all their business rela- itons were harmonious, each working for the advancement of the firm. Men of rather taciturn natures, their business matters were kept to them- selves, and, while both were really warm-hearted and genial, their only confidants were each other. Men of strong likes and dislikes, it is not strange that this attachment was never severed until death claimed one of them for his own. Both have ever been most highly respected citizens of Crawfords- ville. They asked no public recognition and sought no offices, but were content to build up a business on such a firm base that nothing could cause it to totter and fall should either be taken away.
Although, as we have before stated, both Jonas Miller and his brother were uncommunicative to a remarkable degree, yet no men possessed warmer friends, or appreciated the beauties of friendship more than they. They were alike with regard to temperament and strength of character. Both have ever been fond of home life. In his partner- ship with his brother, Samnel gave his personal attention to the smithing department. Being a first-class workman himself, he demanded the best results from those in his employ, as would be expected from a man who ever led a most honor- able life in every detail. Possibly the friendship between the brothers was the closer from the fact that Samuel was never married.
In addition to the carriage factory, Mr. Miller owns the Market street livery stable (the omnibus stable being 37 by 165 feet), and a two-story brick block, 85 feet front by 165 deep, next to the Nutt House. This is all valuable business property, the buildings being finely located and handsome edifices. A view of all the structures accompanies this sketch.
Mr. Miller has been the longest in continuous business of any man in the city, the period includ- ing thirty six years of successful work. This,
starting on a small scale, has, through strict atten- tion and earnest, clear-sighted effort, gained for him the enviable position that he occupies to-day. It speaks well for him as an employer that some of his men have been with him for thirty years. He has always had a reputation for straightforward business dealing, first-class work, and honesty in every transaction. No man has been more suc- cessful than he, and that this is consistent with square dealing is proven by the fact that no man bears a higher character. Mr. Miller is not a specu- lator, but having confidence in the future of Craw- fordsville, he does not hesitate to make large investments here.
Mr. Miller is of medium height and robust build, his well-knit frame being suited to meet the hard knocks of life, and displaying the ruggedness of his Pennsylvania ancestry. This ruggedness extends to the character as well, giving that sterling quality that holds out against temptations and difficulties and insures a success of the kind that a man may well be proud of. Mr. Miller is now a widower, his wife, who was Miss Martha A. Scott, and who was reared in this city, having died in May, 1885. Their family included only the one son mentioned above, Mr. Albert S. Miller, a sketch of whose life will be given elsewhere, as be- fore stated. Mr. Miller has never been actively engaged in politics, and lays no claim to being a politician, being interested in such things only as he is interested in everything that is for the good and advancement of his fellowmen and of his country, as well as of his chosen city. The best ex- ponent of the man is found in the immense business that he has brought to its present thoroughly pros- perous and substantial condition, and in the high regard and respect felt for bim by all who know him.
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