USA > Indiana > Grant County > Fairmount > The making of a township, being an account of the early settlement and subsequent development of Fairmount Township, Grant County, Indiana, 1829 to 1917, based upon data secured by personal interviews, from numerous communications > Part 28
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While the tomato crop was new to the farmers of Fairmount Town- ship, they began to make tomato growing a business, and started to
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The Making of a Township.
grow them right. Today there is no more successful tomato-growing section than Fairmount Township.
The Snider Company, although erecting a magnificent factory in the start, has added to and enlarged it from year to year until it is one of the largest and best equipped plants of its kind in the country.
XEN H. EDWARDS
Among the younger element of successful Fairmount business men has chosen to remain at his old home and here make a career where he is best known, among his life-long friends and acquaintances. Born in Fairmount, February 8, 1880, he at- tended the Fairmount schools and graduated from Fairmount Academy in 1897. In 1902 he received his de- gree of Bachelor of Science at De- Pauw University. Immediately upon his graduation from DePauw he re- turned home and engaged in the drug business with his father, the late Nathan W. Edwards. Xen Ed- wards has been quite successful in the drug trade, and is now owner of the Pioneer Drug Store, at Upland. Indiana, and an equal partner in the Bailey-Edwards Drug Store at Alex- andria, Indiana. During his student days at DePauw he was President of the State Oratorical Association and a member of the Glee and Man- dolin Club, also an active member of the Phi Delta Theta frater- nity. In politics.
Mr. Edwards is a Republican, and has given much time to his party. He has served on the School Board. He is a member of Fairmount Lodge, No. 635, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Alex- andria Chapter of Elks, No. 478. He is a member and Trustee of the Fair- mount M. E. Church. He was Secretary of the Fairmount Fair Asso- ciation at the time of its widest popularity, and his efficiency and energy were recognized when he was elected President of the Fairmount Com- mercial Club. Mr. Edwards has served as President of the Indiana State Rex- all Club, and was Vice-President of the National Association of Rexall Chibs. On January 25. 1905, he was married to Miss Ethel Harvey, daughter of Rev. Enos and Mary (Wilson) Ilarvey. To this union two sons, namely, Frederick and John Ethan, were born. Mr. Edwards owns a comfortable home on South Walnut Street, which is locally known for the hospitality extended.
It is largely due to the conscientious efforts of the Snider Company to comply with the plans originally laid down by them when locating in Fairmount, together with the co-operation of the farmers of Fairmount Township and the citizens of Fairmount, that the concern is enabled to fulfill all promises. This company now pays out annually in the com-
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Banks-Natural Gas-Water Works-Industries.
munity ninety thousand to one hundred thousand dollars for raw ma- terial alone, besides wages and other expenses.
In 1910 the Bell Bottle Company was established by Alvin B. Scott and others.
The Commercial Club was organized in 1904. John Flanagan was elected President ; J. F. Life, Secretary, and R. A. Morris, Treasurer. The directors chosen were, in addition to the officers, Al Goldstein and John Rau. The organization did good work for a time. The location
WASHINGTON STREET Fairmount, looking east from Main Street.
of the Bell Bottle Company and the Snider Preserve Factory is largely due to the harmonious and united efforts of the club.
In 1884 the Fairmount Union Joint Stock Agricultural Association was organized. In the summer of that year the fairground was laid out on what was known as the Stanfield land, adjoining the corporation limits on the southeast.
The ground selected included a beautiful grove, which afforded plenty of shade and water, an open space on the south edge of the land making a splendid location for the race track.
The first fair was held in September, 1884. the following officers being in charge of the meeting: Enoch Beals, President ; W. C. Wins- low, Secretary ; Levi Scott, Treasurer ; M. S. Friend, Superintendent, and Philip Davis, Marshal.
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The Making of a Township.
The stockholders reorganized in 1904, the name was changed to the Fairmount Fair Association, and Dr. J. W. Patterson elected President ; John Flanagan, Treasurer ; Xen H. Edwards, Secretary, and Gilbert LaRue, Superintendent. These men infused new life and vigor into the association, which enabled the fair to go forward with added prestige and improved prospects.
The Fairmount Telephone Company was promoted by S. B. Hill and operated by him successfully for several years.
The Citizens Telephone Company was organized in October, 1901. with John Kelsay, President. The directors elected for the first year
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FAIRMOUNT ING
MAIN STREET
Fairmount, looking south from Washington Street.
were Aaron Newby, Ancil E. Ratliff, C. R. Small, Dr. D. A. Holliday, W. A. Beasley, I. S. Benbow and John Kelsay.
This company purchased the plant and equipment of the Fairmount Telephone Company, which at the time was under the management of Harry Miller.
Fairmount has about twenty-five miles of cement sidewalks and approximately five miles of brick streets. The business blocks are mod- ern in arrangement and substantial in structure.
CHAPTER XXIX.
FAIRMOUNT ACADEMY-HIGH SCHOOL-WESLEYAN TIIEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
M OVED by the urgent need of a secondary school in this locality, and inspired by the example set before them by the splendid work done at Spiceland Academy, where they had been students, Dr. P. H. Wright and wife and Samuel C. Cowgill and wife, in the year 1883, began to consider the possibilities of establishing such an institu- tion in Fairmount .* The result of their meditations was communicated to others.
In December, 1883, at a business session of Northern Quarterly Meeting of Friends held at Back Creek, Jesse Hiatt arose at his place and suggested to the meeting that it take under consideration the propo- sition of establishing an academy. The suggestion was favorably re- ceived by those present.
A committee was appointed to consider the matter and make report . of judgment to a future meeting. This committee consisted of Dr. Alpheus Henley, Joel B. Wright, Jonathan P. Winslow, Milton Wins- low, Asa Bond, Elwood Haisley, Abel Knight, Henry B. Rush, Levi Hiatt, James M. Ellis, Enos Harvey, Nixon Winslow, Lewis Hockett, Samuel C. Cowgill, James L. Williamson, Willis Cammack, Mattie P. Wright, Louisa Rush, Eunice P. Wilson, Adeline Wright, Millie Little, Thirza Howell, Mary Bond, Sallie Harvey and Keziah Haisley.
On March 15, 1884, the committee reported to the Quarterly Meet- ing that they favored the proposition.
On June 21, 1884, the committee reported that the location selected for the Academy consisted of three acres of ground twenty-two rods south of the public school grounds, which would cost six hundred dol- lars. The amount of money pledged by subscription reached the sum of four thousand dollars. Elwood Haisley, James M. Ellis, Thomas J. Nixon, Ivy Luther and Mahlon Harvey were named as a committee to look after the incorporation papers.
Jesse Haisley and Samuel C. Wilson, to serve one year ; Dr. P. H. Wright and Enos Harvey, to serve two years, and Abel Knight and William C. Winslow, to serve three years, were elected Trustees.
*The writer acknowledges his indebtedness to Ellwood O. Ellis for much of the information about Fairmount Academy here recorded.
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NIXON RUSH
34I
Educational Institutions.
On September 20, 1884, the building was in process of erection.
On September 21, 1885, Fairmount Academy opened for instruction,
Among the makers of Fairmount Township the name of Nixon Rush must take a prominent place, symbolizing all that is of the best in civil, educational and religious affairs of the community. His broad understanding of practical matters was reinforced by a keen sense of justice and fairness in all human relationships. The faith of his fathers
GRADUATING CLASS OF FAIRMOUNT ACADEMY (1888)
Reading from left to right-Dr. Milo E. Ratliff, Cassopolis, Michigan; Asa Wimpy, Marion, Indiana; Will W. Ware, Fairmount, Indiana.
and the teachings of his pious Quaker parents molded his mind and heart and found expression in his dealings with people. His parents, Iredell and Elizabeth Rush, were among those pioneers who had fled from a slave State to a new country where slaves were not considered a necessity in well-ordered homes. They were descended from English and from French Huguenot families, who had, in their day, sought religious freedom in the new world of Pennsylvania and Virginia, whose going to North Carolina in the Eighteenth century, in the general mi- gration that took vast companies to that State in search of larger lands, only brought them into a thorny wilderness, and before a problem bit- ter and difficult, a problem destined to tear the Nation with Civil War.
Benjamin Rush, great-grandfather of Nixon Rush, was a son of
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The Making of a Township.
Crafford and Mary Rush, of Virginia, who had migrated thither from Pennsylvania. He was born April 19, 1752, and at the age of twenty went to Randolph County, North Carolina. He was married, in 1772, to Dorcas Vickery. Azel, one of his six sons, born in 1780, was married, in 1806, to Elizabeth Beckerdite. He owned a large number of slaves, whom he liberated in 1833. They were valued at one hundred thousand dollars. He subsequently sold his plantation and came to Indiana, in the '50's, when he entered land near Little Ridge. His son, Iredell, who entered the Rush Hill farm, was born in Randolph County, North Caro- lina, in 1807, was married, in 1828, to Elizabeth Bogue, daughter of John and Lydia (White) Bogue. These heads of one of the oldest fam- ilies in the Township receive further mention elsewhere in this book.
Nixon Rush was born at Rush Hill, March 30, 1836, and died there January 30, 1915. He was married on October 21. 1861, to Louisa Winslow, daughter of Daniel and Rebecca (Hiatt) Winslow, and granddaughter of Joseph Wins- low, the story of whose coming to the Township is told in Chapter V. For many years Nixon and Louisa Rush were ministers in the Society of Friends and traveled not only over this and neighboring townships, tirelessly carrying a gospel of love and cheer, but also over many States of the Union, wherever a struggling and dis- couraged people sought help ; and not by Spiritual means alone, but also in a substantial way, they were ever ready, continually giving aid of which the world never knew. The land on which Fairmount GARFIELD COX A graduate of Fairmount Academy who has won many oratorical honors. Academy stands was originally a part of the Rush Hill place, and they gave to that institution sums amounting into the thousands.
All churches built, all reforms and improvements and public enterprises started and kept up found them ready and liberal supporters. They traveled extensively and both left journals of absorbing interest. Their flower-bordered home at Rush Hill attested to their love for the beau-
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Educational Institutions.
tiful. Their children, Axelina, Myra, Emma J., Walter W., Olive,* Calvin C., and Charles E.,* with the exception of Axelina, lived to ma- turity. Rush Hill is now occupied by Walter W. Rush, who was mar- ried, in 1895, to Elizabeth Johnson.
*Fairmount Township has contributed its share of talent to the various fields of useful occupation. In many cities and States our young men and young women are taking active and often leading parts in different lines of endeavor. Perhaps no other community of equal population and like envir- onment has sent forth into the world a larger proportion of successful workers. In industry, in science and in the professions our people are busy and effective. While notable examples are not so numerous in art circles as in other callings that might be mentioned, those who have followed her efforts closely have reason to be gratified with the triumphs scored by Olive Rush. The early pioneers who came up from the old South and out from the old East carried with them into the new country more love for the beautiful than they knew, or cared to recognize. They satisfied their souls by contemplation of nature which in those days of big trees and unspoiled wilderness they found full of moody grandeur, and by an intensely spiritual religious life. They were too busy building homes in this same wilderness to long for more than these outlets, and the leanings of their children toward artistic pursuits were quickly and firmly discouraged. The following ex- tracts from the journal of Nixon Rush vividly show the early attitude toward art in the Township, and the longing for artistic expression, which was not uncommon among its children :
"There was a school house built on the north side of our farm, on Uncle Seth Winslow's land, made of logs and with a long desk across the room which gave his boys a good chance to study geography and to play. I loved to make pictures. I had a natural taste for art. The children would have me make pictures of all kinds, such as pigs, cats, dogs, birds, monkeys, babies, boys or inen. One day a committee came to the school and talked to the teachers about it and said I would have to leave school or quit draw- ing, so I had to stop, and lost my interest in drawing.
"One evening, in the year 1857, on shipboard on the Mississippi, I had a long talk with a doctor and a merchant from New Orleans. We were talk- ing about the difference between the North and South. They thought the South had the advantage over the North. Just then I picked up a sheet of paper, began to make the picture of a lion in the act of leaping on his prey. They looked, and the doctor said:
"'You are an artist. Where did you go to an art school?'
"I did not know anything about art schools; did not know that an art school existed in the United States. I knew they had such things in France and England. I said:
" 'When I went to school the Trustees compelled me to stop drawing or be expelled.'
"The doctor said:
"'That is your life work!' "
Not only from her father, but also from her mother does Miss Rush inherit her love of the artistic, and she treasures drawings of great charm made by her mother. Well knowing what it meant to care to paint and to be denied the opportunity, her parents sent her to the best schools in the East. Finding her talent sufficiently rewarded financially to pursue her studies, she went abroad and studied in the Ateliers of Paris and painted in the quaint villages and countrysides of France and England. Among her principal works are the altar decorations in the church of St. Andrews, at Wilmington, Delaware, two stained glass window designs, one of which was bought for the country house of a New York millionaire. She has painted a number of portraits and sketches of her parents, group portraits of children, besides many easel pictures poetic in feeling that have been seen at exhibi- tions in the Paris Salon, New York, Washington, Philadelphia, Indianapolis,
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The Making of a Township.
and other cities. Her cover designs and illustrations in leading American magazines, as well as her illustrated verses for children are well known not only in the Township, but in every State.
*Charles Everett Rush, son of Nixon and Louisa (Winslow) Rush. is another Fairmount Township young man who has displayed exceptional energy and ability in his chosen profession, that of Librarian. Born in the Township on March 23, 1885, he attended the Fairmount public schools. graduating in 1899. In 1902 he graduated from Fairmount Academy, and in 1905 from Earlham College, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Art; student at the Wisconsin Summer Library School in 1904: in 1908 received the degree of Bachelor of Laws from the New York State Library School, at Albany. In 1908 he was appointed Librarian of the Jackson, Michigan. Library, remaining here for two years; in 1910 he was placed in charge of the Public Library at St. Joseph, Missouri, serving in this position until 1916, when he was unanimously chosen as Librarian at Des Moines, Iowa. remaining in Des Moines until 1917, when he was called to the capital of his native State and placed at the head of the new Indianapolis Public Library. Mr. Rush's success in his field of work has been rapid, and he is now in charge of the most important collection of books in Indiana. He is ex-President of the Missouri Library Association, and chairman of the Library section of the International Association of Rotary Clubs. In politics he is independent. He is a birthright member of the Society of Friends. He is a member of the American Library Association, member of the Council of the American Library Association, and a member of the American Economic League. Mr. Rush receives a handsome salary and has acquired considerable prominence in his line of work for marked efficiency and progressive achievement. He was married, September 7, 1910, at Al- bany, New York, to Miss R. Lionne Adsit, of Voorheesville, New York, and they have three interesting children, Alison Adsit, Frances Marie, and Myra Lionne.
JOEL B. WRIGHT
Joel B. Wright, for twenty-six years a member and for many years Treasurer of the Board of Trustees of Fairmount Academy, was a na- tive of Greene County, East Tennes- see, where he was born July 7, 1832. His parents were Jesse and Charity (Reece) Wright, who moved to Liberty Township in 1855. Joel B. Wright was for many years prior to his death a resident of Fairmount Township. All his active life he de- voted himself to farming, in which he was successful. In politics he was a Prohibitionist and in religious affairs a consistent member of the Society of Friends. His death oc- curred on September 27. 1910, at the age of seventy-eight years, two months and twenty days.
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Educational Institutions.
with J. W. Parker, A. B., as Principal, and Ellwood O. Ellis as teacher in the Grammar Department, each receiving an annual salary of six hundred dollars. The school opened with forty pupils, but before the first term of fourteen weeks had ended the enrollment had increased to sixty-five. Before the close of the first year the attendance had reached one hundred and thirteen.
The present building stands on land at the northwest corner of Rush and Eighth Streets, donated by Nixon and Louisa Rush. In 1895
FORMO
ACADEMY BASKET BALL TEAM (1915)
Left to right, top row-Lester Wright, guard; Herman Jones, center; Prof. Albert B. Hall, coach; Ozro Cunningham, forward. Left to right, lower row-Clarence Christopher. sub-guard; Alva Smith, guard; Ralph Mittank, forward; Ralph Trice, sub-guard.
the new structure was occupied. In 1911 an addition was built, a com- modious gymnasium provided, equipment installed, all of which greatly facilitated the work of teachers and increased the spirit and efficiency of the school.
While Fairmount Academy is supported by Friends, the institution is non-sectarian. Presbyterians, Christians, Congregationalists, Episco- palians and Baptists have had their turn as members of the faculty.
In 1898 the High School received its commission. The present High School Building was completed in 1902. R. W. Himelick was the first
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.
5
5
HIGH SCHOOL BASKET BALL TEAM
(1915)
Left to right-Prof. Neil Good, coach; Orla Harris, forward; George Ramsey, forward; Harry Davis, center; Burr Stephens, center; Harold Craig, forward: Ralph Parker, guard and captain; Raymond Coss. guard: Prof. D. H. Carter, manager.
The Making of a Township.
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Educational Institutions.
Superintendent of Schools, he in turn being succeeded by C. H. Cope- land, who held the position for fifteen years. The first graduates from the High School were Grace Crilley, Eliza Frazier, Verna Hardwick, Grace Hobbs, Albert Knight, Moses Morrison, Emma Parrill, Irwin Winslow and John P. Starr.
The matter of starting a High School was first discussed by Dr. J. W. Patterson, E. D. Lewis and J. W. Parrill. Finally, the Town Trustees advised the School Board to proceed, and the result is the structure on South Vine Street.
The Fairmount Bible School had its origin in a Theological Insti- tute of the Indiana Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Connection of America. The first session of this institute was held at Sheridan, in 1884, under the leadership of Rev. Eber Teter, at which meeting there were twelve elders and licentiates present. A ten-day institute was held annually on the various cir- cuits of the Indiana Conference until June, 1906, when, by an or- der of the previous annual con- ference, a thirty-day institute was provided for and held on the Wesleyan camp-ground, near Fair- mount.
This Institute body, at the close of the session, framed a memorial, which was presented to the next annual conference of the same year, asking for the establishment of the Fairmount Bible School, which was granted.
The purpose of this Institute is the training of an efficient min- istry in the spreading of Bible ho- liness.
REV. W. D. BAKER Former Pastor of Fairmount Wes- leyan Church, and one of its most popular ministers.
Among its promoters we find the names of Eber Teter, Aaron Worth, George Reber, William J. Seekins, Thomas P. Baker, Jacob Hester and James O. Baker.
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The Making of a Township.
REV. W. J. SEEKINS
Formerly a resident of Fairmount, has been an influential man in the thousand, known as Bethel Taber- Wesleyan denomination for many years. His home is now at Stockton, Illinois, where he is serving three churches, in addition to doing evange- listic work. Rev. Seekins was at one time in charge of the Wesleyan Pub- lishing House, located at Syracuse. New York.
This school had a small begin- ning. The first enrollment num- bered twelve, with one teacher. Since that time the institution has been able to enroll from thirty to sixty and to maintain a faculty consisting of four teachers, which will of necessity be maintained in the future.
The development of this school has been marked by the sending out into the different fields of church work many graduates up to the year 1917, a period of eleven years.
The present school building was erected in 1907, and may be val- ued at two thousand dollars. The building is located a mile north- west of Fairmount, in a beautiful grove, with plenty of shade and water.
Close by is a large tabernacle, with a seating capacity of two nacle, where State and National conferences of the church are held from time to time.
The Institute has a library of three hundred and fifty well-se- lected volumes.
(Editor's Note .- One of the men who in a modest and unostenta- tious way contributed liberally of his time and means to the building of local churches and other deserving institutions was Ivy Luther. Al- though not one of the group of pioneers who came to this community in the early day, his steadfast loyalty and never-failing interest in all enterprises to help his adopted Township have left a marked impres- sion upon the people with whom he passed his active life. He was a Southerner by birth, Randolph County, North Carolina, being the place of his nativity. Born on February 22, 1834, of German parentage, he was educated in the common schools of North Carolina. On August
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Educational Institutions.
28, 1855, he was married to Miss Sarah Stuart. To this union one son and four daughters were born, namely, Dorothy E .; Narcissa G., wife of Elias Bundy, a prominent attorney of Mariou ; James A., a stock- holder and director of the National Drain Tile Company, of Terre Haute, Indiana ; Emma L., wife of Alvin B. Scott, glass manufacturer of Fairmount. One daughter, Julia, died at six years of age in North Carolina. Mr. Luther and family came to Henry County, Indiana, in
ANCIL E. RATLIFF
President of the Board of Tr.is- tees of Fairmount Academy, was born near Amboy, in Miami Coun- ty, March 27, 1862. With his par- ents, Joseph and Mary (Lamb) Ratliff, he came to Fairmount Township in 1870. He worked on his father's farm and attended school in Fairmount. He later en- tered Amboy Academy, and was a student at Earlhanı College. Mr. Ratliff has always affiliated with the Republican party, and is prominent member of the Society of Friends, serving as Clerk of the Yearly Meeting. He has served as County Surveyor and was elected by the people of Grant County to the State Legislature, making an excellent record in the session of 1910-'II. Mr. Ratliff is a progres- sive farmer, owning 170 acres of fine land in Liberty Township, where he now resides. He has for many years been active and effec- tive in his work for reform legisla- tion, and has done a vast deal of good in helping to develop a com- munity spirit in his neighborhood. This spirit has helped to benefit socially and in material matters. where mutual helpfulness counts for everything worth while.
1866, where they remained for several years. On October 21, 1872, the family removed to Grant County and settled in Fairmount Town- ship, where they purchased eighty acres of land located just south of Fairmount corporation. Here they identified themselves with all good movements and have been factors in the upbuilding of the town and surrounding community. Ivy Luther died on April 13, 1914, leaving behind the memory of an upright life and a noble example of rectitude and usefulness.)
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