USA > Indiana > Adams County > Standard history of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : An authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and country, Volume II > Part 14
USA > Indiana > Wells County > Standard history of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : An authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and country, Volume II > Part 14
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In the public and high schools of Bluffton Dr. Homer E. Robison received his preliminary educational discipline, then entering Franklin College at Franklin, Indiana. After leaving Franklin he entered the Cincinnati Dental College, and in 1896 he was matriculated as a student in Northwestern University, at Evanston, Illinois, and was graduated as a member of the class of 1898, with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. He stood so high in his work that he received an honorary ap- pointment in the university and was there for two years more. In 1900 he returned to Bluffton and entered his illustrious father's dental parlors as a partner. This mutually agreeable association has continued to the present time and the firm of Robison & Robison is well known through- out Wells County.
March 29, 1899, Doctor Robison married Miss Ruby Sturgis, a daughter of J. E. Sturgis, of Bluffton, Indiana. This union has been prolific of two children : Helen E., born June, 1902; and Betty, born in February, 1914. Doctor Robison is prominent in Masonic eireles, being a member of Blue Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Bluff- ton Chapter, Royal Areh Masons, and Bluffton Council, Royal and Select Masters. He is likewise affiliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 92, Knights of Pythias, of which he was a trustee for seven years; and with the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a democrat in politics.
It is a well known fact that a great percentage of those who enter business life meet with failure or only a limited measure of success. This is usually due to one or more of several eanses-superficial prep- aration, laek of close application, or an unwise choice in selection of a vocation for which one is not fitted. The reverse of all this has entered into the snecess and prominence which Doctor Robison and his father have gained. Their equipment for the profession was unusually good and they have continually extended the scope of their labors through the added efficiency that comes from keeping in touch with the marked advancement that has been made by the members of the dental fra- ternity in the last quarter of a century.
GEORGE R. MOUNSEY. Wells County has its full quota of merchants, manufacturers, professional men and bankers to whom it is indebted for its prestige among its sister counties, but perhaps it is more particularly
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noted for the high standards set by its agriculturists, whose energy and enterprise during the past several decades have made this locality one of the garden spots of Indiana, as well as a center of agricultural production that adds to its importance at a time when the nations of the earth are looking to America with anxious eyes in regard to the food supply. One of the most productive parts of the county is the district lying in Chester Township, where is to be found the Keystone Stock Farm, one mile west of Keystone, which property is owned by George R. Mounsey, a progres- sive and energetic farmer with twentieth-century ideas. Mr. Mounsey was born at Liberty, Wells County, Indiana, February 26, 1857, a son of John and Eliza (Merriman) Mounsey.
John Mounsey was born at the foot of Mount Skedy, in Cumberland- shire, England, and was eighteen years of age when he came to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania. There he accepted whatever honor- able employment he could find, but was not satisfied with so uncertain a career and accordingly, in 1841, came to Wells County, Indiana, where he purchased 160 acres of land in Liberty Township. This was largely covered with timber at the time of his arrival, but Mr. Mounsey cleared a spot, built a cabin and set about to improve and cultivate his land to such good effect that he became one of the substantial men of his community and the owner of a valuable property. Mr. Mounsey was one of the pillars of the Baptist Church and for many years a deacon therein, being for three years a deacon in the church located southwest of Liberty Center. He was a democrat in his political affiliation, and was known as an in- fluential man in his party, but beyond serving as a member of the election board took little part as an office holder. Of his nine children, seven are living at this time.
George R. Mounsey was reared on the home farm in Liberty Town- ship, and after completing his education in the district schools taught a class in the country for one term. Until he was twenty-five years of age he made his home in Liberty Township, but then moved to Chester Township, where he first purchased a farm in section 7. Of this he sub- sequently disposed to bny his present property, on section 27, township 25, range 11, which consists of 191 acres and is registered as the Keystone Stock Farm, Mr. Monnsey's favorite stock being Short Horn cattle. of which he now has a splendid herd. He carries on both general farming and dairying in addition to his cattle raising, and all three depart- ments has achieved a pronounced success, being accounted a skilled and modern farmer of the progressive type and a good judge of cattle. as well as a business man of integrity and shrewdness. In addition to his Indiana farming land he is the possessor of 1,300 acres lying in Southern Illinois, which is. being rapidly developed into a handsome estate.
Mr. Mounsey was married October 25, 1879, to Mary A. Williamson, who was born March 18, 1858. near Mount Zion. Indiana. and to this union there have been born four sons of whom three are living at this time : Otis C., a graduate of the common schools, first graduate of the Keystone Iligh School, and also a graduate of the Indiana State Uni- versity, and now looking after his father's agricultural interests in South- ern Illinois: A. E., a graduate of the Fort Wayne ( Indiana) Business College, who is engaged in farming operations in Blackford County, Indiana : and Carey E., a graduate of the Montpelier Iligh School and of the State University, and who was principal of schools at Mount Comfort and Keystone one year, and now in the training camp at Camp Taylor, Kentucky, getting ready to be called into service in the great war. Mr. and Mrs. Monnsey and their children are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Mounsey is a democrat in politics and has taken some interest in public affairs. He has also been the incumbent of
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several local offices, having served his community well as trustee of Chester Township from 1890 to 1895; and as county commissioner of Wells County for one term of three years.
HON. MICHAEL C. BLUE. The following sketch contains the important facts in the life and family records of the Wells County citizen whose name has always stood for all that is honest and of good report in this community, for thrift and business integrity, for a position which all must respect. Mr. Blue's life has been significant not only for its duration, but also for its performance of duties and its strength and usefulness in every one of life's important relations.
Mr. Blue is one of the honored octogenarians of Wells County, and his recollections of pioneer days furnish many items that are valuable as history apart from their significance in his own career. These recol- lections, recorded at this time, serve to supplement sketches of his life previously published, and altogether it makes one of the notable chapters in this publication.
Mr. Blue was born in Miami County, Ohio, April 16, 1836. His birthplace was a log cabin standing on one of the school sections of that county (section 16). He was four years of age when he accompanied the family to Lancaster Township of Wells County, where they arrived in March, 1840. At that time the Blue family consisted of Uriah and Rachel (Moore) Blue, and their children: Mary, Lucinda, Michael C. and James Blue. The Blue family came originally from Virginia and settled first in Kentucky but soon afterward went into the Miami Valley of Ohio. Uriah Blue had entered his land in Lancaster Township in 1836 and the patent still in the family was signed by President Van Buren.
One of the interesting things to know is how the early families traveled when coming to Wells County. The early part of the winter of 1840 was open until the latter part of February, when it began to freeze. The road leading from Miami County, Ohio, to Wells County, Indiana, was new and for most of the way had just been cut out. There were no bridges over the streams or swamps and in wet mild weather a wagon could have made no progress at all. As soon as the roads would bear up a team and wagon, the parents loaded the wagon with all the household goods it would contain and then in some way managed to put in the children and set out to travel the distance of more than a hundred miles through the woods. After leaving Troy and Piqua they passed no towns except the small settlements of St. Marys and Wilshire, Ohio. Each day they made as much progress as possible and at nightfall camped out by the roadside. Thus after many stages they arrived in section 15, Lancaster Township, where the father had previ- ously located his claim in the northwest quarter. Besides the team of horses that drew the wagon four head of milch cows were driven along. The Blue family arrived at their destination late one evening. The horses and cows were tied to small trees, and Uriah Blue with flint and steel built a fire beside a great log. In this situation they felt them- selves completely remote and isolated from all the world, and felt at liberty to say and act as they pleased. But soon after nightfall, the wolves. perhaps regarding them as intruders upon their just rights and territory, set up such a tremendous howling that it shook the wagon in which the parents and children were trying to sleep. Underneath the wagon was the old dog Pointer and he was so frightened that had he been able he would undoubtedly have sought refuge up a tree. Thus the first night spent in Wells County was not without its unpleasant features. But with the coming of morning the wolves sneaked away,
Michael le Blue
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the family crawled out from the wagon, and at the roll call all were found to be present. The eattle were then set free and also the horses to graze or browse on the twigs and grass. Uriah Blue then set busily to work seeking out a spot for the erection of his eabin. It was nearly noon before the preliminaries were finished, and then to the surprise of every one there suddenly eame upon the scene some fifteen or six- teen brawny Hoosiers, who unloaded their axes and guns and with- out special introduction inquired where the house was to be built. When the spot was pointed out, all of them set to work felling trees, splitting clapboards, and with the aid of the family team, Barge and Tongue, the logs were quickly got together and by sunset what was then regarded as an up-to-date cabin was complete, being covered over with clapboards. Every timber that entered into the construction of the cabin had been standing as a tree in the morning, and when the task was completed the neighbors shouldered their guns and axes and went as they eame. To the young boy Michael it all seemed like magic, and he never knew who these industrious and helpful men were, whence they came nor whither they went.
The service performed by them was a most kindly one, since that very night a snow of nine inches fell, and the family had every reason to be grateful for their shelter. In the meantime toward evening when they went out to round up their stock, they found the best cow down on the ice. She had ventured out over the frozen surface to get the long grass, and having fallen was unable to get up. As there was no time to bring her in before night, they pulled some of the long grass and made a bed for her, and went home intending to look after her wants in the morning. About ten o'clock that night a tremendous howling of wolves was heard in the direction where the cow lay, and the next morning on going down they found nothing of old Lil but her hoofs, part of her hide, bones and horns. Thus one of the impor- tant resources for maintaining the family was removed, and they had to fall back upon the other three cows, Pied, Spot and Cherry.
While all these circumstances were somewhat depressing, it was only a few weeks before the snow melted and the wild wood gloom changed into mirth and joy of springtime. The woods were full of deer, wild turkey, pheasants, squirrels and foxes, and almost every other kind of wild game. At break of day the wild turkey could be heard gobbling in every direction, pheasants drummed, squirrels barked, and these with the singing of wild birds made up the forest symphony which only the oldest settlers can remember. It was not long before other people began moving in, and a short distance east of the Blue family four families entered a section of Government land and settled each on one of the inside corners of the section, thus forming a snug settlement. These people were well to do, and soon established a saw- mill which was probably the first steam mill in Wells County. Still later there was an addition to its facilities in the form of a corn erusher, which made what was known as "pugney."
All this time the Blue family continued to live on the northwest quarter of section 15. The four children in the meantime became Hoosierized Buckeyes, and waxed in size and took on all the character- isties of thoroughbred Hoosiers. In the meantime other real Hoosiers came one by one into the family circle until there were five native Indi- anans, whose names were Kate, Elizabeth. Uriah, John, and Melissa. Thus the Blue family comprised nine children. These children followed the usual destiny of human kind, grew up, left the old home nest, and went to different parts of the country, and now for many years they have
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been dropping off one by one until at this writing only two are left, Michael C. and Melissa.
Uriah Blue, the father, had only five dollars left after he established his home in the wilderness. He was a cooper by trade, and this was an occupation which could be turned to advantage. The habits of industry and thrift that had been his all his life were also splendid assets to a new settler in a new country. He had always been handy with tools, and close to his forest home he opened a general repair shop. His services were soon in demand by the neighbors for miles around, and gradually his income grew until the family found themselves quite comfortable. When work was slack in the shop the time was occupied in clearing and thus by the practice of unflagging industry and the most rigid economy the Blue family became established in the world. Uriah Blue as the only cooper made all the barrels, well buckets and kraut tubs that were nsed.
Uriah Blue lived upon his old homestead until his death. He died firm in the faith of the Baptist Church, of which he had been a member many years. He was kuown as an affectionate husband and father, a good quiet neighbor and as a citizen who was honored and respected far and wide. Of the living children Uriah became a citizen of Oklahoma, and Melissa is the wife of J. O. Knnkle.
When all the circumstances of pioneer times are considered it does not seem strange that some of the most familiar institutions of modern life were neglected. All the energies of the pioneers, even the pioneer children, were required to clear the land, provide better houses, raise more stock and in the practical pursuits of hunting, and thus schools and churches had to be left to the individual enterprise of teachers or missionaries. Michael C. Blue was a man grown past his majority be- fore a real free public school system was established in Indiana. He was fully fifteen years old before he could either read or write, although for a brief time he had been one of the pupils of the so-called select school tanght by Sallie Baldwin in that neighborhood. Such few schools as were maintained were poorly equipped with books and furniture and wretchedly conducted. Thus at the age of fifteen Mr. Blue knew the letters of the alphabet and might have been able to do a little spelling, but was wholly unable to read. Up to that time work on his father's farm or in the clearing ocenpied every moment at his disposal; there was no time for study. As he grew older he began to realize the ad- vantages a man of education possessed over the one who was illiterate. It was this that first inspired in him a thirst for knowledge. It grew and developed until it became almost insatiable. With this burning desire to become a scholar he proved the truth of that old precept that where there is a will there is a way. He had no encouragement from his father, who like many of the old pioneers did not favor literary educa- tion and regarded skillful hands as much superior to mental ability. The Blue household had no books, and in this respect it was perhaps not different from many other pioneer cabins throughout that section in that day. The woods were full of wild blackberries, and when put on the market at Bluffton they commanded a price of 5 cents a quart. Michael C. Blue gathered a few quarts, carried them to Bluffton four miles away, and the money paid him for them he used in purchasing an elementary spelling book. It seems strange that a boy who wore man's trousers would walk four miles to obtain such a book and then hug it close to his bosom all the way home. He also made barrels and invested the returns from this work in a Ray's mental arithmetic. This was his second treasure. Ilis next purchase was a Ray's third part arithmetic. These books were not studied as modern text books are
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studied, but Mr. Blue practically mastered the contents from cover to cover, and to a large degree the problems and rules of the mental arith- metie were committed to memory. He became so proficient in mathe- maties and especially in mental arithmetic that some years later when he attended a higher school at Roanoke his abilities quickly brought him to prominence among the students. Each day it was customary for the schoolroom to be divided, and the teacher would give out mental prob- lems to each side alternately. The two classes would choose what was called a "trapper" or leader and it devolved largely upon this leader to maintain the honor of his division. When a problem was submitted, failing which a mark would be registered against that side. Thus though a green and immature boy Mr. Blue was chosen trapper the second week he was in the school.
In the meantime the community where he lived had been giving some attention to schools and schoolhouses. Lancaster Township in a few years had a log schoolhouse in every district. Crude as they were they an- swered a purpose. Teachers were selected by a vote of the patrons of the school district, and the hiring of such a teacher was in the hands of three directors. During the winter his father's cooperage shop had its busiest season. The work was often so urgent that Michael could not be spared, but he would usually manage to steal away a few odd days each week to attend the neighboring district school. One of the older histories of Wells County contains Mr. Blue's description of his schoolboy costume : "My pantaloons were made of dressed buckskin ; vest and cap of fawn skin, tanned with the hair on, while moccasins of deer skin ornamented my feet." Such a dress would now excite wonder and admiration, but was probably at that time not an unusual equipment.
Though he attended school only part time, Mr. Blue managed to keep up with his classes by asking the girls, who attended regularly, what the lessons were, and then in the evening after all the rest of the family were in bed and fast asleep he would slip back into the cooper shop, take an armful of shavings, lay them on the hearth and with his head to the fire and from the light of one or two shavings would manage to keep up with his studies and with his class. This earnest effort took him along in his school work until in a few years he was given a license to teach a common school. He taught a term, and with the proceeds attended a select school at Murray. His record in the school at Murray was so satisfactory that it convinced his father that school attendance did not have as its chief result the making of rogues of boys. Thus con- verted, the father instead of attempting to keep his son at home, actually urged him to attend a higher school at Roanoke and take a special course in surveying and engineering. Being proficient in mathematics, Mr. Blue quickly mastered the details of his technical education, and that train- ing proved the key which unlocked a way to his subsequent official career.
As an admiring friend of Mr. Blue wrote some years ago: "By the time he arrived at the age of manhood Michael C. Blue had acquired an education equal to that of any young man in Wells County and far superior to many. By teaching he had secured the means to attend school at Murray and later took a course at the Roanoke Seminary. In mathematics he especially excelled, which led him to undertake the higher branches, algebra, geometry and trigonometry, which he soon mastered and was before long reckoned as one of the most accomplished eivil engineers in the northern half of the state."
At the close of the term at Roanoke his teacher, Mr. Reefy, who was school examiner as well as professor, gave examinations to a number of the advaneed scholars and granted a two years' license to three of the Vol. II-7
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pupils, including Mr. Blue. This license entitled the teachers to $2 per day for their services, while the other grades of license commanded wages of only $1.50 a day. With this certificate Mr. Blue taught school in Jackson Township of Huntington County, and for eight terms was successfully engaged in teaching in Wells County.
After the close of his school career Mr. Blue found himself in pos- session of savings amounting to $700, partly from his work as teacher and also by his ability in the chase. At that time fur brought a good price, and was easy to obtain by a good hunter. Mr. Blue invested his savings in eighty acres of land, put up a cabin home, and for more than two years lived in this alone, teaching in the winter and clearing up the land in the summer.
At that stage of his prosperous affairs, on May 1, 1866, he married Miss Rhoda A. Richey. He took his bride into a small log cabin, and there began housekeeping.
Mrs. Blue was a daughter of William S. Richey, one of the early pioneers of Wells County. A few years ago a friend and admirer of Mr. Blue, and one of the latter's students when Mr. Blue was a teacher, wrote without the knowledge of the subject a most interesting sketch which was published in a former work on Wells County. This sketch begins with a splendid tribute to Mrs. Blue, and that portion is quoted as follows :
"Gratifying indeed must it be to the good wife and mother, as she descends the latter half of life's slope, to know that the man she loves, the husband of her youth and father of her children, attributed to her every success that has come to him in life. The more exalted the station he holds, the higher the honors that are his, the more brilliant his success, the greater the joy that thrills her heart in knowing that to her wifely care and solicitude much if indeed not all of it is attributable and that the lover of her girlhood, whose love has only intensified with the lapse of time, accords to her the full praise and credit for having made him what he is. Such a wife and mother is Mrs. Rhoda Richey Blue, wife of Hon. M. C. Blue. Beginning life heavily handicapped by poverty, un- able to read or write at the age of fifteen, he managed to acquire a liberal education, particularly in mathematics, served his county as surveyor, afterwards as auditor, and later his seat in the halls of legislation. All of this he credits to his wife. It is not that he lacked the material in himself to accomplish it, but without her to guide, direct and inspire him with the unalterable purpose to dare and do, he would have been swerved from his course many a time and might have relinquished the struggle in discouragement." And still later the same writer speaks of her as follows: "She is a lady of many accomplishments, of refinement and education, a woman of splendid intelligence and sound discernment who is never deceived by blandishments and sophistry. To her penetra- tion, good judgment and expedition in arriving at correct conclusions her husband says that he is indebted for all that he has been since he met her, all that he now is or ever hopes to be. This is a very high tribute to the sagacity and virtues of the good lady, but it is one that is verified by all her friends and acquaintances in Wells County, and their name is legion."
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Blue was blessed with six children, five of whom are still living. George Clement, born November 15, 1867; Dr. Capolas Laird, born December 16, 1868; Ulvin A., born January 21, 1870, and died in infancy ; Lola Zilmy, born July 3, 1871; Winfred Phineas, born April 10, 1875; and Don I., born September 23, 1882.
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