USA > Ohio > Memoirs of the lower Ohio valley, personal and genealogical : with portraits, Volume I > Part 19
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CHARLES R. JOHNSON, manufac- turer of engines, boilers, steamboat and mill machinery, Madison, Ind., was born in that city, Oct. 8, 1851. His father, William C. Johnson, was a native of Rip- ley county, Ind., having been born near the town of Versailles. He was a cab- inet maker by trade and was for many years one of the leading cabinet mak- ers, furniture dealers and undertakers of Madison. He married Miss Mary Schaf- fer, a native of Pennsylvania. Charles R. Johnson received his education in the public schools of his native city, afterward learning the trade of a machinist. He worked as a journeyman until 1883, when he embarked in business for himself. At first he conducted his business in a small way but in late years he has had the satisfaction of seeing it grow to generous proportions. There may be larger establishments than his but few are better equipped with modern machinery, and none excel it in the quality of work turned out. He employs a number of skilled workmen and supplies the trade in Southern Indiana and a large portion of Kentucky. Mr. Johnson has always taken a lively interest in promoting the city's interest, realizing that whatever was of benefit to the whole community was also to his private interest. In 1886 he was elected to the city council and has been a member of that body ever since, being the longest continuous service ever accorded to any one man. He has served on all the council commit- tees and during the greater part of his official service has been chief of the fire department. He has also taken an active part toward securing a deep water channel in the Ohio river, being one of the committee to accompany the Cincinnati delegation to Washington to present the matter to the national authorities, and has attended con- ventions at Cincinnati, Paducah, Evansville, and other points to aid the undertaking. He was largely instrumental in securing the estab- lishment of the Madison electric street railway, of which his son, Charles R., Jr., was treasurer and general manager for six years. He formerly owned the steam towboat Minnie, plying on the Ohio and Kentucky rivers. This vessel he sold in 1903. He and his son lease the Beech Grove driving park and conduct the annual county fairs. Mr. Johnson is a member of Madison Lodge, No. 72. Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Juniata Tribe, No. 24, Improved
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Order of Red Men; Syracuse Lodge, No. 104, Knights of Pythias; Indianapolis Lodge, No. 13, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Royal Arcanum. In 1874 Mr. Johnson and Miss Virginia Gaumer, a native of Madison, were united in marriage. They have three children: Charles R., Margaret, and Rosetta. The son is associated with his father in business. Margaret has achieved a wide reputation as a vocalist, having studied under Professor Ernestinoff, of Indianapolis, and is now the leading singer in the choir of the Second Presbyterian church. Rosetta was for three years the secretary of the Madison Light and Railway Company.
ELMER E. SCOTT, wholesale grocer, Madison, Ind., is a native of that city. He is a son of John W. and Sarah A. (Protsman) Scott, and was born Sept. 28, 1863. His father was born in Jefferson county, Ind., though his ancestry came from Scotland, and his mother, who was of German parentage, was a native of Switzerland county. John W. Scott fol- lowed blacksmithing during his early life but in later years engaged in farming and conducting a retail grocery in Madison. During the Civil war he was a member of the Indiana Home Guards. In 1876 he was elected treasurer of Jefferson county, the first Democrat to hold that office in twenty years. He devoted his attention to the payment of the county debt, amounting to $178,000, and in two years succeeded in almost wiping it out. He was re-elected in 1878 but was counted out. His death occurred in 1902. He was a prominent Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife also died in 1902. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living. Elias J. is the bookkeeper for the Indiana Fuel & Supply Company, of Indianapolis; William A. is state agent for the Great Western Seeding Company, with offices in Indianapolis. The others are Elmer E., Ida M., now Mrs. Patton; Anna, Nora, now Mrs. Gordon, and Bertha E. Elmer E. Scott was educated in the Madison schools, and at the Ryker's academy. Upon leaving school he was associated with his father in the grocery for several years. In 1888 he embarked in the brokerage business, having at that time a work- ing capital of $78.00. He prospered, however, and in 1894 began the
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wholesale business in a limited way, covering a small territory and buying just what his trade demanded. His patronage has grown until it is one of the largest in Southern Indiana. Although a busy man Mr. Scott finds time to devote to the public welfare. Politically he is a Democrat and although his county is Republican by about 900 he was elected a member of the county council and is now presi- dent of that body. He is also a member of the city council, having been elected from the Fifth ward, which, although a Republican ward by 125, elected him by a majority of 18 out of a full vote. In the city council he occupies the important positions of vice-president and chairman of the finance committee. Under his supervision a thorough investigation of the city's finances was made, resulting in the find- ing of a shortage of $18,651.58 in the accounts of the treasurer, all of which was collected and returned to the treasury where it belonged. Out of several shortages that have occurred in this city and county this is the first time the community has enjoyed the full settlement of a like deficit in the public funds. This result is due in a great measure to the persistent and intelligent work of Mr. Scott, who stands for the same honest administration of public affairs that he applies in his private business. Mr. Scott is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is presi- dent of the board of stewards and superintendent of the Sunday school. He was married on Aug. 9, 1888, to Miss Emma M. Davis, of Madison. She was born in Cincinnati, but came with her parents to Madison when she was but three years of age. They have two children, Margaret Marie and John Elmer.
HARRY SUTPHIN HATCH, M.D., a well known and popular physician, of Madison, Ind., was born in Butler county, Ohio, Jan. 21, 1867. He is a son of Metcalf B. and Martha A. (Sutphin) Hatch, the former a native of Leroy, N. Y., and the latter of Butler county. Dr. Hatch's maternal grandmother, whose maiden name was Jane Patten, was the first white child born in Butler county. Daniel Buell, a great-uncle on the paternal side, was a captain of infantry in the war of 1812 and was killed at the battle of Chippewa. His body was never found. Metcalf B. Hatch served three years as county com- missioner of Butler county, and his brother, Hobart H. Hatch, served with distinction in the Seventy-seventh Illinois infantry as captain of a company. General Hatch, who is still in the service, is a cousin to the doctor, and Rufus Hatch, of Wall street fame, is a relative of the family. Doctor Hatch received his primary education in the public
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schools of Middletown, Ohio, afterward taking the degree of Ph.B. at Worcester university. In 1889 he entered the Pulte Medical col- lege of Cincinnati, graduating with the degree of M.D. in 1892. The same year he located at Madison, where he has built up a large practice, being regarded as one of the most progressive physicians in the city.' He is a member of both the Ohio and Indiana State Medical societies, and has served as secretary of the Jefferson county board of health. He keeps in close touch with the progress of his profession, is conscientious in his methods of treatment, which in- spires the confidence and esteem of his patients. Doctor Hatch is a member of all the Masonic bodies of Madison, a Knight of Pythias, a Redman, and a Modern Woodman. In all these orders he enjoys a high standing and is a welcome visitor to the lodge meetings when his practice will admit of his attendance. He is also a member of the board of stewards of the Methodist Episcopal church. On Jan. 23, 1896, he was married to Miss Helen N., daughter of the late Capt. William H. and Elizabeth (Cooper) Daniel. Mrs. Hatch's father was a native of Louisville. He was a large stockholder in the People's steamboat line and was one of the best known men on the river. He became a resident of Madison about forty years ago. Her mother was born in Lexington, Ky. Mrs. Hatch is one of twins, the youngest children of her family. Doctor and Mrs. Hatch have one daughter, Helen Martha. The mother is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
LAWRENCE W. NIKLAUS, whole- sale grocer, of Madison, Ind., is prob- ably the youngest wholesale merchant in the country. For three generations his family have been engaged in the business on the same site where his store now stands. His paternal grandparents were natives of Canton Berne, Switzerland. They came to Madison, some time in the forties, where his grandfather, John Nik- laus, put up a blacksmith shop on the present site of the store. A few years later he engaged in the wholesale gro- cery business, adding rectifying to it in 1870, and in 1884 turned the whole business over to his son, Edward G., who was born soon after the family came to Madison. The son conducted the business until
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his death, which occurred Feb. 22, 1904, when it fell to the subject of this sketch. During his life Edward G. Niklaus was one of Indi- ana's prominent Democrats. He was a delegate to several national conventions of his party and was postmaster under Cleveland's sec- ond administration. He was also prominent in secret and benevo- lent orders, being a member of the Cincinnati Lodge of Elks, a Redman, and major of the First battalion, Fourth regiment, Uni- form Rank Knights of Pythias. In 1879 he was married to Miss Mary Wharton, daughter of William G. and Ann R. Wharton, one of the old and honored families of Madison. Lawrence W. Niklaus is the only child born to this marriage. He was born July 8, 1882, and received his education in the Madison public schools, a prepara- tory course at Hanover college, and the mechanical course at Pur- due university. Two years before the death of his father he entered the store, and since his father's death has had charge of the business, though his mother still holds an interest in it. Thus at the age of twenty-two years he has succeeded to an undertaking, the responsi- bilities of which might cause many an older or more experienced man to hesitate. But so far he has been equal to every emergency, and being a young man of exemplary habits and great energy it is safe to predict his future success. Mr. Niklaus is a member of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Phi Delta Theta college fraternity.
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CHARLES B. MELISH, founder and proprietor of the Charles B. Melish Pearl Button Company, of Madison, Ind., was born in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, Jan. 16, 1856. He was educated in the public schools of his native city and at Denison university, Granville, Ohio. For sixteen years he was connected with the Cleveland Rolling Mill Company, now a part of the American. Steel and Wire Company, as superintendent of the South- western agency, with offices in Cincin- nati. After the absorption of his com- pany by the American Steel and Wire Company he determined to embark in business for himself. He began the manufacture of pearl buttons on a small scale in Cincinnati and finding the industry one of great promise he removed to Madison in 1901 and founded the
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company of which he is still the head. Buildings were erected and equipped with new and modern machinery, skilled workmen were employed and the products of the factory soon found favor with the trade all over the country. The factory employs about one hundred operatives when running to the full capacity. Mr. Melish has by his sagacity and enterprising spirit thus turned the hitherto worthless musselshells of the Ohio river into an important article of commerce and spread the name of his adopted city abroad. In Masonic circles Mr. Melish is well known, being a Knight Templar and a Thirty- second degree member of the Scottish Rite.
GEORGE E. DENNY, M.D., a lead- ing physician and surgeon of Madison, Ind., was born at Bryantsburg, Jefferson county, Ind., March 23, 1870, and is a son of John W. and Victoria (King) Denny, both natives of Jefferson county. His paternal grandparents came from Ken- tucky and were among the early settlers of Southern Indiana, while his maternal grandparents came from Belgium in the early part of the nineteenth century. For many years his grandfather, John King, conducted a bakery in Madison. Doctor Denny's father served four years in the Union army during the Civil war. Since that time he has continued in the occupation of farming. He has served as township trustee and is at present one of the county commissioners. Doctor Denny was educated in the common schools and at Hanover and Franklin colleges. After leav- ing school he taught for three years and then took up the study of medicine. He attended the Ohio Medical college two years and graduated from the University of Louisville in 1893. Locating at Alert, Ind., he practiced there for six years, when he went to Chi- cago and entered the post-graduate hospital of that city as a resident physician. He remained in this institution for twelve months, being head physician the last half of that period. In 1901 he located at Madison, where he has established a large practice as a specialist in surgery and diseases of women. Soon after coming to Madison he founded Doctor Denny's sanitarium, accommodating ten patients. In this institution he has placed modern scientific apparatus, trained nurses, etc., making it the equal of any in the country. He is a mem-
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ber of the Jefferson County Medical society and of the Indiana Med- ical association, and is the examiner for the John Hancock Life Insur- ance Company. Doctor Denny is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, both the subordinate Lodge and Encamp- ment, the Knights of Pythias, and the Modern Woodmen. When the People's bank was organized he became one of the stockholders and was for a time on the board of directors. On Nov. 30, 1893, he was married to Miss Jennie Childs, of Franklin, Ind., and they have two children, Leota and Neva. The doctor and his wife are mem- bers of the Baptist church.
PROF. GARFIELD HOARD, super- intendent of the Jefferson county schools, Madison, Ind., was born on a farm in Graham township of that county, Nov. II, 1878. He is a son of Adam and Electa (Roseberry) Hoard, both natives of the county. His paternal grandfather came from Kentucky at an early date and passed the remainder of his life as a Jefferson county farmer. His maternal grandfather, Samuel Roseberry, also a farmer, was one of the first settlers of the county, taking land from the govern- ment. During his life he was a prominent citizen, holding several local offices. Professor Hoard's father still resides on his farm in Graham township. Like most farmer boys, Professor Hoard received his primary education in the district schools. After graduating from the Central Normal college, at Danville, Ind., he took a course in the medical department of the Kentucky university. Giving up the notion of becoming a physician he returned home and for several years was engaged in teaching in the common and high schools of his native county. In June, 1903, he was elected to his present position, being the youngest man to ever hold the office. His youth seems to be in his favor, however, as he brings to the office vigor and ambi- tion, as well as a practical experience of the needs of the public schools. Professor Hoard is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Improved Order of Red Men. Politically he is a Repub- lican and takes an active interest in his party's success. He has fre- quently been called upon to serve as a delegate to conventions and stands high in the councils of his party. On June 15, 1903, about
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two weeks after assuming the duties of his office, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma C. Lamb, a native of Spencer county, Ind., and a highly esteemed young lady.
JAMES WHITE, contractor and build- er, Madison, Ind., is a native of Scotland, having been born at Blackwood, Close- burn parish, Dumfrieshire, April 17, 1842. When he was about nine years of age his parents, James and Elizabeth (Gib- son) White, came to America. On New Year's day, 1851, they embarked on a sailing vessel at Liverpool and after a very tempestuous voyage, during which they had to put into port at the Island of St. Thomas, Danish West Indies, for water, they landed at New Orleans. From there the family proceeded up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Madi- son, where they arrived on March 22d. The father found ready em- ployment in a sash and door factory and later as a carpenter at the shipyards, where he assisted to construct the marine ways. In the old country he was what is known as a wood forester on a large estate, where his father before him had served in a similar capacity. His duty was to look after the cutting and replanting of trees, the repairing of all buildings on the estate, and protection of the fishing, etc., the estate being on the river Nith only a short distance from the sea. For ten generations the eldest son of the eldest son in this family has borne the name of James. The subject of this sketch received his first schooling in the primary schools of Scotland, and finished his education in the public schools of Madison. He then served an apprenticeship at car- pentering with his uncle, Alexander White, who was at one time mayor of the city. On July 22, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Seventieth Indiana infantry, commanded by the late President Benjamin Harrison, and served until June 25, 1865, when he was mustered out at Washing- ton, D. C. During his military service he was an orderly sergeant, in the department of the West, and marched with Sherman to the sea, taking part in all the engagements of that memorable campaign. After the war he returned to Madison and resumed work at his trade. In March, 1868, he formed a partnership with a Mr. Cochran, the firm being known as Cochran & White, but after two years he purchased his partner's interest. In 1873 he formed another partnership, this time
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with Robert H. Rankin, under the firm name of Rankin & White, and this association lasted until the death of Mr. Rankin in August, 1887, since which time Mr. White has conducted the business alone. During the existence of the firm of Rankin & White they built the woolen and cotton mills. Many of the principal buildings of Madison have been erected by Mr. White and his business extends to other towns and cities in Southern Indiana. Mr. White takes a deep interest in all things re- lating to the municipal welfare and in 1878 was elected to the city coun- cil. After a service of twelve years in that body he declined further honors, but in May, 1904, he was again elected to the council on the Republican ticket. He has been an Odd Fellow ever since 1866 and was for over twenty-five years the treasurer of his lodge. He is also a Knight of Pythias, a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. On Dec. 4, 1867, Mr. White and Miss Margaret J. Kellaway, a native of Dorsetshire, Eng- land, were united in marriage. They have four children living: James K., Jessie M., Margaret E., and Charlotte B. Mr. White and his family belong to the First Presbyterian church and he is well known for his charitable deeds.
JOSEPH H. BARNARD, D.D., pas- tor of the Second Presbyterian church, Madison, Ind., was born in Juniata coun- ty, Pa., Feb. 9, 1838, his parents being Joseph and Elizabeth (Hoke) Barnard, both natives of the Keystone State. His paternal grandfather, also named Joseph, came to this country, early in his mar- ried life, his children all being born in this country. He came from the north of Ireland, where a family of English Barnards settled shortly after the time of Cromwell, and who were the ancestors of the family in America. The Hoke family is of German extraction. Joseph Barnard, father of the subject, was a carpenter by trade all his life. He and his wife had five sons and two daughters, only one of whom is deceased. Rev. Joseph H. Barnard received his early education in the old log school house of the country districts. At the age of twelve years he entered the Tuscarora academy, where he studied four years. In 1854 he was admitted to the sophomore class in Lafayette college, graduating from that institution in 1857,
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standing second in a class of thirty-one and taking one of the honorary degrees. He was also the salutatorian of his class. He then took a three years' course at the theological seminary at Princeton, N. J., graduating in 1860, when he was licensed and ordained by the Pres- bytery of Huntington, Pa. For a short time he was at Tyrone and Birmingham, Pa., and was then called to the pastorate at Bellefonte in the same state. In 1866 he came West and for about three years was engaged at Waukesha, Wis. He was then called to Kankakee, Ill., where he remained for seven years, at the end of which time he accepted a call to Muscatine, Ia. Here he remained until 1883, when he came to Madison. During the twenty-one years that he has been in charge of his present church he has seen it grow to be one of the most influential congregations in Southern Indiana. In 1888 his alma mater conferred on him the degree of D.D. as a recognition of his distinguished services in the ministry. Dr. Barnard is Dean of the Presbytery of New Albany; one of the trustees of Hanover col- lege; and has been chosen commissioner to the general assembly four times, where he has served on some of the most important com- mittees. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of Juniata Tribe, No. 24, Improved Order of Red Men. On June 6, 1861, Dr. Barnard and Miss Martha Gray Grubbs, of Springfield, Ill., were united in marriage. Four children born to this union are now living. George Grey is one of the most noted of American sculptors, in fact has won the highest honors ever conferred on an American sculptor. He was awarded a gold medal at the Paris exposition of 1900, and re- ceived a similar recognition at the Pan-American exhibition at Buf- falo in 1901. He is a member of the Societe Nationale des Beaux Arts, Paris; the National Sculpture Society; the National Academy of Design, and the Architectural League of New York. His work may be seen in the art galleries of both this country and Europe. He is now in Paris engaged in making the statuary for the new State capi- tol at Harrisburg, Pa. Evan, another son, is a prominent ranchman in Oklahoma. May is the wife of James Hargan, a Madison capitalist, and Martha is the wife of William Bancroft, a well known publisher of New York City.
PROF. FREDERICK M. BOOTH, proprietor of the Indiana Busi- ness college, Madison, Ind., was born at Moville, Woodbury county, Ia., April 20, 1877. He was educated in Highland Park college of Des Moines, Ia., graduating in 1899, and for the next two years was em- ployed as a commercial teacher in Sioux Falls college. On Sept. I,
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1901, he purchased the Indiana Business college, which was then run on a comparatively small scale, and set about its improvement. Securing new quarters, occupying the entire third floor of the Richert building, 323-325 East Main St., he began to advertise the merits of the institution. Since then the attendance has increased, keeping four teachers employed day and evening. All commercial branches, shorthand and typewriting are the principal studies. Shirley Bon- durant, a graduate of this school, is said to be the fastest operator on a typewriter in the world. So far Mr. Booth has been fortunate in placing the graduates of his school in good paying positions. Pro- fessor Booth is a young man of more than ordinary ability, and is fired with a determination to rise by his own efforts. As a teacher he is thorough, conscientious and original and the results of his work can be seen in the character of those who graduate from his school. On Aug. 6, 1901, he was married to Miss Rose Cabhal, a native of Des Moines, and they have one little daughter, Edyth Helen. Professor Booth is a Congregationalist and his wife is a member of the Christian church.
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