FULTON COUNTY INDIANA

HANDBOOK

B

By

Wendell C. and John B. Tombaugh

Limited Printing

Copy No.____of 6

TOMBAUGH HOUSE

700 Pontiac Street

Rochester, Indiana

46975-1538

 2001

This book cannot be reproduced without the express permission of Wendell C. Tombaugh, John B. Tombaugh, their heirs or assigns.

Made in the United States of America.

FULTON COUNTY, INDIANA

HANDBOOK

B

B. & B. BODY SHOP [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] Announcement to Auto Owners. I have purchased the B. & B. Body Shop and will from now on operate it under the name of TINGLE'S BODY SHOP. Body and fender repairing and auto painting efficiently done. All work guaranteed. S. O. TINGLE, Prop. Phone 212. 409 No. Main St., rear of Studebaker Agency.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, May 1, 1929]

B. & H. AUTO SALES CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
NEW FIRM TO TAKE OVER FORD AGENCY
Charles Robbins is no longer to be the Ford agent in this locality, according to a letter he has received in which it is stated that the B. and H. Auto Sales Co., will soon arrive in Rochester to take the agency in Fulton and parts of Miami and Kosciusko counties.
The new agents are from Peoria, Ill., and have a lifetime contract for this district. Where they will locate is not yet known, as Mr. Robbins will continue in business in his Main St. garage. Under their contract, they must carry a full stock of Ford parts. They will have several branch agencies in their territory.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 21, 1917]

FORD AGENCY IS LOCATED
The B. & H. Auto Sales Co., the new Ford agents in Fulton and parts of Miami and Kosciusko counties, has located their main offices in the Robbins room on Main street, which was recently vacated by the Bailey Sportsman's Store.
Mr. Besee, one of the partners, says that Ford service, such as has never been given in this county, will be one of the chief outputs of the new concern. Among other things, a neat show room will be one of their strong drawing cards and a "live wire" sales force will complete an up-to-the-minute organization.
I. L. Hartman and John Sanders went Friday to Indianapolis to drive home a new Ford truck. This will be the first Ford truck ever brot into this county and has been sold at Akron. The entire machine is the output of the Ford factory.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 28, 1917]

[Adv] Anouncement! The B. and H. Auto Sales Co., announces to the public that it has been appointed authorized agents for Ford, The Universal Car, for all of Fulton and portions of Miami and Kosciusko counties, with temporary Sales Room at 708 Main St.,Rochester, Ind. - - - -

CROWNOVER GARAGE IS LEASED
The Michigan Highway garage on North Main St., built one year ago by Crownover brothers and James Enoch, was leased Saturday by them to the B. and H. Auto Sales Co., county agents for the Ford. The new owners took possession at once.
Leroy and Thomas Crownover entered into negotiations Saturday to retire from business in Rochester. The garage is one of the largest in the city. Leroy will leave for the army soon and Thomas says that he will remain in Rochester for some time. James Enoch will remain here.
J. P. Distler, local manager of the B. and H. Co., said Monday morning that a complete Ford repair shop would now be installed, including all of the most up to date machinery. Because of the additional room, Ford owners can now get quick service. The office on Main St. will be retained for a short time.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, April 15, 1918]

WILL MOVE
Newton Izzard will soon move his pool room and cigar factory from East 8th St., to the building on Main St., formerly occupied by the B. and H. Auto Sales Co.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, May 24, 1918]

[Adv] We Have Taken the Agency For THE DORT, the popular priced car. . . . B. & H. AUTO SALES COMPANY. Dort Agents for Fulton and Marshall Counties.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 28, 1918]

FORD AGENCY HERE HAS CHANGED HANDS
A business deal was consummated here Saturday whereby R. H. Finneren of Detroit, becomes the owner of the B. and H. Auto Sales Co., of this city, and the partners of the Rochester firm, B. W. Breece and I. L. Hartman, purchase the J. F. Horner Auto Co., of Monon, Winamac, Reynolds, Monticello and Wolcott.
Mr. Finneren, who has been for 10 years with the Ford Motor Co., which was instrumental in bringing the negotiations to a close, arrived in the city Monday to take up his permanent residence here. He will take possession of the local Ford agency, which covers all of Fulton and parts of Kosciusko and Miami counties, as rapidly as invoice can be made.
Breece and Hartman will remove from Rochester to Monon at an early date. The business they are purchasing is also a Ford agency and covers a wide range of territory in White, Pulasi and Carroll counties. The partners of the B. and H. Auto Sales Co. came here from Peoria, Ill., where Mr. Hartman was connected with the Ford people, just two ago. [sic]
The Indiana Auto Sales Co., which handles a line of auto accessories and the Nash car agency, also owned by Breece and Hartman, will be disposed of at an early date.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, August 25, 1919]

B-J DISCOUNT STORE [Akron, Indiana]
Billie Joe and Judith Clark Hively operate the B-J Discount Store, located on the east side of North Mishawaka Street.
[ - - - - - ]

B. & M. DRY CLEANERS [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] SAVE! By Cash and Carry. - - - B. & M. DRY CLEANERS, 824 1/2 Main Street, Rochester. Located Over the Gamble Store.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, October 13, 1936]

B. & M. DRY CLEANING SERVICE TO MOVE
Elsewhere in this issue will be found a formal removal notice by the B. & M. Dry Cleaners from 824 1/2 Main Street to 724 1/2 Main.
Over the Ruh drug store this move will give this popular cleaning service more room in which to more adequately care for increased business.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, December 5, 1936]

[Adv] Special Notice. Due to an increase in cleaning costs the prices are as follows: Plain garments, 75c. White garments, 95c. Trousers, 50c. B. & M. DRY CLEANERS, Joe Conoway, Mgr.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, June 7, 1937]

BABCOCK, A. O. [Rochester, Indiana]
CIDER MILL
Having leased the Robbins cider press, situated three miles south-east of Rochester, I will be at the press only on Wednesday of each week, commencing Sept. 9th. Please remember the day. A. O. BABCOCK.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, September 2, 1885]

BABCOCK, CHARLES [Rochester, Indiana]
See Babcock Motor Sales
__________

GIVEN STATE CONTRACT
The Thirtieth and Central Sales Company of Indianapolis, a Ford agency managed by Charles Babcock former resident of this city, was awarded a contract Saturday by the state highway commission for 73 cars and trucks. Cars bought from Mr. Babcock included thirty-six business coupes, thirty-one delivery pickup body trucks and six deluxe delivery trucks.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, June 10, 1929]

CHARLES BABCOCK TAKES OVER CITY AUTO AGENCY
The following story concerning Charles Babcock of Indianapolis, former resident of this city, was carried in the Indianapolis News Saturday evening. Mr. Babcock has taken over control of the Thirtieth and Central Sales Company, a Ford Agency in Indianapolis. Mr. Babcock received his first training as a car salesman with the Fulton County Motor Comany later going to Indianapolis. The story from the News follows:
Acquisition of full control of the Thirtieth and Central Sales Company, Indianapolis, Ford dealer, was announced this week by Charles C. Babcock. Babcock has been manager since the concern was established in January, 1927.
In that time it has grown from one of the smallest in Marion county to second place, which it has held several years.
The increasing sales volume has kept it firmly in that place, at times pushing the leader in the territory of the Indianapolis branch of the Ford Motor Company.
In addition to this record, Babcock frequently has been one of the high ranking salesmen in the Ford organization nationally. Babcock points out that no changes in personnel or service policies will be made by the firm with the passing of full control to his hands. He adds that service will continue to be one of the high aims.
The parts stock of the firm is one of the most complete in the Ford Indiana organization. The policy of the firm in parts sales and storage have been studied by other dealers in the middle west, being regarded as a model.

Climb To Second Place
The business of the firm has been one of continual gain in percentage of the total number of Fords sold in the company's territory. Starting at the bottom of a large group of Indianapolis metropolitan dealers, the firm climbed steadily for years and now has leveled off with the attaining of second place.
A visit to the firm's place of business will demonstrate the importance given service operation. With every available space utilized for sales and service facilities for servicing the larger part of the building. The equipment duplicates factory methods of construction in making repairs to Ford cars, and the staff, for the most part, is factory trained in Ford plants.
The Thirtieth and Central Company has also been one of the leaders in the territory in fleet sales of passenger cars, commercial cars and trucks.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, March 19, 1934]

BABCOCK, CLARK [Rochester, Indiana]
BUSINESS CHANGES MADE IN CITY
Several days ago Ray Babcock, who has been in the Big Store with his brother, Clark Babcock, for the past couple of years, purchased his brother's interest and is now sole owner of this flourishing business. The new owner has had considerable experience in the grocery business and will, no doubt, succeed in an admirable manner.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, April 10, 1912]

BAUM GROCERY SOLD MONDAY
Through a deal which was closed Monday, Clark Babcock became the owner of the Ollie Baum grocery store on North Main street. The new owner will take possession next Monday, at which time Mr. Baum will relinquish his proprietorship to look after other business pursuits. Mr. Baum has not decided just what he will do, but he is sure he will remain a resident of this city, where he expects to enter some sort of business. The new owner is a former member of the Big Store firm, and is well known to the public, who will no doubt lend him a lucrative patronage.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 16, 1912]

BABCOCK, DRS. [Rochester, Indiana]
DRS. BABCOCK, Dentists. Office in Citizens' Block, south of Public Square, Rochester, Ind.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, May 7, 1897]

BABCOCK, JOSEPH [Wagoners Station]
NEWS FROM NEARBY TOWNS
At the Indiana Rural Letter Carriers' convention at Greensburg Saturday G. B. W. Robbins of this city, was selected as a delegate to the national convention and Joseph Babcock, of Wagoners, was elected vice-president of the Indiana association.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, September 6, 1911]

BABCOCK, JOSEPH ROBERT [Akron, Indiana]
BIOGRAPHY
Joseph Robert Babcock is one of the representative men of Akron, and belongs to one of the old families of Fulton county, and this country. The name was first spelled "Badcoc," but was later changed, on account of religious persecution to "Badcock," and then finally the present spelling was adopted. He was born in Fulton county, December 2, 1861, a son of James Robert and Catherine (Onstott) Babcock, the former of whom was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, while the latter was born in 1834, and died in 1903, having been all her life most religious, and devoted to her family. James Robert Babcock was only a lad when his parents brought him across country to Fulton county to locate on a farm his father had previously purchased. They lived in a primitive log cabin and it was in it that Joseph Robert Babcock was born. At the time the Babcock family came to the county wild game was plentiful, and in the great forests then abounding, they led a typical pioneer life. They were great Baptists, as were their forebears, one of the name helping to erect the first church of that denomination in Massachesetts. First an old-line whig, with the organization of the Republican party James R. Babcock espoused its principles which he continued to support until his death which occurred December 31, 1864, when he was thirty-six years old, as he was born in 1828. His wife was also a native of Ohio, and came from the Reformed Dutch stock. While her education was limited she was an excellent reader, and good at figures. They had two sons and two daughters born to them, but Joseph Robert and his brother, James L., are the only survivors. The latter is a resident of Rochester, Indiana, where he is engaged in practice as a dental surgeon. He is a graduate of the Northwestern Dental College of Chicago. Mr. Babcock of this review was reared and educated in his native county, and the high school of Converse, Indiana, and for twenty-one years he served the United States government as a mail carrier of Miami county. However he has been a farmer all his life, and began his connection with this calling at the age of twelver years as a farm hand. His remuneration at first was but $12 per month, but he worked hard, and learned all of the details so that he has been able to make a success of what he has undertaken. Buying eighty acres of land two and one-half miles west of Akron, in Fulton county, he erected on it suitable buildings for farming purposes. In 1921 he and his wife built one of the handsomest residences on Rochester street, that the city of Akron possesses, and have made it one of the most beautiful homes in the county. Since 1917 they have lived in the city. October 2, 1881, Mr. Babcock was married to Miss Emma Belle Brumfield, and they have one daughter, Beatrice C. Mrs. Babcock was born in Fulton county, March 10, 1863, a daughter of Hiram and Elizabeth (Harper) Brumfield. The Brumfield family is one of the old and historic ones of England from whence its representatives emigrated to Massachesetts, and later to Ohio. This family also has a coat of arms. Her grandfather was a minister of the Christian church, but she joined the Presbyterian church when only ten years old, and is still a member of that denomination, and her husband also belongs to it and has been active in its Sunday school, as a teacher. He is a Republican. The Masonic lodge holds his membership, and he is one of the oldest living members of Green Oak Lodge No. 600 I.O.O.F. Not only has he passed all of the chairs in the latter lodge twice, but he has been a delegate to the Grand Lodge. His wife belongs to the Eastern Star and the Daughters of Rebekah. They have enjoyed life, and recently took a pleasant trip to Washington City, visiting Washington's tomb at Mount Vernon. From there they went to Norfolk, Virginia, took a steamer for New York City, and returned home by way of Niagara Falls. One of the cherished possessions of the Babcocks is the family coat of arms, which is probably the only one in Fulton county, and dates back to 449 A.D. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Babcock is a lady of considerable importance at Akron. She attended the high school and college of Rochester, Indiana, and later secured an excellent business education. For several years she conducted a large store at Lima, Ohio, and later one at Louisville, Kentucky. She also was buyer of silks and ribbons for a large retail establishment, and made business trips for her house to New York City twice a year. Later she married Percy Seligman, now representing on the road the Universal Portland Cement Company, out of its Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, office, which position he has held for ten or twelve years. Mrs. [Beatrice C.] Seligman possesses unusual business acumen, and is utilizing her talents by operating the Hotel Brumfield, which she owns. This is a beautiful, modern hostelry, the pride of Akron, and liberally patronized by the traveling public to whom its merits are well known. She is a member of the Rochester Baptist Church, and belongs to the Akron Chapter of the Eastern Star.
[Henry A. Barnhart, Fulton County History, pp 149-151, Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1923]

BABCOCK, LAURA [Rochester, Indiana]
KNEW BEN HUR AUTHOR
The story "Ben Hur" now being shown at the Char-Bell Theatre was written by General Lew Wallace while he was on fishing trips at Lake Maxinkuckee according to Mrs. Laura Babcock, of this city. Mrs. Babcock stated that General Wallace wrote the story 57 or 58 years ago while staying at the Allegheny house, Lake Maxinkuckee, owned by Peter Spangler, father of Mrs. Babcock. Mrs. Babcock's brother, George Spangler, of Culver, has a Mexican dollar in his possession which was given him by Mr. Wallace during one of his frequent trips to the lake.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, February 6, 1932]

BABCOCK, LAWRENCE [Rochester, Indiana]
PURCHASES CHILI PARLOR
Lawrence Babcock has announced that he has purchased the building which was formerly on the north shore of Lake Manitou, known as Walt's Chili Parlor and is intending to move it to the Babcock boat landing. The building, which was purchased from George Pollock, is to undergo redecoration and will be opened this summer on the new site, Mr. Babcock stated today.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, April 7, 1943]

LEASES CAFE
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence "Doc" Babcock have announced that their cafe on road 14 east of the city has been leased to Mr. and Mrs. Garland Rosenbury, who have taken possession. The Babcocks will devote their time to their boat landing and cottae rental business.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, June 6, 1945]

BABCOCK, R. P. [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] BABCOCK MARKET, Quality, Service. Saturday Specials - - - - R. P. BABCOCK, Phone 25.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, February 8, 1924]

PETE BABCOCK INSTALLS BUTCHERING PLANT
Robert (Pete) Babcock has installed a complete custom butchering plant in a building at the rear of his grocery and meat market at 426 North Main street.
In the plant, Mr. Babcock is now prepared to do custom butchering of hogs, cattle and calves. The butchering plant is said to be one of the most modern in this section of the state. Mr. Babcock will also cure hams and bacon.
To introduce his new custom butchering service, Mr. Babcock has placed an introductory offer in another column of this issue of The News-Sentinel.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, December 18, 1939]

BABCOCK, RAY [Rochester, Indiana]
BUSINESS CHANGES MADE IN CITY
Several days ago Ray Babcock, who has been in the Big Store with his brother, Clark Babcock, for the past couple of years, purchased his brother's interest and is now sole owner of this flourishing business. The new owner has had considerable experience in the grocery business and will, no doubt, succeed in an admirable manner.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, April 10, 1912]

[Adv] Step around the corner and make your $ go farther. THE BIG STORE - - - Ray Babcock, Proprietor.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, April 23, 1909]

[Adv] Closing Out at less than cost - - [groceries and equipment listed] - - RAY BABCOCK, The Big Store North of the Court House.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, September 30, 1915]

BABCOCK GROCERY [Rochester, Indiana]
MARSH QUITS AFTER 24 YEARS
Frank Marsh, who sold his grocery Friday to Ray Babcock, has been in the grocery business in Rochester for nearly 24 years. He came to Rochester in March, 1914, from Marshtown, opening a grocery on East 13th St. Mr. Marsh says that he will never enter the grocery business again here, because he asserts that it is too crowded. Mr. and Mrs. Marsh will probably leave soon for a visit in Dublin, Ga., with Mr. and Mrs. Guy BELDING and daughter.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 9, 1918]

PURCHASES BABCOCK GROCERY
Ray Babcock has announced the sale of his grocery store opposite the court house to Chas. Maple, of Illinois, a former resident of Rochester, who lived for years in the Richland Center neighborhood. Maple will take charge of the store within a week or two. Babcock has no definite plans for the future.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 5, 1919]

BABCOCK GROCERY HAS CHANGED HANDS AGAIN
Arley P. Morris, former proprietor of the now Clinton Hardward Store, has purchased the Ray Babcock grocery and will take possession of the business Monday. Mr. Morris has had former experiences in this line of work. Mr. Babcock states that he has no plans for the immediate future.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 25, 1921]

BABCOCK'S LOCKER PLANT [Rochester, Indiana]
Located N shore Lake Manitou in the triangle formed by intersection of SR-14 and Barrett Road.
Owned by Lawrence Babcock, and operated 1946-1957.
Later was the site of a marina.

BABCOCK'S MEAT MARKET [Rochester, Indiana]
Located on N Main in the 1930-40's.
Owned by Robert Babcock.
__________

[Adv] Another Dollar Special - - - - R. P. Babcock, Quality - Service - Phone 25.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 6, 1922]

TWO BUSINESS HOUSES WERE SOLD HERE TUESDAY
Robert Babcock sold his south meat market at the corner of Main and Ninth streets to Earle Adams an experienced butcher and meat cutter who has been the manager of the A. & P. meat market since it was opened. Mr. Adams will continue to carry the same high grades of meats which his predecessor offered to the public.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, February 19, 1930]

BABCOCK MEAT MARKET PERMANENTLY CLOSED
The Babcock Market, 426 Main St., the oldest meat market in the city, was permanently closed Saturday evening, June 6th. This action was made necessary due to the serious illness of Robert P. Babcock, proprietor of the business.
Mr. Babcock opened the market in the year 1920 and had personally managed the business continuously up until eight weeks ago when he entered the Robert Long Hospital at Indianapolis, for treatment. Mr. Babcock still remains in the hospital and his condition is regarded as serious.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, June 8, 1942]

BABCOCK MOTOR COMPANY, CHARLIE [Rochester, Indiana]
Ford automobile dealer, 1920-1927.
Located SE corner 5th & Main, where Topps Garment Co., Edmonton Mfg. Co. is.
See Babcock, Charles
__________

FINNEREN MOTOR SALES GOES TO CHAS. BABCOCK
The Finneren Motor Sales Company is no more and in its place comes the Charles O. Babcock Motor Sales Co., according to announcement Monday morning of the fact that Ralph Finneren has sold the local Ford, Fordson tractor and Lincoln sales agency to Babcock, a former employe. The change of ownership becomes effective Monday morning.
Finneren, whose former home was in Detroit, where he was employed by the Ford Motor Company, came here four years ago and took over the local Ford agency from Hartman and Bresce, who moved to Monon and Monticello. Babcock, then an employe of the B. and H. firm became associated with Finneren and now has purchased the local business.
Finneren will remain in this city until fall when he will move to California where he plans to purchase a larger Ford agency than the one in Rochester. Just where in California he will make the purchase he has not yet decided as there are several openings from which he can choose.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, July 2, 1923]

CHAS. BABCOCK RESIGNS FROM FORD AUTO AGENCY
Chas. Babcock, who for the past four or five years has served in the capacity of president and manager of the local Ford agency, has severed his connections with this concern. Mr. Babcock will dispost of his interests as quickly as possible, and although he is unable to state his future plans at this time he intimated that his business would necessitate his removing from this city.
Otto R. Carlson, for the past several years engaged as head salesman for the Babcock Motor Sales, has received the appointment as general manager of the local agency.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Wednesday, October 6, 1926]

[adv. - Babcock Motor Co, Rochester, Indiana, Authorized Ford Dealer . . ., The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, January 11, 1927]

[Charles Babcock then went to Indianapolis where he operated a Ford agency for many years.]
CHANGE FIRM NAME
The Babcock Motor Company, a corporation, Fulton county agents for Ford products, Monday petitioned Judge Carr to change the firm name to that of Fulton County Motor Company.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Monday, February 21, 1927]

BABER, R. L. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From R. L. Baber)

BAILEY, CHAS. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Downs Sawmill
__________

NEWS OF THE DAY
James Kepler will open a grocery store in the room formerly occupied by Chas. Bailey, on Main street.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 29, 1909]

BAILEY, EARL [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Earl Bailey)
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Earl Bailey)

BAILEY, ELLIOTT [Rochester, Indiana]
SANDWICH SHOP
Elliott Bailey announced today that he would open a sandwich shop in the room at 716 Main Street occupied for several years by the Amos and Andy shop. Mr. Bailey will not open his cafe until alterations have been made which includes a cement foundation and a new plumbing system. All new equipment will also be placed in the shop.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, October 22, 1934]

BILL BAILEY OPENS NEW SANDWICH-LUNCH CAFE
Elliot (Bill) Bailey today opened up his new lunch room in the building formerly occupied by the "Amos and Andy" cafe, which is located just south of the Black & Bailey Hardware store.
The new lunchroom is equipped with modern cooking appliances and attractive fixtures. The proprietor will dispose of various assortments of sandwiches and beer. William (Bill) Wagoner has been employed as an assistant of Mr. Bailey's.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, November 17, 1934]

BAILEY, FRED [Rochester, Indiana]
BIOGRAPHY
Fred Bailey ws born in Woodford county, Illinois, December 28, 1887. He had his education in the common schools and began working on a farm when eighteen years old. In 1917 he acquired a farm of his own of a hundred and sixty acres, fourteen of which were timber land. This farm was in Indiana and he therefore took up his residence in that state. He married Miss Clara Wadsworth and they have three children, Lyle, Earl and Dorothy. Both he and his wife are Baptists and he is a member of the Modern Woodmen and the K. of P. He is the son of William and Elizabeth (North) Bailey who had a family of eight children. The father was a farmer and a Republican and both parents were Baptists. The father died July 12, 1919, and was buried in El Paso township, Woodford county, Illinois. The mother is still living in Woodford.
[Henry A. Barnhart, Fulton County History, pp 151-152, Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1923]

BAILEY, LEWIS [Aubbeenaubbee Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Lewis Bailey, the son of William and Mahala Bailey, and the brother of William J., elsewhere mentioned, was born in Aubbeenaubbee township, Fulton county, on the farm now owned by his father. He remained with his father until he was past twenty-two years of age. He was married Oct. 31, 1877, to Amanda Tracy, the daughter of S. S. and Caroline Tracy. To this marriage were born three children, viz.: Estella, Pink V. and Clark. Mr. Bailey practically began life with nothing, but by hard labor has been quite successful and now owns a comfortable home and 100 acres of land. He has always been a staunch democrat. He and his wife are both members of the M.E. church. In 1893 he was appointed to serve the unexpired term of John Marbaugh, township trustee, and faithfully performed his duties for three years thereafter. Mr. Bailey has always been industrious and persevering. He has made a success in farming by reason of being a hard worker and by being frugal and strictly honest in all his affairs of business. He enjoys the confidence of a wide circle of acquaintances and is one of the county's representative citizens.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, p. 24]

BAILEY, STILLA P. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Hotels - Arlington
See: Rochester Bands
__________

STILLA P. BAILEY (Biography)
One of the young men Rochester may well be proud of is Stilla P. BAILEY, of the planing mill and general wood work firm of Myers & Bailey. He is the son of Marshal Elliott BAILEY, and came with his parents from Ohio to Rochester in 1859. He learned the carpenter's trade and worked at this until elected city marshal in 1889, serving two terms and acquitting himself with the most popular record of any official the town has ever had. After his official term expired he formed a partnership with his father-in-law, Jonas MYERS, in the planing mill business. He is 35 years old and his family consists of a wife and three children.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

BIOGRAPHY
S. P. Bailey, of Rochester, devotes his entire attention to cabinet and planing mill business and is one of the self-made hustlers of the young crowd. He has been associated with Jonas Myers in the management of their mill for years past and is enumerated among the reliable men in his calling. He was born in Hardin county, Ohio, Feb. 2, 1858. He had the advantages of a village school training prior to the graded schools of Rochester, to which town he was brought in 1873 by his father, L. S. Bailey. Stilla Bailey began business after he became of age, in the employ of his present associate. He was drawn into this line of work naturally, his father having been a lumber man at some time in his career. He is a democrat in politics, and was made the candidate of his party for town marshal, and although the town was republican he was elected by 112 majority. He is a K. of P., a Red Man, and a K.O.T.M., a member of the fire company and of the Citizens' band. Mr. Bailey's father was born in Hardin county, Ohio, sixty-two years ago. He was recently marshal of Rochester and was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, and has followed farming during a portion of his residence in Fulton county. S. P. Bailey married in Rochester, March 24, 1888, wedding Essie, daughter of Jonas Myers, a prominent and esteemed citizen of Fulton county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bailey the following children have been born: Martha, Margaret Moycah and an infant daughter.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 24-25]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Ex-Sheriff Stilla Bailey, who sold his planing mill four years ago when he took his office, will again go back in his old trade. He has refitted the old Barkdoll mill near the Lake Erie depot with all modern equipment, and will be ready for business in a few days. He will run his machinery with motor power supplied by the Electric Light plant.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 2, 1907]

[Adv] S. P. BAILEY, Electric Planing Mill, Near L. E. & W. Depot, East 8th Street. Lumber, Lath, Shingles, Sash, Doors, all kinds of building materials.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 23, 1910]

[Adv] Lehigh Portland Cement - - - - Sold by S. P. BAILEY.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 29, 1911]

BIOGRAPHY
Stilla P. Bailey, recognized in Rochester as one of its most substantial citizens and reliable merchants, was born in Ohio, February 2, 1858, the son of Elliott and Martha (Evans) Bailey, both natives of Ohio where the latter died in 1859, the former dying in 1908 and being buried in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, at Rochester. He was educated in the public schools of his home community, and at the age of eighteen years, he began work in a planing mill, receiving for his labor forty dollars a month. Careful living and conservation of his wages enabled him to accumulate sufficient funds by the time he was twenty-three years old to rent the mill. His success in this venture was immediate, and in a few years he was able to buy the mill, which he continued to operate with ever increasing returns. He served two terms as marshal of Rochester. His integrity was recognized by those of the Democratic party, to which he had adhered, and accordingly he was asked to run for the office of sheriff of Fulton county. In 1903, therefore, he became a candidate for the office on the Democratic ticket and was elected to the office by a comfortable majority. He served in this capacity until 1907. For six years thereafter, he engaged in the lumber business, his experience gained in the mill business being invaluable in his new enterprise. In 1917, he opened a hardware store on Main Street in Rochester, and he still owns and operates the business, which grows in volume each year. He married Essa Myers and to this union were born six children: Max; Margaret; Louise M.; Elliott; Byron; Helen, dead. Mr. Bailey holds membership in the various fraternal bodies, being a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.
[Henry A. Barnhart, Fulton County History, pp. 152-152, Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1923]

BAILEY, WILLIAM [Aubbeenaubbee Township]
BIOGRAPHY
William Bailey. - Was born in Lincoon County, Ky., October 8, 1816. He is the son of Lewis and Elizabeth Bailey. The father was born in Virginia about 1778, and when about twenty-two years of age went out to Lincoln County, Ky., where he married Elizabeth Ball; she was born in said county about 1782. They raised a family of eight children, and in 1828 came out to Indiana, and after living in several counties finally settled on the farm now occupied by William. The mother died October 15, 1840, while on a visit to her friends near Delphi. The following August the father was stricken down while on a visit to the same locality, and was buried by the side of his companion, who so recently preceded him to the other and brighter shore. On the 19th day of October, 1840, the subject of whom we write was united in marriage to Mrs. Mahala Flynn, of Carroll County, and have ever since lived where they now reside. Mrs. Bailey was the daughter of John and Zuby Knight, and was born near Troy, Ohio, April 2, 1817, and was married to Lemuel Flynn, near Delphi, October 23, 1834. Mr. Flynn deceased at the same place, May 31, 1839. They were the parents of three children, only one of whom now lives, Lemuel P., born October 9, 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are the parents of seven children--Mary J., born December 8, 1841, and deceased November 23, 1865; Asa, born November 8, 1843, and deceased April 23, 1880; Amelia, born November 27, 1845; Emeline, born May 18, 1848, and deceased September 17, 1870; Elizabeth, born September 24, 1850; William J., born December 8, 1852; Lewis, born March 10, 1855. Those living are residents of this county. Mr. Bailey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has a very pleasant home in the southeast part of the township
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 33]

BAILEY, WILLIAM J. [Aubbeenaubbee Township]
BIOGRAPHY
William J. Bailey, the son of William Bailey, was born in Aubbeenaubbee township, Fulton county, Dec. 8, 1852. His father was born in Kentucky, October 8, 1816, and lived there until he was sixteen years of age, at which age his parents and self moved to Putnam county, Ind. After having lived there for some time they moved to Delphi, in Carrol county, Ind. From here he started out in life for himself and after roaming around for some time finally came to Fulton county, Ind., and lived with his parents, they having moved thither. However his parents stayed here but a short time until they returned to Delphi, where they took up their permanent abode. The son remaining in Fulton county. He was married Oct. 19, 1840, to Mahala Knight. This union was blessed with seven children, viz.: Mary Jane, deceased; Asa, deceased; Amelia, Emiline, deceased; Elizabeth, William J. and Lewis. The mother died Sept. 4, 1882. The father still lives on the old homestead. He was married a second time to Emaline Kirkendall July 20, 1885. To this union were born two children--Anna and Charles. The father has helped all his children and still owns forty acres of land. William J. remained with his parents until he was twenty-four years of age. He was married Dec. 29, 1875, to Eve Ault. He had just $40 and his wife $60 at the time they were married. With this they purchased a team of horses, which died before the summer was over. Not becoming discouraged with this, they commenced again, the wife to teaching school and the husband began working on his father's farm. The wife has always had bad health. They have raised their brother's children, having none of their own. Through all these misfortunes they have been very prosperous, and now own a beautiful home and one hundred acres of valuable land. He has always been a staunch democrat. He and his wife are members of the M.E. church. In 1880 he was elected township assessor and served his term of four years as a successful officer.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 25-26]

BAILEY & ELLIOTT, BICYCLE EXCHANGE [Rochester City]
Located at 708 Main, according to 1907 Cith Directory.
__________

HAVE SOLD SIX MACHINES
There is a large number of motor cycles in Fulton county, according to Bailey & Elliott, who have just started a very successful season. They are not the only men in the county who handle motorcycles, but have already sold six machines this year. They are the exclusive agents for the Indian machine.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 15, 1913]

WILL STOP HERE
The North Shore Motorcycle Club of Chicago will hold an endurance run Sunday and the riders will pass through Rochester, checking in at Bailey and Elliot's cycle exchange. The route is from Chicago to South Bend, through Rochester, to Lafayette, back to Chicago.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, October 10, 1914]

ONLY FIVE REACH ROCHESTER
Only five motorcycle riders out of 32 who left Chicago Sunday morning arrived in Rochester and checked in at Bailey and Elliot's Cycle Exchange.
Only two of the five had a perfect score, one of them being Edwin Baker who in 1913 broke the cross continent run record on an Indian. The first man arrived here at 8:44 Sunday morning. The route lay through South Bend, Rochester and Lafeyette back to Chicago. The endurance run was arranged by the Chicago North Shore Motorcycle Club. The object of the race is to arrive at the different points on schedule time and the man who sticks closest to the schedule wins the prize.
Harvey Waymire has announced another big motorcycle meet here next Sunday afternoon, three good races being on the card. Riders from Mishawaka, South Bend, Elkhart and other places will compete with the local riders. Advertising matter for the races were distributed at Plymouth Sunday, where Wagner of South Bend won two, and Keller of Plymouth, one, of the races on a card put on there.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, October 12, 1914]

BAILEY AND ELLIOTT DISSOLVE
A change became effective today (Saturday) whereby the firm of Bailey and Elliott, who have for years conducted a cycle exchange, goes out of existence, Simon Bailey taking over the entire store and George Elliott retiring.
The move was brought about chiefly through the continued illness of Mr. Elliott who has been unable to do but little for over a year. This and his desire to retire resulted in the sale of his interest to Mr. Bailey, who will conduct the business as it has been in the past.
The store has the Indian motorcycle agency, carries a full line of guns, ammunition, fishing tackle, etc., represents several bicycle firms and does a repair business. Notices of dissolution are being published.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 27, 1915]

BAILEY & NORRIS BAKERY [Rochester, Indiana]
OPEN BAKERY
S. P. Bailey and Wm. Norris have purchased the Siegfried bakery and are now open ready for business. The lunch business will be discontinued, high class baking being the specialty. Marcellus Davis is employed as the baker.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, November 22, 1917]

BAILEY & SON HARDWARE [Rochester, Indiana]
Located W side of street at 704 Main.
Established by Stilla Powell Bailey and his son, Max Bailey. The same room later became the site of the A. & P. Grocery. Still later it was added to the large corner room occupied by M. & M. Dime Store, later Schultz Variety Store. Finally the two buildings were purchased from the owner, Mrs. Letha Jarrett by Dr. Kenneth E. Hoff.

BAILEY BEVERAGE COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
BEER WHOLESALER PLANS FOR DELIVERING PRODUCT
Charles Bailey received the appointment as beer wholesaler for Fulton County at Indianapolis on Saturday and within a day or so expects to receive the necessary papers and orders allowing him to begin operations on April 7th.
He has organized a company and incorporated under the name of the Bailey Beverage Company. Bailey paid his $1,000 license fee at the office of the excise director, Paul Fry, and put up the $5,000 bond. He went over the details of the law with aides in the office and learneed the necessary steps to start operating. He announced that he would establish a warehouse here and acquire necessary trucks and equipment.
Bailey was unable to say whether there would be any beer available in the county on April 7th or not.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, April 3, 1933]

[Adv] America's Perfect Beer! Drewrys Lager Beer - - - - distributed in this territory by BAILEY BEVERAGE CO., 816 Main Street. - - -
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, July 16, 1937]

BAILEY BEVERAGE SOLD TO TED JONTZ, AKRON
In a business transaction, Tuesday morning, Ted Jontz, of Akron, became the sole owner of the Bailey Beverage Co. of this city. Mr. Jontz will take over the active operation of the county beer distributing business as of Thursday, May 31st.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Fultz, owners and operators of the beer wholesaling business, with offices and warehouse at rear of 816 Main street, are retiring from business at the present time inasmuch as Mr. Fultz is now in service of the U.S. Navy. They became owners of the distributing agency following the death of Mrs. [Fultz]'s father, Charles H. Bailey, which occurred a little over a year ago.
Mr. Jontz, a native of Akron and Henry township, is well known throughout the county and a few years ago was a candidate for county treasurer on the Republican ticket. The new proprietor plans to take over the entire equipment, buildings and personnel, it was stated. For the past several years Mr. Jontz has owned and operated a garage and machine repair shop on West Rochester street in Akron.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, May 22, 1945]

BAILEY HARDWARE [Rochester, Indiana]
Located W side of Main N side of alley. [712-714 Main]
See Stoner & Black; Bailey & Son Hardware; Black & Bailey.
__________

BUYS HALF INTEREST IN LOCAL HARDWARE STORE
Max Bailey, Sr., announced today that he recently sold the partnership in the Bailey Hardware store, which was formerly controlled by George Black, to his brother Byron Bailey, of New Albany, Indiana.
The store, which was organized in 1911, was first owned jointly by George Black and Max Bailey, with Simon Bailey running the sporting goods part of the establishment.
Upon the death of George Black recently, the store became the property of Max Bailey, Sr., and was sold by him in January to his brother, Byron Bailey.
Byron will arrive here tomorrow to begin his duties in the store and will continue as along previous lines with Simon Bailey still in charge of the sporting goods department.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, February 2, 1944]

BAILEY ICE COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
Also known as Bailey Ice and Coal Co.
Was previously the Killen Ice House.
Had two storage houses, one at the site of We-Like-It Trailer Court and the other at Duck Landing near present Moose Lodge site.
The Bailey Ice Company leased a 40-ton refrigerating machine and building from The Rochester Electric Light, Heat & Power Co. for $150 per month.
Owned by Charles H. Bailey.
__________

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION
Notice is hereby given that the co-partnership, known as the "Charles H. Bailey Ice Company," heretofore existing between the undersigned has this day been dissolved by mutual consent and that Charles H. Bailey continues said business, and assumes and agrees to pay all outstanding indebtedness of said firm and that all bills and accounts due said firm shall be payable to the said Charles H. Bailey.
Dated this 6th day of June, 1912.
WILLIAM H. HINDEL
CHARLES H. BAILEY.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, June 11, 1912]

LOCAL ICE COMPANIES HAVE NOW JOINED FORCES
The Bailey Ice Company has just been organized to conduct a business in both manufactured and natural ice. It is practically a consolidation of the two local concerns which have been furnishing the congealed product. Those intersted in the business are C. H. Bailey, John Parker and C. A. Davis. The bulk of the lake ice will probably be sold for car icing, and the manufactured product disposed of to local patrons.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, January 2, 1917]

TO SELL HORSES
Because of the high cost of upkeep the Bailey Ice Co. will sell its horses, mules and wagons, and install motor trucks for ice delivery purposes.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, September 11, 1917]

BUSINESS REVIEW OF ROCHESTER MERCHANTS
It is a fact beyond question that adequate ice and cold storage service is essential to progress and expansion of any community. Therefore, in detailing the prospects for a "Greater Home County" it is with a feeling of satisfaction that we direct your special attention to this company.
There is probably no other company this size in the industry that is better equipped in this respect for this well known and popular concern has provided modern and scientifically correct machinery for the manufacture of pure ice.
As the world's greatest authorities have approved the recent inventions in equipment they have been nearly all adopted by this company, and this, coupled with the maintenance here of one of the most modern and up-to-date plants in this section, is responsible for the very satisfactory service rendered to their patrons in the county and for the fact that every patron of the concern is also a loyal supporter and a consistent booster for it.
A special feature of their service in their extnsive dealing is quality coal, for they handle the highest grades and are familiar with the business, being competent to advise you as to just what coal is best suited to your heating system. Their prices, too, will be found most attractive.
We wish to take advantage of this opportunity to tell the public that we possess an ice and a cold storage plant which is not surpassed in any city three times its size. We wish to assist the public in comprehending the value of this plant to the community. Let me help you to realize that this is a valued asset to the community. It is truly a tribute to the commercial sagacity of the management as well as to the public spirited policy, which actuated these men to give us this wonderful plant. There is little need that we make individual mention of the men who direct its affairs.
It is not necessary here that we detail the many desirable features of their service to the public.
In conclusion, however, we wish to state the manager and assistants have taken a commendable interest in all propositions that furthered public improvements and that they have been willing and anxious to aid in the expansion and growth of the community at all times. Therefore, it has merited the popularity and liberal support that it receives and we predict that when each town in the community has become a famous metropolis this compajy will continue to minister to our many needs in the same admirable manner.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, August 17, 1922]

CARLSON IS TO HEAD ICE CREAM PLANT HERE
Members of the Bailey Ice Company Thursday completed arrangements for the formation of a subsidiary company to be headed by Otto Carlson of this city, which will convert the old Beyer Brothers creamery plant now occupied by the Ice company into one of the most modern ice cream manufacturing plants in the state. Work on the building itself has already been under way, but definite announcement was withheld pending purchase of some $5,000 worth of modern ice cream machinery, which includes a homogonizer and freezer of the latest type. It is planned to have the plant in operation by the middle of March.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, February 8, 1923]

NEW FIRM LAUNCHES PRODUCT THIS WEEK
What has every indication and promise of becoming one of Rochester's leading enterprises is the ice cream business of the Bailey Ice Company, which was formally launched into the business world this week by Manager Otto R. Carlson. The firm will manufacture ice cream under the trade name of the "Justrite" brand and the local product will be on sale in this city starting Monday morning.
Carlson has established an ice cream manufacturing plant that will be able and has already turned out a brand of cream that will no doubt furnish competition for even the largest cosmopolitan manufacturers and has nothing but the finest and most modern machinery that can be purchased.
When milk comes into the new plant the first process it is given is a test and then it is placed in a pasteurizer where all germs are killed. From that point it goes into a mixing vat and thence to what is called a homogonizer, which places the ingredients for the ice cream under a 35,000 pound pressure, breaking the particles so fine that when the ice cream is manufactured it comes out as smooth as velvet.
From the homonogizer, it is pumped back into another pasteurizer where it remains for 24 hours before being converted into ice cream. All different kinds of ice cream will be manufactured, including brick and other fancy creams. A feature is the packing of ice cream in pint and quart containers, which are to be kept on sale and the cream is not handled manually in any way whatever.
It has been intimated that the ice cream business is merely a starter and that the plant will be extended so as to include all sweet milk products such as sweet butter, made from sweet rather than sour cream which is something new for this locality, but has gained a strong foothold in the east.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 14, 1923]

ICE CREAM FACTORIES HERE ARE CONSOLIDATED
A consolidation of ice cream manufacturers in Rochester has been brot about by an agreement. The Bailey Ice Company and O. S. Goss, whereby the former company will manufacture ice cream and dispose of it as wholesalers to Goss exclusively and Goss will continue as the retailer, but will discontinue manufacturing the cream.
In the transaction, the Bailey Co., took over all of the ice cream machinery owned by Goss and from now on will attend to the manufacturing end only. Goss will devote all his efforts to selling and delivering the ice cream but will continue to manufacture pop and sell all his other lines. Both businesses will remain in their present locations.
In announcing the transaction, John Parker, of the Bailey Ice Co., stated that both ice cream companies found themselves competitors every where in the local field and the resulting expense made delivery costs too high. By uniting he said they both hoped to conduct businesses at a fair profit.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, December 12, 1923]

ICE CREAM SITUATION
In order that there may be no misunderstanding, this paper is advised that the Goss Ice Cream Co., has made a contract whereby the Goss Cream will be made at the Bailey Ice Co. plant.
Additional machinery has been taken from the Goss factory which will make the manufacturing plant one of the best equipped in the country and ample to take care of the extensive ice cream business of Mr. Goss. The Bailey Ice Co. will discontinue the sale of cream. All orders will be taken care of by the Goss Ice Cream Co. at the same location on Main street. They will at all times have a stock of cream on hand in any quantity.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, December 13, 1923]

PLAN NEW BUILDING
The Bailey Ice company, of Rochester, was given the right to use ground for building a structure in which to store ice at Plymouth. Same is to be on an unused lot on Second street, between Garro and Washington streets, near the Lake Erie side track. Several restrictions went with the granting of the petition.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 26, 1924]

BAILEY ICE COMPANY BUYS SWARTWOOD DAIRY
The Bailey Ice company of this city has purchased the Swartwood dairy of John Swartwood, according to announcement made Monday morning.
Swartwood, who had been engaged in the grocery business for a number of years, had some time ago started selling milk and when he closed out his grocery business moved the dairy business to his home just south of the city on the Monticello road.
With the change in ownership the dairy business will be transferred to the present plant occupied by the Bailey Ice company on Madison St., and will be combined with the ice cream manufacturing business, already in operation there.
While Charles Davis, head of the Bailey Ice company, stated Monday that plans for operation of the dairy business are not ready for announcement at this time, he intimated that there would be an expansion which would result in much better milk service than Rochester has ever before received. All milk from the local plant is pasteurized, a feature rarely found in a community so small as this one.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, April 14, 1924]

BAILEY ICE CO. SELLS ICE CREAM DEPARTMENT
The ice cream department including all of the machinery of the Bailey Ice Company has been purchased by Schlosser Brothers of Plymouth, it was announced here today by Walter K. Schlosser, general manager of the ice cream and butter plant of the latter firm, who was in the city meeting the prominent ice cream dealers. The machinery will be moved to Plymouth and the ice cream will all be manufactured there, but the new owners will follow the policy of selling ice cream and butter direct through local dealers, and thence to the consumer.
The taking over of The Bailey Ice Company by Schlosser Brothers is regarded of important to the people of Rochester because it will mean the establishment of relations with one of the largest and best known concerns of its kind in the country. Their product is of the highest standard and their dealings known to be fair to dealer and user. . . . . .
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Wednesday, January 14, 1925]

BAILEY ICE COMPANY IS ACTIVE IN TRADE EFFORT
Since the sale of the ice cream department of the Bailey Ice Co., several weeks ago that local concern has been giving its full attention to the development and extension of other departments of that business, namely milk, butter, ice and coal an announcement of which in the form of an advertisement may be found on another page of this newspaper.
While all of the departments of this concern are well known among local patrons it possibly will be news to many that the Justrite brand of creamery butter being manufactured by this concern just now is one of the fastest growing businesses in the city. The butter was introduced in South Bend some time ago as an experiment and the popularity of Justrite butter in St. Joseph county has been so pronounced that that section is now absorbing a large portion of the output.
A complete new churning outfit was recently installed and with this addition the facilities have been increased so that additional business may be taken care of for some time to come.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Monday, February 2, 1925]

N. I. P. CO. BUYS OUT THE BAILEY ICE CO. ICE BUSINESS
Announcement was made here today by representatives of the Northern Indiana Power Company that they had purchased the ice department of the Bailey Ice Company, the former taking possession at once. It is understood that this transaction has been under consideration for some time and the consolidation of the two businesses does not come as a surprise. The N. I. P. Co., recently announced that they would deliver ice in the city. The sale included all of the trucking property and the good will of the Bailey Ice Company. The new concern will manufacture all of its ice at its factory adjacent to the power plant on Madison street. The Bailey Ice Company of which Charles Davis is head will continue to operate its creamery and milk business in the city.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, April 14, 1925]

E. J. LEMAN BUYS THE BAILEY MILK BUSINESS
Announcement was made Monday by Charles Davis, manager of the Bailey Ice Co., that he had disposed of the milk business of the company to E. J. Leman who took charge at noon. The name of the new concern will be the "Leman Dairy." The new owner has been the manager of the milk, cream and butter department for more than a year, since he came to this city and is well known in the community as a man of wide experience in this field, who believes in giving good service. It is understood that the office and plant of the Leman Dairy will remain at their present location which is in the rear of the old Beyer creamery on Madison street. Mr. Davis still retains managership of the coal deartment of the Bailey Ice Co.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Monday, April 20, 1925]

REMODELING OF N.I.P. CO. PLANT IS UNDER WAY
Completion within a month of extensive improvements under way at the Northern Indiana Power company plant office on North Madison street is expected. Within that time an addition to the ice freezing equipment and a larger storage room, of modern type, will be ready for use, and a remodeling of other rooms in the building will have been effected. Walter Olive, N.I.P. workman who works all over the Central Indiana Power company system, is in charge of activities here.
The Northern Indiana Power company recently bought out the Bailey Ice company. The artificial ice making plant had included two units. A third compressor is to be added and space is being prepared for it.
The storage room, when completed will have the doors as the only wooden construction about it. It will be of cement block and cork insulation construction. The size of the room will be 30 feet by 37 feet, and will contain a third more ice than the old storage room. The foundation of this room soon will be laid.
Other rooms will be prepared for Linemen's lounge, line equipment, office and departmental uses.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Wednesday, February 24, 1926]

BAILEY'S PLANING MILL [Rochester, Indiana]
Located on E 8th street [321 E 8th], later the site of Hendrickson & Herbster Lumber Co. The same location was later to be that of Fulton County Lumber Company, owned by P. W. Terpstra.
Originally called Bailey's Planing Mill. Later named Giant Planing Mill.
Built in 1872 by Sam Barkdoll and Kendall.
In 1872 Stilla Powell Bailey purchased the Giant Planing Mill, the same year he bought the Eureka Planing Mill.
__________

PLANING MILL CHANGES HANDS
Stilla P. Bailey Monday traded his planing mill on East 8th street to George A. Dolen for the latter's farm of 100 acres, south of Rochester.
Mr. Dolen will take possession of the mill about October 1st, while Mr. and Mrs. Max Bailey will probably move upon the farm. Mr. Dolen says that he will tear down the present mill and erect a modern structure. Previous to moving upon the farm Mr. Dolen spent 16 years in the lumber business in Bloomington, Ill. His son, B. L. Dolen, will assist him here.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, September 11, 1916]

BAIRD, FERNANDO J. [Kewanna, Indiana]
BIOGRAPHY
Fernando J. Baird, an influential and substantial business man of Kewanna, was born in Butler county, Ohio, Aujgust 30, 1878, the son of John and Rachel (Frazee) Baird, the former of whom died in 1915 at Thorntown, Indiana, and the latter, who was a graduate of Oxford College, Oxford, Ohio, is still living at Lebanon, Indiana. The subject of this review came to Indiana in 1884 with his parents, was educated in the public schools of his home community, and engaged in farming until the year 1906. At that time, he bought a half interest in the Advance Grain company, of Advance, Indiana, and he remained in this position for five years. He then bought an interest in the Toner Elevator in Union township, Fulton county, Indiana, and the firm of Jordan and Baird at one time operated elevators in Earl Park, Benton county and Star City. They now own and operate elevators at Kewanna and Lake Bruce. He has proved markedly successful in the business in which he is engaged, as is shown by the wide territory that the company serves. He has a wide circle of friends and is known throughout the town of Kewanna as one of its most energetic and substantial business men.
[Henry A. Barnhart, Fulton County History, p. 152, Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1923]

BAIRD GRAIN COMPANY {Kewanna, Indiana]
DISSOLVE PARTNERSHIP
A petition has been filed in the circuit court by Jordan Baird of Kewanna against Fernando Baird and others seeking to dissolve the partnership at Kewanna which now operates the Baird Grain Company. The Plaintiff also asks the appointment of a receiver to take charge of the business.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, February 10, 1934]

BAIRD ELEVATOR AT KEWANNA IS SOLD
The Baird elevator at Kewanna was ordered sold yesterday by Judge Robert Miller in Fulton circuit court to the Standard Elevator company of Indianapolis. The Baird elevator was placed in receivership some few weeks ago in a suit brought by one of the partners owning the elevator. The Standard Elevator company takes possession at once.
The Standard Elevator company owns a string of elevators throughout Indiana and intends to open the Kewanna plant to full operation. It had been planned by the Standard to remodel the Kewanna plant before opening for operation, but the nearness of the grain season will prevent an immediate remodeling, authorities said.
The Standard company is one of the largest companies operating elevators throughout Indiana and will endeavor to greatly increase the territory served by the Kewanna elevator.
Charles Jone, Jr., of this city has been the receiver of the elevator. The amount received for the elevator was $7,000.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, May 26, 1934]

BAKER, ANANIAS [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Downs Sawmill
__________

GO TO BAKER
For bargains in Lumber, Lath and Shingles. My mammoth stock of building material must be reduced that I may give some attention to my business outside of Rochester. I handle all grades of stuff and am prepared to fill any kind of an order for builders at the lowest cash price. A. BAKER.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, September 22, 1886]

[Adv] Builders, you will find at A. BAKER'S LUMBER YARD a complete stock - - - Yard and Office south of the L. E. & W. Depot.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 31, 1887]

A. Baker and company have opened a lumber yard in Marion, of which Mr. W. T. McDougle will be superintendent. The lumber business at Marion is not over crowded and the new firm proposes to do an estensive business and the name of A. Baker being connected with it guarantees the success of the new firm.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 8, 1888]

ANANIAS BAKER
Lumber Dealer
Mr. [Ananias] BAKER has been connected with the lumber business in our city for the past nine years, and there is no detail in the lumber trade no matter how minute that he does not thoroughly understand. As lumber enters into almost every improvement made, it is conceded that the trade is of great importance, and fortunate is the community that has there engaged in the distribution of building material who strives to prepare and furnish it at a minimum cost, thus giving a poor man a better chance to build his little home while the rich do not object to low prices.
His facilities for supplying the trade cannot be excelled by any firm in the city, possessing all the advantages in buying that enables him to sell as cheap as the cheapest. At his yards can be found lumber of all kinds, lath, shingles &c., in any quantity from a dray to car loads. Besides his large lumber interests in Rochester he has yards located in Tipton and Marion, Indiana.
A few words regarding Mr. Baker's standing as a private citizen we feel sure will be of interest to our readers and we cheerfully give them a place in our columns. He is a staunch member of the Christian church and one of our best and most reliable citizens and business men, who has done a great deal towards advancing the interests of our city. Mr. Baker has his own efforts to thank for the high position he occupies. He had no rich legacy to fall back upon, but "by the sweat of his brow" did he succeed in accumulating enough money to enable him to embark in business for himself, and that he has been successful, one has only to visit his place of business and view its workings to be satisfied. Everything he does is done thoroughly and well and bears the impress of good judgment. This gentleman is held in high esteem by the people in this section, who, one and all unite with us in wishing him a continuation of prosperity so well merited.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 29, 1888]

ANANIAS BAKER (Biography)
Twenty-three years ago a young man left the slow going business circles of his native state, Virginia, and started west. He drifted along until he reached Fulton county were he settled down in Rochester, and commenced the battle of life with a kit of carpenter tools and a determination to win. He worked hard, and early and late and in the course of a few years, married and bought a home. Then he bought another home and sold it at a profit. And another, and another until he had a nice living and a bank account. Then he opened up a lumber yard and the sign on the little office read: A. BAKER, Dealer in Lumber, Lath and Shingles.
He was always at his place of business ready to buy or sell a bill of lumber and his trade increased and he prospered. He hustled for business and it came his way. Now he has six lumber yards, the two principal ones being located at Rochester and Marion.
In addition to these large interests he is an extensive owner of town property, one of the principal stockholders in the Citizens State Bank, the heaviest stockholder in the Indiana Farmers Building and Loan Association, and a heavy investor in other securities. Ananias Baker is now widely known as a remarkably successful business man, a clever fellow, a liberal contributor to all deserving benevolences, a staunch and active democrat, and withal, a whole souled, well met gentleman.
Attentive to the wants of his customers and careful in the management of his business, Mr. Baker's prominence as a financier is a shining example of the possibilities of a determination to "get to the front."
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, October 12, 1892]

[Adv] To Prospective Builders and others who use LUMBER. I have recently purchased the A. Baker Lumber Yard and business, - - - - I. N. JONES.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 25, 1898]

ANANIAS FOR CONGRESS
The Cincinnati Enquirer says: "Representative Ananias Baker, of Rochester, who is said to get political tips from the stars, may enter the race for the Republican nomination for Congress in the Thirteenth District. It is not known whether the praise he received from some quarters for exposing the attempt to bribe him to vote against the anti-cigarette bill during the recent Legislation, or a fresh inspiration from the heavens set the congressional bee buzzing about his bonnet.
"At any rate the bee is there and Ananias is said to be laying his likes to defeat Congressman Abraham Brick, of South Bend, who will be a candidate for re-nomination. Tall, angular, and with long spindle like beard he was one of the quaint figures of the Legislature before his spectacular exposure of the attempted bribery brought him to the grand stand.
"There were many who thought that Ananias arranged that drastic little scene for the sole purpose of boosting himself into notoriety. Others thought that he had adopted an unique plan to turn sentiment against the anti-cigarette measure. He was put down as a grand-stander, but it was afterward admitted that his action, whatever prompted it, put the lobbyists to route.
"Ananias' tongue was loosened by the prominence he attained and he informed his friends that before he became a candidate for the nomination for Representative he had a message direct from the stars to go forth and win. The story was that he consulted Eastern astrologers who read in the heavens that he was destined to cut much ice as a legislator. It is not known whether or not they tipped it off to him that he was preordained in some way to chase the lobby to the woods but it is reported that his election and subsequent chapters of his legislative career convinced him that the astrologers knew their business.
"The party leaders in the Thirteenth have not learned whether or not they will have to buck the astrologers and the stars if Ananias is a candidate, but if he is some of them will probably take it for granted that he has received another message. At present he is the only candidate in Brick's path."
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, May 30, 1905]

OUR OWN ANANIAS
The Logansport Journal, which is a special political friend of Ananias Baker, of this city, has the following write up of his prominence in a two page article in Collier's Weekly.
"Ananias Baker has come into his own, fame is his and his deeds will become known of all men. Collier's Weekly has 'writ up' Ananias and in the writing has made Ananias a cross between a martyr and a Sherlock Holmes. Ananias plays a leading part in a two-page article in the issue of this week dealing with the tobacco trust.
"The article tells of the mechinations of 'Cigaret' Baker and how the villian was unhanded by Ananias after (the article says) the latter had spent a sleepless night in prayer.
"The article tells how the anti-cigarette bill came up for final vote and says 'The clerk reached the name of Ananias Baker. He rose to his tall, bewhiskered height, held the envelope aloft for all to see, told his tale in a voice that trembled beyond control and with the light of martyrs and tribunes in his eye, tore open the envelope and ripped therefrom one hundred dollars." That ought to ginger Ananias even though the same article calls Rochester a "Puritan town."
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 20, 1907]

BAKER, INDIA [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Hotels - Arlington

BAKER, JACOB [Wayne Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Jacob Baker was born in Culpeper County, Va., March 1, 1813. His father, John Baker, was a native of Germany, and his mother, Margaret (Burk) Baker, was a native of Virginia. Both his parents died in Shelby County, Ind. His father was a farmer, and served in the war of 1812, and his grandfather in the Revolution. Mr. Baker, Sr., was one of thirteen children, and was married to Hannah McMoore May 12, 1836, and by this union had six children, three of whom are living, viz., Susannah, Margaret and Laura. Mrs. Baker died October 13, 1852, at the age of thirty-five years. In 1853, Mr. Baker married Ellen McGowan. By this marriage he has had eight children, six of whom are living, viz., Jacob, Isaac, William, Charles, Oliver and Bertie, who all reside in this State. This gentleman came to Logansport in 1840, and has followed blacksmithing fifty-nine years, and now owns eighty acres of land.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 61]

BAKER, MERRITT A. [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] M. A. BAKER, Attorney at Law, Office in Commercial Block, North End.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, January 4, 1895]

MERRITT A. BAKER (Biography)
Attorney Merritt A. BAKER was born in New York state in 1854. He attended Starkey Seminary and later graduated from Hobart College at Geneva, N.Y. He then studied law for three years and entered the practice at Sharon Springs, N.Y., at the age of twenty-two, where he was also principal of Sharon Springs High school for three years. He soon after removed to Cobleskill, N.Y., where he formed a law partnership with his brother and was soon after elected police Judge and served four years. He then came west and located in Rochester in 1885, forming a law partnership with Julius ROWLEY and serving as deputy Prosecuting Attorney from 1884 to 1894. He was then nominated for Prosecuting Attorney but went down in the republican land slide with the democratic ticket. For two years he has been county Attorney and is at present engaged in the practice by himself. He married Miss Marie YOUNG in New York in 1884 and both have been active Episcopaleans for the past six years. Mr. Baker is an enthusiastic Odd Fellow, Knight of Pythias, Mason and Maccabee and believes in fraternity in all that the term implies.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

BIOGRAPHY
M. A. Baker, county attorney, and for the past decade a conspicuous figure at the bar of Fulton county, was born near the city of Albany, N.Y., at the town of West Berne, Feb. 28, 1856. His education was acquired in the Nassau grammar school and Starkey seminary and lastly at Hobart college at Geneva, N.Y., completing a course at each of these institutions. He engagd in the profession of teaching at fifteen, as a means of securing the funds necessary to carry him through college. He was nineteen years old when he graduated from Hobart college. He chose the profession of law for his life work, and began reading on the subject with his brother, Albert Baker, at Sharon Springs, N.Y. He was well prepared for his license at the end of his three years' reading, and was admitted to practice before the general term of the New York supreme court. He practiced for a brief period with his old tutor before removing to Cobleskill. There he was elected police judge on the democratic ticket and served from 1877 to 1883. He was also clerk of the board of supervisors for six years in the same county. In 1884 Mr. Baker cast his fortunes with the people of Rochester. He formed a partnership with Julius Rowley, and was so associated for nine years. Mr. Baker's ability and popularity brought him face to face with the democratic nomination for district attorney in 1894, which he accepted, but the tide was so strong against his party at the fall election that even the office of district attorney, which was thought to go surely to the democrats, slipped away from them and Mr. Baker accepted defeat quietly, bowing always to the people's will. He has just been appointed by the republican board of county commissioners, county attorney for 1896, a compliment to his wisdom as an advisor and counselor. Mr. Baker's father was David Baker, who married Elizabeth Durfee. The former was born near Albany, N.Y., in 1812. He was a farmer and stock buyer and prominent local democrat. His death occurred in 1866. His father and the grandsire of our subject was Benjamin Baker, who came from England. He was a Federal colonel, during the war of 1812, and died at Sag Harbor. He married a Miss Crosby, of English descent, and reared nine children, Benjamin Baker, of Westview, Ohio, being the only surviving one. Our subject's maternal grandfather was David Durfee, a farmer, who came from Ireland and located at Quaker Street, Schenectady county, N.Y. His wife was Mary White. Four of their ten children are still living. Stephen Durfee, Quaker Street, N.Y.; Maria, Cambridge, N.Y.; Abram, Cambridge, N.Y.; and David, Jr., Esperence, N.Y. Our subject married at Cobleskill, N.Y., March 29, 1884, to Miss Marie, daughter of Hon. William H. Young, deceased, a prominent lawyer and ex-member of congress elect, and eight years district attorney for the district in which Cobleskill is situated. His wife was Amelia Angle, who died in Rochester. Mr. Baker belongs to the encampment in Odd Fellowship, is a K. of P., and a Knight of the Maccabees.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 26-27]

[Adv] M. A. BAKER, Attorney at Law. Office in Odd Fellows' Block, south Main St.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, January 1, 1897]

BAKER, SUSAN [Allen Township, Miami County]
BIOGRAPHY
Mrs. Susan Baker, of Allen Township, was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1820. She was the daugher of Henry and Eve (Layman) Messenger, both natives of Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent. When Susan was nine years old her parents emigrated to Wayne County, Ohio, where she grew up to womanhood, and where on the 23d day of August, 1846, she was married to Timothy Baker. He was a native of New Jersey, and was born December 13, 1810. He was the son of John and Charity (Cole) Baker, both natives of New Jersey. In 1851 Mrs. Baker and her husband came to this county and located upon a farm in Perry Township. There her husband pursued the vocation of a farmer, until in April, 1881, at which time they located where our subject now resides in Allen Township. There the death of her husband occurred April 4, 1884, since which time Mrs. Baker has been a widow. She is the mother of seven children, three of whom are living. Their names are Henry, Deborah, Sarah J., Maria, John and two daughters who died in infancy unnamed. Mrs. Baker is a member of the M. E. Church. She has a comfortable home one-half mile east of Macy, where she resides in a quiet, pleasant way.

[History of Miami County, Indiana, 1887, Brant & Fuller. p. 506]

BAKER, T. B. [Rochester, Indiana]
NEWS OF THE DAY
T. B. Baker, of Macy, and Claude Rouch, of this city, will open their roller skating rink over the Leasure garage on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, October 13, 1908]

[Adv] Hupmobile, The Comfort Car - - - I have taken the agency for the Hupmobile in Fulton County, and in Perry and Allen Townships in Miami county, and intend that anyone who cares to, will get an opportunity to test this car thoroughly. All that is necessary is for you to request the demonstration. A Hupmobile is on display at the Ross garage and another can be seen at 1020 South Jefferson street. Come and see them. T. B. Baker, Phone 147.
[Rocheste Sentinel, Thursday, January 22, 1920]

AN HISTORICAL FARM NOW IS UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP
The sale of one of the oldest cleared tracts in Fulton county was reported Saturday afternoon when the T. B. Baker farm of 185 acres was sold to A. R. Fansler, local contractor and lumber dealer.
The farm, most of which was partially cleared by Pottawattomies around the turn of th 19th century, lies along State Road 14 and 26 between the eastern outskirts of Rochester and the western shore of Lake Manitou. Among older residents, the tract was known as the Taber farm, and was one of several parcels of county and city land owned by that family.
Located on or near the tract are historical sites, such as the first grist mill in the county, built by the government at the site of the present dam, the Lake Manitou fair grounds, and Baker's Field, scene of many circus, carnival and athletic activities.
For the past quarter century, it has been used by Mr. Baker as a grazing ground in the promotion of thriving livestock business. The Fred Moore Agency of this city consummated the sale.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, June 11, 1945]

BAKER GROCERY [Rochester, Indiana]
C. Baker's old stand north of A. F. Smith & Bro's. Store, a large stock of Choice Groceries, Liquors, &c. Chas. Baker.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 26, 1859]

BAKER MUSKRAT FARM [Lake Manitou]
Also See Muskrat Farms
__________

CLAY SHEETS BUYS DRAY LINE FROM JOE BAKER
In a business transaction made in this city Saturday, Clay Sheets, U. S. Deputy Marshal of the South Bend district, becomes sole owner of his son-in-law, Joe Baker's, dray line. The new owner is thoroughly experienced in this business having operated the dray line for several years selling to Baker, when he took up his government appointment at South Bend.
Mr. Sheets will take immediate control of the draying business while Baker will devote his entire time in building up his muskrat farm which is well underway on the southeast edge of Lake Manitou. This new enterprise now has several hundred pair of rats, however the proprietor stated he did not contemplate killing any of these valuable animals for market purposes before the season of 1928.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, May 31, 1927]

BAKER SAW MILLING COMPANY [Fulton [?], Indiana]
The Baker Saw Milling Company, owned by Virgil Baker, which recently completed a large contract at the Rouch farm north of the city, has started on another large contract for Thomas Bridegroom at Leiters. It will take at least a month to finish this work after which Baker plans to move to Delong.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 13, 1922]

BAKER & BABCOCK GROCERY [Rochester, Indiana]
Baker & Babcock would respectfully announce to the citizens of this place and surrounding country, that they have opened out at Shore's Old Stand, a large and well selected stock of Groceries, Tinware, Boots & Shoes. . . Jan'y 18, '66.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, January 25, 1866]

Dissolution of Partnership. . . . the firm of Baker & Babcock has this day been dissolved by mutual consent . . . Rochester, Ind., May 28th 1866.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, May 31, 1866]

Change. The firm heretofore known as Baker & Babcock Grocers is dissolved . . . will be conducted by Mr. Baker. . . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, June 21, 1866]

BALDWIN, TOM [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Tom Baldwin)

BALDWIN & SCOTT [Rochester, Indiana]
CHEAP TILE
For the next thirty days we will sell all sizes of tile at a great reducxtion from former prices. Persons wishing to buy on time can do so by giving note at interest. Call at Cates' old factory, north of River. BALDWIN & SCOTT.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, December 27, 1884]

BALDWIN PIANO CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
NEW PIANO BRANCH IN CITY
The Baldwin Piano Co., of Cincinnati, O., is opening a branch distributing office in Rochester, with George E. Moren, of Chicago, in charge. Headquarters will be at 606 Main St., in the room formerly occupied by the Rees Ice Cream factory. A full line of pianos and player pianos, to be sold at factory prices, will soon be on display.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, November 1, 1917]

BALL, ANCIL B. [Henry Township]
PICKED UP FROM OTHERS
By Ancil B. Ball
Seattle, Washington
Editor Republican:
This is my third letter written upon early times in Fulton county. It is with great pleasure that I read the letters of those who have contributed to the early history of the county.
In my former letters I have given a history, according to my best recollection, of early times up to the civil war, and this letter will consist of "pick-ups" from other letters. My old friend and boyhood neighbor, Jonathan Dawson, speaks of the spelling schools we had in the winter time. I remember well that we went as far as six or eight miles to spell down a school, and Dawson was one among the best. The foundation stone of your education is now shamefully neglected--the three Rs are somewhat eliminated--and now we receive letters from college students with misspelt words, and also find them deficient in arithmetic and reading. I cannot help but think that the old log schoolhouse method of taching is more proficient than the method now in vogue.
I note what Brother Mitchell says about the Rev. Dr. Bazie Clevenger and family, when they resided in Akron. I went to the same school with Sarah Clevenger and became somewhat infatuated with her, and she thought "the world of me," and I made up my mind she would be my life partner, when one evening after spelling school, on the road home, she told me she was engaged to John Louderback, of Fulton. Disappointment was no name for it, for I thought she was perfection.
I well remember the underground railroad spoken of by Bro. Essick. When I was a boy I used to see one or two negroes come down from our "loft" in the evening, to get into a wagon with a white driver and go north toward the Canadian line. Dr. Sippy and my father both kept "underground" stations. There are no more use for those railroads--the black crime of human slavery is gone forever. I remember also that one of the Essick boys, who was a student in Fort Wayne college, came to Akron and delivered a temperance lecture, one evening. Whether it was M. L. or not I cannot say.
Bro. Waymire speaks of Millark. When a boy I was frequently sent to Hoover's mill witha grist of wheat and corn, and usually had to stay at the mill over night. There were bunks in the mill building, with straw ticks and straw pillows, and we had to furnish our own cover. There we would sleep while the mill would grind away all night long. They "tolled" the grists with a peck measure, so much for each bushel of wheat or corn, and John Hoover never forgot to "toll" the grists--once--or twice.
I remember Dr. Charles Brackett and his brothers Lyman and Albert. Albert was the youngest of them, and went to the war with Mexico, and at the close wrote a history of the doings of the Indiana soldiery during the war. I happened to be in Rochester when the books came and I purchased one. It was among the first, if not the first one sold. I paid a dollar for it in "shin-plaster."
Now, you young Hoosiers never heard a wolf howl. Sometimes, during the summer, especially of a dark, gloomy night, the wolves would begin to howl. Of all the howls that ever did howl, they were the "howliest," and most mournful. It would make the hair raise on your cocoanut, and make you think they were in a few rods from the house. My father and mother would stand on the door steps and listen to them, but not me. I would not have gone out of doors for all of Carnegie's gold or Roosevelt's reputation. One afternoon about 4 o'clock, there came up a terrible wind and rain storm, and I could not go and drive in the sheep, as was my duty, and next morning at daylight my father went to the woods and found the wolves had killed fourteen out of twenty sheep. Did they eat the sheep? you ask. No, they only cut thir throats and suck the blood. There were many droves of wild hogs in the woods. How they came there no one appears to know. But they were there, and were more dangerous than the bear or wolf. No person was safe in going through the woods without a trusty gun. One time a neighbor by the name of John Hoover was attacked by a dozen wild hogs, and after firing his last bullet at them, climbed a tree and the hogs kept him up until 10 o'clock at night, when some neighbors came and relieved him. Firearms were not the same then as they are now. Could only shoot once until you would have to reload. Roosevelt would be in great danger if he had the same kind of shooting irons they had then. "The gobblins would get him if he didn't watch out."
Railroads were not thought of then, and we marketed our grain at Wabash or Peru, a distance of about twenty-five miles from Akron. Once a neighbor and I took two wagon loads of wheat to Wabash to market, and stopped over night at a farm house about three miles from town. There was a spelling school nearby and I went over and spelled down the whole cheese three times. Gee! but I was happy, and they did not know where I came from and wondered what had struck 'em.
I remember the murder of Jack Clemans, by Arnold Perry, as related by Bro. Ward. My father thought he must have been insane, but according to the history of his after life he must have had his right mind.
I remember, also, of Sheriff Ben Wilson being locked up in the old log jail, and his friends "bored" him severely about it. Wilson was a good-natured fellow and took the "augering" in good part.
Well, I have had some political career. Was a candidate for auditor of Fulton county against A. J. Holmes, in 1858, and came within eighteen votes of being elected. Was clerk of Henry township several years.
Married and located in Warsaw. Was school director for several years. Elected county auditor and served eight years. I was appointed United States special agent, with headquarters at Seattle, by the Harrison administration in 1889, and served until Cleveland was elected and "turned the rascals out." Served a term in the customs office here. Was engaged in the taking of the last census.
My wife and I have a good home and pleasant family and are living well. Am doing little except writing for one of our daily newspapers.
Good luck to all old settlers of Fulton county.
[Marguerite L. Miller, Home Folks, Vol. II, 1910, pp. 57-59]

BALL, CLYDE [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Everybody's Oil Company

BALL, HOVEY J. [Akron, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Hovey J. Ball)
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Second Letter From Hovey J. Ball)

BALL, HOWARD H. [Akron, Indiana]
BIOGRAPHY
The Palace Garage is known to autoists all over Northern Indiana as one of the most complete and modern of its kind in the state, and they endeavor to make Akron whenever they are in need of expert service, or first-class accessories. The junior member of the firm, Howard H. Ball, is a young man who holds the confidence of his home city. He was born in Kosciusko county, Indiana, June 15, 1888, the younger of the two sons of John M. and Jane E. (Meredith) Ball, the former of whom was born in Kosciusko county, february 27, 1855, while the latter was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, September 11, 1858, and both were educated in the common schools. She traces her ancestry back to the sturdy little country of Wales, from whence her immediate ancestor, Simon Meredith, came to the American Colonies, and settled in Pennsylvania, where he died about 1745. She and her husband preserved, and gave to their son, Howard H. Ball, a list of the generations of Merediths reaching back to about the year 1600, which is one of th oldest genealogical records to be found in northern Indiana, and the young man greatly prizes this important document. The Balls trace back to Martha Washington, the wife of Gen. George Washington. All of his mature years John M. Ball has been an agriculturalist, and he owns a farm of eighty acres in Kosciusko county, and ten acres in Fulton, but he and his wife live in the first-named county, where they are highly respected. He is a Republican. The other son, Homer W. Ball, is in charge of the weather bureau at Royal Center, Indiana. Carefully educated, he supplemented his courses in the grade and high schools of Indiana with one at college, and then matriculated at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, where he spent two years in its weather bureau. From there he was sent to Washington, District of Columbia, and while a resident of that city studied at the Georgetown University. He married Miss Emma Miller and they have two living children, a son and a daughter. Graduating in 1907 from the Akron High School, Howard H. Ball took a commercial course at Huntington, Indiana, and continued his studies through the LaSalle Extension, University of Chicago. In May, 1922, he and Merl Tucker established the Palace Garage, a most modern and finely equipped establishment, with a building 192x61 feet. No expense has been spared to make this garage modern in every way, and the service could hardly be excelled. November 26, 1908, he was married to Miss Gertrude Leach, and they have three living daughters: Beatrice E., Florence L., and Mary F., all three of whom are attending the public schools. Mrs. Ball was born in Kosciusko county, May 11, 1890. Her parents are Ora and Delilah (Zolman) Leach, the former of whom was also born in Kosciusko county, while the latter was born in Fulton county, and both are products of the common schools. He is an agriculturist, owning land in the vicinity of Akron, and he is a Democrat in his political belief. Mrs. Ball attended both the grade and high schools of Akron. Casting his first presidential vote for William Howard Taft, Mr. Ball has since continued to support candidates of the Republican party. In addition to his interest in the Palace Garage, he owns a valuable farm in Kosciusko county, and is a man of substantial means. Fraternally he belongs to Cordelia Lodge No. 329, K. of P., of which he is past chancellor commander, and he has been a delegate to the Grand Lodge at Indianapolis.
[Henry A. Barnhart, Fulton County History, pp. 153-155, Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1923]

BALL, JIMMY [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Jimmy Ball)

BALL, LOUIS D. [Akron, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Louis D. Ball)
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Second Letter From Louis D. Ball)
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Third Letter From Louis D. Ball)
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Fourth Letter From Louis D. Ball)
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Fifth Letter From Louis D. Ball)
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Sixth Letter From Louis D. Ball)

BALL, NORVAL [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Norval Ball)
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Second Letter From Norval Ball)

BALL & ELWELL SAW MILL [Akron, Indiana]
NORTH MANCHESTER MEN BUY AKRON SAW MILL
The Ulrey Lumber & Supply company of North Manchester has bought the Ball & Elwell saw mill at Akron and will move the equipment to North Manchester as soon as possible. The mill has been in continuous operation, and Akron will be left without a saw mill.
This machinery is all electrically driven. The planing and finishing machinery will have to be bought new as there was none of that equipment in the Akron mill.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, October 6, 1925]

BALL ICE COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
ICE HOUSE ROOF COMPLETED
William Ball has finished putting the roof on his ice house, which is located on Wolf's Point. The building has a capacity of nearly 5,000 tons and has been filled to the top. Mr. Ball reports having been fortunate enough to secure perfectly clear ice and prides himself that it is packed so that it will keep well.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 28, 1923]

NEARLY HALF OF 1929 ICE PACK IS STORED BY BALL
William Ball owner of the Ball Ice Company stated this morning that his employees had nearly half of the 1929 pack in the company's houses at the south end of Lake Manitou on Wolf's Point when work was started today. The large house which has a capacity of 5,000 tons is two-thirds filled. The smaller house which holds 500 tons is yet to be filled and nearly 1,000 tons will be stored outside the buildings. The ice is about a foot thick and as clear as a crystal and of excellent quality. About 300 tons are being stored each day. Prairie hay is being used between and around the cakes to reduce melting to a minimum. The ice is being cut at a point where the lake is nearly 30 feet deep. Mr. Ball hopes to have the ice harvest in within eight days. Thirty men and eight horses are being used to cut and store the ice.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Wednesday, January 16, 1929]

CARLTON COAL CO. BUYS WILLIAM BALL ICE CO.
Through a deal consummated early today the Carlton Coal Company purchased the Ball Ice Company and has already taken over active management of the business.
According to an announcement made today by Mr. Carlton he will sell artificial ice only and a storage room at the yards of the Carlton Coal Company on East 9th street will be erected within the next few days. The Carlton Coal Co. will in the future be known as the Carlton Coal & Ice Co. and service will extend throughout the city, lake and nearby communities. Practically all of the ice which will be handled by the new company will be secured from the Borden Milk station plant at Akron, where the water is procured from deep driven wells.
William Ball, head of the Ball Ice Company had been in the ice business in this city for the past 14 years. He has not announced his plans regarding the future.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, July 5, 1934]

BALL STOVE STORE [Rochester, Indiana]
Attention is directed to the advertisement of H. Ball, Jr. He has the most complete stock of Stoves, the best patterns, and the most beautiful finish, of any establishment in the Wabash Velley. He is the sole agent for one or two of the best stoves in the market. His stock is purchased direct from the manufacturers, which enables him to sell much cheaper than those who purchase of jobbers. Go and see him.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, January 8, 1859]

BALLENGER, MARVIN R. [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] NOTICE! Having sold my cream, poultry and egg business to Cecil Snapp, I take this opportunity to thank the patrons who have favored me with their produce in the past. I will be in charge of the creamery department in the Snapp Grocery Store and your continued patronage will be appreciated. You will receive the same prompt service and courteous treatment as formerly. Call 172 for prices. MARVIN R. BALLENGER
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, October 7, 1930]

BALLOON ASCENSION [Rochester, Indiana]
Alfred Anderson and Clyde Bozarth have purchased Dick Fisher's balloon and outfit and will make an ascension on the vacant lot near the Central school building, Saturday afternoon. Mr. Anderson will make the ascension.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, October 8, 1901]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Rochester is to have a real for sure balloon ascension, and right down in town, too. The event will be given by Mr. Wall, Saturday evening, at 6:30 o'clock, in front of the Arlington hotel. The new 80 ft balloon with which such a pretty ascension was made at the Lake Sunday, will be used.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 5, 1908]

BEAUTIFUL BALLOON ASCENSION
The balloon ascension was made Saturday evening as per schedule and the hundreds of people who gathered to see it were not disappointed.
A furnace had been built on the brick pavement in front of the Arlington block earlier in the day and about 5:30 o'clock they commenced to inflate the new balloon owned by Harry Wall. All was in readiness and a few minutes after six o'clock and at a given signal the huge gas bag rose amid the cheering of the crowd to a height of 2,000 feet and sailed with the wind southward and upward. When about 2000 feet in the air the aeronaut "Billy" Wright cut loose and in a few minutes had safely landed in Wm. Deniston's back yard on south Main street. The balloon was later recovered outside the city limits.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, August 10, 1908]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Billie Wright, the balloon boy, who accompanied Harry Wall, of this city, on a tour through the South with the Wall balloon, arrived in Rochester Sunday afternoon. Mr. Wall remained in Oklahoma, where he is following the carpenter trade.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, November 2, 1908]

CLEVER ASCENSION FROM LONG BEACH
J. M. STEWART, balloonist, made one of the most spectacular ascensions ever seen in this community Sunday evening, when he rode his balloon up from the Long Beach Amusement park at about 9:30 o'clock. The big bag was filled and Stewart cut loose riding almost starlight up to a height of several hundred feet. When he had reached his maximum altitude, he started a series of fireworks that drew the attention not only of the large crowd at the park, but also everybody within a radius of several miles. The fireworks display lasted for several minutes, in fact so long that Stewart was slightly burned by the sparks, which came up into his face as his mount started its downward journey. He rode the balloon all the way down, alighting in the lake within 300 or 400 feet of the point where he started. He was slightly bruised in landing, but effected a safe return to shore.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, June 5, 1922]

FALLS 2200 FT. TO DEATH; NECK BROKEN
A sheer drop of 2,200 feet, when the container bar of his parachute came untied from a balloon crossbar, caused the death of James M. Stewart, 26 years old, 221 Mishawaka avenue, Mishawaka, near the Lake Manitou Fair and Athletic Club grounds at 6:30 p.m., Sunday. Jack Trumbull, South Bend, making his first drop, who cut loose just before Stewart in the double descent that closed an auto racing program, reached ground safely.
Many spectators followed the greater part of Stewart's descent, and watched the veteran aviator, who got into aerial work in 1914 and served 19 months in the U. S. air service overseas, struggled nearly all of the way to extricate the parachute from the deadly containing sheaths.
Feet Struck First
Stewart struck feet first, and then his body crumpled, in the mud at the edge of the lake just west of the Colonial Hotel. His left leg was broken between the knee and the thigh, the ribs on the right side were crushed, and his neck was broken. He was lying on his back when found.
The doomed aeronaut passed Trumbull in his dizzy fall, Trumbull being approximately 200 feet aloft when Stewart reached the ground.
__________

A report was current that the parachute had opened approximately 100 feet above the earth, but this was unfounded. The edges of the cloth flapped as though it would open, but came down merely fluttering.
Father Picks Up Body
S. B. STEWART, father of Stewart, was the first to his son's side and dragged him from the soft earth into which he had plunged to a depth of two feet or more. Through heavy traffic, Stewart was taken in an automobile to Woodlawn hosptal, but died almost immediately. Dr. RINGLE of Tippecanoe, who was found some minutes later, said the man was dead. County Coroner C. B. HIATT at an undertaking parlor here determined the nature of Stewart's injuries.
Stewart is survived by his parents and two younger brothers, Arthur [STEWART] and Frederick [STEWART]. Until four months ago the aerialist had lived in South Bend where he was born Dec. 26, 1898. The deceased's wife died a year ago.
Some persons, at a distance, mistook the human plummet for a trail of smoke such as would be left by a bomb, as the balloonists prefaced their drops by shooting off bombs.
Trumbull first took off through a shower of smoke. It was a matter of perhaps three seconds after which Stewart followed through another veil of gas.
Through a third of his descent the throng watched as the bag did not open, taking it as a part of a daredevil, thrilling drop. Then the spirit of all changed to sickening awe as they realized the man's fate.
Only a few persons were near the spot where the birdman fell. The high-powered automobile into which he was placed, had difficulty in getting through the heavy traffic. Six or eight men were riding on the car, several on the running board, flagging down cars and inquiring for a doctor. Someone directed the car to the hospital.
Four years ago Stewart came from time to time to Long Beach Amusement park and gave parachute drops from a balloon.
Trumbull, who was fortunate enough to escape death, said afterwards that he would not attempt the feat again.
In the hospital yard, a brother of the dead aeronaut drew a revolver from a hip pocket and some thought he was going to commit suicide. He was disarmed and the weapon was given to the other brother.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, June 15, 1925]

AERONAUT'S BODY TO BE INTERRED BY WIFE'S AT NAPPANEE
The body of James M. STEWART, 26, veteran Mishawaka aeronaut, who died after falling 2200 feet in a parachute that feiled to open near the Manitou fair grounds at 6:16 p.m. Sunday, was taken from the morgue here today to Nappanee where burial will be made. The parents, who are separated, and two younger brothers, Arthur [STEWART] and Frederick [STEWART], survive Stewart. Jack TRUMBULL, South Bend youth making his first drop, landed successfully.
Over-confidence and failure to examine his equipment, on the part of Stewart, is credited as the cause of the fatal accident.
Controversy arose between the father and mother as to where the son should be interred. The mother had arranged for a military funeral at South Bend and burial there, while the father wanted the boy buried at Nappanee beside his wife and child.
The father got the appointment as administrator of the dead man's estate, and burial will be made at Nappanee.
Stewart was known for his dare-devil attitude toward flying, often trying stunts which would make the amateur quail. On June 5 and 6 at Mishawaka during the closing days of the booster week celebrated by that city, Stewart made an ascension by airplane, cutting loose with his parachute at great heights. On both trips he was successful, although on one he narrowly escaped injury by falling in a tree.
He had also given numerous private exhibitions in parachute flying from balloons and airplanes and last year with his aerial company made a trip to West Virginia, giving exhibitions.
He served overseas with the American observation balloon corps at the front.
Several of his boyhood acquaintances recall that in his early youth he was interested in aeronautics and built several successful gliders in which he made flights.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, June 16, 1925]

BALSER, LOUIS [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Hotels - Fairview

BAND-PARENTS CLUB [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rochester Bands

BANDS [Rochester, Indiana]
Rochester Cornet Band
Pearson's Brass & String Band
G.A.R. Band
Knights of Pythias Band
Third Regiment Band
Rochester College Band
Rochester Citizens Band
Rochester Band
Rochester High School Band
Manitou Band
I.O.O.F. Band
Civil War, Regimental Bands
See: Rannells, William W.

BANK HOLIDAY [Fulton County]
BUSINESS RESUMES AS BANKS RE-OPEN
Business in Fulton county made its first step back towards normalcy today when several banks were granted permission to open and operate. The banks which resumed were among the first to be given a license to conduct business while it is expected that the others will receive notice within a day or so that they can do likewise. It was explained by the bankers that the institutions which were opened were ones which were fortunate in receiving permission first and that like permits will follow for the others. A list of additional banks to open Thursday will be given out late today by the state banking commission, it is understood.
The banks in this section of the state which opened were: The First National Bank of Rochester, The Akron Exchange State Bank of Akron, The Leiters Ford State Bank of Leiters Ford, The farmers State Bank of Mentone and the State Exchange Bank of Culver.

Money Is Deposited
Optimism was the general rule in the community and most banks reported that more money was being deposited than withdrawn. Merchants and farmers alike were seen in the institutions conducting business while there was a general epidemic of bill paying.
All restrictions on accounts were withdrawn as far as checks for general business were concerned but in any case wherein money was taken out for other than business purposes limitations of $10 per day were enforced. This was to prevent any hoarding of cash.

State Banks Opening
Indianapolis, March 15. - (U.P.) - Approximately half of Indiana's 505 State Banks have been authorized to open under restrictions ordered for Class A institutions, Luther S. Symmons, state banking commissioner announced today.
Reopening of Class B banks, which will have slightly different restrictions will start tomorrow, it was understood. A list of those is being prepared.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, March 15, 1933]

FREE MOVIES ANNOUNCED
Austin, Tex., (U.P.) - Free movies were announced by local motion picture houses during the bank closing to keep people in good humor.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, April 3, 1933]

FULTON STATE BANK TO REOPEN SATURDAY A.M.
The Fulton State Bank today received a notice from Richard McKinley, state banking commissione, that their request for a Class A bank license had been granted. The bank will reopen Saturday morning. It was closed since March 27 on which date President Franklin Roosevelt delcared the national banking holiday. The bank officers stated today that they would pay the depositors taxes on money which is deposited in the bank. The Fulton State Bank since the closing on March 27 has been rehabilitated by the addition of a number of new stockholders.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, April 14, 1933]

BANK OF INDIANA [Rochester, Indiana]
731 Main Street
__________

CITIZENS BANK CHANGED HANDS
Mr. J. E. Beyer, Mr. C. C. Beyer, Mr. J. F. Beyer and Mr. W. A. Banta have every arrangement completed to become the successors of the Citizens State Bank. Mr. Banta has the advantage of a five years experience with the City National Bank, of Goshen, Ind., and we know him as a gentleman of fine business qualities. The editor of this paper has long personally known Mr. C. C. Beyer of Kendallville, and Mr. J. F. Beyer, of Warsaw, as men of integrity and extensive financial responsibility. The name of J. E. Beyer is familiar to the people of Rochester and Fulton county. In fact, it is quite certain that the public generally, will ever keep in mind the service rendered by Mr. Beyer as a director during the stringency of 1893, when he so ably supported the other directors the Citizens State Bank with the offer of ample private funds. It is with much pleasure that we make this announcement and predict for the gentlemen abundant success.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 11, 1898]

BIG BANK MERGER
Elsewhere in this issue of the SENTINEL will be found an announcement of the consolidation of the Bank of Indiana and the Rochester Trust and Savings Company, under the title of the Indiana Bank and Trust Company. The change will take effect February first and the business of the bank will be transacted in the present Bank of Indiana quarters by practically the same efficient force now employed.
The consolidation is due to the fact that certain stockholders were largely intrested in both banks and felt that by merging interests a larger and stronger institution would result. The new bank will have a paid-up capital of $75,000.00 and will be one of the strongest financial institutions in northern Indiana.
Frank E. Bryant, of the firm of Holman, Stephenson & Bryant, and closely identified with both institutions for several years, has been chosen president. A. B. Green, for years cashier of the Bank of Indiana will continue in the same capacity, with Charles A. Burns as assistant. A. J. Barrett is vice president, P. J. Stingley, cashier, A. C. Beyer treasurer Savings department and Geo. W. Holman, general counsel.
The directors include J. E. Beyer, G. W. Holman, A. J. Barrett and F. E. Bryant of Rochester; A. L. Stephenson, J. M. Studebaker, Jacob Woolverton and R. C. Stephenson of South Bend.
Both banks were doing a splendid business before the merger and with the concentrated effort that will be put behind the reorganized bank it is safe to say that the business will be increased largely. But few similar institutions have a stronger board of directors and Rochester is to be congratulated on being the home of the Indiana Bank and Trust Company.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, January 27, 1909]

BANKRUPTS [Rochester, Indiana]
[Notices published showing following Rochester persons in bankruptcy proceedings]: Isiah Hoover, John Walters, Robert N. Rannells, William Wallace, Robert Wallace.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, March 12, 1868]

In Bankruptcy. . . Melyne Miller of Rochester. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, April 2, 1868]

BANTA, WILLIAM H. [Rochester, Indiana]
W. H. BANTA (Biography)
W. H. BANTA could hardly be introduced better than by saying that but few men are so thoroughly established and enjoy in a greater degree the confidence of the public as an educator than he. Born in Preble county, Ohio in 1846 his early education was received in the common schools of that state. Moving to Indiana he attended a normal school at Kokomo. At the age of 21 he was principal of the schools at Rochester and at 23 was made a member of the faculty of the Normal College at Valparaiso. After teaching five terms in that institution he was elected Supt. of the city schools of Valparaiso which place he filled for over 23 years. He is now a resident of our beautiful city and one of the principals of the Rochester Normal University.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Prof. W. H. Banta and wife left today for Fayetteville, Ark., in hopes that the southern climate may benefit Mr. Banta's health. The children have already gone to Kokomo where their parents will stop to visit Prof. Banta's mother and then proceed via Indianapolis and St. Louis to their new home. A farewell dinner was given them today by Mr. and Mrs. James Gainer.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, September 9, 1908]

PEDAGOGUES AND PUPILS
By William H. Banta
I have noticed that most of the writers of the "pioneer stories" have given, mainly, the chief events in their own lives. In this short sketch I shall omit all the principal events of my oun life and merely mention those things which seem necessary to an understanding of the subject in hand.
I began my career as a seeker of knowledge in a little log school house on the banks of a small stream in Bartholomew county, Indiana, about fifty-eight years ago next winter. My father moved from Ohio to Indiana, where he owned a small farm, when I was but three months of age. We remained there until I was nine years of age, at which time we returned to Ohio and I was soon a pupil in a district school in the Buckeye state.
I prefer, at present, to give some notion of the little Indiana school, for I believe it typical of the schools of that day. The house had two long, narrow windows, one on each side, running horizontally. Along each window was a broad board, slightly inclined, thus forming writing desks for the large boys and girls. In front of these desks were placed rough, backless benches, on which the writers sat. The ink and pens were often prepared at home, but quills from the wings of geese were kept on hand in the school house. The pen and holder were made of one quill, and one of the essential qualifications of the "master" was the ability to make a good pen. The smaller children were never permitted to occupy the benches in front of the writing desks. In fact it was considered a waste of time to try to teach the young pupils how to write. Those of us who did not write sat on well hewed puncheon benches, each having four legs fastened into holes bored into the wood. These were very uncomfortable, because they were all too high for the little folks, and having no rests for the back, and the feet lacking fully six inches of reaching the floor, it will readily be seen that the little tads who were compelled to sit there by the hour, with the bend in their backs corresponding to the bow in their legs, soon fairly well represented the letter S. How we came out of it with sound bodies I do not know. The recitations, with the exceptions of spelling and reading classes, were entirely individual. The little "scholar" who was learning the alphabet was called up to the teacher, and standing by his knee had the various letters pointed out to him, and after puzzling for some time, he was sent to the bench or made to stand in the corner and study his lesson.
Just think of it. Can it be possible that the teacher of that day thought the little abecedarian could study his lesson? Fortunately my mother had taught me the "letters" at home, so that I began by trying to learn in the "a-be-abs." I soon committed them to memory, that being my only "study," and of course, found time for other matters not in the books, even in this day of educational "fadism." Do you wonder that an active and healthy lad of the mature age of five years, found many amusing things to occupy his time? As a result of that ability to "see things," I well remember how the fun changed when the beech gad wound around the legs and gave a sound something like the crack of a pistol. Well, although the master kept his whip in his hand from morning till night, we soon became so familiar with it that we took many risks, and gave heed to it only when we heard the keen crack as it wrapped around the legs of the luckless lads who were unable to keep back the "giggle." Why! to laugh out loud was a serious misdemeanor, and to pinch or tickle your neighbor was a heinous crime. When whipping did not suffice to cure the mischievous tendency, boys, and even girls, were sometimes tied to the door-latch or to a bench-lag. I have also known both boys and girls to be compelled to sit on the floor or stand in a bent position for what now seems to me to have been an hour at a time. Nor did the teacher of the school hesitate to use the whip across the shoulders of the girls. Notwithstanding all this useless harshness the order was seldom good, except while we were watching the "infliction" of severe punishment upon some hapless offender.
As to the course of study, a few words should be said. Arithmetic, reading, writing and spelling occupied most of the time, although I remember seeing an atlas brought to school by one large boy. The spelling for "head marks" was very intresting and useful. To be a good speller or a good reader was always a mark of distinction. It ought to be so today. There was some advantage, I believe, in the method of individual teaching. Each one tried his best to master his lesson without aid, and when unable to proceed the teacher's suggestion was timely and of practical value.
Some of the teachers of those days were mentally and physically strong. Of course, there were others who were very poorly qualified and were allowed to "keep school" because they were of little value for anything else. Results, in such cases, were unsatisfactory. Methods of discipline, however, worked more evil, it seems to me, than any other feature of the old Hoosier school.
Soon after attending this first school for me, my father put me in a small private school in which was an old time school mistress. She was a terror to evil doers. She kept on one side of the room a series of six dunce blocks, and had six paper caps about one foot in height, and printed across the front of each cap was the word "Fool," in large letters. I have many times seen these stools fully occupied. My fear of being compelled to wear one of these caps was my terror by day, and the burden of my dreams at night. Although I try to practice the Christian virtues and always aim to forgive those who wrong me, I feel a hatred rankling in my heart against that woman. I never was placed on one of those blocks, but I lived in mortal fear of it constantly. Such means of government was, is and always will be vicious, degrading and despicable. Though not in the same way, the same method is still used to a great extent by some of our modern teachers, who are totally unworthy of their high calling.
The relation of the old-time "master" to the school was unique. In the school was usually severe and tyrannical, but at all other times and in all othr places you felt that he wss your friend and willing helper. (Not so, my old school ma'm; she was not good.) From this fact you came in time to feel that his severity was considered a necessity and merely veiled for the time a good, kind heart. In the days when "lickin' and larnin'" went hand in hand the "master" was compelled to maintain his reputation for both. His complete ignorance of method and his usual contempt for college training makes the pioneer teacher appear to the modern critic as a much weaker educational force than he really was. His practical knowledge of the "Three Rs" enabled him to do much toward laying a good foundation for a sound education. Although the elementary studies were taught by "main strength and awkwardness," they were taught, and on that foundation the greatest men of this nation built educational structures that heve never been excelled.
Many incidents and experiences might be related, that would show more clearly the character of the schools of more than half a century ago, but at present I prefer to pass over all my experiences, both as a pupil and as a country school teacher, and make my debut as first assistant in the Rochester schools, when I wore my first mustache, and on all public occasions had great difficulty in properly placing my hands and my feet, to say nothing of attempting to control the tendency of the red blood to tingle in my face, even to the tip of my nose and the very roots of my hair.
I came to Rochester early in Septembr 1867. James McAfee had been elected to the principalship of the schools, and I was to be first assistant. Our trip overland from Peru to Rochester I pass over at present, because a description of it would occupy too much space for the interest it would add. Suffice it to say we arrived the next day after our start from Peru, having
spent the night with Mr. McMahan, father of John McMahan, who lived on the farm now occupied by Lon Carithers. We walked to town that morning and stopped at the Continental Hotel, kept by Mr. VanDusen, but soon took up our residence at the home of Rev. N. L. Lord. I was about as bashful and verdant a youth as ever took a position in the town schools of Indiana. The school board were Rev. N. L. Lord, William Sturgeon and Jonathan Dawson. I doubt if Rochester has ever had a more competent, painstaking and faithful school board. They had employed Mr. McAfee at the suggestion and upon the rcommendation of State Supt. Geo. W. Hoss. I had been attending the Normal scool at Kokomo, and had met with some success as a district school teacher during three winter terms, one taught in Newton county, and the other two in Howard. I managed to attend school during the fall and spring terms, and taught three months in the winter. I concluded, however, to seek a place to teach an entire nine months, in the hope of soon saving sufficient means to enable me to complete a course at Asbury University.
Hearing of the possibility of getting a place in Rochester, I made application and was elected. We began in the fall with a subscription school and did very well, but the regularity of our pay, during the time the public money lasted, was much more attractive. We enrolled, during the year, some three hundred pupils. I had about sixty boys and girls in my room, and did my level best to teach grammar, geography, arithmetic, reading, writing and spelling. I believe I succeeded fairly well in everything except writing. There were two boys in school who I believe had taken lessons of Prof. W. H. Green, and both of them were much better writers than I. However, I had taken a course in penmanship while at Kokomo, of one William Scribner, and understood the principles pretty well, and although we did not always agree as to slants, shades, crosses, etc., I carried the work through seemingly to the satisfaction of the principal and scholars. The two young men who were so good in penmanship, and at first cast some disparagment on my work in that branch, were Nelson G. Hunter and John G. Pearson, both of whom became very warm friends of mine, so far as I know, are so to this day. Of the sixty pupils enrolled in my department that winter, I believe I could with but little difficulty recall their names.
At the end of the first year Mr. McAfee took charge of the Huntington schools, and I became principal at Rochester. This gave me charge of the high school department, and I thus greatly enlarged my acquaintance among the older boys and girls. I transferred a large number of those who had been with me the last year, and hence had more students than the seats would accommodate. We brought in chairs, benches, tables, and filled every available foot of floor space. I also remember that one P. O. Jones, now a lawyer in Plymouth, occupied my chair at my desk. The fact is I had no time to use the chair and felt that it ought to be occupied. The crowded condition made the work very difficult, and although the order was not as good as I have seen, it did very well, and the students made good progress.
Although I realize that my scholastic attainments were rather meagre, I had one very essential qualification, viz: Always had the courage of my convictions. Boys who had a tendency to do mischief were pretty cautious and seldom went beyond the limit of endurance. Whenever that did happen, I regret even now to say that the four-foot gad was used with considerable severity. I do not believe, however, that I ever incurred the permanent ill will of my pupils during the entire three years of my service in the Rochester schools. I can now see what ridiculous blunders I made, but for all that, those were three of the happiest years of my life.
Among those who helped with the teaching during those years were Christopher Fitzgerald, Angie Moore, Sydney Moon, Mollie Ewing, Emma Ford, Sallie J. Banta, George Tipton and two or three others whose names I do not now recall. Many of them were teachers of good qualification and met with reasonably good success. But my intention was to describe with some carefulness the work done in the schools at that time and the success attained. What there was in the schools of that day that resulted well, and wherein lay their great weakness, are matters worthy of study.
I believe I had the honor of introducing written examinations and extensive written work in prparation of lessons in Rochester. I was then a student of the Kokomo normal school and had been instructed in the so-called "Normal Methods" that had just come to be famous in New York and Massachuestts. My instructors were Prof. E. N. Fay and Miss Anna Smith, both of Boston. They were superior teachers and I tried hard to profit by their instruction. They gave me careful training in methods of teaching, reading, grammar, arithmetic and geography. I had also had some work in history, physiology, natural philosophy, rhetoric, elementary astronomy and algebra. I was also at that time a private student of Latin and geometry, with Rev. N. L. Lord. I likewise took up the study of German with a Mr. Richter. Rev. Lord also directed all my reading during the three years of my stay in Rochester. (In all my life I have never known a nobler man or a better instructor than Mr. Lord.) I mention all these details in order that the reader of this sketch may know the length and breadth of my qualification for the work I had undertaken. The great amount of writing required of the students was of great value in at least two respects, it tended to thoroughness and accuracy in the work of students, and it kept them so very busy that most of the usual school mischief was obviated. Boys and girls who did all the work assigned had but little time for anything else. I also called a "deportment roll." Some of the responses were honest, but keen observation taught me that the desire for a good report often overgame conscientious scruples. We made great use of the blackboards and by their means were able to know the strength and weakness of pupils in mathematics. Map dawing was taught in the geography according to the system introduced into Indiana by a Mr. Apgar, of New Jersey. This means of learning geography, while it may have been a step in advance of the old "singing method," was carried to such an extreme as greatly to mar its usefulness. In hisory those getting highest grades were those having the best ability to memorize the text. The same could be said of the work in rhetoric. I find nothing in this method to commend. The lessons in spelling were both written and oral. Most of the analysis and parsing were written and the books carefully criticised. While possibly too much time was devoted to arithmetic and algebra, it must not be thought that other brances were neglected.
We also had what we called "Rhetoric Exercises," on Friday afternoons. Many of the students became good declaimers, and I now remember some whose compositions showed real literary talent. I believe I have never known better work done in history and rhetoric than was done by a few young ladies whose names I could mention, were it not that the name of some worthy one might be omitted. That same class of girls are now among the most intelligent, high minded and noble-hearted women in the communities in which they reside. Their lives have been greatly blessed, and one of the proudest memories of my early teaching is that of the sincere friendship and kindly helpfulness given me so freely in my great bashfulness and awkardness by these same noble-hearted girls.
Now it can be seen that our school was not disturbed by any of the fads and fancies of many of the schools of today, nor was it taught according to the best pedagogical methods, and hence the scholarship may not have been as broad as that gained in present day schools, but if the chief business of schools is to "make men and women," then the schools of 1867-70 will not suffer by any comparison with Rochester schools from that day to this.
The spirit of the school, the constant knowldge that it is important to lay well the foundations of learning, the cultivation of self-reliance, and the encouragement of all honest effort, are among the essentials that must charactrize good school life. Without these, no matter how philosophic or modern your systems of education, the results cannot be satisfactory. Because too many of these fundamental elements are either neglected entirely or but feebly presented in present educational systems furnishes the reason for a multiplicity of failures found among the products of our schools.
[Marguerite L. Miller, Home Folks, Vol. II, 1910, pp. 1-7]

BANTA & STRONG [Rochester, Indiana]
NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION
The firm of Banta and Strong has by mutual consent dissolved. W. H. Banta in connection with Allen T. McPherson will take full charge and management of all the departments of the College except the music which will continue under the entire control of W. F. Strong. Those knowing themselves indebted to the firm of Banta & Strong will settle with Miss Flo Delp, in whose hands are all our accounts.
We desire to announce to the public that the cordial relations so long existing between us continues, and that the dissolution of partnership has been brought about by a combination of circumstances that render the division desirable. W. H. BANTA, W. F. STRONG.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, January 9, 1906]

BARB & HEFFLEY [Rochester, Indiana]
Co-operation. . . . Barb & Heffley, workers in wood, and Rannells & Platt, artificers in iron, co-operate in the construction of wagons, carriages, sleighs, &c. . .
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, November 5, 1868]

BARBEQUE STAND [Lake Manitou]
Patrons of Lake Manitou will find a new place to eat on the North Shore along the Barrett concrete road between Rochester and the Murphy farm, according to announcement of Draper and Tansey, who started Monday morning on the erection of an establishment where barbequed meats will be sold - sandwiches of all kinds made from meat cooked in this most delectable manner. Draper hails from Kokomo and Tansey from Indianapolis. Both have had long experience in this business and promise to give something at the lake that it has never had before. While the actual building will be small, a large lot has been procured and there will be adequate parking space for motorists who want to stop for a lunch. It is expected that the new establishment will be opened for business within a week.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, May 26, 1924]

BARBER & BROOKS BARBER SHOP [Rochester, Indiana]
We are requested to make mention of the fact that Messrs. Barber & Brooks, lately from Wabash, are always to be found in their shop opposite the public Square, ready to do Shaving, Hair-cutting and Trimming, Shampooing, Hair and Whisker dyeing . . . They are fitting up a shop over the Star Store, which will be ready for them soon . . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, August 8, 1867]

BARCUS, GEORGE FRANK [Rochester, Indiana]
GEORGE FRANK BARCUS (Biography)
Councilman George Frank BARCUS is a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, having been born there in 1859. When four years old Mr. Barcus' parents moved to this county and he has lived here ever since. He adopted the plasterers trade and has built up a profitable patronage in that business. In addition to this he owns an interest in the Elliott lime and coal business. He was elected town councilman from his ward in the spring of '94 and is proving a careful and painstaking official. He married Miss Lila AULT in Oct, 1889 and they own a neat home in northwest Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

BIOGRAPHY
George F. Barcus, of the firm of Barcus & Elliott, of Rochester, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, Oct. 8, 1859. His father is Henry A. Barcus, a retired resident of Rochester. He was born in the municipality of Hanover, Germany, seventy-five years ago, or on Sept. 14, 1821. He left the fatherland when young, and came to Indiana. He married in Marshall county, this state, Mary Quigg, whose father, ------ Quigg, was born in ------, and went from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and later located in Marshall county. Henry A. Barcus came to Rochester, in 1863, and engaged in farming in this (Rochester) township. His children are: Retta, wife of Henry Neiswanger, of Ft. Wayne, Ind.; John, Rochester; J. Q., Indianapolis; George F., W. C., Chicago; Rosie B., wife of G. W. Wagner, of Fulton county; Arthur J., Rochester; Ira O., Chicago. George F. Barcus secured his education in the district schools. He found it necessary at a very early age to begin earning a subsistence for himself. He began learning the plasterers' trade in his teens, with A. F. Bowers. He began a successful career as a mechanic when he had mastered his trade. He became a contractor and did some of the best work that Rochester boasts of. The residences of C. C. Wolf and "Doc" Collins being samples of his work with the trowel. He engaged in contracring for thirteen years, and has acquired a comfortable home besides other property as a result of his labor and management. He is possessed of the spirit of progress and takes an interest in the welfare of Rochester. He is trustee for the First ward, elected on the republican ticket. He is a promoter of good street and sidewalk facilities, and of the extension of the water supply. Mr. Barcus married in Rochester, Oct. 30, 1889, Lillie, a sister of Joseph F. Ault, of Rochester. Mr. Barcus is a K. of P. and a K.O.T.M.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, p. 27]

BARCUS, J. Q. [Rochester, Indiana]
MONEY TO LOAN
On improved farms, in sums of $300 and upward. All sums of $300 and under $1,000, 7 per cent interest; and all sums of $1,000 or over, 6 per cent interest, with privilege of partial payments. Call on J. Q. BARCUS, Rochester, Indiana. Office with Elliott & Jackson, Citizens' block.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 17, 1883]

BARCUS & POLAY [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] Attention farmers. Bring your wool. We pay highest prices . . . BARCUS & POLAY, North Main St.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Wednesday, May 5, 1926]

BARGAIN SHOE SHOP [Rochester, Indiana]
BARGAIN SHOE SHOP
Men's shoes half soled for 45 cents. Ladies' shoes half soled for 50 cents. All work at proportionately low prices and warranted No. 1.
Shop over the Central Book Store. Look for big white sign. O. CALLAHAN.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, October 14, 1891]

BARGER, GUY E. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rochester Traffic Lights
__________

[Adv] GUY E. BARGER, contractor, Electrical, Heating, Plumbing. 105 E. 9th. Phone 22.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, September 25, 1934]

BARGER, SAMUEL J. [Union Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Samuel J. Barger, a representative farmer and citizen of Union township, Fulton county, Ind., was born in Seneca county, Ohio, Aug. 27, 1848. He is a son of Andrew and Mary (Horner) Barger. The father was born in Columbia county, Pa., Jan. 26, 1816. He died in Fulton county, Ind., Jan. 25, 1878. The Bargers descend from Pennsylvania Dutch. Andrew Barger's parents settled in Seneca county, Ohio, and in that county Andrew married Mary Horner, who was born in Brush Valley, Pa., Sept. 14, 1828. She is a daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Cousor) Horner, of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. After the marriage of Andrew and Mary Barger, they lived for six years in Seneca county, Ohio, and then in 1854 came to Indiana, and settled in Aubbeenaubbee township, Fulton county. Here the father's death occurred. The mother is now living, making her home with her children that live in the county. The children born unto the marriage of Andrew and Mary Barger are: Samuel J., Elizabeth, two children that died in childhood, John W. Barger, George F. and Mary. The father was a plain, humble and hardworking farmer. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and remained there till twenty-one years. He attended the district schools. At the age of twenty-one he went to Rochester, where he attended school for one year. Then he spent one year in school at Valparaiso. Then began teaching and taught district schools for twelve winters thereafter, farming in the summer. He served as trustee of Aubbeenaubbee township for three years and resigned the office when he moved onto his present farm in Union township in 1879. He was married April 26, 1877, to Miss Emma F., daughter of William and Electa Cook. She was born and reared in Union township. She bore him four children, viz.: Stella May, Earl Guy, Eletta Glen and William A. The mother of these children died Oct. 31, 1887. March 13, 1895, Mr. Barger married a second wife, Mrs. Adella Hordin, nee Loyd. She was born in Union township. Mr. Barger owns 160 acres where he lives and also ten acres of timbered land elsewhere. He is a democrat in politics and has served as trustee of Union township one term. He and family are members of the M.E. church. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., and is a representative citizen.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 27-28]

BARGER FURNITURE & UNDERTAKING [Rochester, Indiana]
NEWS OF THE DAY
The Barger furniture store and undertaking establishment was sold last Friday, to L. M. Shoemaker, of Roann. The consideration was $3,000 and included everything but the fine black hearse team. Mr. Shoemaker will be assisted in the business by Ray O. Hoover, of Akron, who is a graduate of the Chicago School of Embalming, and has been actively engaged in the business for the past six years.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, June 17, 1905]

BARKDOLL, SAMUEL A. [Rochester, Indiana]
BIOGRAPHY
Among the business men of Rochester, whose enterprise has raised the town from a mere village of irregular proportions to a place of city appearance and dignity, and whose exertions are constant for the betterment of the community, none are desering of greater credit than the subject of this sketch. While he is not a millionaire or the owner of vast property, yet he is permanently located and conducts his special business in such a manner as to win for himself the confidence and esteem of the business community. He was born in Adams County, Penn., November 18, 1834. He is the son of Samuel and Margaret Barkdoll, both natives of Pennsylvania. His father deceased when he was three years old, and soon after his mother moved to Franklin county, where he received an ordinary common school education, and at the age of eighteen years he chose the cabinet trade and has followed that more or less ever since. In 1856, he came to Rochester and has been a resident here ever since. His mother is now living, one of the residents of the town. On December 28, 1858, he was married to Aletha Smith, and by this union they had four children, two of whom are now deceased. In April, 1867, Mrs. Barkdoll deceased, and in October, 1868, he was married to Susan J. Stradley, and by this marriage they have five children. Mr. Barkdoll labored for many years as a cabinet maker, and by his industry and economy saved sufficient means to enable him, in 1872, to erect the Giant Planing Mill, which he now conducts in a masterly style. He does all kinds of custom work, such as deressing of lumber for building purposes, making of doors, window frames, sash, and in fact all work of a first-class order. He is one of the substantial business men of this place, genial and social, honest and fair in all of his dealings, and in all a valuable citizen.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 21]

S. A. BARKDOLL
Planing Mill
In publishing a detailed exhibit of the industries of Rochester it is essential that we make mention of this very important branch of her business. This well and favorably known planing mill has been an important factor in the manufacture of lumber ever since its establishment in our city.
The mill was built in the year 1872 by its present owner, Mr. [Samuel A.] BARKDOLL, and is equipped with modern and first class machinery, hence all work turned out by him is No. 1. He manufactures all kinds of doors, sash, blinds, screens &c., at the most reasonable terms, besides doing all kinds of job work, planing, matching, making mouldings &c., and is prepared to turn out all work on short notice.
Mr. Barkdoll keeps in his employ a corps of skilled workmen, and is prepared at all times to make contracts for new buildings. He makes a specialty of inside work and guarantees satisfaction.
We take pleasure in recommending Mr. B. to all who may need anything in his line. He personally attends to all wants of his customers and treats everyone in such a manner that leaves no room for complaint.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 29, 1888]

SAMUEL BARKDOLL (Biography)
A Pennsylvanian by birth, Samuel BARKDOLL was left fatherless at the age of 3 years and found his way to Rochester in 1856. He learned cabinet making as his trade and worked at it until 1872 when he erected the Giant Planing Mills of which he is still proprietor and manager. This industry furnishes work for several hands and turns out all kinds of finishing for buildings. Mr. Barkdoll has been married twice but both companions and four of his ten children have passed away, the living children being Schuyler, George, Jimmy, Trude, Elsie and Bessie [BARKDOLL]. He owns a beautiful home on South Madison street and is much devoted to it and his family.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

BIOGRAPHY
Samuel A. Barkdoll is a semi-pioneer to Fulton county, and has performed well his part in the upbuilding of Rochester and patriotically fulfills his whole duty as a citizen. He is a Keystoner by nativity, coming into existence in Adams county, Pa., Nov. 18, 1834. His parents were Samuel Barkdoll and Margaret Harboe. The former died at thirty-five in 1837, and the latter in 1884 at seventy-six. The living children are Nancy, wife of David Stephey, of Fulton county; Samuel A., Margaret, wife of Christ Hoover, of Rochester. Mr. Barkdoll's mother moved to Franklin county, Pa., soon after her husband's death, and it was in the common schools of that county that young Samuel obtained his meager education. He lived with his guardian from twelve to sixteen, at which age he grew weary of his treatment and ran away. He found work on a brick yard wheeling mud at twenty-five cents a day. Got out at 4 o'clock in the morning and worked correspondingly late at night. At eighteen he engaged himself to an old German named Widmyer. He finished his trade of cabinet maker with him in three years, and was in a mood to go West, but had not the funds. So he worked in the harvest field twenty-six days to secure the necessary cash and soon after set out for Indiana. He landed in Rochester the fall of 1856, and worked with his brother-in-law several years, increasing his original capital from seven dollars to a comfortable surplus above a good subsistence. In 1863 he enlisted in the government service as bridge carpenter, and the year following joined Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Indiana volunteers, Capt. Shields, Col. Wilson. He afterward recruited enough men to entitle him to a second lieutenant's commission. The company was mustered in at Laporte, was ordered to Washington, then to Virginia, back to Salisbury, Md., and there did guard duty to the end of the war. Mr. Barkdoll was mustered out at Dover, Del., and returned home in August, 1865. Dec. 28, 1858, Mr. Barkdoll married Aletha Smith, who died in 1867, leaving two living children--Schuyler C., married Alice Fleyman, and Margaret. In October, 1868, Mr. Barkdoll married Susan J. Stradley, daughter of James Stradley, deceased, from Dover, Del. Their children are: Nora, died 1895; John, died at Colorado Springs in 1893; Elsie, George, Bessie and James. Mr. Barkdoll died in September, 1892. Mr. Barkdoll is an I.O.O.F., a K. of H., and belongs to McClung post, G.A.R. He is now operating the giant planing mill which he built in 1872. He is a republican in politics, is a genial, sociable gentleman and an esteemed townsman.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 28-29]

BARKDOLL, MRS. S. J. [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] New Toboggans and Fancy Yarns just received at Mrs. BARKDOLL'S MILLINERY STORE - - - Opp. Central House.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, December 14, 1887]

MRS. S. J. BARKDOLL
Millinery & Fancy Goods

There is nothing that conduces more to the elevated and refined tone and moral well being of a community than a cultivation of a love for things of beauty. And where this is combined with grace, elegance and experience, the possessor is an invaluable adjunct to society. Such a person we have in this city. We refer to Mrs. S[usan] J. [STRADLEY] BARKDOLL, whose well ordered millinery store is an ornament to, as well as an important factor in the progress and prosperity of the city.
This lady began the millinery business in our city fourteen months ago, and has been very successful. She is acknowledged as a very fine trimmer, and seems to have an almost perfection of taste in all points relating to millinery. Her motto is the most and best goods for the least money. This is a popular motto for the times and brings to her county many customers.
The stock of goods embraces everything new and novel in the millinery and fancy goods line. Mrs. Barkdoll keeps a complete stock of ladies and misses hats and bonnets to suit every age and condition. The finest trimmings, feathers, flowers and ruchings. The entire stock of this house is one of the choicest and most complete it has been our privilege to examine and conclusively shows that this lady exercises the greatest care in securing the best goods and all the latest novelties. Mrs. Barkdoll is now constantly receiving new goods for the spring trade and will show as fine a line as can be found in this section. Her place of business is Main street, opposite the Central House.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 29, 1888]

[Adv] REMOVAL. Mrs. Mattie Steman and Miss Etta Rannells have removed their MILLINERY EMPORIUM to the room formerly occupied by Mrs. Barkdoll. It has been newly fitted up and a bright new stock of Spring goods just opened. - - - -
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 9, 1892]

ANOTHER FACTORY
It may be news to many of our residents to learn that Rochester has a new industry that may branch out in greater dimensions than any thing we have dreamed. This morning the Hill, Wildermuth, Laidlaw Co. leased the big planing mill and all the machinery of Samuel Barkdoll for a term of years and took possession at once.
The new firm will continue in a regular planing mill business, and have retained Mr. Barkdoll and Mr. Chamberlain to take charge of that department, while the members of the new firm will give their personal attention to the manufacture, on a large scale, of their ironing boards, clothes racks, and other novelties in wood. They start off with about ten men at work in the shops and two men on the road to sell the goods, and at the rate these articles are being sold where introduced it will not be long before it will be necessary to build an addition to the mill and work seventy-five or a hundred men. Plans for the addition are being made, and new machinery has already been ordered, and the hum of industry in that neighborhood has a cheering with Mr. Barkdoll and "Jack" Chamberlain at the head of the house building and planing mill part of the business and Messrs Hill, Wildermuth and Laidlaw with their line of novelties there is every reason to believe that this will soon become one of the leading industries of this part of Indiana. The goods made are easy and ready sellers and orders are already in for goods enough to hurry the present force to fill them.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, July 9, 1901]

BARKDOLL & KENNEDY [Rochester, Indiana]
BARKDOLL & KENNEDY'S PLANING MILL, SASH AND DOOR FACTORY
Last Saturday we interviewed Mr. Kennedy for the purpose of writing up briefly their manufactory, and found him courteous and pleasant in every particular.
The building was erected by the firm especially for their business, and is therefore well arranged for machinery and all work in their line. The main building is 50x60 feet, two stories high, with adjacent buildings for engine, ware room, office, &c. The engine room is 22x34 25 feet deep [?], brick, containing a forty-five horse power engine, which is sufficient to drive the present and contemplated machinery. The office and ware room is a frame 18x24 and is well fitted and stored with an innumerable variety of mouldings and all kinds of ware manufactured by them; such as sash, doors, circle windows, door frames, circle sash and doors, bevel edged siding, brackets, &c. They manufacture and keep on hand all kinds of building and finishing material. They have in use one of Thayer's mammoth planing machines which takes the coat off boards and flooring in a jiffy, and cost $1,100. It requires twenty different kinds of machinery to manufacture the various kinds of building and finishing materials, which hum and buzz with fearful velocity.
Messrs. Barkdoll & Kennedy are deserving of great praise, and a very large share of patronage, for their enterprise in putting up so large and much needed manufactory in this place, with only $500 assistance and but little encouragement. The building and machinery cost in the neithborhood of $12,000. They employ twenty-five hands when the factory is in full running order.
They have just secured, at considerable expense, a machine to cut the groove for the manufacture of HEFFLEY'S PATENT QUILTER. This Quilter, from present appearances, promises a big sale, and will be manufactured at some place by the tens of thousands for general use. We are told there is already a large demand for them in the west and east, and it seems to us that the moneyed men of Rochester should make some effort to retain their manfucacture at this place. This firm is now seeking aid elsewhere to this end, and make this fair proposition to the city of Rochester, or to individuals. They ask a loan of $7,000 without interest, for a given time, to erect a suitable building and purchase machinery, for which they will give a mortgage security on all their premises for payment of said loan when due. This seems, from our standpoint, a very great inducement to secure another manufactory at this place, which will give employment to a large number of persons, and the benefits derived therefrom need not now be enumerated. For ourselves, we are ready to take stock in all such enterprise to the extent of our means.
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, November 13, 1873]

On Sept. 26, 1876, John Q. Howell, A. D. Toner, Hickman Phillips and James Ware signed a contract with Barkdoll and Kennedy to build a two-story frame building. This building was necessary before a charter could be obtained from the Grand Lodge of the State of Indiana, F.&A.M., for Kewanna. The first floor of the building was occupied by a drug store and the second floor was the Masonic Hall. The total cost of the building, including all labor and material, was $1,900.
[Kewanna, Thelma Johnston, Wade Bussert, Jan Cessna, and Tammy Evans, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

BARKER, DR. [Kewanna, Indiana]
See: Patents and Inventions

BARKER, ROBERT O. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Robert O. Barker)

BARKER, WILLIAM A. [Union Township]
GAME HUNTING STORIES
By William A. Barker
In the year 1847 my father moved from Ohio by wagon, and settled on the bank of Eel river, east of Twelve Mile, in Cass county, Ind. After living there some time, a stranger came to father's house and wanted to board with him. Father seemed to take up with him, but could not get him to tell his name, so he gave him a name. He called him William A. Barker.
Father entered an eighty-acre tract of land in Fulton county, one mile east of Blue Grass, on the banks of Mill creek, and moved on his land when I was six months of age. Father did as all the other old settlers--built a log house on his land, had puncheon floors, etc. Many persons are not familiar with the way puncheon floors were constructed. Trees were cut down, split, and then hewed on one side; laid flat side up. The house had a fire place in it, with stick chimney. I well remember, and shall never forget, the time when I was five years of age. We had the measles at our house and I was a victim. Was getting better, but they would not let me go out of the house. Old Trim had a "coltie" one night, and father told about it. I wanted to go and see it, but they said I must not go out of the house, for I might catch cold and get worse. I wept about is, so in the afternoon I slipped out of the house and went down. There was a big crack in the fence that I always crawled through. Sure enough, there was the coltie. The old mare took after me and I ran for the crack in the fence. Just as I was half way through, she grabbed me by the ear and nearly cut it off close to my head. I didn't slip back to the house, but went screaming and the blood running, so I didn't need to tell them I had been down to see the "coltie."
I well remember looking across the creek one evening, and seeing the deer playing on a little hill. They played like little lambs. My faher was an expert on deer hunting. He could go out and shoot a deer in less time than we can hunt a rabbit now. We have father's old deer rifle that he used fifty years ago. When he pulled trigger on a deer, blood was sure to flow.
I must tell you about the first deer hunt I took. I was only fourteen years of age when a nice snow fell one night, and the next morning my brother and one of my cousins were going deer hunting. I told them I had a notion to go along. They said all right. I didn't know whether to go or not. I was as much afraid of a deer as a girl is of a mouse, but I went. We hadn't gone far when we found the tracks of three deers. We followed them about one-half mile and they led into a marsh, where the brush was as thick as it could grow, so the boys said I had to go on and run them out, and they would watch to shoot them. I'll bet they could have heard my heart beat, if they had listened. They told me to wait until they got on the other side of the marsh and then start in and track them through. I didn't say a word about being afraid, so when the time came for me to start in I put on courage and started. I followed their tracks in the marsh about fifty yards, then up the marsh a short distance and found they had turned and went out toward the woods again. I thought they had went out, so I halooed for the boys, and told them the game had gone out, so the boys came straight through the marsh. All at once I heard the geatest racket in the marsh and there came the deer, right out to me. I let go, all I had in the gun, and down went the old doe, but up she got and away she went again. I heard the boys say, "Now, if he hasn't killed one, we'll kick him clear home." Out they came, giving me blazes. I told them I thought they had gone out. We followed them about a half-mile and found the old doe lying dead. Oh my, you ought to have seen me. It was big I and little you. I killed a deer. It wasn't like Bro. John Troutman's deer--he killed a little yearling calf.
Along about 1858 and 1860 there were more pigeons than any other bird that wore feathers. They would commence flying northwest about four o'clock in the evening, and one could not see the end of the flock till dark. Then they would begin to settle down on the bushes and trees until their weight would break the limbs. I remember that my brother, Isaac, shot with a rifle at a line of pigeons on a limb and killed nine. Shot three of their heads off. We would take torches and go to their roosts on a dark night and kill all we wented in a little bit, with clubs.
There were lots of turkeys in the woods. Many a one I have made "quit, quit" when he felt the sting of the bullet from my gun. There were plenty of pheasants and quail. About every farm had from six to ten coveys, now it takes six to ten farms to find one covey.
Old Mill creek botton, which is such a fine corn belt now, was a solid body of water. The water was about four feet deep in the main channel, and from six to ten inches over all the rest of the marsh, and quite often a deep hole. We could catch all the fish we wanted. It was just full of pike, sunfish, cat and dogfish, and I have seen as many as five hundred musk rat houses on ten acres. Looked like a hay field. Wild ducks by the tens of thousands. I was the champion, those times, on shooting ducks. People would come and hire me to go and kill ducks for them, but we have to hunt the lakes and ditches now. Old Mill creek has given up her water to old Tippecanoe, by way of ditches, and yielded her soil to the farmer.
Well, when I was fifteen years of age--that was in 1863, right in war time, I wanted to go to the army. I was big and robust, and had an idea they would take me, so myself and one of my chums started to Fulton to enlist, but before we got there we heard that the recruiting officers had left Fulton, so I did not get to go. I have always thought that it was too bad that I didn't get to go, for I do believe that the war would not have lasted as long as it did if I had beern on the line. You can see how near I came getting shot.
It is hard to tell what fifty years will bring forth. When we came here, sixty-two years ago, there was not a road on any line, but they ran in every direction. In going one mile we had to follow the high places. We had no threshing machines, but instead we either pounded it out with a flail or club, or put it on a place that was cleaned off and tramped it out with horses. The first threshing machine I ever saw was what they called a "caver." If you would take a modern threshing machine and saw it in two back of the cylinder you would have a "caver." The wheat, straw and chaff would all come out together, then it would be run through a fanning mill. The machine was driven by horse power. You can see the difference in the last half-century, what will it be in the next fifty years?
How true it is that people are getting weaker and wiser. We can see that people have better advantages to get an education, and become wiser, and we can see that the young men can't stand near as much work as their fathers, or grandfathers, and also the young women. There are but few young ladies that can do the day's work that their mothers can do. The reason the young can't do as much as their parents is that hickory is not applied in time of need as it was in former days.
Well, what I have written all happened while I was at home with my father. I staid with him until I was twenty-two years of age. Show me the young man now that will stay with his father and farm for him and I will show you forty that didn't stay. When I was in my twenty-second year I found a wife, Miss Sarah Caton, with whom I lived thirty-one years. We raised a family of seven children and on the 24th day of February, 1901, God saw fit to take her from labor unto reward.
My second marriage occurred on the 22d day of September, 1903, uniting with Mrs. Gatha Hipp, of near Kewanna, where we are now holding the fort until God sees fit to call us from this home to a home above, where trials and tribulations never come.
Now, I hope I haven't said anything in this chapter that will have a tendency to hurt any one's feelings, and as some may doubt some things I have said, all I will ask of you is to go to some of my brother writers and ask them if it is true.
I will now leave the subject with the readers of this paper, hoping I may be permitted, some time in the future, to speak to you again.
[Marguerite L. Miller, Home Folks, Vol. II, 1910, pp. 16-19]

BARKER GENERAL STORE & BOAT LANDING [Bruce Lake, Indiana]
Eli Barker had a general store and boat landing at Bruce Lake 1900-1906.

BARKER GENERAL STORE [Fletcher's Lake, Indiana]
Eli Barker ran a store at Fletcher's Lake 1918-20.

BARKER GENERAL STORE [Grass Creek, Indiana]
Eli Barker had a store in Grass Creek 1910-18.

BARKER GENERAL STORE [Marshtown, Indiana]
Eli Barker had a store and huckster wagon around 1895-1900.

BARKMAN, HARLEY [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Patents and Inventions

BARN RAISING [Fulton County]
BARN RAISING
One hundred and eighty people from Rochester, North Judson, Mishawaka and the Tiosa community were present Tuesday afternoon at the barn raising on the farm of Trustee Oscar Scott, of Richland township. After the raising the crowd was treated to 15 gallons of ice cream and 17 cakes.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, May 20, 1931]

BARNES, ALBERT [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] Attention Poultry Raisers - - - - all kinds of feed carried in stock. ALBERT BARNES FEED STORE, successor to Frank Sheward. 430 No. Main. Phone 298-R.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, April 29, 1930]

BARNES, JOHN [Macy, Allen Township, Miami County]
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. John Barnes, of Macy, was born in Harrison County, Va., August 29, 1815. He was the third son born to William and Elizabeth (Hull) Barnes, natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, respectively; the former of German and the latter of English descent. When our subject was eleven years old his parents came to Ohio and located in Richland County, where his youth was spent working upon his father's farm. At the age of twenty-two he began the study of medicine with Dr. J. C. Howard, of Mansfield, Ohio. After three years of preparation he entered upon the practice of medicine with Dr. John Palmer, of Leesville, Ohio. In 1845 he came to this State and located near Somerset, Wabash County, where he continued to practice his profession. He came to this county and located at Santa Fe in 1847. In the spring of 1865 he removed to Gilead, this county, and in November, 1879, he located at Macy. September 25, 1844, he was married to Nancy Bebout, a native of Richland County, Ohio, born December 29, 1823. She was the daughter of Peter and Nancy (Kelly) Bebout, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former of French and the latter of Irish descent. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes are the parents of seven children. Their names are Abram, Elizabeth, Sarah, Nathaniel, Martha A., Mary E. and Arthur W. Of these Sarah, Nathaniel and Mary E. are deceased--the first two in infancy and the last at the age of nineteen. Dr. and Mrs. Barnes are members of the M. E. Church. In politics Mr. Barnes is a Republican. He is now comfortably located in Macy, where he and his wife are spending their old days in a pleasant, happy way. He has been in the practice of medicine over forty years, and as such he has been very successful. His success is evidenced by the fact that while a resident of Wabash County he was in active practice three years without losing a single case. He has now resided in Miami County nearly forty years, and is one of its most highly respected citizens.
[History of Miami County, Indiana, 1887, Brant & Fuller. pp. 506-507]

BARNES & MILLER FURNITURE FACTORY [Rochester, Indiana]
BARNES & MILLER FURNITURE MANUFACTORY
On East Pearl street. The first person we encountered after entering the turning room was Mr. Barnes, working at a boring and mortising machine. We examined the operations of this intelligent aparatus until we were fully satisfied of its efficiency to do the work speedily and well. By placing the foot on the treadle, pressing downwards, and pulling a lever, a small hole was bored and the mortising in a table leg smoothly and squarely chisled out.
Accompanied by Mr. Barnes, we proceeded through the building, examining the buzzing rip saws, turning lathes, &c. One man does the turning of the table legs, bed posts, lounge posts, and so on, and Billy Wallace the bed spindles and light turning generally. Billy can put in the rough stick, turn and sand paper a spindle with twenty rounds on it in one minute, or sixty spindles in an hour. The humming, buzzing and deafening roar and rattle of machinery in this room makes one feel as though the panic was a thing of the forgotten past and the people were as busy as ever "subduing the earth," and the things of the world for the inhabitants thereof.
On the second floor the bedsteads, bureaus, cupboards, safes, lounges, and all kinds of furniture is put up and finished ready for the paint shop and sales room. Here are also various kinds of machinery for cutting moulding for the above named articles which would require a larger article than we care to write to describe. One very ingenious machine we noticed particularly makes a peculiar shaped mortise in bed posts which receives the cast-iron that holds the bed rail and post together. Just to give an idea how completely every part of all styles of bedsteads and lounges are gotten out by machinery, we will state that one man is employed who does nothing but put these articles of furniture together, and averages $2.50 per day at from ten to fifteen cents apiece.
These gentlemen seem like crowding business men, and their manufactory stands among the foremost in the place, and adds largely to the improvements and business of Rochester. The sales room is on Main street, where all persons who have an interest in building up and sustaining manufactories in our midst, should go to purchase. Their sales now average about $350 per week.
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, December 4, 1873]

BARNETT, HENRY [Rochester, Indiana]
BIOGRAPHY
Henry Barnett, farmer, P.O. Rochester. This worthy pioneer was born in Bourbon County, Ky., July 3, 1812. His parents, Robert and Nancy (Davis) Barnett, were natives of Pennsylvania. The subject of our sketch was educated at Greenville, Ohio. He became a resident of Logansport, Ind., in 1829, and for five years was employed as agent to look after the Indians of that vicinity. He assisted in the removal of them to the west of the Mississippi River, after which he was engaged in buying furs, general trading and the management of stage lines for a period of twenty years. Mr. Barnett became a resident of this county and settled on the farm (of 150 acres in Sections 25 and 26) on which he now resides in 1854. Mr. Barnett was married in 1840 to Nancy Barnett, daughter of James Barnett, of Kentucky. This union was blessed with thirteen children, seven of whom are living, viz.: Emily, Matilda, Mary, Sarah, Armilda, William and Hannah.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 28]

BARNETT, J. B. [Rochester, Indiana]
POEM WAS PUBLISHED
J. B. Barnett of this city, who is a winter visitor in Sarasota, Fla., had a poem which he composed published in the Sarasota Herald of Tuesday, March 5. The poem was on the subject of "A Busy Time in Sarasota".
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, March 12, 1935]

BARNETT, JOHN A. [Lake Bruce, Indiana]
See: Lake Bruce Conservation Club

BARNETT, MOSES [Wayne Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Moses Barnett, county commissioner, was born in Cass county, Ind., March 18, 1833. Mr. Barnett is a son of Harrison and Sarah (Lamar) Barnett. His father was a native of Kentucky, and a son of Robert and Nancy Barnett, who were also natives of Kentucky. Robert Barnett was a pioneer settler in Cass county, and the father of ten sons and two daughters. The Barnetts are mainly of German origin. Harrison Barnett was a young man when he came to Cass county with his parents. In that county he married Sarah Lamar, who was a daughter of John Lamar, of French origin. He was an early settler in Cass county. His daughter was born in Ohio. Unto Harrison Barnett and wife three sons and five daughters were born. He died when thirty-five years of age. His widow lived many years afterward and died some eight years ago, aged seventy-two years. Moses Barnett was reared on the farm, and his educational advantages were poor. He was fourteen years of age at the time of his father's death, and at that early age Mr. Barnett began the battle of life for himself. He learned plastering and followed the trade many years. He was married in 1857 to Bessie E. Fish, a native of Cortland county, N.Y. After his marriage Mr. Barnett went to housekeeping in Logansport and lived there until he took up farming. He first farmed in Cass county. In 1880 he purchased a farm in Wayne township, Fulton county, and since that date he has resided on this farm. Besides farming Mr. Barnett has dealt largely in stock. He has been a successful business man, and has gained the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens, who honored him by an election to the office of county commissioner in 1894. He has always been a staunch republican in politics. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Unto them have been born five children, viz: Harry, Nina D., Lizzie E., Davy D., deceased, and Minnie, deceased.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, p. 29]

BARNHART, DEAN [Rochester, Indiana]
DEAN BARNHART LEADER
A special from Bloomington to the Indianapolis Star says: "At the election after the game with Purdue last night the members of the Indiana University basket ball team chose Dean Barnhart of Rochester, Ind., as the leader of the 1909-1910 team. Barnhart has just completed his first year of varsity ball and has proved himself the best goal getter on the crimson team. He is an aggressive player and is well liked by all the basket ball men His selection was expected by the student body.
Indiana's first season in the "Big Eight" League was hardly the success expected. In the percentage column only two -- Iowa and Northwestern -- stand below her. Coach Harris's work is regarded as satisfactory, and he is wanted back next year. Coach Harris worked against many odds, as the forwards have scarcely averaged two goals a game, and dissension among the players near the middle of the season left the team in bad straits."
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 17, 1909]

DEAN BARNHART STARS
A special from Bloomington to the Indianapolis News contains the good news that Dean Barnhart of this city, one of the old stars on the famous R.A.A. basket ball team of Rochester, played a star game with Indiana university against the Wisconsin team. It says:
"Indiana university's basket ball five defeated the University of Wisconsin quintet Saturday night, 13 to 11. The contest was one of the best ever seen on the local floor, being hard fought and close throughout. The first half ended with the score 8 to 6 in favor of the Crimson. Both teams played a vicious, close guarding game and little scoring was done. In the second half each team scored five points. Wisconsin was somewhat worn out after a hard game with Chicago on Friday night, but did not send in any substitutes until near the end of the second half. Captain Barnhart starred for the Crimson, scoring three brilliant field goals and a trio of foul baskets. Mongel, at center, was in poor condition, and Hipskind, the diminutive forward, was unable to do anything against the big fellow who guarded him. Indiana's team work counted for naught and it was Barnhart's brilliant work, coupled with excellent guarding by Davis and Graves, that won for the Crimson."
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, February 1, 1910]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Dean L. Barnhart of this city, is captaining the South Bend C.A.C. basketball club this season and the team's first game will be played this evening when they will meet the Notre Dame five. Barnhart will play at center.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, December 6, 1911]

NEWS OF THE DAY
In speaking of the schedule of the C.A.C. team of South bend, of which Dean Barnhart is coach, the South Bend News says a game has been assured Thursday night with the Rochester, Ind. All Stars, a five composed of a number of college players. This team is fast and aggressive and should give the locals a good run for their money. The All Stars five has not been fully organized, as yet, but the line-up will at least have Hugh Barnhart, Guy Barr and Hugh Foglesong.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, December 20, 1911]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Dean Barnhart, who has been connected with the South Bend Times-News, has been promoted to the city editorship of the News and has had that position for the past week.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, June 12, 1912]

ANOTHER PAPER FOR ROCHESTER
On the first of January The Sentinel will pass from the hands of The Van Trump Company to Dean L. Barnhart, son of Congressman Henry A. Barnhart, who will become managing editor and sole owner of the business.
Dean Barnhart is a graduate of Indiana University, where he was a student of journalism, and for the past two years has been engaged in editorial work on South Bend newspapers, where he has demonstrated marked ability in his chosen work. He will undoubtedly improve The Sentinel from a journalistic point of view and the readers will lose nothing by the change. Associated with Mr. Barnhart will be a business manager of large experience and a force of experienced newspaper workers.
The Van Trump Company will continue in the printing business in Rochester, having established a profitable trade in job printing not only among the local business men but in distant cities. While special attention will be paid to the printing business from a manufacturing standpoint, an independent weekly newspaper will be established immediately after the first of the year. The new paper will not fight the battles of any political organization, but will be absolutely fair and fearless in the presentation of the news as it happens. The same policy which has governed The Sentinel during the four years it has been under the Van Trumps will be followed in the conduct of the new paper, except that a broader and more liberal editorial policy will be adopted. The Van Trump Company already own a fine printing plant equipment and to this will be added a standard linotype and other modern machinery making one of the best newspaper plants in this section of the state. A competent organization will be secured and the business will be launched promptly with the opening of the new year.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, November 18, 1912]

SHORT NEWS
Akron News.
Editor Dean Barnhart was in the office the other day making acquaintance with our force and plant. He is a young, versatile man and we trust will be able to keep the Sentinel at the very front of newspaper business in Fulton county. Mr. Barnhart is quite fortunate to step into so popular and well established business and he appreciates the responsibility, only with a determination to succeed. Here is our best hopes for your success, Mr. B.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, January 4, 1913]

BARNHART, HENRY A. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Louderback Garage
__________

HENRY A. BARNHART (Biography)
Fate and force of circumstances sometimes direct men's lives into strange channels and that is true of Henry A. BARNHART. Born on a farm at Twelve Mile in Cass county 37 years ago, he was given the advantage of a common school education, a preparatory college course at Amboy Academy and a few terms of Normal training work. During this time he taught several terms of school and then decided to read law. But six months work on Blackstone and Kent opened his eyes to the vast amount of labor and research necessary to become a lawyer, and necessity prompted him to turn to a vocation which promised earlier financial returns. He came to Fulton county in 1881 and again tried the farm but was elected County Surveyor and moved to Rochester four years later. Soon afterward he purchased the Sentinel and found its management the most satisfactory vocation of his experience and the years of dreamy ambitions to acquire fame and fortune at the bar, or wealth and independence on the farm were suddenly supplanted by the attractiveness of the new calling and they are gone forever.
Mr. Barnhart has held the honorary position of Chairman of the Democratic State Editorial Association, member of the Democratic State Central Committee and the responsible position of Director of the Northern Prison and Secretary and director of the construction company of the Rochester water-works plant. He married Louretta LEFFEL and they have two sons, Dean and Hugh [BARNHART], a foster daughter, Glen HOWELL, and own their home on South Main street.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

BIOGRAPHY
Henry A. Barnhart, editor and proprietor of the Rochester Sentinel, was born in Cass county, Ind., Sept. 11, 1858. His parents were Jacob and Mary (Fisher) Barnhart, natives of Franklin County, Va. The father was a son of Abram Barnhart, a native of Pennsylvania, whose paternal parent was a native of Germany. In an early day he settled in Pennsylvania. Mr. Barnhart's maternal ancestors were also of German origin. The marriage of Jacob Barnhart and Mary Fisher was solemnized in Miami county, Ind., and soon after marriage they settled in Cass county. Such toil, as pioneers of those days experienced, fell to the lot of Jacob Barnhart and his wife. Farming was his vocation throughout his long and exemplary life. He was a devout Christian. He and his wife were members of the German Baptist church, and for the last thirty years of his life he was a minister of the gospel, and during the latter half of that period he was presiding elder of the Eel river district of his church. He was of strong brain power, a wise counselor and recognized leader. He died in the year 1894, at the age of seventy-three years. His widow now (1896) resides on the old homestead in Cass county. Unto Jacob and Mary Barnhart were born ten children, six of whom are living. Henry A., the subject of this sketch, was reared amidst the scenes of farm life. His richest heritage was that of excellent parentage. His early scholastic training was received in the country schools. At Amboy college he took a preparatory course. He taught several terms of school, and then took up the study of law. But six months' work on Blackstone and Kent revealed to him the vast amount of labor and research necessary to become a lawyer, and necessity compelled him to turn to a vocation promising earlier financial returns. Fate and force of circumstances often direct men's lives into strange channels, and such is true of Mr. Barnhart. In 1881 he came to Fulton county and again tried farming. Subsequently he was elected county surveyor, and in 1885 moved to Rochester, where he has since resided. Soon after coming to Rochester, Mr. Barnhart purchased the Sentinel, and finding its management the most satisfactory vocation of his experience, the years of dreamy ambitions to acquire fame and fortune at the bar, or wealth and independence on the farm, were supplanted by the attractiveness of newspaper work, in which he has been very successful. The Sentinel has made a first-class county paper, and his rank as an editor is suggested by the fact that he has held the honorary position of chairman of the Democratic Stated Editorial association. He has alse served as a member of the democratic state central committee, and is now a member of the executive staff of that committee. He has also held the responsible position of director of the Northern Indiana prison, and while serving as such was president of the board. In every sense of the term, Mr. Barnhart is a man of progress. He was secretary and director of the construction company for the Rochester water works plant; is now president of the Rochester telephone company; president of the auditing committee of the Grand Camp of the Knights of the Maccabees of Indiana, and is also a member of the order of Knights of Pythias. Mr. Barnhart married Louretta, the daughter of Arthur and Nancy Leffel, and unto the marriage two sons have been born, namely, Dean and Hugh. They also have a foster daughter--Glen Howell-Barnhart.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 30-31]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Miss Jane Line, today, sold her house and lot on South Main street to Henry A. Barnhart and will either buy a small property in a less expensive real estate district or secure a life residence in some old ladies' home. She has no near relatives living and her health has been quite poor for some time.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 19, 1904]

PERSONAL
Henry A. Barnhart is in Chicago today, attending a meeting of the official board of the national telephone association of which he is president. There are two national telephone associations, one in the east and one in the west, and the meeting at Chicago, today, is held to make preliminary steps to consolidate the two organizations into one great body. The annual three days meeting will occur at the Auditorium hotel, Chicago, about the middle of December at which Rome C. Stephenson, of this city, will be one of the speakers. The president of the association can only hold office one year and Mr. Barnhart will, therefore, not be re-elected.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, November 18, 1904]

MAN FROM HOME
Plymouth, Ind., July 23. Plymouth is today seeing one of the largest political conventions that was ever held here and politicians from all over the state, judging from the democratic enthusiasm manifested, say the date selected for this convention, the 23rd, bespeaks victory for the democrats in November -- it means skidoo for the republicans.
The convention was held at the Thayer residence in South Plymouth and the convention was called to order by District Chairman S. N. Stevens at 1:50 o'clock. Mr. Stevens was made permanent chairman of the convention. The call for the convention was read by District Secretary John R. Jones and Mr. Robert Foster of Elkhart was appointed secretary of the convention. There were no protests of the delegates at this convention.
The convention then took a recess of ten minutes during which time the Rochester K. of P. Octette sang and made a decided hit.
When the convention was again called to order Attorney O. F. Montgomery of this city placed before the convention the name of Henry A. Barnhart. The nomination was seconded by the chairmen of Kosciusko and Marshall counties. The name of A. J. Bonnell of North Judson, was placed before the convention by the Pulaski county delegation. Mr. Bonnell then withdrew in favor of Mr. Barnhart.
There were no other candidates placed in nomination and the motion was made that the nomination be made by acclamation. This motion was seconded and carried with a whoop.
A motion was then made that Mr. Barnhart be the candidate for both the long and short terms. This was also seconded and carried unanimously.
Mr. Barnharrt was then introduced by Chairman S. N. Stevens, and in his speech of acceptance of the nomination, said in part: - - - - - [very lengthy] - - - - - "If the people of this district want to elect me to Congress on condition that I will vote and work for the enactment of good laws and in opposition to questionable and useless ones, regardless of what party introduces them, I am at their service to go and earnestly endeavor to legislate for them as I would that they should legislate for me."
Hon Thomas Marshall, democratic candidate for Governor of Indiana was present at the meeting and as the SENTINEL goes to press was speaking to the large convention.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, July 23, 1908]

IT DIDN'T MEAN IT
One of the most delightful and acceptable of the hundreds of congratulations that came to the SENTINEL editor is an editorial in the Rochester Republican which admits that the things it has said of him in the past were prompted by politics and that, at heart, the Republican editor is frank to say that Barnhart deserved his victory and that he will endeavor to be conscientious and true in the discharge of his duty. The Republican says:
"Well, it's all over now, and we are ready for a new deal. The Republican did every honorable thing within its ken in politics to defeat the man, but a majority of the voters of the district declared that Henry A. Barnhart should represent them in congress, and it is mete that we bow to the will of the majority. There will be no question but what Mr. Barnhart will at all times stand for Democracy and its principles, to which we are diametrically opposed, but the Republican willingly concedes his honesty of purpose, and firmly believes that whatever may be his political shortcomings in the eye of Republicans, he will at least endeavor to act the part of the conscientious, true American citizen. It is a credit to Rochester to send one of our number into the council chamber of this grand republic, and it may fairly be presumed that the home town of the next congressman will never be forgotten when the emoluments of his office come to be distributed about the district. We want to say to the Democrats of Fulton county that the SENTINEL editor was your congressman, but he is now OUR congressman, to whom the mede of praise should be given for his aggressive, successful campaign. In substantiation of all the above written, we extend to Henry A. Barnhart our congratulations in the grasp of our good right hand. It is not worth much, financially, nor capable of directing the great affairs of state, but it is all that we have that keeps a strict account between the individuality of these words and all the world hold honest, truthful and sincere. Therefore, to all your laudable undertakings, may God be with you, the open end of the horn of plenty ever within reach, and every act be crowned with peace of mind, integrity of heart, a jewel no sum can buy."
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, November 6, 1908]

NEWS OF THE DAY
"Bob" Barnhart, a white and tan rat terrier, who has been a popular member of the Barnhart family for the past fifteen years and a terror to rats for the same extended period, died at the home of Mrs. Henry Bailey at Peru, Saturday, of muscular rheumatism. "Bob" was left in Mrs. Bailey's care during the absence of Congressman and Mrs. Barnhart in Washington.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, January 22, 1912]

FAREWELL TO "BOB"
Editor Sentinel: -- A message from home today stating that old "Bob," deaf and decrepit but the family pet and pride and protector for fifteen years, had died, halted interest in all else with me save memory of the past; and, while he was only a fox terrier dog, no affair of state, nor burst of congressional eloquence, nor dream of future glory attracts my attention, and I think - and think - and think.
"You were just a dog, "Bob," but you were a 'thoroughbred' in your class; and if there ever was a faithful, alert, trustworthy, loyal, mind-your-own-business, self-respecting, gentleman dog you were this illustrious, "dogality." From the evening you came from Chicago a plump, little puppy to the hour of your death, the result of paralysis superinduced by fighting two intruding Peru mongrels at the same time you were the trusted watchman of our home, the devoted "pal" of the children, and my rollicking "chum." You could do stunts like the boys on land, in air or in water; you showed many a pesky rat and prowling cat that life was not worth living, and the body scars you carried to your grave were so many badges of honor for you never showed fear and never fought a dog smaller than yourself. No boy ever "socked" you or one of your young masters and "got away with it" without being dog bitten; no man ever violently attacked you who didn't cry, "call off your dog," and no one ever approached your home at an unseemly hour, or in uncommon manner except to hear warning of your strenuous vigil or meet you face to face on the danger line of intrusion. Of course, you occasionally erred in judgment. As I remember you frightened Joe King into short growth, and you bit Uncle Adam Mow and Mike Henry and Huston Black and numerous other good men, who called on friendly mission and found only you at home, and you were not sociable with other people. But your mistakes were due to your loyalty to me and mine, and I'm homesick and heartsick in sorrow because I must bid you, game and companionable old fellow, this everlasting farewell. No friend ever stood with us so firmly and so unselfishly as you, and all you asked in return was to have the door opened forty or fifty times a day that you might rush out and chase roving curs away, and an occasional bone or crumbs from the table.
"And so your memory shall be cherished with us as long as time lasts. Your constancy, your self-denial and your admirable activity in the every-day affairs of the youth about you, as they grew from childhood to man's estate, have been a help to me beyond expression, and if any fellow citizen ever mistakenly or maliciously classes me with your kind, I hope he may compare me with you, "Bob.""
Henry A. Barnhart
Washington, C. D., Jan. 24, 1912.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, January 26, 1912]

ROCHESTER HAS ONE CITIZEN IN NATIONAL BOOK
Names of 140 residents of Indianapolis appear in the 1924 edition of "Who's Who in America," which will be issued July 24, according to advance notice from publishers. In addition to the Indianapolis men and women who are listed in the book, the names of 255 other residents of Indiana appear, including Henry A. Barnhart of Rochester.
The book shows that Indiana is the birthplace of 859 persons mentioned and stands sixth in the list of states contributing large numbers of persons who are listed. The book lists names of 24,357 persons. . . . . . . . .
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, July 26, 1924]

JOSEPHUS DANIELS GUEST OF ROCHESTER RESIDENTS
A distinguished, nationally known, statesman, Josephus Daniels, secretary of the Navy under the Wilson administration, was the honored guest today of Mr. and Mrs. Henry A. Barnhart at their home on South Main street.
Mr. Daniels, who was enroute to Frankfort where he is to make a political address, took noon-day luncheon with his old friend Mr. Barnhart. The former secretary of navy was accompanied to this city from Goshen, Indiana, by Mrs. Minnie Deahl, Mr. and Mrs. Dean L. Barnhart and Mr. Frank Bean who were also luncheon guests of Mr. and Mrs. Barnhart. Mr. Daniels is on a tour through the mid-western states in the interest of his party.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, November 5, 1932]

Editor and Business Man
The death of Henry A. Barnhart on March 26, 1934, marked the passing of one of the few living exponents of personal journalism days when a newspaper reflected the individual almost entirely. As owner of The Rochester Sentinel for 40 years and its active editor for 24 years he established an unusual record in Indiana journalism. During his time he saw the weekly papers that printed local news and vitriolic editorials developed into the metropolitan like dailies which specialize in giving news as they are today. Since he helped make newspaper history in Rochester and since much of the foundation of The News-Sentinel was well laid by him during his 40 years in journalism this tribute is paid to the late editor and public citizen.
The future congressman was born at Twelve Mile, Ind., on September 11, 1858. He was educated in the country schools and at Amboy Academy. He was married to Loretta Ann Leffel, (deceased in 1916), and afterwards was a farmer near Fulton. In 1884 he was elected county surveyor and the couple moved to Rochester. The following year he purchased The Sentinel and while he held several state appointive offices he remained in charge of his newspaper and gained a reputation as a fearless writer in behalf of his community and the Democratic party. In 1908 he was elected to the U. S. House of Representatives and served there with honor and distinction for almost six terms being retired in 1918.
Upon his return home he engaged actively in civic affairs and also made many public addresses. One year he spent on the chautauqua platform. Shortly afterwards he took up active management of the Rochester Telephone Co., he having been one of its founders and president of that institution since its beginning. He was also president of the National Independent Telephone Association and for ten years president of the Indiana State Telephone Association. He was active in the Red Cross and a leader in many charitable, health, business and public welfare enterprises. Probably his greatest joy in later life was secured from helping bring the Federal Fish Hatchery to Rochester. In this movement he was one of the leaders and his many friendships in Washington bore considerable weight with officials there.
He was long a member of the First Baptist Church in Rochester and active as a member of the board of trustees. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge, the Rochester Country Club and the Rochester Kiwanis Club.
In 1923 Mr. Barnhart contracted a second marriage with Mrs. Alwilda Dillon a lifelong family neighbor, the union being a very happy one. He was survived by Mrs. Henry A. Bailey of Peru, Dean L. Barnhart, co-editor of The Goshen News-Times and Democrat and Hugh A. Barnhart of Rochester.
In recent years Mr. Barnhart devoted all of his time to his telephone interests, his church, civic affairs and to his farm where he was a breeder of Guernsey cattle. He suffered some ill health for the last six years and became seriously ill in November 1933. He later was taken to the Methodist Hospital at Indianapolis and placed under the care of a heart specialist. He was re-brought home in the middle of March and gradually grew worse until his passing.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Thursday, December 6, 1934]

BIOGRAPHY
Destiny, the supposed power which presides over human life, has been more than kind to Henry A. Barnhart, according to his own conception of his career. He was born September 11, 1858, at Twelve Mile, Indiana, the son of Elder Jacob and Mary (Fisher) Barnhart, both of whom were lifetime adherents of the German Baptist church. He grew up on a farm and in 1881 was united in marriage with Loretta Ann Leffel (deceased in 1916) and at once located in Fulton county. The family issue consists of two sons, Dean L. Barnhart, editor of the Goshen Democrat and Hugh A. Barnhart, editor of the Rochester Sentinel and a foster daughter, Glendolyn Howell, a niece of Mrs. Barnhart's and now the wife of Henry Stewart Bailey, of Peru. After a common school and limited preparatory education Mr. Barnhart taught school for several years, was then elected surveyor of Fulton county and in 1886 purchased the Rochester Sentinel which he edited for twenty-two years of which he is still owner. Incidental to his busy life as newspaper publisher he found time for other activities and has been president of the Rochester Telephone Co. since its organization in 1895; president of the National Telephone Association; president of the Indiana Telephone Association; president of both the Northern Indiana and Democratic State Editorial Associations; president of the Fulton Chapter American Red Cross; president Fulton County Health and Nursing committee; director of the U. S. Bank and Trust Co.; director of the Indiana State Prison; trustee of Longcliff Hospital for the Insane; and long a member of the Democratic State Central committee and the Executive committee thereof. He was elected to fill a vacancy in the Sixtieth Congress and reelected until he served eleven years. For six years of this service he was Chairman of the House committee on printing and was always active in progressive legislative endeavor. He never had opposition for any of his seven nominations for Congress and, in the elections, usually ran ahead of his party tickets in the district which has always been largely Republican. In addition to his newspaper, telephone and political activities Mr. Barnhart has always been a devotee of farming and is the owner of a farm near Rochester to which he gives a good deal of his attention. He is an after dinner and Chautauqua speaker of some note, a member of the Baptist church, of the Knights of Pythias, of the Rochester Country Club and of the Indiana Society of Chicago. He has always been an enthusiast in public affairs, especially interested in better benevolent and correctional endeavor and public health improvement, and a constant advocate of better things for humanity generally. He has traveled extensively throughout the United States on official business and pleasure missions and insists that this biography shall emphasize the fact that his advantages in life came largely from generous neighbors and friends who favored him far beyond his power of reciprocation.
[Henry A. Barnhart, Fulton County History, pp. 155-156, Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1923]
__________

My father, Henry A. Barnhart, was born September 11, 1858, near Twelve Mile. He had a grade school education and attended a preparatory school. He then taught school several years.
In 1881 he was united in marriage with Loretta Ann Leffel and they settled on a farm east of Fulton. A few years later he was elected surveyor of Fulton County and moved to Rochester. He was active in the Democratic party all his life and served on two state institution boards: State Penitentiary at Michigan City and Longcliff Hospital. He was elected to the U. S. House of Representatives in November, 1908, and served for 11 years. He was president of both state and national newspaper and telephone organizations. At home he enjoyed managing his farm northwest of Rochester. My mother died in 1916 and my father passed away March 26, 1934. He had married Alwilda Edwards, widow of A. J. Dillon, in 1920.
[Hugh A. Barnhart, Fulton Co. Folks, Vol. 1, Willard]

While Henry A. and his wife were living on a farm northeast of Fulton near Mt. Olive, a group of county Democrats, led by A. A. Gast of Akron, visited the farm and urged the young man to run for Fulton County Surveyor. At that time all that was required of a surveyor was to attend the office and employ an assistant who knew how to operate a transit and do the surveying. The young farmer was elected Nov. 7, 1884, and this was the beginning of a life-long political career.
In the issue of May 4, 1885, The Rochester Sentinel, announced that the newspaper had been sold to Henry A. Barnhart. The plant was then located upstairs at 800 Main Street and the press was propelled by manpower.
In 1895 when the Bell patent on telephones expired, the editor along with Rome C. Stephenson, Lyman M. Brackett, George W. Holman and Joseph A. Myers, organized the Rochester Telephone Company and on Nov. 23, 1895, the company was incorporated. At the first meeting Henry was elected president, in which capacity he served until his death.
He was also active in organizing the Rochester Trust and Savings Bank which was later merged with the U.S. Bank and Trust Company (729 Main) of which he was director.
After moving to Rochester he became very active in Democratic organization politics. At a 10th District meeting in Logansport, May 4, 1886, he was elected District Chairman. Three years later he was made a member of the Democratic State Committee.
Governor Claude Matthews in 1893 named him to the board of the Indiana State Prison at Michigan City on which he served several years. Then followed an appointment by Governor J. Frank Hanley as a board member of the Northern Indiana Hospital for Insane, "Longcliff" at Logansport, and four years later he was reappointed.
In an earlier session of the state legislature Fulton County was transferred from the 10th to the 13th Indiana District with the other counties which were Elkhart, Kosciusko, Marshall, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Pulaski and Starke.
His early political participation in party organizations, along with state-wide newspaper and telephone activities, enabled him to widen his acquaintance both in the district and state. In a 13th District convention at Plymouth in 1908 he was unanimously nominated as the Democratic candidate for Congress.
He was elected in Nov., 1908.
Every spring additional duties came to all congressmen when the Agriculture Department gave them all the garden seed they requested. These were mailed to constituents in the districts for early planting. This necessitated some additional members on the staffs and the congressmen asked some of the "faithful" to come from home and help with work. Harvey Snepp of Kewanna, Otto McMahan and Lee Wile from Rochester were on duty several spring seasons.
[Henry A. Barnhart, Hugh A. Barnhart, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

BARNHART, HUGH A. [Rochester, Indiana]
Born July 14, 1892, at 1118 S Main. As I was often told, three years later the house was moved to 1500 S Main and the place I have known as "Home" was built. There with my parents, Henry A. and Loretta Leffel Barnhart; an older sister, Glendolyn, and brother Dean, I spent all my formative years until I graduated from Indiana University in 1915. Then I was on my way with two years working at Indianapolis, two years in the U. S. Army during World War I and in 1919 back to the old home base for the remainder of my life.
The house on Main Street was one of the large liveable type. Rochester was growing slowly and there were many homes like it built in the town during that decade. It was comfortable with high ceilings, a parlor which was closed off in winter, living room, downstairs bedroom, dining room, pantry, kitchen, back porch and woodhouse. A large cupola stood out upstairs on the northern side. Upstairs father had a library which was quite extensive and his den. There were three roomy bedrooms in front, two outside balconies and a bedroom for the "hired girl" in the back.
At the rear was our barn which housed a horse, cow and a carriage along with a runabout. The carriage was an elegant, so we thought, two seater, "with the fringe on the top". Of course there was a haymow. At the south of the barn stood a chicken coop and fenced in chicken yard. A grape arbor led from the house to the barn but midway a branch took off north which led to an outhouse. There was no inside plumbing in those early days . . . . at least in Rochester.
Our kitchen had plenty of space for a large kitchen table and a wood-burning range with a roomy oven and a water container at one end which would provide plenty of hot water. Adjoining was a pantry with a cupboard, a work table with a flour container for mixing dough and opposite the cupboard was a kerosene stove which was used in the summer time. Water for all purposes came from a pump with a deep well with the familiar kitchen sink attached. To the rear of the kitchen a door opened to the woodhouse where each fall my brother and I would pile up the cord wood for use in the living room fireplace most of the winter. Also located there was the ice box of good size. The cooling system came from large cakes of ice which were placed in the top section by an iceman who delivered about two times a week. The ice was cut from Lake Manitou near the dam each winter and stored in two large icehouses where it was covered with sawdust. Ice cutting and storing was quite an industry at the lake in zero weather and employed up to 30 men and two teams of horses. Charley Bailey was the last owner I remember.
Our house was heated by a large coal-burning furnace which furnished plenty of hot air to every room. Hard coal was burned almost exclusively which emitted a minimum of smoke and left only a small residue of ashes. As the first power plant was built three years before my birth we had electric lights in my early days.
As I recall, the family did a "heap" of living in the home the year around. Special entertainment was furnished on a phonograph which used cylindrical wax records. It was something new in the town having been recdently invented by Thomas Edison. I believe that it was the first one in the neighborhood and on Sunday afternoons in the summer father would set up the instrument on the front porch and an audience would soon gather in the yard to hear the "talking machine" speak, sing and let out with instrumental music. The evenings were spent in reading, singing around the piano, school homework and conversation. Early to bed and early to rise was the rule. There were numerous parties among the parents and the young folks the year around.
The telephone did not come to Rochester until 1896 and the errand boy was the main method of communications between homes.
My father installed one of the first modern bathrooms in the town. Most people up to that time had usually heated plenty of water on Saturday, which was known as "bath day", and poured it into a wash tub or a larger container and the bath was taken in the kitchen. When the editor of the Rochester Republican heard about our improvement, he wrote an editorial that said in part, "what a sight it must be to see the editor of the Sentinel bathe his Apollo-like form in a bath tub. Ye gods!" Of course, this improvement marked the death of "outdoor plumbing," and a modern water and sewer system brought a new source of comfort to people.
Meanwhile this period also marked the coming of the automobile and I saw my first car at the Fulton County fair. I believe it was a Stanley Steamer. We kids watched in wonderment when the driver ignited the fuel under the boiler and waited some little time until there was enough steam to move the vehicle. It was a two-passenger car. On the back of the car was a seat facing backward called a "dose-doe". Now and then an automobile was driven through Rochester and if it stopped to buy gasoline at a grocery store, (this was long before the days of filling stations) a crowd would gather to see the latest speeding, 35 miles per hour, vehicle.
The first automobiles in town if they could be called that, were purchased by Rochester citizens, Rome C. Stephenson, George Wallace and "Sport" Sperling. These were three wheelers with the one cylinder engine mounted above the front wheel and resembled the modern-day golf cart. They did not have great speed and had limited power, as often when they came to an arched brick foot-crossing on the street, they had to be helped "over the hill", small as it was, with a push or two. A short time afterwards the first Rambler standard models were purchased by Ike Wile, dry goods store owner and "Sport" Sperling who operated a bicycle shop and by Lyman Brackett for his wholesale grocery store.
Later Francis Louderback acquired a seven-passenger Mitchell, while A. J. Dillon and Lyman Brackett drove Great Northerns and Omer Smith purchased a Winton. In 1908 my father bought a Studebaker EMF, nicknamed "Every Mechanics Friend", which was manufactured in part by Studebakers of South Bend. It had no doors at the front seat, the drivers seat and steering wheel was on the right side and a rear seat tonneau with doors on the sides. As all cars were made at that time, it had a rain proof cloth top which would be lowered and was called a phaeton. During inclement weather side curtains were buttoned on. When winter came the car was put in the barn and jacked up to save pressure on the tires. It was not to be taken out again until spring.
It was also a trying period for the farmers and others who still were faithful to the horse and buggy, sleigh, bobsled or wagon. The "noise making infernal machines" would scare the old horses. Courteous drivers slowed up and gave time for the team to be held or led by its owner. It took several generations of horses before the colts that grew up in the automobile age became accustomed to them.
In the fall of 1911 I entered Indiana University but spent most of my summer vacation periods at home. I worked for Hugh Holman as a time keeper for his crew which laid the brick paving on business streets off of Main. Another summer I joined a government surveying crew to help establish township lines in Cherry County, Nebraska, located in the far northwest corner of the state. Our outfit left Valentine, Neb., late in June with mule and wagon transportation. We lived in tents and did not see a town or village until Labor Day. I came home in good physical condition to play football and basketball at Indiana University, and with some spending money in my pocket to replenish my school wardrobe. I graduated from I. U. in June 1915.
I was married on June 25, 1928, to Martha Anspaugh of Angola, Indiana. She was a teacher in the grade schools here for several years. We are members of the Baptist Church. I am a Mason, Elk, Odd Fellows and a vice president of the Indiana Society of Chicago.
[Hugh A. Barnhart, Fulton Co. Folks, Vol. 1, Willard]
__________

WE'LL SOON KNOW
The state A. A. U. association officers met today and decided whether Hugh Barnhart of this city is eligible to play with the Rochester High school basketball team. The South Bend High school raised the protest that Barnhart was no longer a High school man but a student at Notre Dame and the matter had to be settled at once on account of the championship series now being played in this district. The decision of the association is not known at this time.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 18, 1911]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Barnhart will be in the Notre Dame team Wednesday night against the R. A. A.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 6, 1911]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Hugh Barnhart who is in the State university is regular half back on the freshman football team and contestant for a place on the varsity basketball team. Lyman Brackett of this city is out for a place on the basketball team and Joe Stephenson of South Bend, is a likely candidate for the baseball squad.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 1, 1911]

A history of basketball in Indiana university written by Hugh Barnhart, appears in a current number of the Student, the school's daily.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 28, 1914]

SENTINEL TO HAVE NEW PUBLISHER
Hugh A. Barnhart, who arrived home early Thursday from California, following two years service in the U. S. army, will become publisher of the SENTINEL, about Sept. 1, 1919, succeeding his brother, Dean L. Barnhart, who will go to Goshen, Ind., to take charge of the Goshen Democrat, one of the oldest newspapers in northern Indiana.
The incoming editor has been with the 82nd F. A., a regular army outfit, in various western forts since the summer of 1917, being a first lieutenant when discharged May 16, 1919. Recently has was commissioned a captain of field artillery in the reserve army of the U. S., the recommendation having been made before the armistice was signed. He plans to spend several weeks in the Battle Creek sanitarium before entering upon his work here.
The present SENTINEL publisher has been in charge since Jan 1, 1913. The Goshen Democrat, to which he goes, is the property of Mrs. Barnhart's father, J. A. Beane.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, July 10, 1919]

HUGH BARNHART HONORED BY INDIANA PUBLISHERS
Indianapolis, Ind., Oct. 14. - Hugh Barnhart of the Rochester News-Sentinel was elected president of the Indiana League of Home Dailies at the annual meeting of the organization at the Hotel Severin yesterday. Mr. Barnhart succeeds Max Fowler of the Frankfort Times. - - - -
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, October 14, 1931]

LOCAL MAN MEMBER STATE HIGHWAY BOARD
HUGH A. BARNHART NAMED TO SUCCEED LATE COL. MELTON
Indianapolis, Oct. 4. (U.P.) - Hugh A. Barnhart, Rochester publisher, was named a member of the State Highway commission today by Governor Harry G. Leslie. Barnhart succeeds the late Colonel Arthur P. Melton of Gary, who died last Wednesday morning. Barnhart, a democrat, will serve until April 15 when Melton's term would have expired.
The only other persons considered for the position were Ed Stout, of Goshen and Fred Fox, of South Whitley.
__________

The appointment of Mr. Barnhart to fill the vacancy on the State Highway Commission, made necessary through the death of the late Col. Melton, of Gary, came entirely unsolicited on his part and was the result of the good will of his friends throughout the state and his personal acquaintance with Governor Leslie.
The new appointee was born and reared in Rochester and has always been active in public affairs, having been the first president of LeRoy Shelton Post of the American Legion and the first president of the Rochester Kiwanis Club. He is a graduate of the Rochester public schools, took a year's training in Notre Dame and graduated from Indiana University, president of his class of more than three hundred graduates. Immediately after graduation he became advertising manager for the Holcomb-Hoke Company at Indianapolis, later occupying similar positions with the Presto-Lite Company and Safe Cabinet Company of Marietta, Ohio. The next day after declaration of war with Germany he enlisted and entered Fort Benjamin Harrison officers training camp and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Regular Army. He was assigned to duty in several regiments finally becoming adjutant of a regiment at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. He was mustered out as a captain of reserves and soon after took over the Rochester Sentinel, which his father had owned for thirty-five years. Later he and Floyd Van Trump purchased the Rochester Daily News and consolidated it with the Sentinel, now known as the News-Sentinel, and have made a success of the publication as a non-partisan journal together with an extensive commercial printing establishment.
Mr. Barnhart is married, is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a member of the Baptist church.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, October 4, 1932]

BARNHART TO HEAD HIGHWAY COMMISSION
Indianapolis, Dec. 28. (U.P.) - Hugh A. Barnhart, publisher of the News-Sentinel, a democrat, of Rochester, was elected chairman of the State Highway Commission late today.
Barnhart will succeed John J. Brown who was appointed to the state tax board by Governor Harry G. Leslie, effective January 1st, at which date Barnhart will take up the duties of his now office.
The new director was appointed to the state highway commission on Octover 3rd to fill the facancy made by the death of Col. Arthur P. Melton, of Gary. Barnhart's commission was to expire in June 1932 and a democrat will have to be appointed to fill out his unexpired term.
__________

Indianapolis, Dec. 28. (U.P.) - A storm of protest over appointing a republican as director of the State Highway commission delayed election today of a successor to John J. Brown.
Members of the commission adjourned at noon to attend a farewell luncheon for Brown who resigned as director recently to become a member of the state tax board.
They refused to affirm reports that John Wheeler, republican, of Crown Point, a road contractor was to be given the position.
Wheeler, active in American Legion affairs, supported Governor Paul V. McNutt during his recent campaign.
The fact that Wheeler was scheduled to be elected director was carried exclusively by the United Press yesterday.
Not Officially Notified
Wheeler said he had not been officially notified but understood he was to be appointed by Governor Harry G. Leslie with McNutt's consent.
When the story appeared democrats protested to McNutt that a republican was to get the job.
Because of the protests it was learned members of the commission may not elect Wheeler but instead according the position to Hugh A. Barnhart, democrat of Rochester. Barnhart was recently appointed to the commission to fill the unexpired term of Col. A. P. Melton, of Gary, who died several weeks ago.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, December 28, 1932]

J. D. ADAMS SUCCESSOR TO BARNHART ON ROAD BOARD
Indianapolis, Jan. 11 - (U.P.) - James D. Adams, publisher of the Columbia City Post, was appointed to the state highway commission today by Governor Paul V. McNutt.
He will succeed Hugh A. Barnhart, Rochester publisher, who recently was appointed director of the commission. Both are democrats.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, January 11, 1933]

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
To The Readers of The News-Sentinel:
The opportunity to meet a President of the United States and to have a short talk with him and then enjoy luncheon with the highest official does not often come to a newspaper edior. Since it was the good fortune of this publisher to have enjoyed that experience at Indianapolis on Saturday, I believe some of my readers might be interested in hearing about it.
Upon arrival at the Indianapolis Athletic Club we were sent to the sixth floor which had been reserved for the President and his party. Upon getting off the elevator two state policemen immediately stopped us and we were admitted only when Bowman Elder gave the word. The first person we saw and talked to was Estil Bemenderfer, of Rochester, member of the state police force. Estil had been given a very choice assignment in that he was stationed in the hall near the President's conference room. Policemen were at every door and no one was allowed on the sixth floor unless recognized.
The President was in a large conference room with his assistants and he saw each state delegation in turn. Meanwhile we walked into a room which was occupied by members of the Indiana congressional delegation and there we met and talked with Senator Van Nuys, Senator Minton, and Representatives Pettingill, Boehne, Greenwood, Griswold, Gray, and Laryabee. We were introduced and talked with Governor Davies of Ohio. Shortly afterwards, we enjoyed meeting Senator Alben Barkley of Kentucky, Democratic convention keynoter, and Senator Robert Bulkley of Ohio. All three of these men had served in congress with Henry A. Barnhart in the day of 1908-1919. Later we met Sanator Arthur Vanderburg of Michigan, a very charming gentleman.
While in the room talking, in came Marvin McIntyre, secretary to the President, who gave a very interesting sketch of the drought trip. Then we were introduced to Col. Watson, military aide to the President, and to the youngest member of the first family, John Roosevelt. The latter is a student at Harvard and impressed us as a genuine and real youth much interested in tis trip and the people he met.
The Indiana delegation was called into conference with the President and when they were dismissed Senator Van Nuys took the editor into the big room. There surrounded by many assistants, including Secretary of Agriculture Wallace, sat Mr. Roosevelt at the head of the table while he conversed most informally with Senator Minton. We were introduced and the President calling us by our first name asked how the campaign was coming. A few other questions about conditions in northern Indiana followed and then we stepped aside to allow others to be introduced.
At the luncheon the President was in a particularly happy mood and made a short talk spiced with humor to the 200 assembled. Afterwards he was escorted to his automobile and he and Governor McNutt rode to the depot between two lanes of humanity.
The President possesses all that personal charm which is claimed for him and he makes anyone meeting him feel perfectly at east at once. In the manner and actions he gives every assurance that he really enjoys meeting individuals and listening to their problems and reports. His famed smile is always present and there is nothing about him which would cause the caller to feel that he was in the presence of the Chief Executive of the United States.
Hugh A. Barnhart
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, September 8, 1936]

HUGH A. BARNHART TO HEAD STATE EXCISE OFFICE
* * * * Photo of Hugh A. Barnhart * * * *
Late Friday afternoon, Hugh A. Barnhart, of this city, was appointed state escise director by Governor M. Clifford Townsend. Mr. Barnhart was in Chicago at the time the appointment came through, however he was notified of his new position by telephone.
The Rochester man will assume the duties of his office on May 1st. He succeeds Paul P. Fry, of Linton, who recently presented his resignation to Governor Townsend.
Mr. Barnhart, who is one of the publishers of The News-Sentinel, is the son of the late Henry A. Barnhart, who for eleven years served as congressman from the old Thirteenth District.
The son was the Democratic nominee for Congress from the Second district in last fall's election.
Born in this city, Mr. Barnhart is 43 years of age. He is a graduate of the Rochester High School and Indiana university. Following the completion of his course at Indiana, Mr. Barnhart spent two years in the manufacturing business in Indianapolis, and then enrolled in the first officers training camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison in May, 1917. He resigned his commission as captain in the summer of 1919.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, April 17, 1937]

BARNHART TAKES OATH AS EXCISE DIRECTOR
Indianapolis, May 1. (INS) - With simple ceremonies, Hugh A. Barnhart, Rochester publisher, today was inaugurated as director of the State Alcoholic Beverages Commission.
Barnhart foreswore elaborate procedure and merely stepped into the office of the clerk of the Supreme and Appellate courts and took the oath of office before Deputy Clerk John Gould.
The Rochester publisher swore to uphold the constitution of the United States and the State of Indiana and to impartially discharge the duties of his office.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, May 1, 1937]

HUGH BARNHART HEADS CO-OP COMMISSION
Indianapolis, Feb. 4. - Hugh A. Barnhart, of Rochester, state excise administrator, yesterday was named chairman of the Indiana Commission of Interstate Co-operation at an organization meeting of the group in the statehouse.
Frank N. Wallace, acting commissioner of the Indiana Department of Conservation, was named secretary and Hewitt Carpenter of Marion was appointed exective secretary. Senator Thurman A. Biddinger of Marion was appointed representative to the board of managers of the Council of State Governments.
Lieutenant Governor Charles M. Dawson had been serving as temporary chairman of the commission since resignation of Frank E. Finney from the post. Appointment of Mr. Carpenter as executive secretary was announced several weeks ago.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, February 4, 1941]

BARNHART IS RE-ELECTED EXCISE ADMINISTRATOR
Indianapolis, May 7. - The Alcoholic Beverage Commission, in a special meeting yesterday, renamed Hugh A. Barnhart of Rochester as state excise administrator. Harry C. Fenton of Indianapolis was elected vice-chairman.
The four-man commission recently was reappointed by Gov. Henry F. Schricker to administer the Stout liquor law which went into effect May 1. The state excise administrator previously had been named by the Governor, but now is chosen by the commission members from one of their group.
Members are Mr. Barnhart and Bernard E. Doyle of Hebron, Democrats, and Mr. Fenton and Lowell H. Patterson, of Indianapolis, Republicans. Under the new law, the administrator presides at commission meetings and all members have equal authority.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, May 7, 1941]

GOV. SCHRICKER SHIFTS TWO STATE OFFICIALS
LOCAL CITIZEN TO HEAD CONSERVATION - STOREN ON EXCISE
Indianapolis, Aug. 9. (INS) - Gov. Henry F. Schricker, today made a major shift in State House department heads through which Hugh A. Barnhart, Rochester publisher, was transferred from his position as chairman of the State Alcoholic Beverage Commission to the post of Commissioner of the State Conservation Commission.
The Governor simultaneously appointed William Storen of Scottsburg a member of the Alcoholic Beverages Commission to fill the vacancy on the Alcoholic Beverage Board.
Appointment Apprived
Barnhart will succeed Frank M. Wallace, state entomologist, who has been acting director since January. Wallace will resume his entomological post. Appointment of Barnhart was recommended to the governor by the Conservation Commission earlier this week.
Barnhart is the son of the late Henry Barnhart, who represented the 13th Indiana District in Congress for 11 years. In 1936, Barnhart was the Democratic nominee for Congress from the Second District and was defeated by only 5,000 votes in a district normally Republican by 15,000 to 30,000.
Excise Head Since 1937
On May 1st, 1937, Barnhart was named State Excise Administrator succeeding Paul T. Fry of Linton, Ind., who resigned. On May 1st, 1941, when the Stout liquor law took effect, Barnhart was elected excise administrator.
In September, 1932, Barnhart was appointed to the State Highway Commission by Gov. Harry G. Leslie and when Paul V. McNutt became governor, Barnhart was chosen director, to serve until a new commission took office.
Graduated From I.U.
The new conservation head is 49 years old and is married. He was graduated from Indiana university where he played football and basketball. He was a captain during the World war. He has been editor and publisher of The Rochester News-Sentinel for a number of years.
Barnhart has been an enthusiastic conservation advocate and has aided in the development of the lake region, as Rochester is situated on the shores of Lake Manitou. A Federal fish hatchery is located at Manitou.
Pioneer Worker For Schricker
Barnhart was a pioneer worker in Gov. Schricker's free convention campaign. He is a member of the First Baptist church, the Masonic Order, Odd Fellows, Kiwanis Club, American Legion and the Delta Tau Delt college fraternity. He and Storen will take over their posts on Aug. 15. - - - - - - - - .
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, August 9, 1941]

BARNHART FIELD [Rochester, Indiana]
See Rochester High School Basketball.

BARNHART-VAN TRUMP CO.
See Rochester Sentinel

BARR, DAVID O. [Newcastle Township]
BIOGRAPHY
David O. Barr, a successful and progressive farmer of Newcastle township, and familiarly known as "Oliver" Barr, was born in Richland county, Ohio, March 9, 1857. His father left the Buckeye state in 1858 and cast his fortunes with the people of Franklin township, Kosciusko county, Ind. The industrious, prosperous farmer was born in Pennsylvania in 1826. His father, Samuel Barr, emigrated to Richland County, Ohio, and died there. He was a Jefferson democrat, and his son was a follower of the same political faith. George, the father of Oliver Barr, married Susan a daughter of David Smith, formerly from Bedford county, Pa. Mr. Barr died in 1878, outliving his wife six years. They left three sons--Oliver, Samuel O., and John R., ex-county treasurer of Fulton county. Oliver Barr was educated in the common schools. He began life as a farmer on his father's farm at nineteen. He was married about this time April 16, 1875, to Martha L. Clingenpeel, and settled on his present farm, consisting then of less area than now and being unimproved with the exception of a log house and same kind of a stable. Mr. and Mrs. Barr laid up a little each year and began beautifying their premises as they felt able. The forest has receded almost to the farm lines, a pretty substantial brick residence has taken the place of the log cabin and the log stable has been superceded by a large modern barn. Mrs. Barr's father was Jacob Clingenpeel, who came to Kosciusko county from Virginia very early. Mr. and Mrs. Barr have one child, Maud, born April 2, 1877.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, p. 31]

BARR, EARL R. [Rochester, Indiana]
BIOGRAPHY
Earl R. Barr was born in Fulton county on January 21, 1886. His father was John R. Barr and his grandfather George Barr, all of Irish birth. John Barr was elected treasurer of Fulton county in 1894 and served one term. He is a Democrat by political preference and during the World war held the position of food administrator of Fulton county. His wife who was Henrietta (Wideman) Barr died when her son Earl was four years old. The latter was married November 6, 1908, to Miss Bertha Mattix a member of an old and respected Indiana family. Together they have raised two children, John A. and Marjorie J. They live on a farm of 240 acres devoted to general farming and the breeding of high class hogs and cattle. Mr. Earl is at present manager of the Farmers Live Stock Association and is counted an authority on all that relates to cattle. He was educated at the local schools and has a diploma from the Rochester Normal School.
[Henry A. Barnhart, Fulton County History, p. 157, Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1923]

BARR, GUY [Rochester, Indiana]
PURDUE MEETS DEFEAT
The Purdue basketball team, of which Guy Barr of this city is a forward, was defeated Thursday evening at Lafayette by the Minnesota university five by the score of 19 to 15.
- - - - - Barr did not make a point and the other forward was unable to do much scoring, while Charters, at center, could not get the foul pitches. This was Purdue's first defeat this season and was a very bitter pill to swallow.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, February 17, 1911]

WILL OPERATE HOTEL
Mr. and Mrs. Guy Barr and Mrs. Fred Mudgett departed today for Brown county, Indiana, to make their residence for the summer. Mrs. Barr has been given the contract to operate the Abe Martin Lodge in the Brown County State Park and Mrs. Mudgett will act as her assistant. The hotel consisting of the lodge and 30 cabins will be opened late in April and will be operated until November.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, March 29, 1943]

BIOGRAPHY
Guy R. Barr was born on a farm two miles northwest of Akron, February 17, 1890, the son of John R. and Etta Barr, the latter of whom died when her son, Guy, was three weeks old. The grandfather of the man whose name heads this review was a pioneer farmer of Fulton county, and it was on this farm that John R. Barr worked until twenty-seven years ago when he came to Rochester to assume the duties of County Treasurer for one term. For a time thereafter he engaged in the hardware business and then was in the wholesale lumber business in Arkansas. Returning to Rochester, he again went into general farming and stock raising, which he still continues. He has three children: Earl, who is on the farm; Guy R., the subject of this review; and Pearl, the wife of H. L. Montgomery, of Rochester. Guy R. Barr was educated in the graded and high schools of Rochester and Purdue University where he studied civil engineering from 1909 to 1912. Upon completion of his studies, he returned to Rochester and accepted employment with the Rochester Bridge company, working in the shops and the drafting office to gain a thorough knowledge of all departments of the business. His industry and application won for him the position of secretary of the company in 1917, and in January, 1921, he was made secretary and treasurer. He married, on February 14, 1914, Mary Ann Dawson, the daughter of George V. and Effie (Campbell) Dawson, of Rochester, and to this union two children have been born: Carolyn, born February 28, 1915; and Joan, born October 27, 1920. Mr. Barr takes an active interest in politics and supports the principles of the Democratic party. He is a member of the Rochester Country club of which he is now the president. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife are devout members of the First Presbyterian Church.
[Henry A. Barnhart, Fulton County History, pp. 157-158, Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1923]

BARR, JOHN A. [Akron, Indiana]
JOHN BARR A LEADER IN THE JUNIOR ASSEMBLY
John Barr of Akron, Fulton county's representative in the Junior legislature which convened at Indianapolis Monday, was the runner-up in the contest for president of the senate, losing out to William Jenner of Marengo by the count of 26-18. He thereupon became minority floor leader. His photograph and that of Jenner appeared together in Tuesday's Indianapolis Star.
Robert Small of South Bend, republican, was elected over Dallas Burgess of Indianapolis, democrat as speaker of the house, 65-30.
Both houses of the first session of the junior assembly, composed of students of grade and high schools, met and organized their six-day session.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, March 24, 1925]

FILES "HEAVYWEIGHT" COMPLAINT
* * * * Photo, courtesy of The Gary Post-Tribune * * * *
It's John Barr, member of the law firm of Wildermuth, Force & Barr, of Gary, Ind., doing an "off tackle" thrust through the Gary court house door. He is carrying a complaint of the City Securities Corporation against approximately 1,700 property owners of Gary. The complaint which was filed early in October, according to an article carried in the Gary Post-Tribune of October 7th, consists of six columns, plus a 44-page stapled document, and is believed to be the largest in any county court in the state. The corporation seeks to collect $350,000 by foreclosing special assessment liens on 4,975 parcels of land
Attorney Barr is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Barr, of near Akron, Ind., and a graduate of the Indiana University Law School. He is well known to many of the younger people of this community.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, November 7, 1936]

JOHN A. BARR, FORMERLY OF AKRON, ATTORNEY FOR WARD'S
In an article appearing in the Chicago Sunday Tribune concerning the Montgomery Ward-U.S. government case, it was disclosed that John A. Barr, a graduate of the Akron High school and son of the late Earl Barr of this city, is one of the three attorneys representing the great mail order house.
Attorney Barr, soon after his graduation from the Indiana university law school, was employed in a law firm at Gary, later becoming associated with Montgomery Ward, and with his family took up their residence in Wilmette, Ill. In more recent years he has become one of the executives of the company, and is closely associated with Sewell Avery, whom U. S. troops evicted from the offices of the company a few days ago.
In a hearing before the National Labor Relations board Saturday, Attorney Barr, in speaking relative to the company conducting an election to decide the company employees' wishes as to union control, he pointed out that the issues had been allowed to go undecided since last November, when the union requested recertification as bargaining agent.
Barr stated:
"Since that time the union has done everything in its power to avoid an election. It is little short of scandalous that this board as yet has taken no action to determine this question until today, five and a half months later.
"Company Welcomes Election"
"The War Labor board on Jan. 15 said a bona fide question of representation was involved and an election should be held. President Roosevelt in his telegram to Mr. Avery, said an election would be conducted. Attorney General Biddle in his petition for a continuing order said an election would be held.
"I submit, there is no question of an election before the board. That election has been settled. The company welcomes an election."
The former Akron man, who is now in his late "thirties," is married and the father of three sons His mother, Mrs. Bertha Barr, resides in Akron. Mrs. A. L. Deniston and Mrs. Harry Page of this city are aunts of Attorney Barr.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, May 1, 1944]

BARR, JOHN R. [Akron, Indiana]
JOHN R. BARR (Biography)
A familiar face in Fulton county is that of John R. BARR, who has just retired from the important public trust of county Treasurer. Mr. Barr was born in Kosciusko county, the son of George and Susan BARR, 35 years ago where he grew to manhood. In 1883 he purchased a 240 acres farm 2-1/2 miles northwest of Akron and managed it and an extensive livestock business with much success. He was nominated and elected county Treasurer in 1892, making a splendid official record, and is now proprietor of the Shepherd & Deniston hardware store. He was first married to Miss Alfaretta WIDEMAN, who died in 1888. Since coming to Rochester he married Mrs. Dora RANNELLS, he being the father of three children and she the mother of two. They are very comfortably situated being the owners of extensive real estate interests in the city and county.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

BARR, OLIVER [Newcastle Township]
See: Barr, David O.

BARR LAKE [Newcastle Township]
See Mud Lake, Newcastle Township.

BARR'S HARDWARE, JOHN [Rochester, Indiana]

BARRENS, THE [Wayne Township]
Walter (Fat) Morris, son of Monroe and Amanda Whittenberger Morris. His father settled here in Wayne Township in the southwest corner of Fulton County. The land surface in this area is low and level. The soil was light and sandy loam changing to black loam. In the 1830's this strip of land was known by the land seekers as the "Barrens." There was no heavy timber and the character of the region was prairie-like.
[Daniel Whittenberger-Monroe Morris Family, Kate Morris Jennens, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

BARRET RESTAURANT, JOSIE [Rochester, Indiana]
Around the old courthouse square it was possible for a person to rent a room for sleeping purposes over Tom Wright's saloon or the Josie Barret Restaurant.
[Earle A. Miller, The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, April 25, 1956]

BARRETT, ABNER J. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Hotels - Arlington Hotel
See: Hotels - Barrett Hotel
__________

[Adv] Go to A. J. Barrett's Lumber Yard for your Lumber, Lath and Shingles, Coal and Brick.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, May 7, 1897]

[Adv] In Time of Peace Prepare for War. And in the autumn prepare for winter - - - A. J. BARRETT, Ollie Ault, Supt. Yards on East Washington Street.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 2, 1904]

[Adv] Paints - - - -A. J. BARRETT, East Washington St., Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, September 23, 1907]

NEWS OF THE DAY
A petition was filed in the Fulton Circuit court this morning by A. J. Barrett for the adoption of John Andrew Barrett.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, November 1, 1912]

OLDSMOBILE AGENT
Abner J. Barrett has accepted the agency for Oldsmobile cars in Fulton county. He will establish a salesroom at his lumber yard on East Seventh street which will be in charge of his son John and Edwin Parschbacher. A full line of parts will also be carried in stock. The new agency will receive a coach from the factory at Lansing, Mich., on next Thursday.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, September 3, 1925]

A. J. BARRETT & SON SELL LUMBER & COAL COMPANY
An important business transaction was placed on record today when the A. J. Barrett & Son Lumber and Coal Co., which has been in operation in this city for a half century, was sold to James L. Brooke, of South Bend. The new owner took possession of the business immediately.
Through this change of ownership another important business transfer will go into effect May 1st when John Barrett, junior member of A. J. Barrett & Son will take over the management of the Arlington Hotel. J. D. Bonine & Son who have operated Rochester's only hostelry for a period of 30 years, will relinquish their lease on the above mentioned date. The retiring hotel operators have not announced their plans for the future.
To Improve Hotel
When interviewed today the younger Barrett stated the hotel would undergo a complete overhauling in the way of improvements as soon as possession is obtained. Several alterations in room arrangements, together with redecorating and additional furnishings will be made. In honor of the older Barrett, who is owner of several buildings in the Arlington Block, the new manager is contemplating changing the name of the Arlington to that of the Barrett hotel. A. J. Barrett it was stated will retire from active business.
The new proprietor of the lumber and coal company has had years of experience in this field for several years being connected with the South Bend City Lumber Co. Mr. Brooke and family will take up their permanent residency here immediately.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, March 20, 1929]

BIOGRAPHY
Abner J. Barrett, well known lumber dealer of Rochester, was born in Fulton county, Indiana, January 1, 1850, the son of James and Rachael (Wise) Barrett, the former a native of Ohio and the latter being born in Montgomery county, Ohio. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Abner Barrett, came to Fulton county in 1835 and settled on a farm in Newcastle township where his first wife died leaving five sons and six daughters, all of whom are dead. He was married again, taking for his second wife a Miss Chambarlain. He died in Rocheste rtownship sometime later. The parents of our subject came to Rochester, and with the outbreak of the Civil war, James Barrett enlisted in the 87th Indiana Infantry,and while he was still in the army, he died in the early spring of 1865. Abner J. Barrett was reared on a farm and received a public school education. In 1859, he came to Rochester with his parents, and at the age of fifteen years, he accepted employment with E. E. Cowgill in a lumber yard. He continued in this work until his industry and faithfulness won him the reward of a partnership in the business in 1879. For about three years, the firm operated under the style of E. E. Cowgill and Company. At that time, Mr. Cowgill died and the firm was known as Brackett and Barrett until 1893 when Abner Barrett bought out his partner. At one time Brackett and Barrett bought three thousand acres of land in Kentucky and with I. N. Sluder operated those holdings for about seven years. Mr. Sluder and Mr. Barrett also ran a mill in Arkansas for several years. The firm of Brackett and Barrett had a yard at Marion, Indiana, where they conducted a wholesale hardwood lumber business. Since 1893, however, Mr. Barrett has been in business for himself and has been one of the most successful men in this county in the lumber business. He was married in 1871 to Rebecca M. Johnson, of Fulton county, whose parents were natives of Ohio where Mrs. Barrett was born, and came to Indiana at an early date. He has two children: Pearl, who is living at home, and John A., who is in business with his father. Mr. Barrett is a popular member of the Masons and at one time was a member of the Good Templars. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, in the affairs of which they take a great interest. John A. Barrett was born in Fulton county, Indiana, October 28, 1898, and received his education in the graded and high schools of Rochester. In 1917, after his graduation from high school he went into the lumber business with his father. On September 17, 1922, he married Grace True, the daughter of Rinaldo P. and Estelle (Mitchell) True, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. In fraternal circles, John A. Barrett is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
[Henry A. Barnhart, Fulton County History, pp. 158-160, Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1923]

BARRETT, ALEXANDER [Newcastle Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Alexander Barrett, a native of Coshocton County, Ohio, was born August 19, 1821. On the 14th of May, 1843, he was married to Miss Malona Severns, a resident of his native county. Several years after this event, they removed from their native State and located where they now reside, and where he owns a valuable farm of 184 acres, which is under a very good state of cultivation. To them have been born ten children--Hannah A., Elizabeth, William A., Mary, John J., Leonora W., Sarah M., Malinda, Stephen and Arena. Of these, Hannah, Elizabeth, Mary, John and Sarah have married, and Hannah and Leonora are deceased. John Barrett, the father of Mr. Barrett, was a native of Ireland, and married Nancy Kirk, also of Irish lineage. William Severns, Mrs. Barrett's father, was a native of Ohio, born January 4, 1800. He married Hannah Treadway, who was born about the year 1805, and deceased in 1860.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 46]

BARRETT, J. C. [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] The New Department Store, J. C. BARRETT, Arlington Block.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, January 31, 1899]

BARRETT & CO., J. C. [Rochester, Indiana]
{Adv] NEW GROCERY FIRM. Having purchased the Chamberlain Grocery, refitted and refurnished the same, we are ready to receive customers.. We pay the highest prices for Country Produce. - - - J. C. BARRETT & CO., Successors to Mrs. C. Chamberlain, next to Post Office.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, May 16, 1888]

[Adv] MODEL RESTAURANT, J. C. Barrett, Prop. Warm Meals, Night Lodging, Lunch, Choice Fruits, Confections and Supplies for Fancy Suppers. South Side Public Square.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, January 13, 1893]

BARRETT, JOHN [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Hotels - Arlington Hotel
See: Hotels - Barrett Hotel
__________

NEW BUSINESS OPENED
A new paint and roofing store has been opened in the Barrett Building, 117 East 7th street, this city. John Barrett, proprietor and manger of the new store has had several years of experience in the paint and roofing business while he was manager of a local lumber and coal industry. A complete line of all kinds of paint and roofing will be in stock at all times.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, May 1, 1931]

OPENS STORE
John Barrett today opened a store at 121 East Seventh street, opposite the City Hall. He will carry a complete line of wallpaper, paints, varnish, roofing and light hardware. Mr. Barrett is a son of A. J. Barrett and was engaged in a similar business enterprise in Rochester for a number of years.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, April 21, 1938]

BARRETT HOTEL [Rochester, Indiana]
Edith (Hoover) McMahan managed the Barrett Hotel (previously known as the Arlington) while her husband was postmaster.
[Hoover Family, Ernest Hoover, Jr., Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]
See Arlington Hotel

BARRETT LUMBER CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
See Barrett, A. J.
__________

R. S. McCORD SELLS HIS SHARE IN LUMBER YARD
R. S. McCord Tuesday sold his interest in the Manitou Lumber Company to his partner, Wallace Haworth of Atica, Indiana, and will be associated with his brother W. R. McCord in the Logansport Lumber Co., where he bought Mr. Haworth's interest.
Mr. McCord would like to take this opportunity to thank his friends and customers for their patronage.
Mr. and Mrs. McCord have been residents of this city since April 1, 1933, and have made many friends here. They will move to Logansport in the near future to make their home.
Mr. Haworth announced today that he will continue the lumber yard in operation. For many years the yard was operated under the name of the Barrett Lumber Company.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, July 27, 1937]

BARRON WOOLEN MILLS [Rochester, Indiana]
Moore's iron forge was located on Mill Creek northwest of the Farm Bureau elevator and boasted that it would smelt iron ore, make a horseshoe and nail it on the horse within an hour's time. The iron works later was moved to the Tippecanoe River because the water supply was curtailed by the building of a flouring mill upstream. In 1846, the Barron Woolen Mills were built on the site of Moore's Iron Works.
[Rochester the Unfounded City, Shirley Willard, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

In 1846, the Barron woolen mills were built on the site of Moore's Iron Works, a concern that had made iron from the bog iron ore that may be found in the county. The woolen mills were sold in 1855, and changed hands several times during the ensuing years. The building was enlarged and improved facilities for performing all operations in the manufacture of wool were made. The mills enjoyed a period of prosperity but it was comparatively shortlived and they were abandoned.
[Henry A. Barnhart, An Account of Fulton County From its Organization , Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1922 - Indexed and Reprinted by Wendell C. Tombaugh, 1981]

BARTER'S ORCHARD [Rochester Township]
GOULD ORCHARD SOLD
The Gould orchard a mile southeast of the city on the banks of Lake Manitou was sold Tuesday by Dr. Lyman GOULD to Mr. and Mrs. Harry H. BARTER of Ft. Wayne. The owner took immediate possession. The new owners will also operate a truck and chickn farm.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana,, Tuesday, May 31 1927]
Charles, the son of Kenneth and Lena Gearhart Fellers, was married on May 12, 1950, to Gloria Barter, whose parents and brother own Barter's Orchard southeast of Rochester.
[Dr. Joseph Sippy Family, Velma Bright, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

BARTS, KEITH [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Keith Barts)

BARTS BROS. FERTILIZER PLANT [Rochester Township]
See Rochester Fertilizer & Feed Co.

BUSINESS REVIEW OF ROCHESTER MERCHANTS
It is especially fitting and proper in these days, that we direct our attention to a concern that is devoted to this important work.
The proprietors of this enterprise who are well and favorably known in this section, he believes [sic] this section offered an ideal location for this tanking industry, and that their judgement has been vindicated is evidenced by the well merited success that has crowned their well directed efforts. The location so near us of this industry has been of considerable benefit to the tillers of the soil in this vicinity, for they have not only found a means for the prompt removal of dead stock, but have found that this company assisted in conservation to practical use and thus have been double fortunate.
Of late years laws have been enacted in many states of the union providing for the absolute prohibition of the old methods of burying dead stock of any kind.
There are at the presemt time only two methods of disposing of dead animals, namely cremating and rendering. Of the two, rendering is to be commended for it is not only the most sanitary but it is the best from a commercial standpoint for modern fertilizer firms like this one not only transport all dead animals free of charge but utilize the carcass.
Their service is most prompt for they always respond without delay. This establishment is always in close touch with the state health board and is always ready to act upon any suggestion which may accrue to the benefit of the people of the community. We recommend this company to our readers and advise them to take advantage of the service they offer the public.
This company manufactures and sells tankage at reasonable prices.
The proprietor and assistants are some of the leading men of this section, who have always taken an active interest in the expansion of the development of this section of the state. We wish to compliment them upon their high standing in the business world of this section.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, August 17, 1922]

BASEBALL [Rochester, Indiana]
See Rochester Baseball
__________

In a game of base ball at Bloomingsburg [Talma] last Friday, between the Maple Leaf club of Argos, and the Clumsies of Bloomingsburg, the score stood 30 to 20 in favor of the Bloomingsburg club. It was an easy victory for the Clumsies and they are considerably elated over the manner in which they "done" the brag nine from Argos.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 25, 1886]

FIRST GAME OF SEASON
The Manitou White Sox have organized and will meet the Rochester College team on the latter's diamond providing the weather and diamond are fit, next Saturday at 2:30 p.m. The Sox don't pretend to be world beaters, but they are a manly bunch of country lads and are anxious to see Rochester's baseball fever aroused once again and will do all they can to boost the enthusiasm. They will appear on Main street at 2:00 p.m. in a foxy wagon drawn by four draft horses. They'll have bunting, flags and noise galore. Follow the flag and see a good game free of charge. The hat will be passed and if enough money is collected to pay for two balls, the Sox will feel happy - win or lose. -- DON FARGO, Manager.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 16, 1909]

BASEMENT BARBER SHOP [Rochester, Indiana]
Located in basement of Holman & Stephenson building, 112 E. 8th.
__________

NEWS OF THE DAY
The barber shop in the basement of the new Holman & Stephenson building is modern in every respect. It is equipped with three barbers, Laidlau, Piper and VanDien, also two tubs and a shower bath. The baths are open every day of the week, and on Sunday until noon.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, April 18, 1906]

BUSINESS CHANGES MADE IN CITY
The other change was in the Basement barber shop, operated for several years by William Trickle. By a deal, which was closed Monday, Fred Tipton became one of the owners and will begin his active ownership the first of next week. While new as an owner, Mr. Tipton is an old and well-known fixture in the barber business of the city, and his many friends will be glad to learn that he is going into business for himself.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, April 10, 1912]

WILLIAM TRICKLE SELLS INTEREST IN BARBER SHOP
After being in the business in Rochester for nine years, William Trickle has sold his interest in the Basement barber shop on E. Eighth street to his partner, Fred Tipton, and with his family will move to Indianapolis where he has a position. Mr. Tipton, the new owner of the shop has employed Charles Fields to take the chair formerly held by Mr. Trickle. Mr.Trickle is now packing his household goods and expects to leave Rochester Monday.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 10, 1915]

SELLS HALF INTEREST
Fred Tipton has sold a half interest in his barber shop, located in the basement of the Holman and Stephenson building on East Eighth street, to Fred Westwood. In the future the establishment will be known as the Tipton and Westwood Shop. Mr. Westwood has been employed in the shop for a number of years.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, July 18, 1934]

BASEMENT BARBER SHOP [Rochester, Indiana]
Located at 712-1/2 Main Street
__________

[Adv] The New Basement Barber Shop, Under Stoner & Black's. Tub and Shower Baths, Laundry Agency. Just installed a New Electric Hair Drier. GRANDSTAFF & STEFFY.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, June 17, 1914] [sic]

Edward Raymer has resigned his position at the Arlington barber shop to work in the Basement shop owned by Brubaker and Paramore.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 20, 1917]

[Adv] NOTICE TO PUBLIC. Supplied with every want in a barber shop. All lines of supplies always strictly sanitary. Open every eve. till 8.00 o'clock Saturday till 10:00 o'clock. HAIR CUT 25¢ SHAVE 20¢ and a reduction in other lines. In all ways at your service. ADAMS & RAYMER, Basement Barber Shop.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, September 22, 1931]

BRUBAKER BUYS INTEREST BASEMENT BARBER SHOP
Claude Brubaker, who about two years ago sold his interest in the basement barber shop to follow the occupation of farming on his land north of this city, yesterday purchased a third interest in the basement barber shop which he formerly owned and this morning was back on his old chair.
The other two partners of the shop are A. Adams and Eddie Raymer. Mr. Brubaker has turned his farming interests over to a tenant who will take up his residency on the farm on March 1.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, February 24, 1932]

[Adv] A NEW SERVICE. Your shoes properly cleaned and shined adds greatly to your appearance. Fancy shoes and dyeing a specialty. We call for a deliver. Phone 195. LECTRO SHINE PARLOR at Basement Barber Shop.
[The News-sentinel, Monday, March 28, 1932]

BASHORE FEED STORE [Akron, Indiana]
Located on west side of South Mishawaka Street one block south of the center of Akron.
[Jacob Whittenberger Family, Velma Bright, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

BASHORE FEED STORE (Rochester, Indiana]
BASHORE TO BUILD MAIN STREET HOME 140 BY 49
A contract was awarded yesterday to The A. R. Fansler Construction Co., of this city for the erection of a new 140 by 49 foot building which will house the Bashore Feed store.
The building, which will be located at 417 Main street, between the Overmyer Poultry Co., and the C. E. Robbins farm implement building will be one of the most modern outstanding structures in this section of the state, the contractor stated today. It will replace the small brick building now occupied by the Rochester Office Machine Equipment Co., which will move soon to the Barrett building on East Seventh street.
The new building is planned to care for sales rooms, storage and hatchery on the ground floor, while the second story will be laid out in modern apartments. Work on the new structure will begin in the near future.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, June 27, 1945]

BASKE & SINNOTT [Kewanna, Indiana]
PERSONAL
The Baske & Sinnott hardware store in Kewanna has been sold to F. B. Tuttle. The stock is being invoiced and as soon as the inventory is completed. [sic] Mr. Tuttle, who assumes charge of the store, was a former Kewanna business man but for the past two years has been in the West.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, September 20, 1910]

BASKETBALL [Rochester, Indiana]
See Rochester Athletic Association; Centennial Block, Armory Hall
Also see Coaching School
__________

The game was introduced to Rochester by Roy Jones, principal of the old South School, and played evenings on a vacant quarter quarter-square corner of 11th and Monroe. From this beginning the old National Guard Armory, consisting of two upstairs rooms at 124 and 126 E 8th, was rented and three teams organized for competition.
The first teams were named "The Rackets," sponsored by William Guthrie; "The Rushers" and "The Regulars."
__________

The very first basketball game ever played in Rochester was between North (Lincoln) and South (Columbia) schools in November of 1897. The following description of the game printed in the News-Sentinel Feb. 12, 1957, as quoted by Bob Shafer from a newspaper account of 1897 Unfortunately, we could not locate the original 1897 newspaper. The story was part of a two-page salute to 50 years of basketball at Rochester High School, which got its first eam in 1907.
"A NEW GAME. Some of the students of the North and South schools, under the direction of C. O. Phillips, have introduced a new gae called basket ball.
"The first game was played Wed. evening in the Red Men's hall (Rochester College) at the north end and it proved quite a pleasant and exciting sport. The game is played with a foot ball and the players line up on each side of a given line and try to land the ball in baskets hung at opposite ends of the court.
"The ball is first tossed into the air, after which the players throw it fro one to the other until an occasion is presented to make a sweep for the basket, at which time the success lay with the expert tosser at the mark
"While not so intensely exciting as football, there is plenty of amusement afforded."
[1897 Saw First Basketball Game in Rochester, Fulton County Historical Society Quarterly, No. 36]

__________

BASKET BALL FOR SURE
A basket ball team, to be known as "The Rackets" and with qualities to make their name good has been organized and is composed of Lucius Mackey, captain; Clark Cunningham, Lon Huffman, Chas. Burns and Ray Shore.
Suits have been ordered and an attempt is being made to rent a large room for the winter, where they will begin practice immediately and in a few weeks will begin a series of games with teams from all over the northern part of the State.
The team contains good material for the game the boys all being in good trim to enter into this sport and win a few games. At present the prospects are to rent the Armory hall, and in case they do, seats will be arranged along the side for spectators.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, October 20, 1904]

A CHALLENGE
In Thursday's issue of the Rochester SENTINEL appeared an article setting forth the qualifications of a basket ball team, known as "The Rackets," also stating that said team expects to meet and defeat some of the best teams in northern Indiana.
Now comes "The Regulars" composed of Ott, Tom and Bill McMahan, Roy Jones and E. A. Miller, with a challenge to "The Rackets" upon the following conditions:
This challenge must be accepted within three days from date. The game must be set for some evening, including Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, before November 1, 1904.
Match to be advertised, played before an audience at small admission. Winner to take proceeds, losers to pay all expenses. 1904 rules to govern game. E. A. MILLER, Captain.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, October 20, 1904]

ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
The basket ball craze has struck Rochester in earnest and now almost every school boy is more or less interested. And not only the school boy but older ones as well, and Friday night twenty young men, who compose four basket ball clubs, met and organized into an athletic association and chose for their officers: Chas. Burns, president; Lucius Mackey, vice president; Otto McMahan, treasurer; Harry Norris secretary; and Harry Nellans, corresponding secretary.
The club had previously rented the Armory Hall and there they will contest with teams from near by cities, this winter.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, October 29, 1904]

NEWS OF THE DAY
A girls basket ball team has been organized composed of Edith Williams, Ruth Terry, Mary Brackett, Fern Thalmann, Alice Fieser, Cornelia Moore, Mary Baldwin substituttes. It is believed that they will make a very efficient team as they are all very active and athletic.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, October 31, 1904]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The "Manitou Rushers" and "The Rackets" engaged in a game of basket ball at the Armory hall, Wednesday evening, which resulted in the score of 14 to 11 in favor of the former team. George Sperling was the star player of the evening, making five field goals for the "Rushers." This game was to decide which of the three Rochester teams shall play the Peru team on Thanksgiving evening and the "Rushers" will have the honor of the contest with foreign team. Several exhibition games will be played next week to which the public will be invited.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, November 17, 1904]

BASKETBALL GAME
The spring entertainment of the Rochester Athletic Association at the Armory on Thanksgiving eve was attended by an audience of nearly three hundred people who cheered and laughed and had a most enjoyable evening.
There were three regularly organized basket ball clubs in town and they had played contest games, in private, to decide who should play the Peru club at the opening, but the Peru club, as might have been expected of Peru, decided to not come and so the game was between the two home clubs that had won the highest scores.
The line up was, for the Rushers, Earl Nellans, Captain and center; Jake Flox and Dean Barnhart, guards; and George Sperling and Ralph Richter, put-ins. For the Regulars, Earl Miller, captain and center; Harry Bitters and Tom McMahan, guards; and Roy Jones and Bill McMahan put-ins. County Supt Deamer was umpire, Prof Marbett, timekeeper, Prof McPherson referee, and Chas. A. Burns score keeper.
The toss of the coins gave choice of goals to the Regulars and the came commenced. The Rushers being composed of younger boys seemed timid in the opening, and this with a questionable decision or two against them seemed to disconcert them and the Regulars scored 5 in the first half to the Rushers 0. But in the second half Richter, on account of an injured ankle, was substituted by Harry Norris, and the Rushers started right in to show how they could play when the ginger was working. Although the younger and lighter of the two clugbs the Rushers took the ball and handled it with whirlwind effect, the playing of Flox and Nellans and their splendid support bringing forth continuous cheers. The Regulars also played fast ball and at the call of time the Rushers had 6 tallies and the Regulars 4, making the total score 9 to 6 in favor of the Regulars.
It was the liveliest athletic sport Rochester has seen since the memorable days of Red Fellow base ball excitement; the audience was orderly, and this opening game bids fair to make basket ball a very popular sport in Rochester this winter.
After the game a very pleasant dance was given in which the players and their friends spent a most delightful evening.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, November 25, 1904]

NO BASKET BALL
Those who so enjoyed the numerous games of Basket ball, as afforded by the clubs of the Rochester Athletic association and visiting teams, last winter, will not have those treats this season, owing to the failure of the Athletic association to rent the hall.
Jonathan Dawson is the owner of the Armory, and gave the association an option on a lease at the close of last season and since the association has re-organized, Dawson refuses to rent them the hall, on the grounds that they make so much noise, which is objectioneble to his renter of the room below the Armory -- Benj Noftsger. Mr. Noftsger refuses to make any kind of a compromise and it now appears that the Athletic association will follow in the tracks recently made by the Citizens' Band and Merchants' and Protective assiciation -- to the tall grass.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, October 13, 1905]

THE HALL LEASED
The members of the Rochester Athletic association have now made satisfactory arrangements with the owner of the Armory Hall, and the renters of the rooms under it, which means that Rochester people can see basket ball played this winter!
Representatives of the association met Monday evening, and were given a lease by Jonathan Dawson. A business session of the club was then held and many little matters looked after. The association has decided to have but two clubs this year, owing to several members withdrawing.
It was decided that the first game is to be played next Monday evening, between a pick team of the association and some out-of-town club. The managers of the Argos club is being conferred with and it is thought they will be secured for the opening game.
Carpenters went to work this morning to re-build the seats on the west of the hall and put in some more seats; build a gallery on the south and also put a wire netting around the field.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, October 24, 1905]

LIVELY BASKET BALL
The basket ball team from Huntington Business College came to Rochester yesterday evening and played a game with the Rackets. The crowd of spectators was the largest of the season and the game was lively but somewhat recklessly played. Little team work was shown but there was lots of action that made the crowd laugh and the score was 15 to 10 in favor of the Rackets.
The next game will be by the Culver team at Rochester hall next Friday evening.
[Rochester Sentinal, Saturday, December 9, 1905]

THE ATHLETIC CLUB
Rochester will have basket ball right this year. Instead of three or four teams, as heretofore, it is the intention of the Athletic Association to put on nine men with manager Earle Miller as the tenth and the new athletic director at the College as coach. New and strict rules as to practice will be adopted, some new paraphenalia will be added, the ten men will practice twice a week through the month of October and games will be commenced with outside teams early in November.
At a preliminary meeting of the membership, held Sunday afternoon the above plan was practically agreed upon and if it is fully approved the ten men will probably be Burns, (Capt) Flox, VanTrump, Barnhart, Mow, Clayton, Cunningham, Norris, Miller and Calloway, or some other if he cannot be here. Clayton and Barnhart will be coached [sic], with Burns at Center and also with the others at forward and guard and in this way they can always have two full teams for practice and have two men for each position so they may be always sure of a full strong team that can go away from home to play when two or three members are unable to go.
With the reputation Rochester Basket Ball players have and the practice for athletic efficiency the players will take, they will easily get games with Winona, Culver, Peru, Logansport, Wabash, Huntington, North Manchester, Chicago, Indianapolis, and various College clubs.
And then we are to have two girl teams of Basket Ball players. They are organizing now and they will commence practice soon and curtain raisers for the big games.
Altogether the outlook is very auspicious for some thrilling Basket Ball sport this season.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, October 1, 1906]

BASKET BALL TEAM
Some of the best teams in the surrounding country have been scheduled by Manager Miller, for the evening basket ball season. Among them are Everton, who will play here Christmas. Everton won the A. A. U. championship of U. S. last March, by defeating Yale in two games. Indianapolis will play two games on New Years day. Hartford City, Wabash, Peru, Logansport, Notre Dame College and Purdue are already scheduled to play on dates between now and February 1, 1907. Atlanta, who played two good games here last year, will play the opening game October 26.
The girls teams which have been organized consist of Misses Florence Levi, Clara Hoffman, Lucy Ruh, Elizabeth Oliver, Nelle Lynch, Mary Dawson, Annabel Marsh, Alba Wheaton, Bessie McIntire, Fanny Grove, Blanch Hardin and Lottie Mackey. Two sets of suits have been ordered and they will play their first game in connection with the Athletic Association opening game with Atlanta.
The boys, although they defeated some of the best teams last year, will certainly have to hurry some this year. And it is thought that they will be equal to the occasion, with both teams combined, three years experience, and hard practice, no team in the country has brighter prospects.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, October 6, 1906]

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
The Indianapolis News of Friday says Manager Armstrong, of the Hartford City Athletic Club basket ball team, has received word from Tipton, stating that the date for the proposed basket ball tournament has been postponed in order to give the Hartford City team a chance to compete for championship honors. Hartford City and Rochester and the Indianapolis Athletic Club and the Peru Y.M.C.A. team are to play in the afternoon, and the winners of the two contests are to go on for the main event in the evening, the victor to be delcared State champion. The original date was Christmas week, but owing to the Hartford City five being unable to take part on account of a game scheduled at home, the time has been changed to February 7.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, December 1, 1906]

NEWS OF THE DAY
I. Jack Bohanstadt, the famous Indianapolis center, who was with the Indianapolis Y.M.C.A. in a game here last year, will be with the R.A.A. Thursday and Friday evenings, against the Cincinnati Y.M.C.A. which has won 54 games and lost 0. The girls will play a preliminary game each evening. Reserved seats are now on sale at Ruh's.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, January 21, 1907]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Bohanstadt, who is six feet and seven inches tall, will coach the Rochester team hereafter and play center for the R.A.A. Thursday and Friday evenings against Cincinnati Y.M.C.A.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, January 22, 1907]

COUNTY ATHLETICS
A movement has been originated by Prof. Manse, physical director of Rochester College, for a two days athletic meet to be held in conjunction with the closing of the schools of the county, this coming spring. The intention is to have a meeting soon, of all the high school principals of the county and arrange a two days program to consist of base ball games, running races, out-door basket ball, jumping, hammer and shot throwing and all the other exercises that conduce to health and vigor to young men.
Colleges and Universities everywhere have these contests and they not only cultivate a spirit of healthy exercise but create friendly rivalry between schools that bring them together and get everybody acquainted and a neighborly union founded.
It is the purpose of Prof Manse to have every one of the ten or twelve high schools of the county enlisted in the undertaking and make the event a great success. Every school in the county has athletes who, with a little practice, would combine to give a great show and this would arouse additional school interest and additional educational endeavor.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, January 28, 1907]

ONE SIDED GAME
For the second time in two years by the overwhelming score of 118 to 6 the Michigan City Y.M.C.A. was defeated by the Rochester Athletic Association yesterday evening.
The boys from the sandy city were a husky bunch and their man who played center was over six feet four inches tall but his movement resembled those akin to an ice wagon.
The local boys played a good game from the very start and gave the audience the full benefit of their money in good snappy team work.
The Michigan City five played a strenuous game and at no time did they lose heart and quit. There were but few fouls and the play from the start was clean and devoid of roughness.
The next game will be played next Friday night against Valparaiso.
The line up for last night's game was as follows
Rochester Michigan City
Barnhart Forward Kendrick
Mowe " Shriber
Bohnstadt Center Carver
Flox Guard Hulet
Manse " Rogers
Summary goals -- Barnhart, 8; Mowe, 18; Bohnstadt, 24; Flox, 5; Manse, 8; Hulet. Foul pitches, Mowe, 2; Rogers, 4.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 23, 1907]

HERE THEY COME
What promises to be two of the best basket ball games of the season will be played tomorrow and Friday evenings, when Butler College of Indianapolis, meets the R.A.A. five. They come with a basket ball reputation extending back to the year the game was invented.
Butler College held the championship last year and only lost it this season to Wabash College by a small margin. They have in their line up, Kingsbury and Hesston, two of the same team who helped defeat Rochester a year ago last New Year's. Butler will be the first all college team that has ever played in Rochester and some fast basket ball is expected. The local team is practicing hard for the games and will endeavor to add a college team defeat to their list of victories.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 6, 1907]

ROCHESTER CONCEDED CHAMPIONSHIP
A special from Wabash to the Indianapolis Star says:
Wabash, Ind., March 29 -- In a sensational and rough and tumble, although speedy, game, the Wabash Athletic Association basket ball team defeated Hartford City last night in this city. This closed the season and leaves the Rochester Athletic Association team the champions of northern Indiana and Wabash Athletic Association the second honors. Hartford City had lost but three out of twenty games. - - - -
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 30, 1907]

BASKET BALL THIS SEASON
The members of the basket ball association, Howard Calloway, Chas. Burns, Ray Mow, Prof. Manse, Clark Cunningham, Bernard Clayton and Floyd Van Trump, met Thursday evening and perfected plans for this seasons play. Clark Cunningham was elected Pres., Ray Mow Treas and Floyd Van Trump Manager.
The hall has been secured again this year and the boys will probably begin practicing early next week. The first game of the season will be played about one month from now if the players can get in practice by that time. The association has a large number of material in sight for working out and undoubtedly will have a team equally as strong as that of last season. Bonestadt, the Indianapolis coach, will not be employed the first of the season and it may be that his services will not be called into play at all.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, October 4, 1907]

"BONY" COACH FOR I.U.
A special from Bloomington says: "It is now almost a certainty that Louie J. Bohnstadt, of Indianapolis, will coach the Crimson basketball quintet during the coming season. There is no doubt that Bohnstadt will be able to deliver the goods, as he has had much experience at the game, and his ability as a player is well known all over the country."
Bohnstadt is a Rochester player and he it was who put the Rochester A. A. five in State championship class. He is one of the cleanest and most skillful players in the state and his knowledge of the game will enable him to put the State University team in the championship rank of the United States.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 6, 1907]

VICTORY FOR US
The real live basket ball game between Manual Training School of Indianapolis and R.A.A. teams advertised by Manager Miller, of the local five, was surely up to the standard and was the best game of the season to date.
The first few minutes of play brought the spectators to the sudden knowledge that the visitors were not novices and a real for sure contest, such as witnessed on the local floor two years ago in the good old days of the R.A.A. was on in earnest. Both teams played to the limit and while the Indianapolis players were superior in team work the locals kept more than even in shooting baskets. Bohnstadt, who played center for the home team was not at his best owing to a recent illness and the crowd who was used to good things from "Jack" was sorely disappointed. Barr and Mowe played a star game and Bybee and Ruh were excellent guards. The first half closed 12 to 11 in the favor of the R.A.A;, but it was so close that there was still every chance of defeat. Yet when the second half opened the fans were still confident of victory and urged their favorites at every move. it was in the second half that Mowe showed up in fine style when he threw 12 out of a possible 15 free pitches and won the game. The final score being 32 to 24. - - - - -
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, December 19, 1908]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The R.A.A. basket ball team will go to South Bend Saturday morning where they will play the crack Notre Dame team in the afternoon. The five that will represent Rochester are Mowe, Rue, Sprowl, Rohnstadt and Nafe. A large number of fans will accompany the quintette, which will arrive home the same evening.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 10, 1909]

R.H.S. NEWS - BY ARTHUR COPELAND
Opening tourney games in which the local fans will be interested are South Bend vs Decatur, Lafayette vs Culver, which ought to prove a hard game, Crawfordsville vs Centerville and Anderson vs Lebanon.
The BASKETBALL TEAM team which represents Rochester in the tournament and fans who accompany them will be able to see a great game Saturday night between Indiana and Purdue. Two local boys, BARNHART and SHAFER will more than likely appear. Hugh BARNHART for Indiana and Robert SHAFER for Purdue. This calls to the minds of the fans the days when Dean BARNHART and Guy BARR played on opposit teams in the annual Indiana-Purdue basketball games.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 12, 1913]

H. S. GIRLS WILL PLAY BASKET BALL
For the first time in the history of the institution the girls of the Rochester High School will be allowed to play basket ball. This move was determined upon by the faculty Thursday.
As the winter season is near for basket ball a meeting of the students was held Thursday evening in the assembly room and the following officers were selected. Professor O. Z. Walter, president; Miss Irene Holz, secretary; and Professor Oran Richards, treasurer. Ninety boys and girls comprise the organization. The girls will be allowed to play two evenings a week under the direction of several of the women instructors.
Professor Johnson who will have charge of the boys team this year believes that he will be able to place a winning five in the field. The following men will probably report for practice: Castle, Myers, Reese, Black, Babcock, Terry, See, Cole, Norton and McMahan.

Games Arranged For
The season's schedule is nearly complete and only three open dates remain. Games have been arranged for with Culver, Nappanee, Huntington, Thornton High School of Chicago, Mishawaka, Plymouth, Kokomo and Gary. Two of the open dates will probably be taken by Hammond high school. As usual the alumni five will play the boys on Christmas day and the high school team of last year will play on Thanksgiving day.
It is thought that many local fans will take great interest in the games this year as the boys have one of the best places in the state to stage a contest.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, November 8, 1913]

KDKA BROADCASTS SCORE OF ROCHESTER NET GAME
From reports duly authenticated it appears the prowess of Rochester High School's clever basketball five is to receive attention over a greater territory than the mere state of Indiana, where the sport flourishes at its best. Telephone, telegraph, press, eyewitness and word-of-mouth reports of the season's activities are now abetted by the radio.
Saturday morning a number of persons assembled at the home of Dee Fultz in this city heard the Rochester-North Manchester score announced from KDKA at Pittsburgh.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, November 17, 1924]

ANNOUNCING A BASKETBALL COLUMN
To satisfy the insistent urgings of the fan readers, the News-Sentinel has begun in this issue a basketball column, which will be found on the back page under the heading "Out-O'-Bounds." Whether this assortment of dope, net gossip and boosting of the home team "gets over" and continues to appear depends upon support of the fans who will be expected to send in their contributions.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Monday, December 29, 1924]

ROCHESTER TO BE SCENE OF REGIONAL BASKETBALL MEET
Rochester for the first time in basketball history will be the seat of a regional tourney this year. As usual it will also have the sectional tourney. Announcement of the assignments was made last night by A. L. Trester, commissioner of the Indiana High School Athletic Association.
The national tournament will be played here in the Whitmer gymnasium on March 6 and 7 and the regional will follow a week later in the same place on march 14. The same dates will prevail for all 64 sectionals and 16 regionals to be held in Indiana. The final state tourney will be held in the Butler University field house at Indianapolis on March 20 and 21.

Four Teams to Be Here
The winners of four section tourneys will come to Rochester for the regional. They will be the victors from Elkhart, Mishawaka, North Judson and Rochester. This region contains a number of strong teams and Rochester fans will see some basketball at this tourney.
In the section there will be eight teams from Fulton county which includes Kewanna, Akron, Fulton, Grass Creek, Leiters Ford, Talma, Richland Center, Rochester and four teams from Marshall county including Culver, Argos, Tippecanoe and Bourbon.
Tech of Indianapolis lost the local regional to Anderson, where winners from Danville and Tipton also will compete. The East side school, however, again is host to the sectional tourney.
Washington, Gary, Frankfort, Martinsville and Mishawaka also lost regional meets but in each instance were awarded sectionals.
Evansville, Valparaiso, Lafayette, Bloomington and Rochester are the other new regional centers in addition to Anderson. All staged sectional meets last year.

Ticket Information
Commissioner Trester also announced that for the final tourney at Indianapolis all schools will be limited to tickets for only 6 per cent of their enrollment as filed with the inspection office of the state department of public instruction last September for the school years 9, 10, 11 and 12.
If all tickets are not sold in this manner they will be offered to schools asking for more than their allotment and if some still remain unsold they will be available at the fieldhouse on the days of the games.
High school principals will be in charge of the ticket sales at their respective schools and they must mail their orders to Commissioner Trester after Monday, March 9 and before Tuesday, March 17. Sixteen blocks of "ringside" seats with 280 in each block, will be reserved for regional winners.
The board of control has designated the association co mmissioner as manager of the final tourney with Fred Gorman of Tech and K. V. Ammerman of Broad Ripple as his assistants.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, January 17, 1931]

PROF. G. C. MANSE HERE
Professor Grover C. Manse, former instructor at Rochester College and a star basketball player on the old R. A. A. team, was a visitor in Rochester Monday. He was accompanied by Mrs. Manse and they stopped here on thir way to the west coast by automobile. He is now a professor in the University of South Carolina for Women, a state school, having been there for 14 years. The couple met many of their old friends here and Prof. Manse spent most of his time reminiscing over the basketball games that were played by the teams in the old armory hall back in the days of 1909 and thereafter.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, July 25, 1932]

ROCHESTER ADVANCES TO STATE FINALS
ZEBRAS DOWN HAMMOND AT LOGANSPORT 33 to 24
By "Bob" Taylor
Rochester took off Saturday evening in the realms of ecstasy and to date every man, woman and child is still soaring through higher stratas of ether - but it's a grand and glorious feeling even should a forced landing be made necessary.
Did Coach Lyle's Zebras come through - and how?
These striped equines that eminated from the hotter climes of Africa certainly were at top heat Saturday night, where at the Berry Bowl in Logansport, they again kicked the dopester's hardwood prognostications for a long row of goals, by defeating the highly touted Hammond Wildcats by the decisive count of 33 to 24.

Rochester Fans Go Loco
Rochester fandom which banked a large sector of the Berry Bowl, simply went dippy, and Logansport and Lafayette fans joined in the celebration with the Lylemen and their victory-crazed supporters - it was a night that Rochester had been patiently waiting for - since 1928, when the black and white striped hardwood stars of RHS earned free passage to the Indiana basketball classic.
And today with the embers of the huge "gum-burning" which flared to the heavens from the courthouse walks Saturday night, still smouldering, the Zebras' victory in the semi-finals will likewise keep smouldering for a good many years in the memory of the hardwood rabids in this community.

Dopesters Knocked Galley-West
The Zebras, a team which has been rated by the less-knowing sportswriters as the underdog of their own regional, came through their opening battle against the high-ranking Jeff squad of Lafayette, with as brilliant and heady basketball as was ever featured on any Hoosier court, Saturday afternoon. The count 21 to 19.
With this alleged upset still muddling the minds of those supposedly "in the know" of Indiana basketball art, Rochester entered the semi-final finals in the Logan court there were many experts who were still unable to vision the Lylemen as serious contenders. - - - - [very lengthy article] - - - - - - .
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, March 22, 1937]

BASS, EVERETT R. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Leter From Everett R. Bass)

BASS, H. H. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From H. H. Bass)

BASSETT, ALLEN A. [Rochester, Indiana]
PERSONAL
A new picture show will be opened in Rochester, not later than April first, by Allen A. Bassett, of Kirkland. Mr. Bassett has rented the room in which the Replogle Pool Room has been, and will make a beautiful picture house of it.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 15, 1913]

BASTOW & BARKMAN [Rochester, Indiana]
LAND AUCTION FIRM IS FORMED BY LOCAL MEN
Announcement was made here Wednesday morning of the formation of a new business organization, Bastow & Barkman Land Auction Comany, which will specialize in the selling of farms, farm and city property by auction. The firm is made up of Ira Bastow and W. L. Barkman of Rochester, both of whom are well experienced in the auction and real estate business.
The firm will take over a contract to sell a farm lot or any property at auction, advertise the event largely and then dispose of it to the highest bidder. According to Mr. Bastow this usually brings a higher price for the land and property due to the fact that the buyers are all brought together for the sale and it is disposed to the one who desires it the most at the highest possible price. This method he said has come much into favor in the last year or so in that it has many advantages over the private sale.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Wednesday, October 12, 1927]

BATCHELOR, ASA [Rochester, Indiana]
NEW MEAT MARKET
I have opened a new meat market on Main street, opposite the old Bank building and keep on hand at all hours the best of fresh meats to supply those who call. Everything is new, neat and clean about the establishment, and I feel confident of pleasing all who favor me with their patronage. ASA BATCHELOR.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, July 22, 1882]

BATCHELOR & STOCKBERGER [Rochester, Indiana]
TO THE PUBLIC
You will find it to your interest to call at the City Meat Market if you wish to purchase the nicest fresh Beef, Mutton, Veal and Pork in the city - - - CITY MEAT MARKET, successor to Batchelor & Stockberger, south of Court House, Citizens' block.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, August 5, 1882]

BATCHELOR MEAT MARKET [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] A. E. BATCHELOR, Proprietor of Central Meat Market, North of Postoffice, will sell fresh meats for the next 30 days at rock bottom prices - - -Those prices for cash only.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, January 3, 1885]

BATES, MARGARET HOLMES [Rochester, Indiana]
FORMER ROCHESTER LADY WRITER DIES IN EAST
Mrs. Frank HOFFMAN received a telegram Friday informing her of the death of her aunt, Mrs. Margaret HOLMES BATES, which occurred Thursday at her home in New York City. Mrs. Bates, who was 87 years of age, had only been ill a few days, death resulting from heart trouble.
Mrs. Bates was formerly Margaret ERNSPERGER, daughter of Christopher and Julia Ann ERNSPERGER, and spent her girlhood in Rochester where for many years she taught school. She moved from here to Indianapolis but for the past 25 years has resided in New York City. She leaves one son, Charles Austin BATES, who is quite prominent in advertising work in New York City and is the author of a number of books. Mrs. Ella BERRIER, of near Loyal, and Mrs. A. H. REITER, of this city are also nieces. Mrs. Bates is the author for a number of books, many of which are in the local library. One of her most famous books, "Hildegard" a book of poems which is dedicated to her son. The first book to be published by Mrs. Bates was entitled "Manitou" the plot of which was centered around Rochester and Indianapolis. The deceased, who was a charter member of the Browning Society in New York City and Ohio and an honorary member of the Indiana Society chose for her last book which was published but a few weeks ago "Browning Critiques."
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, January 21, 1927]

BATT, JOSEPH [Rochester, Indiana]
SHORT NEWS
Joseph Batt, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Batt, of this city, who until recently, was automobile editor of the Cleveland News-Leader, has resigned his position and taken a similar one with the New York Tribune, according to word recently received by his parents.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 12, 1913]

BATT'S LADIES WEAR, MARTIN [Rochester, Indiana]

BATTY, MRS. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Hotels - Arlington

BATZ, CARL C. [Rochester, Indiana]
ARMOUR MAGAZINE HAS STORY BY CARL BATZ
In the December issue of Armour's Magazine appeared a lengthy and illustrated article written by Carl C. Batz, former resident of this city. The story which was captioned "Invention and Progress" gave an interesting review of the continuous research work carried on by the Armour company in t\its various branches, as well as numerous inventions originating through the firm's promotional activities along this line.
Mr. Batz for the past several years has been employed as attorney in the Armour Company's law department, of Chicago.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, January 22, 1941]

BATZ, MILDRED [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rochester Bands

BATZ, REUBEN [Newcastle Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Reuben Batz. - The gentleman of whom we now write is a native of Berks County, Penn., his natal day occurring October 24, 1815. He was united in marriage September 10, 1837, with Anna Moyer, who was born August 26, 1815. This gentleman, with his lady, came here in the autumn of 1846, and by economy and hard labor have secured a pleasant and comfortable home with a reasonable competency for their declining years. His father, Henry Batz, married Magdalena Pick, both being natives of Pennsylvania and of German lineage. William Moyer, the father of Mrs. Batz, was a Pensylvanian, and married Mary Jut, of the same State. They also trace their ancestry to Germany. Mr. Batz and lady are members of the Baptist Church, and are industrious, trustworthy people. The union of this pair has been blessed with a family of ten children, whose names are as follows: Catharine, William, Sarah, Mary E., Anna, Henry, Isaac, Benjamin R., Clarissa and Elizabeth. Of these William is deceased and the others are all married and residents of this county, except Mary, who resides in Kansas. The living grandchildren of these old people number more than a score; and some are living to honor them as great-grandparents.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 46]

BAUGHER, WILLIAM H. [Newcastle Township]
BIOGRAPHY
William H. Baugher. - Mr. Baugher was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, July 13, 1846. On the 4th of July, 1869, he was united in marriage to Amanda Baylor, a native of Marshall County, Ind., born August 31, 1847. This union was blessed with the following children: Charles H., Mary M. and George W. Of these, only Mary survives. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the Christian Church at Bloomingsburg. He is also a member of the Masonic Fraternity and she of the chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Baugher is a successful mechanic, being a manufacturer of wagons, carriages, etc.; his business is growing and his work giving general satisfaction. He served in Company C, Eightieth Ohio Volunteers Infantry, and now draws a pension on account of a wound received in the head by a mini ball. His father, Henry Baugher, is a native of Bavaria, in the German Empire, born February 16, 1816. He emigrated to America and settled in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1836. Here he formed an acquaintance with and was married to Mary E. Kline, a native of the same country as himself, born August 1821. They located in Marshall County, Ind., in 1863, where they still reside. Alba C. Baylor, father of Mrs. B., is a native of Pennsylvania, born in April, 1819. They settled in Marshall County, Ind., at an early date, but have recently become residents of Barry County, Mo.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 46]

BIOGRAPHY
W. H. Baugher, justice of the peace of Newcastle township, who stands in the front rank among the public-spirited and enterprising citizens of Fulton county, manifested his loyalty to the nation by an honorable service in defense of the Union during the late war. He was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, July 13, 1846. Just ten years previous his father, Henry Baugher, a native of Bavaria, Germany, came to America, a vigorous and ambitious young man of twenty years, seeking a home in the new world. He began work at the wagon-makers' trade in Strausberg, and there met and married Mary E. Kline, also a native of Bavaria. For some years they resided in that place, and then emigrated farther westward, to take their part in the development of a newer state. In 1863 they locarted in Bourbon, Marshall county, Ind., where they are still living, in the enjoyment of good health, and the father may still be found at his trade, as he was half a century ago. Their eldest child, Mary E., became the wife of Daniel Martin, and died in Marshall county, leaving eight children. The second, John, is in Golconda, Ills. Julia is the wife of John Silvius, of Marshall county. Philip is in Bourbon, and George in Valparaiso, Ind. Matilda is the wife of R. Cecil, of Plymouth, Ind., and Theodore is in Elwood, this state. Our subject was the third of the family, and during his earliest childhood he spent the greater part of his time in his father's shop, so that when only ten years of age, he could hew out spokes, handle the auger, and do many primary things to be learned in a wagon shop. He had mastered the business when the bugle sounded the call for loyal men to take up arms and defend the flag of our nation. He enlisted February 12, 1862, at Canal Dover, Ohio, in Company C, Eightieth Ohio infantry, and with his command went to Cairo, Ills., to Paducah, Ky., and on to Corinth, Miss. After participating in the siege of that place, he took part in the battle of Iuka, and aided in driving the rebels from the fortifications at Corinth. This was followed by the engagements of Holly Springs, Oxford, Grand Junction, Memphis and Helena, Ark., and after the Yazoo Pass expedition the regiment returned to Helena, and went down the Mississippi river to Young's Point, participating in all the battles around Vicksburg. Returning to Memphis, they then went to East Tennessee, and took part in the battle of Missionary Ridge, where Mr. Baugher was struck by a ball that necessitated the removal of a part of his skull. Later he went with his regiment to Huntsville, Ala., and in the spring was ready for the Atlanta campaign. He saw that city captured, and went with Sherman's invincible army to the sea, then north to Fayetteville, N.C., when he was honorably discharged, his time having expired. Returning to Indiana, Mr. Baugher spent a year in school in order to prepare himself for business life, and then worked at the wagon-makers' trade in Bourbon for four years, when he came to his present home in Newcastle township. His farm of fifty-five acres is the best improved in the township, and indicates the enterprise and progressiveness so characteristic of the owner. In politics he is a democrat, and is now serving his second term as justice of the peace. Socially, he is a Mason, and belongs to McClung post, G.A.R. Mr. Baugher was married July 4, 1869, to Amanda, daughter of Alba and Delilah (Greer) Baylor. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, and in his family were the following children: George, of Plymouth; W. F., of Texas; Rachel, wife of James Jordan; Mary, wife of John Devers; David, of Purdy, Mo., and Celeste, wife of W. H. Goodnight. Mr. and Mrs. Baugher had three children, but Howard died at the age of four years; and George W. at the age of eighteen months. Mary M., the second child, aged twenty-two, is an accomplished musician, and is the joy of the parents' home.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 31-32]

BAUGHER'S BLACKSMITH SHOP [Talma, Indiana]
Operated by William Henry Baugher.
See: Baugher, W. H.

BAUM, GEORGE [Akron, Indiana]
See Akron Feed & Grain
__________

GEORGE C. BAUMS OF AKRON BUILD CABIN IN ARTISTS COLONY
A brief feature story appearing under the caption of "Information Plus" in Monday's edition of the Indianapolis News will be of interest to Rochester and Henry township residents. The article follows:
"Visitors in the richly-colored Brown county hills these week-ends look with envy on the new cabin of the George C. Baums, of Akron, now almost completed. The Baums found a set of old poplar logs two stories high which is going into the construction, and an old solid walnut mantel which will be one of its attractions . . . The cabin, located on Artist Drive, to the east of Nashville, will have a wide porch across the entire front, and a big picture window on the second floor which gives a view of the brilliant panorama to the south. Mr. and Mrs. Baum and their daughter, who formerly taught art in the Columbia City schools, are associate members of the Brown County Art Gallery Association. "
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, October 31, 1944]

BAUM & ELLIS [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] LOOK! Attention. All kinds of feed in stock. Full Weight. Lowest Prices. Good dry wood - fine or course. Best Hocking Valley Coal $4.25 per ton. All orders delivered promptly. BAUM & ELLIS, 500 N. Main. Phone 122.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, November 10, 1909]

BAUM'S GROCERY [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] Saturday's Specials - - - - - BAUM'S GROCERY, Phone 122.
[Rochester Sentinel, Frieday, February 9, 1912]

BAUM GROCERY SOLD MONDAY
Through a deal which was closed Monday, Clark Babcock became the owner of the Ollie Baum grocery store on North Main street. The new owner will take possession next Monday, at which time Mr. Baum will relinquish his proprietorship to look after other business pursuits. Mr. Baum has not decided just what he will do, but he is sure he will remain a resident of this city, where he expects to enter some sort of business. The new owner is a former member of the Big Store firm, and is well known to the public, who will no doubt lend him a lucrative patronage.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 16, 1912]

[Adv] SATURDAY SPECIALS - - - - - - Highest Prices Paid For Produce. BAUM'S GROCERY, 600 N. Main St. Phone 122.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, April 3, 1913]

GROCERY SOLD
The North End Grocery, formerly owned by Mrs. Ollie Baum, was sold Saturday afternoon to E. B. Cook, of Grass Creek. Mr. Cook recently moved here from Grass Creek and bought the Marion Carter property on south Jefferson street. It is not known what Mrs. Baum will engage in but she will probably move to Illinois with her daughter.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, December 15, 1913]

BAXTER 5¢ TO $1 STORE [Rochester, Indiana]
BAXTER 5¢ TO $1 STORE TO OPEN HERE ON JUNE 15TH
A new business concern which will be known as the Baxter 5¢ to $1 variety store will open for business Saturday, June 15th at 822 Main street.
The proprietor C. S. Baxter, who comes here from South Whitley, Ind., has had years and years of experience in the variety merchandising business. The new store has been equipped with new fixtures and an exceptionally large stock of goods will be carried at all times. Mr. Baxter also operates a variety store in South Whitley.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, June 13, 1935]

[Adv] CLOSING OUT SALE. Being forced to give possession of our location, we are closing out our entire stock of merchandise at sacrifice prices which effects a saving to you on every purchase. Sale Starts Saturday, April 11th and Ends Saturday, April 25th - - - BAXTER'S 5¢ to$1 STORE, Next to Wile's Dept. Store.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, April 9, 1936]

BAXTER VARIETY STORE TO RE-OPEN SATURDAY
The Baxter 5¢ to $1 Variety Store which was temporarily closed late in April on account of the sale of the building, which was locatd south of the M. Wile & Son Store, will re-oen Saturday, June 20th with a completely new stock of merchandise in the room formerly occupied by the Unique Bakery, 708 Main street.
Mr. Baxter, who also owns a store in South Whitley, Ind., stated his new Rochestr store would be under the management of W. H. Thomas, of Homestead, Pa. Mr. Thomas has already taken up his residence in this city. The store building has been completly remodeled and redecorated throughout and with the new stock and fixtures, presents a most attractive appearance.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, June 19, 1936]

[Adv] Prices Again Smashed at BAXTER'S 5c and $1.00 CLOSING OUT SALE. Many gifts suitable for Christmas presents.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, December 1, 1938]

BAXTER DRUGS [Rochester, Indiana]
Located W side of street at 724 Main.
Purchased and renamed Webb's Family Pharmacy.
See: Blue Drug Store
See: Felts Bros. Cigar Store
See: Mammoth Building; Central Block
See: Ruh Drugs, Alex
__________

E. BAXTER, OF WALTON, BUYS DYCHE DRUG STORE
In a transaction made Wednesday morning, the Dyche Blue Drug Store, 724 Main street, this city, was sold to Ernest Baxter, of Walton, Ind., by the administrator of the estate of Charles O. Dyche. The Blue Drug Store is one of the oldest business firms in the city.
Mr. Baxter has had several years' experience in the pharmaceutical field and is owner of a modern drug store at Walton. The new proprietor and Mrs. Baxter plan to move to Rochester within the next few days where they will make their future home. Russell (Bud) Wade, who has been acting as manager of the Dyche Drug store will remain in the employ of the new owner, it was stated.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, October 8, 1941]

BAY, INDIANA [Union Township]
See Bay Town

BAY TOWN [Union Township]
Platted Nov. 5, 1902. Contained four streets: Railroad, Main, Pearl and Madison.
Bay Station located at the town.
Later called Bruce Lake.
The post office, est. 1902, was called Bay, Indiana.
Cincinnati, Richmond & Muncie R.R. was there in 1902. It was later known as the C. & O. BAY
The poles were hauled Tuesday, for a telephone line to this place, and about eight farmers will receive a telephone also.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 2, 1904]

BEACH, M. J. [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] BUGGIES AND HARNESS. - - - This harness is hand made and warranted.- - - M. J. BEACH, Arlington Harness Store. I. N. Good, Manager.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, April 1, 1898]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Logansport Pharos: M. J. Beach has returned from the Black Hills, where he has spent the winter as superintendent of the Black Eagle gold mine owned by Logansport people. Mrs. Beach returned with him.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 17, 1905]

BEAL / BEALL, THOMAS [Rochester, Indiana]
[NOTE: His military marker is as follows: T. A. Beal, Co A 155 Ind Inf.; the tombstone reads: Josephine Beall, d. Sep 14, 1923, ae 82y, Thomas A. Beall, Co A 155th Ind Vol, Jan 29, 1835 - March 12, 1899. - WCT]
__________

HOME TOWN TALES
By "Pioneer"
The first agent for the Standard Oil Company for the town of Rochester was Thomas Beal, who, with a small tank wagon drawn by horses made daily rounds to the stores and residence district, delivering coal oil in any amount his patrons needed.
Neither electric nor gas lights had arrived in Rochester, therefore, Beal and his horse put in long hours in every brand of weather.
The story goes, and is vouched for as true, Mr. Beal could neither read nor write, but he possessed a memory that more than served him well.
Immediately following the evening meal (supper in those days) Aunt Josephine, his wife, would proceed to call Uncle Tom to an accounting of the day's business. Mentally, Uncle Tom, retraced the day's route calling the name of the customer and the amount of oil delivered, while Aunt Josephine made an entry in a bookkeeping system all of her own. Following the listing, there was a period of silence while the required receipts for the day were being figured. After a time, the amount was named, then Uncle Tom would produce a shot sack that never failed to contain the exact amount of Aunt Josephine's figures. In the same accuracy was the monthly and yearly settlement with the Company.
Thomas Beal was given a military burial by McClung Post G.A.R. of which organization he was a member, March 15, 1899. Many agents have represented the Standard Oil Company in Rochester and Fulton County from that date to this - but none with more exactness.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, February 6, 1935]

BEALL TIRE SHOP [Rochester, Indiana]
BEALL TIRE SHOP TO HAVE FORMAL OPENING
Thayne Beall announced today that he would have the formal opening of his new tire and auto accessory shop on July 8, 9 and 10 in the Hoover Building at [602 Main St.] the [SW] corner of Sixth and Main streets. An announcement of the opening is carried in The News-Sentinel today.
The new Rochester business enterprise is to be known as the "Beall Tire Shop". Mr. Beall is an experienced operator of such a concern and was associated with his father Roy C. Beall in a tire and accessory store in LaPorte for 11 years.
The Beall Tire Shop will carry a complete line of tires and auto accessories with United States tires and batteries and G. & I. tires being featured. A tire and battery service department will also be maintained with road and day and night service for the convenience of motorists.
A visitor to the Beall Tire Sop will probably see more auto and bicycle tires than he has ever seen at any one time as both floors of the Hoover Building are filled with them.
Jake Leman will be employed by Mr. Beall in the tire shop.
Mr. and Mrs. Beall have moved to this city and have established their residence at 116 West Twelfth street.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, July 7, 1937]

BUILDING USED BY BEALL LEASED BY DYCHE MOTORS
Dyche Motors, Inc., Ford Agency has leased the building on the [SW] corner of Main and Sixth streets, formerly known as the Hoover building and now occupied by Beall's Tire Shop.
The building will be completely remodeled, a modern salesroom made and all modern garage equipment installed. The frame building at the rear will be torn down and the building will be continued to the alley.
Repairs will start immediately and the garage should be ready for occupancy December 1st.
Temporary quarters of the Dyche Motors, Inc., Ford Agency will continue at the Lee Moore building on West Ninth street.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, October 3, 1940]

BEALLE'S SALOON [Rochester, Indiana]
East side Main street, three doors south of Mansion House, Rochester. Thos. Bealle.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, August 15, 1863]

Notice . . . to move saloon from lot #23, old plat, to north half of Lot #61, old plat, town of Rochester. Thomas A. Bealle.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, August 29, 1863]

BEARSS, GEORGE RUSSELL [Rochester Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Hon. George Russell Bearss. - One of the most progressive farmers and stock raisers of Indiana, is the gentleman whose name introduces this biography. In 1834 Mr. Bearss was born at the old village of Miamisport, where the city of Peru now stands, and is a son of Hon. Daniel R. Bearss, who during his life was one of the distinguished men of Indiana. He was born in New York state in 1808, and died at Peru, Ind., in 1885. In boyhood he came to Indiana and for some time was a clerk in a store at Logansport and then went to Fort Wayne and later to Goshen, and in the fall of 1834 settled in Miami county. For twenty years he was a leading merchant in Peru, and then invested in town property in that city and farm lands in Miami and adjoining counties. He was a man of aggressive spirit and in many ways contributed to the best interests of his adopted city and county. In politics he was a lifelong republican, and for about twenty years represented his party in the Indiana general assembly, either in the house or senate. He was in fact one of the leaders of the republican party of Indiana. The honest poor man found in him a friend, and the cases are nmerous in which he helped the less fortunate to attain success in life. The mother of George R. Bearss--Emma A. (Cole) Bearss--was born in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1815, and now resides upon the old homestead in Peru. The subject of this review is the eldest of eight children, of whom five are living. He first attended the public schools, and at twelve years of age he was sent to Kenyon college at Gambier, Ohio, where he continued for six years. The school days over, Mr. Bearss spent two years in California, and then returned to Peru, where he remained until 1864, when he came to Rochester and for four years was engaged in the walnut lumber business in partnership with Edwin E. Cowgill, under the firm name of Cowgill & Bearss. Mr. Bearss then bought 120 acres of land in Rochester township, where the house of Thomas Lovatt now stands. A short time later he bought 1,040 acres more. About thirteen years ago he removed to his present place of residence, an easy distance southwest of Rochester. He now has about 700 acres of fine land. He has spent about $30,000 in the improvement of his farm, which is considered one of the best farms in Northern Indiana. He has always given much attention to stock interests and has upon his farm some of the best blooded stock in Fulton county. The republican party has the earnest support of Mr. Bearss. His first presidential vote was cast for John C. Fremont at the convention held in Musical Fund hall in Philadelphia, which nominated him for the presidency. In 1874, Mr. Bearss was elected to represent Fulton county in the Indiana legislature. He was united in marriage in 1860 to Miss Mary Troost, who died in 1884, leaving one son, Daniel R. Mr. Bearss was married again in 1885, to Miss Jessie McBride, who was born in the same neighborhood where she now resides. To this marriage three children have been born, of whom only one is now living, Albert Gresham. Mr. Bearss is one of Fulton county's leading citizens.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 32-33]

BEARSS BROTHERS GROCERY [Rochester, Indiana]
Change in Business. Wm. Chinn has sold out his Grocery store to the Bearss Brothers, who will continue to carry on the business at the same old place.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, March 19, 1868]

Bearss Brothers have removed their stock of Groceries, Glassware, Queensware &c to their new building, Two Doors North of the old stand . . . Rochester, July 1, 1868.
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, July 16, 1868]

Dissolution. The firm of Bearss Brothers has dissolved, Omar retiring. The business of the late firm will hereafter be conducted by A. C. Bearss.
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, September 17, 1868]

Albert C. Bearss, Successor to Bearss Brothers . . . Family Groceries, Queensware, Glass & Woodenware, Canned Fruits, Fancy Goods, &c. . . Wanted, Butter and Eggs, Lard and Bacon and all kinds of Country Produce . . . Fifth Door South of the Post Office. . . Rochester, Oct. 1, 1868.
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, October 8, 1868]

BEARSS GROCERY [Rochester, Indiana[
Albert C. Bearss, Successor to Bearss Brothers . . . Family Groceries, Queensware, Glass & Woodenware, Canned Fruits, Fancy Goods, &c. . . Wanted, Butter and Eggs, Lard and Bacon and all kinds of Country Produce . . . Fifth Door South of the Post Office. . . Rochester, Oct. 1, 1868.
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, October 8, 1868]

BEARSS LIVERY STABLE [Rochester, Indiana]
William Bearss' Resolution. . . Therefore be it resolved that we do hereby tender to Wm. Bearss, our sincere thanks for opening a splendid Livery Stable in our midst that we call the particular attention of the public to his good stock of buggies and horses and to the very low prices he charges. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, April 26, 1866]

BEARSS POST OFFICE [Rochester Township]
Located 200W and 325S. Near Antioch United Brethren Church and Antioch School.
John B. McMahan, owner of the store, got the post office in 1892 to give his twelve children somethng to do.
[F.C.H.S. Files]

BEARSS POSTMASTERS [Rochester Township]
John B. McMahan N.B - - - - ?, Apr 29, 1892. Ps. to Rochester June 16, 1902, Take effect July 31, 1902.
Ps. to Rochester June 16, 1902, take effect July 31, 1902.
[F.C.H.S. Files]

BEATON, BILL [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Academy of Music

BEATTIE, HARRY [Rochester/Arcadia, Indiana]
HARRY BEATTIE TRAINING 8 HORSES AT ARCADIA
The following article taken from a recent issue of a Noblesville newspaper will be of interest to numerous county people as it deals with the activities of a former resident and horseman, Harry Beattie, son of Webb Beattie, of near Rochester:
"Arcadia, Ind. - Harry Beattie, famous trainer and driver of trotting and pacing horses, is working eight head in preparation for the 1942 racing season at his farm track west of Arcadia.
"One of the most successful trainers in the middlewest, Beattie is being assisted in the training work by his 18-year-old son, Wilbur. The youngest Beattie, who is following in his father's footsteps as an expert horseman, made his debut as a professional race driver last summer was very successful.
"The Beatties had a stable of about fifteen race horses, along with a half dozen brood mares and several yearlings, during the winter, but after some of their help was drafted for military service and they were unable to obtain other help they were forced to cut down their racing string to eight and they also sold some of their brood mares.
"The Beattie stable is headed by a pair of record horses, the six-year-old trotter Wayne Scott 2:03 3/4 and the five-year-old pacer Highland Wayne 2:04 1/2. Other members of the Beattie stable include the four-year-old pacer, Hazeltine, by Guy Castleton which raced consistently last summer and was in the money most of the time, and a trio of three-year-olds.
"These are Bonny Volo by Bonnycastle, which had a world of speed last year as a two-year-old but was handicapped by sickness, Wayne B by Athlone Guy, one of the top-ranking two-year-old trotters in Indiana last summer, and Miss Wayne Lee by Worthy Spencer.
"Two-year-olds in the Beattie barns are Prince Wayne, a gigantic and most promising trotter; Morgan Wayne, another colt by Wayne Scott and whose dam was B.B.B. by Morgan Dewey.
"Beattie plans to open his 1942 race campaign around the first of July, probably at Anderson, and will race largely on Indiana and Ohio half-mile tracks this season."
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, May 5, 1942]

BEATTIE & HOLZ [Kewanna, Indiana]
KEWANNA
W. H. Held sold his livery stock and business to Beattie & Holz. He will remain and care for the business until Mr. Beattie can close up his business elsewhere and move to this place.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, July 16, 1904]

BEATTY, CLYDE [Rochester, Indiana]
Residence second floor 530 Pontiac, also W side of street at 716 Fulton Avenue, when he was with Cole Bros. Circus.
See: Cole Bros.-Clyde Beatty Circus
__________

START ON JUNGLE FILM IN PERU ON JANUARY 2
Peru, Ind., Dec. 26. - Preliminary scenes for a new movie will start at the local circus quarters Jan. 2, staring Clyde Beatty, considered one of the world's greatest animal trainers. The picture is being produced by the Mascot Film corporation under the direction of Jerry Wickland.
The paint shop at the local quarters is being decorated and covered with palm trees, shrubs and everything it takes to film a dark African jungle scene.
Beatty said 24 lions and tigers will be mixed into these scenes.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, December 26, 1933]

BEAVER DAM, INDIANA [Fulton County]
CALIFORNIAN WRITES BEAVER DAM POETRY
In response to an invitation to attend the Middleton-Meredith reunion Gordon Meredith, of Haywood, Cal., sent the following poetry to Henry Meredith, of Akron, inspired, if you please, by "Ole Beaver Dam."

Round About Beaver Dam
I'm thinking today of the long ago
When we went to Beaver Dam school.
I'm wondering what's become of those
Who wielded the teacher's rule.
Where's Oscar Harding (who played with us.)
And Wood, with his preacher coat
Who opened each day with a hymn and prayer,
After carefully clearing his throat?

Where's Cretcher (who sure could whack the ball
And teach us our figures too)
I wonder what has become of Clark
(Whose first name started with "U")
And where are the others why I declare!
My memory plays me tricks --
Somehow, I can't even speak the names
Of the other five or six!

Where are the boys who used to fish
In Beaver Dam Lake, or Loon?
Or sailed the rafts on the old millpond
As the saw played its hardwood tune?
Grown up you say, and some of them gone?
I can't believe it's true!
Why, it's only such a little while --
Doesn't it seem that way to you?

What's that cloud of dust behind the church?
Oh, it's Henry with the hack!
The horses' heads are hanging low -
Long way to town and back.
He's got two passengers with him, too;
I wonder who they may be?
The woman in black is Mrs. Trish,
The other's a stranger to me.

The mail bag hanging o'er the dash
Is carried into the store;
Jesse takes it with outstretched hands
As it passes through the door.
He turns the letters and papers out
Upon the postoffice table;
The banter ceases for a while,
We edge close as we are able.

Each piece of mail is quickly scanned
And the name is called aloud
To see if the owner is waiting there
Among the expectant crowd.
"Lewis Cornwell, Indianian!
Wait - a letter for Homer, too!
"Wash, Herald, Hoosier Democrat
No other mail for you.

"John Hart, Andy Mattox, Dave Utter!
Marion Middleton, Frank Ault, John Ball!
Hollis Tucker, John Meredith, Martin Catron --"
I can hear them answer, all.
At last the mail is sorted.
The crowd drifts from the store,
Don't tell me this has all been past
Some forty years or more!

You're joking! It's only yesterday
That we were girls and boys
Living 'round about Beaver Dam
With all its peaceful joys.
Those were the happy days, I'll say!
And things have changed since then.
Somehow I think 'twould be worthwhile
To turn time back again --

To roam the woods on Grandpap's place
Playing that we were men;
I wonder if one of us has had
Such downright fun since then?
I'd not have missed it for anything -
And 'twill always be a joy
That I lived 'round about Beaver Dam
When I was just a boy!
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, September 6, 1924]

WILL BUILD GYMNASIUM
J. W. Swick, trustee of Franklin township in Kosciusko county, announced today that a three room addition which will cost $35,000 would be made to the school house at Beaver Dam during the coming summer. The addition will include a gymnasium and two school rooms.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, March 1, 1929]

BEAVER DAM SCHOOL [Kosciusko County]
BEAVER DAM AWARDS ARE MADE BY TWP TRUSTEE
Milo Cutshaw of Akron Thursday was awarded a contract to build the school house addition at Beaver Dam in Franklin township of Kosciusko county. C. E. Ruppel & Son of North Manchester will do the electric wiring and Karl B. Gast of Akron the heating and plumbing. Cutshaw's work will run in the neighborhood of $21,000, Gast's bid was $6,488 and Ruppel & Son's was $825. Sixteen bids on the project. Contracts were let by Trustee J. W. Swick at the school building. Work is to commence as soon as possible and to be finished by the first of December. The addition will be erected to the east of the present building and will consist of a gymnasium and auditorium and four class rooms.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, August 11, 1929]

BEAVER DAM SILVER FOX CO. [North of Akron]
See Fox Farm

BECHTOL, JOHN [Rochester, Indiana]
See: First National Bank

BECK, HERBERT V. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Herbert V. Beck)
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Second Letter From Herbert V. Beck)

BECK, JOHN [Richland Township]
BIOGRAPHY
John Beck was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, August 15, 1815; was married to Catharine Minehart, April, 1839, a native of the same county, born about the year 1814. These parents were blessed with a large family--Sarah, born January 22, 1840; Juda, born the same year; Emma, born 1842; Delilah, born 1843; Catharine, born 1844; Elizabeth, born 1847; Savilla, born 1849, and Resella, a twin to the above; James born August 24, 1852; Sanford, born July 9, 1854. In February, 1855, Mr. Beck lost his wife and was married the second time, August 5, 1856, to Angeline Fenstermaker, born February 3, 1836. This union was blessed with the following children: Margaret, born February 12, 1858; Augusta, born February, 1859; Sadie, born July 9, 1860; John Born November 10, 1862; Thomas, born September, 1865, and Leary, born April 22, 1870. Mr. Beck, for one of his age, is remarkably active, and is sociable and kind to his friends.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 52]

BECK GROCERY [Rochester, Indiana]
Another Grocery Store. J. Beck is now putting on the shelves in the room north of Mercer & Shepherd's Hardware Store, a large stock of family groceries. . .
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, November 5, 1868]

BECKER, CALVIN [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Hotels - Arlington

BECKER, CHARLES [Fulton, Indiana]
See McMahan & Becker
__________

FULTON FIRM TO INCORPORATE
An important business change took place Saturday in Fulton when the McMahan, Becker Hardware firm decided to file articles of incorporation.
The new company will be known as the Fulton Hardware Company and will be incorporated with a capital stock of $15,000. Two more members will be taken into the firm. They are Oscar Ocrnell, who has had 15 years experience in the business and Claude Studebaker, who formerly owned the business at Fulton.
The present firm has been doing a good business in Fulton and have constructed a store at Twelve Mile, where Mr. Studebaker has been in charge.
The officers of the new concern will be Oscar Cornell, president; Claude Studebaker, Vice President, Charles Becker, Secretary and Treasurer. Mr. McMahan, while retaining in interest in the concern will retire actively, and move on the former Hagen farm, southwest of Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, January 20, 1913]

BECKER, DEVERL [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From DeVerl Becker)
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Second Letter From DeVerl Becker)

BECKER, ELWYN [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Elwyn Becker)
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Second Letter From Elwyn Becker)

BECKER, J. C. [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] - - - New Home Sewing Machine - - - Office in K. W. Shore's Dry Goods store. J. C. BECKER, Agent.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 4, 1899]

BECKER, JOHN [Rochester, Indiana]
NEWS OF THE DAY
John Taylor has purchased the John Becker blacksmith shop on West Seventh street, and will take possession at once. Mr. Taylor has had ample experience and will, no doubt, enjoy a good patronage. Mr. Taylor, who has been residing in Kokomo, lwill remove to this city.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 31, 1910]

BLACKSMITH SHOP PURCHASED
A deal which was made a week ago but which has just been given out resulted in Russell Jones of the firm of Jones & Becker selling his half interest in the blacksmith shop on West Seventh street to his partner, John Becker. Mr. Jones remained with the firm until the end of fair week, but is now taking a few days' vacation. The exact nature of Mr. Jones' business pursuits of the future is unknown to himself, but it is more than likely that he will move his family to Ohio in the near future. Mr. Becker, who has been in the blacksmith business in Rochester for several years, will continue to cater to the wants of his many patrons and expects to uphold the high standard of workmanship of the old firm.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, September 17, 1912]

BECKER, VIRGIL [Rochester, Indiana]
FILLING STATION SOLD
The Becker Service Station, corner of Ninth and Franklin streets, owned by Virgil Becker, has been sold to Bill Robinson, of Culver. Robinson will take possession this Saturday. Becker has operated the station for the past 15 years.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, October 23, 1941]

BECKER, WALTER [Rochester, Indiana]
BUYS SERVICE STATION
Russell Bryant, this city, has bought and taken active charge of the Texaco Service station at the [SE] corner of Main and Eleventh street, it was announced today. The station was formerly operated by Walter Becker.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, October 24, 1941]

BECKER-ENYART CONSTRUCTION COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
LOCAL FIRM AWARDED ILLINOIS ROAD JOBS
The Becker-Enyart Construction Company, owned by local men, was awarded a total of 12.74 miles of hard surface roads to be built in Platt county, Illinois, according to an article in Saturday's issue of the Chicago Tribune. It had been stated in the Sentinel some time ago that the local bidders were low on this job but the contract had not yet been awarded them. The bid was $25,900 per mile, including cement.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, October 15, 1921]

LOCAL MEN PURCHASE ROAD CONSTRUCTION CO.
Announcement has been made of the purchase Saturday by four local men, Postmaster Otto McMahan, A. L. Deniston, Guy R. Barr and Eugene Hunter, of the Becker-Enyart Construction Company, a road contracting and building corporation. The sale was made by order of court, following the death recently of the leading member of the firm, Charles Becker, of Fulton.
The purchase price of the company was about $100,000, and according to statements made by the owners, there is almost that much value in the equipment on hands, besides road contracts totaling about half a million dollars, now under course of construction in Marshall county.
Postmaster McMahan has taken over the active management of the company, having taken a 30 day leave of absence so that he can spend all of his time on the work now under construction. The local concern is now building eight miles of paving on the state highway north of Plymouth on the Michigan road and is also building 15 miles of gravel road. Mr. McMahan stated that they had contracts on hand now that would keep them busy for another year.
He added further that this was the best equipped construction company in the state, the equipment being of the most modern and complete type. They can build a mile of concrete road in eight days and are working so fast now that three engineers are required to keep pace with the actual construction work.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, May 17, 1921]

INCORPORATE IN ILLINOIS
The Becker-Enyart corporation recently purchased by local men, has been incorporated in Illinois.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, October 25, 1921]

BECKER HARDWARE & DEPARTMENT STORE [Fulton, Indiana]
Owned by Charles Becker.
Charles Becker, south Main street, Rochester. Sells general merchandise including such items as boots & shoes, groceries coal oil & lard oils, lamps & wicking, tubs & buckets, toys & candies, London Dock Gin, Brandy &c "for sickness."
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, January 4, 1862]
Notice. Charles Becker requests those who owe him, or to whom he owes, to contact him at once, as he intends to remove to Chicago.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, November 22, 1862]

BECKER KRAUT FACTORY [Rochester, Indiana]
BECKER'S KRAUT FACTORY DESTROYED BY FLAMES
The fire department was called out Sunday morning to extinguish the blazing sauerkraut factory, operated by Carl Becker at the rear of the Bert Vawter residence on West Seventh street. Becker, who uses a small shed on the Vawter lot for the manufacture of cabbage fruit, had a roaring hot fire going in his stove, it seems, and sparks from the chimney ignited the roof. The building, a light frame structure, was razed before the last flames were quenched.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, December 27, 1920]

BECKER MILL [Fulton, Indiana]
Owned by Margaret Becker.

BECKER & McCARTER BLACKSMITH [Rochester, Indiana]
BUYS HALF INTEREST
On account of the condition of his place on East 7th, Fred McCarter has purchased of John Becker a half interest in the latter's blacksmith shop on West 7th St. The men intend to make some improvements.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday Nov. 1, 1916]

BECKER & SONS, CHAS. [Fulton, Indiana]
READY FOR BUSINESS
To the citizens of Fulton and vicinity we are now ready to do your work in the milling line. Flour and feed always on hand. We have a complete roller mill and guarantee you good work in every department of milling. We warrant you fair and honest work and treatment. Give us a trial and be convinced. We are owners of the mill and here to stay. Yours or trade. CHAS. BECKER & SONS, Fulton, Ind.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 6, 1897]

BECKER & WARE [Rochester, Indiana]
MURPHY RESTAURANT SOLD
The North End Bakery and Restaurant owned by T. A. Murphy was sold Saturday afternoon to J. C. Becker and Lon Ware of this city who took charge at once.
The new proprietors are well known in the restaurant business of Rochester, having had charge of the Erie hotel for a number of years and are known to be very efficient in this profession.
The retiring owner, Mr. Murphy, will retire from active business life and will take a trip throughout the West in an effort to regain his health.
At present Mr. Becker will remain at the Erie Hotel.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, July 13, 1908]

BECKER'S GROCERY [Rocohester, Indiana]
All kinds of Family Groceries . . . Charles Becker's . . . two doors north of Taylor's Dry Goods store, formerly Smith & Bro., on Main street
[Rochester Mercury, Thursday, March 1, 1860]
Notice. Charles Becker requests those who owe him, or to whom he owes, to contact him at once, as he intends to remove to Chicago.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, November 22, 1862]

BEE HIVE [Kewanna, Indiana]
Clothing store.
Owned and operated by James and Kenan Cook Bitterling, 1972-77.

BEE HIVE STORE [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] BARGAINS! At the Bee Hive Store! Alley Room, Fred Fromm's Block, North End. To the Public: I adopt to-day the above name for the business of General Merchandise as conducted by me at the above place. G. A. PFEIFFER, Agent. - - - Groceries, Wooden, Glass and Queensware - - -Clothing - - - -
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, June 21, 1884]

[Adv] WE ARE SELLING OUT Lots of Goods every day because - - - fresh seasonable goods at prices that defy competition. Our trade this season has far exceeded our expectations - - - THE BEE HIVE, Holman & Foote.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 1, 1893]

[Adv] BARGAINS! Buy your Dry Goods at the Bee Hive Dry Goods Store - - - F. O. CURRENT, Prop.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 10, 1896]

BEEBER & OSBORNE [Rochester, Indiana]
Sam O. Beeber and Schuyler Osborne have formed a partnership for doing all kind of plain and ornamental painting, paper hanging, &c. Both are fine artists in their line and they ask a share of public patronage. Good work guaranteed and prices satisfactory.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, May 27, 1882]

BEEHLER, LESTER J. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Lester J. Beehler)

BEEHLER, OTTO [Rochester, Indiana]
McMAHAN SELLS RICE HOTEL
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh McMahan announced Saturday that they had sold the Rice Hotel, at Decatur, Ind., to Mr. and Mrs. Otto Beehler, of this city. Mr. Beehler is well known in Rochester, having taught in the public schools here for 14 years. The Beehler family will move to Decatur sometime this week.

BEERY, CHARLES H. [Henry Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Charles H. Beery was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, October 1, 1852; eldest son of Aaron and Caroline Beery, natives of Ohio and of German lineage. When he was but two years of age, Mr. Beery's parents removed, and located in Pulaski County, in this State, where he followed the usual vocations of a farmer's boy, attending school at intervals until sixteen years of age. He then entred the Valparaiso College, where he spent theee years as a pupil. At the expiration of this time, he began teaching school, and assisted at farm work during the vacations. In the spring of 1871, he began work as a salesman for the firm of Ernsperger & Jackson, at Rochester. He continued to hold this position for five years, when he located at Akron, and engaged in the mercantile business for himself. His business has constantly increased, and as he carries a general stock, including everything necessary for a country or village store, and is a young, enterprising man, he has bright prospects for a fortune before him. Mr. Beery was united in marriage, October 24, 1877, with Miss Minnie Clark, born in Sandusky County, Ohio, October 7, 1854. Her father, Loren Clark, was born in Vermont July 12, 1818; married, in Sandusky County, Ohio, March 23, 1853, to Miss Julia Jackson, this being the second marriage. To them were born two children, of whom Mrs. B. is the eldest. She attended the common school until eighteen years of age, then went to Milan Normal, where she finished her education. His father, Aaron Beery, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, 1826, and was united in marriage, May 13, 1849, to Miss Caroline Ernsperger, a native of Wayne County, Ohio, born in 1830.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 36]

BEHRINGER, A., MRS. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Day Nursery

BEISTLE AUTO SALES CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] Used Car Bargains! - - - - BEISTLE AUTO SALES CO., used car lot, No. Main Street, Rochester, Ind. South Bend Address, 506 So. Lafayette, Phone 37377.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, October 11, 1930]

BELDING [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] Are you feeling the pinch of the family shoe bill? - - - - THE PEOPLE'S STORE, Marsh & Belding, 828 Main Street.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, June 17, 1930]

BELDING, H. E. [Macy, Indiana]
GOODIE GOODIE Ice Cream Parlor. - - - Restaurant and Short Orders in connection. The best place to eat in Macy. H. E. BELDING, Prop. Phone 22 on 18. Macy, Ind.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, August 27, 1925]

BELDING, RICHARD [Rochester, Indiana/Hollywood, Calif.]
GUY BELDING GRANTED A DIVORCE AT WABASH
Guy Belding, of Peru, was granted a divorce in the Wabash circuit court on Tuesday from his wife, Mrs. Annabelle Belding, of this city. The two children were awarded by the court to the custody of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Marsh, of this city, and all charges preferred in the original complaint by Mr. Belding, except those of cruel and inhuman treatment, were withdrawn.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, June 15, 1921]

ROLE IN MOVIE
In a letter received from Miss Josephine Belding, of Hollywood, Calif., by a Rochester relative today, stated that her brother, Richard, better known to his local friends as "Dickie" will have a minor part in MGM new production "Romeo and Juliet." The former Rochester youth will be dressed as a page. Miss Belding and "Dickie" are the grandchildren of Mrs. Sena Marsh, formerly of this city.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, March 21, 1936]

BELL, LAWRENCE [Mentone, Kosciusko County]
FORMER MENTONE MAN FLIES HOME IN PLANE
Lawrence Bell, former Mentone boy, now general manager and vice-president of the Consolidated Aircraft Corporation of Buffalo, N.Y., flew to Mentone from Buffalo on Saturday for a week end visit with relatives and friends. He was accompanied by William Wheatley, pilot. Mr. Bell was a son of Isaac Bell, of Mentone. His brother took up aviation when it was in its infancy and finally was killed in a plane crash. Lawrence also became interested in aviation at an early age and now has won his way to an exalted position in the flying world. On Saturday Mr. Bell wired Morrison Rockhill, of Warsaw, that he was leaving Buffalo by plane. He asked Mr. Rockhill to meet him at the old Bell pasture. Mr. Bell came to Warsaw Sunday to inspect the Zimmer field, planning to return this fall in a large cabin plane.
[The News-Sent inel, Tuesday, July 22, 1930]

BELL, M. [Rochester, Indiana]
M. BELL GETS BIG CONTRACT
M. BELL, of this city, has returned from a trip to northern Minnesota, where he was successful in landing a $37,000 dredging contract. This is one of the biggest pieces of work ever attempted by a local contractor. . . .
The excavation is on a ditch in Koochiching county, which lies on the border line in the extreme northern part of Minnesota. The ditch is to be 24.74 miles long . . . Mr. Bell will ship his dredge from here at once . . .
A. C. DAVISSON, Mr. Bell's son-in-law has also done considerable contract work in Minnesota.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, February 25, 1913]

BELL, THOMAS [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Hotels - Arlington

BELL & ROBBINS [Rochester, Indiana]
Wanted. A quantity of Hoop Poles, at the shop of Bell & Robbins , (old distillery) for which the highest market price will be paid in cash.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, December 29, 1864]

BELLWARD, BILLIE [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Carpenter, Emmett J.

BELSER, OWEN [Fulton, Indiana]
See: Rochester Bands

BELT, GLENN [Rochester, Indiana]
ROCHESTER BOY IS TUTOR FOR FAMOUS ACTOR
On the dressing table of a charming little woman of the old school, who lives on South Carroll street in South Bend, is a photograph of a very freckled little boy. Scrawled across the bottom of it, in a typical school boy hand is this inscription:
"To Glenn's mother, with all kinds of good wishes. Wesley Barry."
Glenn, who is Wesley's private tutor, is Glenn Belt, and his mother is Mrs. Katherine BELT, 321 South Carroll street, an old resident of South Bend. Glenn Belt is a former resident of Rochester where he attended school and is very well known.
"Yes, of course Glenn likes his work," said his mother when interviewed today. "He has been teaching Wesley since early this summer, and now that Wesley is touring with the Orpheum vaudeville circut, they are having their lessons on trains and in hotels. When he isn't tutoring Glenn is acting, for he appears in the company with Wesley. I haven't seen him in this show, for he has been working from Hollywood eastward, but I am hoping that he will come to the Palace theater before the season closes.
"From what he writes, I think they must be just like two boys together. 'Wesley is such a regular boy,' he says, and doesn't act at all spoiled in spite of all the publicity he has had. He has a serious little head on his shoulders, and he gets very much interested in his lessons and asks hundreds of questions. Glenn is teaching him his high school subjects now, and they both find it very interesting."
Mr. Belt was formerly employed in the Singer Manufacturing plant in South Bend, but for some years has been in moving picture work. He appears with Wesley Barry in "Penrod."
[Rochester Sentinal, Monday, November 13, 1922]

HELPED MAKE PICTURE
Glenn Belt, a former Rochester boy, was instrumental in the production of the moving picture, "Not One to Spare" which was shown at the Char-Bell theatre here on Tuesday night. Mr. Belt was the assistant director when the picture was being made.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, February 20, 1925]

BELT, JAMES D. [Macy, Allen Township, Miami County]
BIOGRAPHY
James D. Belt, teacher in the public schools of Macy, was born in Allen Township, this county, April 30, 1860. He was the oldest son born to William and Ellen (Davis) Belt, natives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively, the former of English and the latter of Dutch descent. James spent his boyhood and youth working upon a farm. During this time he attended the district school, in which he received a good, common education. At he age of twenty he took up the avocation of a teacher. He taught his first term of school at Macy during the winter of 1880-1, and has since taught six successive winters. In the fall of 1884 he was elected to teach the primary department of the Macy Schools, which position he has held ever since. As such he has discharged his duties in a manner that reflects very creditably upon himself. December 23, 1883, he was united in marriage to Elmira Kamp, who died February 22, 1884. He was again married on the 22nd of April, 1886, to Mrs. Amanda Seidner, whose maiden name was Amanda Fishley. Mr. Belt is a member of the Christian Church, and a Prohibitionist in politics. He is an exemplary young man of irreproachable character, and as a teacher, he is an earnest and successful worker, and ranks among the best instructors in the county. In May, 1885, he was elected to the office of Clerk of the town of Macy, and is the present incumbent.
[History of Miami County, Indiana, 1887, Brant & Fuller. p. 507]

BELT, JOE [Green Oak, Indiana]
See: Rochester Bands

BELT, WILLARD [Rochester, Indiana]
NEW STUDIO HERE
Every suite of rooms in the new A. B. Shore building is occupied. The last one open for rent was let to Willard Belt, a photographer, who comes to this city from Wabash. Mr. Belt is going to open a studio in his suite, which he calls a "Home Portrait Studio." He intends to do most of his work in private homes in Rochester and surrounding small towns, that will not support studios of their own. His outfit is new and strictly up-to-date. It consists of an assortment of lights, flashlights, screen backgrounds, etc., which he carries and which may be used anywhere. He explains that there are no studios outside of the one here within a radius of several miles around Rochester, and in the northwest section there is none between here and Crown point. He will make a specialty of large groups, school work and landscapes.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, January 3, 1924]

BELT'S BAND [Rochester, Indiana]
This fine band of martial music was present at the Invincible Club Room on Tues. evening last.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, October 28, 1864]

BEMENDERFER, AUNT JANIE [Rochester, Indiana]
LOCAL SEERESS GIVEN CREDIT IN DISAPPEARANCE
A prediction made by a Rochester Seeress proved correct as to the return of Henry Flory to his home in Tippecanoe. Flory left his home Monday night and did not return until Tuesday evening. After an all-night search Monday night members of Flory's family came to this city and consulted the seeress.
"He is not dead," the woman told the questioners. "He went north a little ways, took a freight train and later a passenger train. He is now northwest of here," she told them
Tuesday night Mr. Flory came back but he would not say whether or not he had been on a train so that an exact checking of the fortune teller's insight could not be made.
At any rate the missing man is back home and in fairly good health and the Rochester lady's powers will be given more credence than ever before.
Flory explained on returning home that financial worry had caused him to leave.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, June 18, 1931]

J. BEMENDERFER WIDELY KNOWN AS FORTUNE TELLER
Mrs. Jane Bemenderfer who died at her home at the south edge of Rochester last Friday evening and who was buried Sunday after funeral services in the United Brethren Church at Athens, was well known in Indiana and many surrounding states.
Mrs. Bemenderfer was known because of her powers as a clairvoyant and seeress. Early in life her strange gift manifested itself and her school mates would come to her when they had lost various articles and she would tell them where they were. It was not until later in life that she gained a reputation as a seeress.
Mrs. Bemenderfer has been consulted in recent years in nearly every mysterious murder which has been committed in this section of the country for many years. She was credted with aiding officers in the solution of many crimes through tips which she gave them.

Assisted The Ailing
The aged lady was consulted by persons whose relatives had disappeared or who had lost articles. She also, it was said, often assisted the sick.
Mrs. Bemenderfer seemed to have a peculiar power when it came to drowning cases and was often consulted in such accidents At one time a lad by the name of George Gunther, of Huntington, drowned in the waters of Lake Manitou. The family consulted Mrs. Bemenderfer and she told them the spot where the body would come to the surface of the lake and the time. The persons who had talked with Mrs. Bemenderfer were skeptical but went to the place designated which was just to the south of Big Island and at the time named the body came to the surface as she said it would. The body had been lodged under a log.

Winters Case
At one time the family of Catherine Winters, a girl who disappeared from her home at Newcastle years ago, came to consult her. Mrs. Bemenderfer told they would not find their daughter and they never have. If she knew what was the girl's fate Mrs. Bemenderfer never disclosed it.
Her home was a somewhat impressive place being set among fir trees, while her personal appearance was somewhat like that of the women who were tried for witchcraft in the colonial days. The reception room of her house contained books on psyhology, occult and treatises on Hades.
Mrs. Bemenderfer never charged for her consultations but would accept a donation. Many times she would not answer at the time she was visited but would tell the persons to return at another time.
She could have been wealthy it is said had she so desired because of the donations which she received from persons who called at her home. The aged lady however was very charitable and aided many persons.
Born Near Rochestr
Minerva Jane Powell was born in Rochester township on June 7, 1851 and spent her entire life in or near this city. Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. William Powell. Her home was located on East 17th street in the College addition and a short way east of the junction of Road 14, 25 and 31.
Mrs. Bemenderfer had been an invalid for thirty months prior to her death. She was married to John Bemenderfer on January 14, 1875. He preceded her in death on May 27, 1925.
Survivors are two sisters, Martha King, Akron and Mrs. Laura Sowers, Macy and two brothers Oliver and Lemuel Powell who reside on farms near Macy.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, December 24, 1934]
__________

ROCHESTER'S RENOWNED PSYCHIC,
AUNT JANIE BEMENDERFER
Considered Comment
Jack K. Overmyer
Her family called her Aunt Janie or Aunt Gin. Her full name was Minerva Jane Powell Bemenderfer. For many years from a house on the outskirts of Rochester, she practiced her estimable psychic powers for those who came to her, and they became legion.
Although dead now for 65 years, Aunt Janie remains a durable local legend whose feats of clairvoyance were recorded by family members and others in such detail that one must accept that she was a woman of considerable occult talents. Some disbelieving locals, however, referred to her derisively as a witch.
Sorceress or not, Aunt Janie was the wife of John Bemenderfer, a Millark community farmer who died in 1925. The childless couple moved to Rochester after his retirement, settling into a house on the south side of East 18th Street just west of the Liberty Road intersection.
There she could be found night or day by her supplicants, although if her mood was not right she might refuse an audience and request the person to return at another time. Her home was set amidst shadowing fir trees, she habitually wrapped herself in several black shawls and she was surrounded always by a passel of pet cats. Nearby was the crystal ball into which she gazed to discover truths. Some might imagine an aura of witchcraft in such a place and person.
Her strange gifts first manifested themselves to her as a child and soon she was telling schoolmates where to find various lost articles. Her parents, William and Sarah Biddle Powell, lived on a farm near Macy; among their 11 other children was the notable Fulton County harness horse breeder and racer, O.M. Powell.
Some say Aunt Janie charged her visitors from 50 to 75 cents, others that she asked nothing, accepting only donations. It is written that law officers throughout northern Indiana consulted her for years and credited her tips with aiding in the solution of many crimes, including murders.
That reputation and her success at telling people where to find lost relatives, livestock, dogs and watches, or in reading their minds, spread her notoriety widely and people from well beyond Rochester came to call.
The following examples of Aunt Janie's powers all derive from contemporary accounts.
Lois Green Wagoner passed on the tale told by her father, Benjamin Green. It seems that he lost his watch while cutting wood on his farm northeast of Fulton. He went to Aunt Janie, who looked into her crystal ball and saw a watch hanging on a limb in a brush pile. Benjamin looked at his own brush pile and, sure enough, there was the watch.
Another man lost his watch while hunting. He came to Aunt Janie and was astonished to hear her say: "You remember when you jumped up on the stump to get a better look at the rabbit? Well, your watch fell out of your pocket when you jumped down and you will find it by that stump." And so he did.
Edith Ruh, whose husband Fred owned the Blue Drug Store, now Webb's, once recovered a lost ring when Aunt Janie told her where to look.
The family of Catherine Winters, who disappeared from her home in New Castle, once called on Aunt Janie for help after all attempts to find the girl had failed. They were told that they would not find their daughter, and they never did.
The disappearance of George Guthier of Huntington at Lake Manitou on July 23. 1915, resulted in widespread attention to Aunt Janie's powers. Some folks thought George might have slipped out of his boat, swam underwater and run away. His brother Henry went to Aunt Janie for help.
She told Henry that he would flnd the body at a spot south of Big Island at 4:30 a.m. So he and friend rowed out there that night and sure enough. the body surfaced at the predicted time. It later was determined the body had been lodged under a log. From then on Aunt Janie became a celebrity, so much so that when something was stolen, the owner often placed an ad in The Sentinel or The Republicarr warning the thief to return the item or Aunt Janie would be asked to identify him.
She was no fool. Once a man came to her asking for help in recovering some lost furs. She replied: "You stole those furs yourself and the man you stole them from came and took them back. So you had better let it lie." The fellow reportedly turned on his heel and left without a word.
There is another story recorded that depicts the range of her perceptions. She was walking home one afternoon when she felt something pull at her skirt like a stick, but no such stick could be found. She began to walk on, only to have the same thing happen and so she marked the spot. After dark she returned, dug in that area and unearthed a box containing paper money and gold coins. Janie believed the box had been buried by a thief who intended to return and recover it.
When Minerva Jane died at the age of 83 on December 21, 1934, not only her cats mourned her passing, for she consistently had contributed money to charitable causes and to indigent persons from the many donations she received from clients.
Surely, no self-respecting witch would have done that.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, July 20, 1999]

BEMENDERFER, DAVID [Henry Township]
BIOGRAPHY
David Bemenderfer was born in Stark County, Ohio, July 1, 1851. His parents, William and Sophia Bemenderfer, who were natives of Frederick, Md., where his father was born August 1, 1810, moved to Indiana, while David was still an infant in 1852, settling upon the premises now owned by Alexander Curtis, near Akron.
In 1854, Mr. Bemenderfer, Sr., purchased the farm now owned by his heirs, and occupied by his son and widow, who, at the age of sixty-four, is still vigorous in mind and body, Mr. B. having died January 28, 1881.
David enjoyed the advantages of a common school education and chose the vocation of a farmer. He has always lived on the homestead, and was wedded to Miss Mollie Pontious, who was born in Fulton County in 1854. To this marriage have been born four children, three of whom Charles, John Leslie and Bertha May are living. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the Baptist Churh.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 36]

BEMENDERFER, ESTEL [Rochester, Indiana]
E. BEMENDERFER CHOSEN AS A STATE PATROLMAN
Notice of the appointment of Estel Bemenderfer of Rochester as a patrolman of the Indiana State Police Department was received here this afternoon. The information was sent to the News-Sentinel by the United Press.
Twenty-one new patrolmen were appointed on the force by Al Feeney director of public safety and Bemenderfer's name was included in the list. No information was given as to when the men will report for duty, but it is assumed it will be within a few days. It is presumed the Rochester man will be put on duty in or near Fulton County.
Bemenderfer is an active democrat and has served in recent years as secretary of the Fulton County Democratic Central Committee. He had the recommendation of local democrats for the position and was in Indianapolis on Wednesday where he entered formal application for the position. Previously Bemenderfer was connected with the Fulton County Motor Company and is widely known in this community.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, April 13, 1933]

E. BEMENDERFER TAKES UP INDIANA PATROL DUTIES
Rochester's new state policeman, Estel Bemenderfer, returned to his home in this city Thursday afternoon and took up his patrol duty. The new official attired in his gaily adorned uniform and mounted on his white motorcycle presents a most striking appearance.
Mr. Bemenderfer, together with 61 other state policemen has just completed a week's special training course at Indianapolis under the direction of Captain Matt Leach. The local officer's route for the present will be from Rochester to Plymouth, to Etna Green to Mentone, thence to Akron and return to this city. However, another meeting of the northern Indiana division of the state patrolmen may bring several changes in the present routings.
All of the new policemen are vested with the same authority for arrest as that of county sheriff only their scope of jurisdiction is statewide instead of county. The Rochester officer will be under the supervision of Lieutenant Fisher, of LaGrange. State Patrolman Edminester of Peru will cover the Peru, Logansport, Rochester and Wabash territory.
Striking Outfits
The new uniforms consist of a dark blue swagger style cap, the coat, also dark blue is trim fitting and bears a chevron on the left shoulder with the lettering "Indiana State Police"; the trousers are robin's egg blue with dark-blue stripes running down the sides until they are lost to view by the glistening black puttees. Equipment to the uniforms include a black Sam Browne belt; revolver straps and holster and a .38 calibre Colt's army pistol.
All of the patrolmen have been given a course in first aid treatment and each will carry a first aid kit on his motorcycle. In an emergency the state "copper" should be able to take the situation in hand, administer first aid to injured persons, and investigate the accident, and finally make his arrests when the case warrants this action. All of which is no small task, even for an officer with high enthusiasm and a moral code.
Although the new state policeman has an imposing revolver, big enough to strike terror into any felon's heart, he must not use it except in dire extremes. That is the rule of the department. Especial stress was put upon that point by the officers of the school. There will be no shooting just to see how the shiny new gun sounds.
Capt. Leach and Director Forney expect much from their new officers. Policemen who fail to live up to the rules will be dismissed. If Indiana's force doesn't gain a reputation equal to that of the Northwest Mounted then Capt. Leach and Director Forney are going to be disappointed.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, May 5, 1933]

ESTEL BEMENDERFER IS PROMOTED TO DETECTIVE
State Patrolman Estel Bemenderfer received official notice December 31 from Don Stiver, head of the Indiana State Police department, that he had been promoted to the rank of detective.
In his new role Officer Bemenderfer will work in plain clothes and his running mate will be Detective Ed Rose. Office Bemenderfer will have to serve a probationary period of six months before he is officially assigned as a detective.
Officer Bemenderfer has been a member of the Indiana State Police Department for the past six years and is well known throughout northern Indiana. He will work out of the Ligonier barracks.
During his term as a state patrolman Officer Bemenderfer has caused the arrest of a number of much wanted criminals and has helped to clear up a number of crimes.
He will continue to make his home in Rochester but will spend a portion of his time away from Rochester in his official capacity.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, January 2, 1940]

BENAC TRIBE OF INDIANS [Henry Township]
Gardner Osgood had a sawmill located one-half mile northwest of Akron on the bank of a mill pond, and their home after a few years was a frame house by the mill. The Benac tribe of Indians would stop at their home while traveling to Rock Lake to fish, hunt and pick huckleberries. They were a very friendly tribe and the Osgoods would give them food to have on their way. The tribe lived 10 miles north of Akron. The women would ride on ponies and carried their papooses strapped on their backs while the men would follow behind walking and carrying their guns.

BENJAMIN HOUSE [Rochester, Indiana]
Located on E side of street at 415 Main.
First frame house of any importance in Rochester was built by a Benjamin Benjamin, and therein occurred Rochester's first murder, as related in Home Folks by Marguerite Miller. A Mrs. Margaret Reese resided there with her husband, whom she gave broken doses of arsenic causing his death in a matter of two weeks. She was tried for murder but not convicted.

BENNETT, A. C. [Rochester, Indiana]
GROCERY STORE SOLD
A deal was made Friday by which A. C. Bennett of Laketon became the owner of the Slusser & Norris grocery in south Rochester.
The new owner took possession this morning, and with the aid of Jonathan Busenburg will endeavor to keep on catering to the wants of the public. Mr. Slusser, the active member of the retiring firm, has not decided what he will do in the immediate future.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, August 13, 1910]

A. C. BENNETT GROCERY SOLD
The A. C. Bennett grocery, which is located on East Thirteenth street, this city, was sold Saturday to Prof. Arnold of Kewanna. The stock is being invoiced today and the new owner will take possession at once.
Mr. Bennett, who came here from Tyner, has enjoyed a nice patronage since he has been in business, but wishes to return to Tyner. Prof. Arnold is a well-known citizen of Kewanna, and is a valuable addition to the population of this city. He is well acquainted with the grocrery business and will no doubt prove as successful as the retiring owner.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, July 22, 1912]

BENNETT, EDGAR J. [Kewanna, Indiana]
BIOGRAPHY
Edgar J. Bennett, well known clothing merchant of Kewanna, was born in Fulton county, Indiana, Nov. 27, 1874, the son of Nelson E. and Margaret (Leiter) Bennett. Nelson E. Bennett received his education in the public schools of his home community and in Valparaiso University from which he was graduated. He then engaged in farming which he continued for the rest of his active life. He had six children of whom five are still living. He died Dec. 11, 1922 while his wife still lives in Kewanna. Edgar J. Bennett was educated in the common schools and at the age of sixteen years, he began life for himself in the tailoring business. He continued in this until 1905 when he went to California. He returned to Indiana and in 1918 opened a clothing store in Kewanna. Since that time, he has been actively engaged in the same business, which now has reached the magnitude of a sixteen thousand dollar yearly turnover. He is regarded as one of the reliable business men of the town. He married Dora Belle Fritz, of California, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. In fraternal circles, he is a member of the Maxonic Lodge No. 546.
[Henry A. Barnhart, Fulton County History, p. 160, Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1923]

BENNETT, J. H.
See: Lidecker, N. J.

BENNETT, P. D. [Rochester, Indiana]
P. D. BENNETT (Biography)
A leading character in the local grocery business is P. D. "Doc" BENNETT who was born near Kewanna 36 years ago, and grew up in a grocery. He was in business in Monticello for many years but came back to his native county six years ago and opened the most extensive grocery in the city and has conducted it successfully ever since. Indeed, Mr. Bennett has always prospered in business because he makes friends easily and holds them permanently. He is married, the father of one son, and owns a pleasant home on Fulton avenue.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

[Adv] Doc Bennett has opened a new stock of the best grade of Pure groceries in the south half of the City Book Store room, in the Masonic Block, and solicits trade of all his old friends and patrons. Country produce wanted - - - BENNETT'S Pure Food GROCERY.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 7, 1902]

BENNETT, ROBERT "BEEZER" [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter from "Beezer" Bennett)
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Fannin' The Breeze) [series]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Pacific Breezes) [series]

BENNETT GROCERY, ALVA [Rochester, Indiana]
ARNOLD STORE SOLD
A. M. Arnold Thursday sold his grocery on 13th street to ex-county recorder R. B. Hendrickson, who took possession at once. Arnold will remain in the store as clerk until the first of June, when he expects to move to some college town where his son will enter school. Mr. Arnold owned the store for over three years, buying it from Alva Bennett.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, March 16, 1916]

BENNETT GROCERY, DOC. [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] NEW GROCERY. We have just placed a bran new stock of Fancy Groceries in our bran new store in the new Arlington Block and intend to do a wide awake business. - - - See our 5 and 10 cent counter. We are bound to sell to you if you but stick your head inside the door. I want to get acquainted with every man, woman and child in Fulton county, and if you don't call and see me I will bring the clerks and stay a week with you at your own home. Yours Respectfully, DOC. BENNETT.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, December 25, 1889]

[Adv] Anti-Trust Grocery - The Grocery Combine is "Busted" - Carter & Jenkins have opened a new grocery temporarily in the old Post Office room in the Arlington block, and will move into the Doc Bennett room as soon as the combine will vacate. - - - CARTER & JENKINS.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 7, 1894]

[Adv] ANOTHER GROCERY CHANGE! This time the Kilmer Grocery has been moved to the old Bennett stand in the Sentinel block - - -
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, October 24, 1899]

BENNETT & BROWN [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] BENNETT & BROWN is the way it reads now. We are going to do business with the people of Rochester and vicinity and DON'T YOU FORGET IT! Come in and see how we look. Yours Truly, BENNETT & BROWN, Arlington Grocery.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, June 29, 1894]

BENNETT'S [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] - - - - And if a nice fresh stock of Groceries, Low Prices and Courteous Treatment of Customers will win trade, I will be a standing candidate every day in the year. - - - Bennett pays the highest prices for produce - - - BENNETT'S, Sentinel Block.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, November 13, 1896]

BEREBITSKY JUNK YARD [Rochester, Indiana]
JUNK YARDS BRING MORE THAN $10,000
A deal was closed Thursday, whereby Klein Bros, Kokomo junk dealers, became the owners of the Abe Berebitsky junk yards and all the stock on hands for a consideration of more than $10,000. Klein Bros., who took possession immediately, are interested in a Kokomo rolling mill, and will probably enlarge the Rochester yards. Mr. Berebitsky, who is managing the local place for a short time, stated that the new owners of his place of business would install a cutter and would probably employ 18 or 20 men.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, January 17, 1919]

BERGER AUTO SUPPLY COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
BERGER AUTO COMPANY WILL OPEN SATURDAY
The Berger Auto Supply Company will have its formal opening Saturday morning, March 30. The company is located in the Robbins building, 115 East Ninth Street on the south side of the public square.
A complete line of auto accessories, batteries, tires, tubes and auto supplies are carried in stock. The room has been neatly arranged for the display of the auto supplies.
The Berger Auto Supply Company is owned by Charles Berger who has been a resident of Rochester for the past three years moving here from Indianapolis.

Patch Company
Mr. Berger has operated the Sure-Grip Patch Company in the Barrett Building, 119 East Seventh Street.
The company manufactures tire and tube patching. The Sure-Grip Patch Company has been moved from the Barrett Building to the Robbins building.
The public is cordially invited to visit the Berger Auto Supply Company at their opening on Saturday.
A

d in News-Sentinel
The Berger Supply Company has a display ad in this issue of the News-Sentinel in which they announce a list of special prices for their opening.
Paul Shaffer who was in charge of the Texaco Oil Company station in this city for several years has been engaged as manager of the Berger Auto Supply Company.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, March 29, 1935]

BERGHOFF CAFE [Rochester, Indiana]
Located 101 E 9th
Owned and operated by Louis Ninios.
See: Lake Manitou, Big Band Era
See: New York Candy Kitchen
See: Rochester, Indiana [Historical Review]
__________

MODERN CAFE TO OPEN HERE SUNDAY MORNING
One of the most modern cafes in this section of the state will open its doors for business at 11 a.m. Sunday morning at the [SE] corner of Main and 9th streets this city. The new business establishment, which furnishes employment for ten people, will be operated under the firm name of The Berghoff Cafe, and is owned by Louis and Pete Ninios, proprietors of the New York Candy Kitchen.
The cafe which also includes a modern bar for the serving of beer, is finished in modernistic design thruout and has a seating capacity for 90 people. The fixtures are in dark and light tan with inlaid design and the bar is in mahogany. The flooring of inlaid linoleum, the walls and ceiling harmonize with the color scheme of the artistic and costly fixtures.
The cafe proper, the bar and kitchen are equipped with electrical refrigeration apparatus and the cooking range is heated by an electrically controlled oil burning heating units.
The proprietors stated that the entire seating capacity would be taxed to the limit on Christmas eve, reservations having been made several days ago. Special entertainment will be given throughout Sunday and Monday evenings.
The Ninios brothers have been engaged in business in this city for the past 14 years, coming here from Chicago. The New York Candy Kitchen, which adjoins the Berghoff cafe, will of course continue in business under the Ninios brothers management.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, December 23, 1933]

NOTED MOVIE ACTOR AND PARTY DINE IN THIS CITY
Richard Arlen, of Hollywood, California, one of the foremost motion picture stars of the nation, with his wife and son, Richard, Jr., stopped in Rochester for an hour Monday evening where they took dinner at the Berghoff Cafe. The party which also included a nurse and the Arlen chauffeur, was enroute to the Motor Speedway races in Indianapolis, where it is reported that Mr. Arlen will ride in the race, as a mechanic in one of the nationally known auto drivers.
Their presence in the city was known only to a few who were attracted by the stunning appearance of Arlen's 12-cylinder Duesenberg car, bearing a Hollywood license plate, which was parked in front of the Berghoff Cafe. The movie actor and his party left the city shortly before eight o'clock for Kokomo where they planned to remain for the night. Mrs. Arlen was the former Dixie Lee, herself a famed movie actress.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, May 28, 1935]

"GROANER" CROSBY STOPS AT BERGHOFF; SINGS AND SIGNS
An all too small number of Rochester people, expecially the young feminine members, received the big thrill of their lives here about 11 o'clock Tuesday night when the famed crooner, none other than Bing Crosby himself, stopped here for refreshments. It all happened this way:
Just an average number of customers were at the Berghoff cafe busy with their usual "big talk," when the door opened and in walked "the groaner." He was accompanied by two handsome Hollywood type of gentlemen and a beautiful senorita, whose name was not learned, unfortuantely. Immediately the young ladies hearts began to flutter and everything stopped while the party made their way to a table and placed an order for food.
Then the action started. Young ladies flocked to the table from all directions bearing pieces of paper, napkins and note books, asking for autographs. Der Bingle took it all smilingly and signed away between bites on a sandwich. His companions seemed unimpressed. Finally Louis Ninios, the proprietor, came to the table and apologized for the conduct of his patrons but Bing told him to "think nothing of it," and went ahead with his sandwich and his pencil.
Sings a Song
Suddenly amidst all the excitement the juke box started going and to the delight of everyone the crooner sang "The Song of Old Hawaii" along with the music. As he arose to go one attractive young lady secured the glass he had used and took it home for a souvenir to show her grandchildren.
Meanwhile word had spread amid the bobby soxers who happened to be up that late and when the guests came out the door a crowd surrounded them and again Bing went into action signing his name with abandon. And while the signs continued the four climbed into their automobile and departed southward.
Bing and his companions had driven from South Bend where he had appeared on the Bob Hope radio show before a midshipmen audience at Notre Dame university. He was on his way to Indianapolis to appear with Hope and two professionals in a golf match at the Speedway course on Memorial Day. The newspapers reported that he arrived in Indianapolis in the wee hours of the morning weary and ready for bed. It was learned that Bob Hope and his party also drove through the city at about the same hour but unfortunately for the fans they did not stop.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday May 31, 1945]

BERGMAN, FRANCIS A. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rochester Laundry

BERKEBILE, DR. DALE [Rochester, Indiana]
NEW OPTOMETRIST OPENS OFFICES IN ROCHESTER
An announcement was made today that Dr. Dale Berkebile, optometrist of Chicago, has purchased the practice of Dr. T. H. Cochrane, who has been in offices of the late Dr. George Brower, Dr. Cochrane, recently, having accepted a position with an Indianapolis optical supply house. Dr. Berkebile while in Chicago was associated with several of the prominent optometrists; he also was a staff associate and professor of the Northern Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago.
The offices which are located in the Stinson building have been equipped with modern optical instruments. The service in the near future will also include orthoptic training, the new optometrist states.
Dr. and Mrs. Dale Berkebile and their two children have already taken up their residency in this city, at 924 South Monroe street.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, July 2, 1937]

BERKHEISER, MYRON [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Berkheiser I.G.A. Food Market
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Myron Berkheiser)

BERKHEISER I.G.A. FOOD MARKET [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] I.G.A. STORES - - - - - BERKHEISER I.G.A. Food Market. We Deliver. Phone 26.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, August 14, 1936]

LEASES MEAT MARKET
George Fleegle who has been the meat cuttrer at the Berkheiser Grocery for the past two years today resigned his position and has leased the meat market in the Vernon Grocery. He has taken charge of the market he leased.
[The News=Sentinel, Tuesday, April 25, 1939]

BERKSHIRE JOURNAL [Rochester, Indiana]
MAGAZINE SOLD
Lee Moore, publisher of "The Berkshire Journal," one of the leading hog publications, announced this morning that the magazine had been sold to The Breeders Gazette Publishing Company of Chicago. The new owners are to take possession immediately. According to the present plans the magazine will continue to be printed by The Barnhart-Van Trump Company here at Rochester
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Monday, August 5. 1929]

BERNETHA, BELLE [Rochester, Indiana]
BELLE BERNETHA REVIEWS EARLY DAYS AS OPERATOR
In reviewing of the early days of the Rochester Telephone Company, Belle Bernetha recalls numerous interesting and a few humorous incidents which portray an insight into the early history of the local industry.
Miss Bernetha stated that out of 13 applicants she was chosen to become one of the first two operators of the newly founded company's switchboards. Upon being informed of this bit of good fortune, and reporting to work a short time later, Miss Bernetha stated she advanced to the complicated mechanism of the switchboard with much the same fear as one might experience in facing the electric chair.

Powered by Hand-Crank
The power for the operation of the switchboard in those days was generated by a hand crank, turned by the operator and the placing of calls was a slow, tedious process. The calls signals were indicated by brass drops falling and the operator, though several feet away from the board, soon learned to know the party calling by the difference in the sound of the drops. So complicated and mystifying was the operation of the switchboard, visitors were never permitted in the room.
The Chief Operator stated the first toll line which was 12 miles long, necessitated a charge of 25c per call - these same calls or even double the distance are now placed at a flat rate of 10c. The hours of duty for the day operator started at 6 a.m. and continued through until 7 p.m. when the night operator reported for work. There was no time out for lunch, the operator eating a sandwich or two while at the switchboard. Besides the operating position, Miss Bernetha stated she also performed the duties of a bookkeeper and collector.

Collections via Horse-Buggy
While making the collection trips, a substitute operator was employed. Miss Bernetha, riding in a horse-drawn buggy made the collection rounds among the company's few subscribers once a month. She recalled the name of her horse was "Gold Dust." The animal soon became so familiar with the route that he was permitted to graze on the grassy lawns of the patrons while the multidutied operator collected the dollar per month fee for the phone service. "Gold Dust" soon became such a pet with the patrons that many provided him with bread and butter sandwiches while the collector was making her calls. Among those who brightened old "Gold Dust's" trail over the town's bumpy streets, with snacks of sandwiches or loaf sugar was Mrs. L.K. Brower, who at that time resided on West 3rd street.

Poor Connection
One of the amusing phases of Miss Bernetha's earlier experiences in the phone field was the time Seymour Blackburn, a farmer, of near Rochester, was summoned by special messenger to answer a long-distance call at the company's one-room office. Seymour, a bit nervous and excited, entered the makeshift booth and after numerous bellowings of lusty "Hello, Hello, Hello" he poked his head out of the door, saying "Belle, I can't hear a damned thing over this thing." Miss Bernetha then watched Seymour's operations at the phone and found he was shouting into the receiver and had his ear pressed in the mouthpiece.
Miss Bernetha stated, however, that all unusual incidents were not of such a frivolous trend, and cited one instance when a local lady was summoned to long distance booth to answer a call from New York City. The message she received informed her that her husband had been arrested and convicted on a serious criminal charge. As the patron received this tragic information, she screamed and fainted, falling to the floor with a heavy thud. A daub of cold water and first aid treatment given by the operator soon brought the woman to her normal self. Incident upon incident, many of them of the comedy complex, others of the tragic were recited during the interesting interview.
To the question of what she regarded as the greatest advancement made in the history of the company, Miss Bernetha replied it was at the time the local plant made its connection with the Bell Telephone Co. system which afforded nation-wide service for its local patrons. This connection was made about the year of 1906, a short time after the Bell Company had futilely attempted to establish its own plant in this city.
The Chief Operator brought her interesting review to a close by recalling the name and number of several of the company's first subscribers. They were:
Valentine Zimmerman (deceased) funeral director, No. 98; the same number as is now used by his son, Val Zimmerman; Chas. Davis, No. 118; Belle Bernetha, No. 119; Henry A. Barnhart, (deceased), No. 6, a number now used by Timothy B. Baker; The Sentinel, No. 5; this number at present being used by The News-Sentinel; Rome C. Stephenson (deceased), residence 84 and office 46; George W. Holman, residence No. 44; Mayor J. L. Babcock, with office and residence phones Nos. 1 and 2; and Benjamin F. Fretz, attorney with Phone No. 4.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, April 26, 1938]

BERNETHA, HARRY [Rochester, Indiana]
NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION
The partnership between Milo R. Smith and Harry Bernetha is this day, by mutual consent, dissolved. Milo R. Smith will remain in business at the old office, Harry Bernetha will occupy a room over the Fulton county Bank. MILO R. SMITH, HARRY BERNETHA.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 25, 1893]

[Adv]Lawyer, Collector and Notary. Office in the Fulton County Bank building, opposite the Arlington Hotel.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 22, 1893]

HARRY BERNETHA (Biography)
Of the young men of the Fulton county bar none has a brighter future than Harry BERNETHA. He is a native of Royal Center, this state, where he was born twenty-eight years ago. He took advantage of all the educational facilities of the graded schools of his town, and commenced teaching in 1885, following this vocation for five years. During this time he read law under Judge McCONNELL, of Logansport, finishing his scholarship under Essick & Montgomery, of this city. In 1890 he entered the practice of his chosen profession by a partnership with Hon. Milo R. SMITH, continuing there until 1893 when the firm was dissolved, and Mr. Bernetha opened business for himself, and steadily built up a practice which is both profitable and an honor to a lawyer of his years; his success being largely due to his energy and his thorough methods in the management of business entrusted to him. He married Miss Rhoda DELP and they have two daughters -- Madge and Mildred [BERNETHA], his mother and sister Belle [BERNETHA] living with him in a nice home on south Main street.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

[Adv] Harry Bernetha, Lawyer, Collector and Notary. Office in the Sentinel Block.
[Rochester Sentinel, January 1, 1897]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Judge Bernetha let the contract, Saturday, for a new residence to occupy the lot whereon he now lives. The structure will be a substantial two story frame of neat architectural design and all modern improvements. The little cottage in which the Judge now lives will be moved to another lot.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, April 3, 1905]

BIOGRAPHY
Harry Bernetha, a well known lawyer of Rochester and a former judge of the Fulton Circuit Court, was born in Royal Center, Cass county, Indiana, May 12, 1867, the son of James and Eliza J. (Washburn) Bernetha, both of whom came to Cass county when they were very young with their parents. Robert Bernetha, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, preempted land in Indiana, and for the remainder of his life engaged in farming and carpentry. James Bernetha also became a farmer for three or four years and then went into the grocery business. He was deeply interested in politics and was always active in that field until his death which occurred in 1888 at the age of fifty-four years. His wife died in 1917 at the advanced age of eighty-four years. They left three children: Lon, who has been the agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad at North Judson for fifty years; Harry, the subject of this sketch; and Belle, of Rochester. Harry Bernetha was educated in the common schools of Cass county, but due to the ill health of his father he was forced to give up his studies. At the age of seventeen, he began teaching school and for six years thereafter he followed this profession. At the end of that time, he came to Fulton county and completed the study of the law under Essick & Montgomery, which he had begun while teaching school. He was admitted to the bar in one year and in 1890 formed a partnership with Milo R. Smith, which was continued for three years. During the ensuing three years, he pursued a general legal practice by himself. In 1896, he had the honor of being the first prosecuting attorney elected from Fulton county since the formation of the circuit. He was re-elected in 1898 and served in this capacity until 1900. In the year 1902, he was elected Judge of the Forty-first Judicial Circuit, comprising Marshall and Fulton counties. For twelve years he held this position, and in 1914 he retired from the bench at the end of his term to form a partnership with the law firm of Holman & Bryant, the latter of whom has since withdrawn from the partnership, Hiram G. Miller becoming a member of the firm. In August, 1893, Mr. Bernetha married Rhoda Delp, the daughter of the Reverend E. J. Delp and to this union two children were born: Madge, the wife of John Allison; and Mildred, the wife of Julian Meyer.
[Henry A. Barnhart, Fulton County History, pp. 160-161, Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1923]

BERRIER, ROBERT NEWTON [Rochester, Indiana]
BIOGRAPHY
Robert Newton Berrier resides on his pleasant farm of a hundred and twenty-two acres near Rochester with his wife who was Miss Frances Luella Berry. They were married in 1873 and have four children: Edna, Rosco, Jennie and Dee. Mr. Berrier was born in Rochester, May 7, 1845, was educated at the common schools, and took up farming which he has followed ever since. He is a veteran of the Civil war in which he served nine months. Of their children Edna married Earl Nafe and they have three children: Marie, Mabel and Harry. Jennie married Roy Burgess a cement contractor and has three children: Robert, Byron, and Geraldine. Rosco married Gladys Foreman. He is now working for the Narional Supply Company of Toledo. Dee is a farmer and lives on his farm across the road from his father. [Dee married Eula E. Ewing.] Two children are in this family, Georgia Bell and Lorene. Robert N. Berrier the subject of this sketch is the son of Philip and Louisa (Adams) Berrier who had five children--all of whom two only besides Mr. Berrier remain living. They are Samuel and Elizabeth. The mother died in 1864; her husband died when Robert N. was less than three years old. Both are buried in the Citizens Cemetery at Rochester, Ind. The father came to Rochester in 1834 and helped build the second court house and the first frame dwelling in Rochester.
[Henry A. Barnhart, Fulton County History, pp. 161-162, Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1923]

BERRY, FRANK L. [Rochester, Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Frank L. Berry, farmer and teacher, was born in Pulaski county, Ind., March 22, 1858. His parents are Aaron and Caroline Berry. His father was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, March 24, 1830. In that county he married and in the year 1857 moved to Pulaski county, Ind. In 1861 he came to Fulton county, and settled in Rochester township, where he resides at present. His wife's parents were natives of Virginia, but she was born in Ohio. Unto Aaron and Caroline Berry were born six children, viz., Mary, deceased; Charles, Ellen, Frank L., James C., and Alpharetta. Frank L. was reared on a farm and was given an opportunity to attend the district schools in winter seasons, and at the age of seventeen years began teaching and for six years thereafter both taught and farmed. During the six years following he did not teach, but he resumed teaching and for the last eight years he has both taught and farmed. He married Dec. 25, 1880, to Miss Jennie, a daughter of Harvey and Martha Conner. The marriage has given issue in the birth of two children, viz., Earl C. and Otto. Both Mr. and Mrs. Berry are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the fraternal and mutual benefit order known as the Knights of the Maccabees, and in politics he is of the democratic party. Both as a teacher and farmer, Mr. Berry bears an excellent reputation. His efforts at both have been attended with very satisfactory results. Much of that which he has accomplished in the way of success has been due to individual effort.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 33-34]

BERRY, THOMAS, MRS. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Hotels - Arlington

BERTHASVILLE, INDIANA [Richland Township]
Located 200W and 450N/500N [?]
Village was named for John Marshall's wife, Bertha Marshall., but was also called Whippoorwill Corners.
Had a store, originally on the SE corner, near where the Whippoorwill School was to be built. Store was moved later to the SW corner.
Blacksmith shop was N of the store on W side of the road, on the NW corner.
At a house on the E side of the road they used to make sorghum molasses. It was also made at Salina, a village two miles NW of Berthiesville.
__________

When I was a young fellow, my cousin, Milo Meehling, and I thought we would organize a drum corps at Berthiesville (Whippoorwill Corners). And a fellow by the name of Mow gave us lessons, as he knew how to play the fife and drums. We organzied about 1910. We played for several years for picnics, political meetings, county fairs, and we had a great time. We had different drummers, but Meehling and I were the only fifers. At one time there was Clarence Mow, who played bass drum, and Clyde Mow played the tenor drum. Bill Zink and Alvin Beehler played the tenor drum at different times. And we went to Tippecanoe, Ind., one fall and we met another small drum corps from Plymouth. The drummers, Jess See and Chris Bennett, wanted to join our corps. So they played with us for several years afterwards. Finally we quit playing; I don't remember the exact year. That's the history of the Richland Center Drum Corps. [sic]
[William C. Miller, William C. Miller & Bruce Hess, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

Berthiesville had a blacksmith shop, post office in Marshall's store, Whippoorwill School and Whipperwool telephone exchange, which was sold to the Rochester Telephone Co. in the 1920's. The store closed in 1932 and the down disappeared, but two churches are located less than a mile north of the site today: Grand View and Whippoorwill.
[Ghost Towns in Fulton Co., Shirley Willard, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

Joseph Franklin Zink, for a few years, operated the general store at Berthiesville on the corner of 200W and 450N. Berthiesville was at the first crossroad south of the Grand View Church. The store was in the northwest corner of the intersection. A blacksmith shop, operated at the same time by Oll Russell, was just north of the store on the same side of the road.
[Joseph Zink Family, Malcolm Miller, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

BESSMORE PARK [Lake Manitou]
Located on E shore of Lake Manitou between Long Beach and Best View.

BESSMORE PARK ROAD [Lake Manitou]
CONSIDERED COMMENT
Jack K. Overmyer
I was asked not long ago why the road on the east side of Lake Manitou is called Bessmore Park Road; the name is not familiar in any other lake context. It originates from the lakefront housing development called Bessmore Park, consisting of 18 lots along White Creek Drive. It came into use in 1956 when all of the highways around Lake Manitou were standardized with names for a city directory and map that was published that year.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, July 27, 1999]

BEST VIEW [Rochester, Indiana]
Located on E shore of Lake Manitou, and within its bounds were Fairview Hotel and the Country Club, later owned by Elks Lodge.

BETTER FARMING ASSOCIATION [Henry Township]
See Farm Bureau

BEVERLY, STANFORD [Rochester, Indiana]
BIOGRAPHY
Stanford Beverly, of English descent, was born in Chatham County, N.C., January 8, 1828. He moved with his parents in 1838, to Wayne County, Ind., where he received a common school education peculiar to those early days. He was united in marriage June 9, 1849, to Miss E. L. Richter, a native of Wayne County, Ind., and born December 8, 1828. Mr. Beverly was a farmer from boyhood, and by industry and frugality succeeded well. He came to Fulton County in 1851, and at the breaking-out of the late war enlisted in Company F, Eighty-seventh Indiana Infantry, serving until that organization was discharged. He participated in all the principal battles and skirmishes of his regiment. He was so badly injured by disease as to obtain a pension from the Government--a just and meritorious recognition from the Government which all true soldiers deserve. In March, 1881, he engaged in the livery business, and has the best teams and buggies in Rochester. He attends to his business promptly and is always ready to accommodate customers at all times, and on the most reasonable terms. His father, Thomas Beverly, was a native of North Carolina, born February 18, 1805. He married Sarah Allread, of his own county. She was born in January, 1812. As was stated, they settled in Wayne County in 1838, where she deceased in September, 1876, and he in August, 1878. Mr. Beverly's wife's father was John Richter, a native oif Little York, Penn., born September 15, 1802. He married Miss M. Finch, of North Carolina, born October 10, 1808. They settled in Wayne County in 1820; from thence they came to Fulton County in 1850. He deceaaed January 5, 1880, and she eleven days later. One child blesses the home of Mr. Beverly--Sarah L., born November 3, 1853. She is now a compositor on the Rochester Republican.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 21]

BEVERLY & RICHTER [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] HERE WE GO! We all go the fastest and easiest when we get our Livery Rigs at the New Livery Firm of BEVERLY & RICHTER, having combined their own stock with that recently purchased from Davidson, they have now the largest, best equipped, livery stable in the city. - - - Barn and Office just east of the Central House.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 11, 1882]

BEYER, AUGUST C. [Rochester, Indiana]
NEWS OF THE DAY
The engagement of August C. Beyer of this city, and Miss Vera Cooper, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Cooper, of Goshen, has been announced. Mr. Beyer is a son of C. C. Beyer, of Kendallville, and he is connected with the Bank of Indiana here. Both young people are graduates of DePauw university.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 14, 1907]

BEYER, EARL E. [Rochester, Indiana]
HOME FROM COAST
Earl Beyer, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Beyer, arrived home from Palo Alto, Cal., Wednesday evening where he had been attending the Leland Stanford Jr. University, which school has been closed for the school year owing to the damage done to the building by the earthquake.
Mr. Beyer roomed at the Phi Delta Theta fraternity house and on the morning of April 17, was thrown from his bed and landed on the floor amid a shower of books from a shelf on the wall. "I could not think what was the matter but hearing others run through the hall," Mr. Beyer says, "I did the same. There was no one hurt in our building except those who jumped from windows some of them breaking their legs or arms, and there was very little excitement. From the girls' frat' house, which was near the one where I roomed, there was yelling enough for all."
The damage done to the buildings of the University, Mr. Beyer says, will amount to between three and four millions of dollars, but all will be repaird by next August when school will reopen. The greatest damage wrought to any of the buildings was that to Encina Hall, where a large stone chimney fell through four floors to the basement and killed one man. Fear of another earthquake caused many of the students and citizens of Palo Alto to sleep on their lawns and porches for several nights after the severe shock, and many of the people made homeless by the San Francisco fire walked to the University City, carrying some of their most valuable personal property with them. In coming home, Mr. Beyer had to go to San Jose.
No trains were running over the roads north owing to the general offices in San Francisco being closed.
"There is no great suffering out there at the present time," Mr. Beyer told a SENTINEL representative. "They have plenty of provisions and what is needed most is money, all the banks being closed owing to the fire and earthquake and being under the debris, and checks are not cashed anyplace. I had to borrow money and give a promisory note in order to get to Chicago."
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, April 26, 1906]

EARL BEYER GOES UP
Campbell, Starring & Co., bankers, brokers and members of the New York Stock Exchange, with offices at 111 Broadway, New York, in announcing the formation of their partnership give its personnel, which includes Earl E. Beyer, the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Beyer of Winona Lake. Earl Beyer is a native of Rochester. For a number of hears he has been engaged in business in New York.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Monday, January 5, 1925]

BEYER, JOHN EDWARD [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Hutton, J. T.
See: Louderback Garage
See: report by Lena Mogle Davis Goss in Fulton County Folks, Vol. 1, by Shirley Willard, pp 165-166.
See: Rochester Ice plant.
__________

BIOGRAPHY
J. E. Beyer, of Rochester, was born in Hessen Castle, Prussia, March 6, 1858. He attended the schools of his native land and at the age of fourteen emigrated to America, locating at Goshen, Ind., where he secured employment. Realizing the necessity of further educating himself in English, he attended school in Goshen three winters, defraying the expense of the schooling with earnings from his summer employment. In 1874 he secured employment with George Freese, a produce dealer of Goshen, in whose employ he remained until 1877, at which time Mr. Beyer and his brothers, J. F. and C. C. Beyer, embarked in the produce business at Warsaw, Ind., doing business under the firm name of Beyer Bros. Success followed the business adventure, and the firm has now been in business nineteen years, and has gained a wide and favorable reputation. They now have business houses at Warsaw, the home of J. F. Beyer, at Kendallville, the home of C. C. Beyer; at Rochester, Goshen, Logansport, Monticello, North Manchester, Huntington, Kewanna, Monon, Brookston, Delphi and other points in Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Ohio. They do an annual business of about one and three-quarters of a million dollars, and rank among the largest produce firms in this country. Some years ago the firm of Beyer Bros. purchased property at Eagle Lake, Ind., their purpose being to make the place a summer resort. They beuatified the grounds, erected costly buildings, employed a landscape gardener and provided such means of entertainment as rendered Eagle Lake a popular summer resort. The Chautauqua people held a few of their meetings there and were much pleased with the place. In 1895 the grounds and improvements were purchased by the Presbyterian National Chautauqua assembly, now known as the Winona assembly and Summer School Association, of which Mr. J. E. Beyer is a direcor and advisor. Mr. Beyer's business career has been one of phenomenal success. His active business course has placed him in acquainance with a wide circle of people, and in all his business dealings his sagacity, wisdom and integrity have won for him the esteem of many friends. He holds several responsible business positions, among which may be named the presidency of the Rochester Electric Light company and the position of director, both in the Farmers' Building and Loan association and the Citizens' bank of Rochester. He stands as a representative citizen, a man of progress, an example of what gratifying success may be accomplished by wotthy ambition, by energy and integrity, even though one may begin the struggle for wealth and station in life under adverse circumstances, as was the case with Mr. Beyer. Mr. Beyer was fortunate in securing in marriage the hand of Irena B. Oldfather. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Beyer has been blessed by the birth of one child, a son named Earl E. Mr. Beyer is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias, and in social circles both he and wife sustain pleasant relations.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 34-35]

LOCAL NEWS
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pfeiffer entertained the Round the Table club yesterday evening in honor of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Beyer, who will leave for their trip to Europe, next Wednesday.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, May 4, 1901]

AN OCEAN VOYAGE
To Our Friends in Rochester: [long letter re their trip abroad]. THE BEYER FAMILY.
[Rochester Sentinel Monday, June 24, 1901]

LOCAL NEWS
Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Beyer and son Earl landed at New York from their European trip today. The boat was due yesterday but could not land on account of fog. They will be home about the first of September.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, August 20, 1901]

LOCAL NEWS
Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Beyer and son Earl arrived home from their trip to the Old World Saturday evening. An informal reception will be given them by the Methodist church congregation, this evening.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, September 9, 1901]

LOCAL NEWS
Ed Beyer and son Earl, assisted by Will Banta have been engaged in solid manual labor for some time. They cut down a large oak tree which stood near the Beyer residence and sawed and split it all up into wood. And just to show them how they do it in Germany Mr. Beyer cut all the small twigs into one foot lengths and after weaving leaves among the sticks bound them into small bundles and laid them away for kindling.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, November 2, 1901]

LOCAL NEWS - THURSDAY
The Board of Directors of the Winona and Warsaw electric railroad have elected Mr. J. E. Beyer, President. This line will connect the city of Warsaw with Winona and will become a part of the McCulloch system when the line from Logansport to Warsaw is built.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, October 17, 1902]

LOCAL NEWS
Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Beyer gave their annual Easter egg hunt to the little folks yesterday at their residence on Pontiac street. They had colored and hidden about 400 eggs in the tufts of grass in and around their yard and at half past three o'clock the youngsters started to hunt for them. After all the eggs had been found they were carried to the various homes of the children as a remembrance of Easter.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, April 13, 1903]

PERSONAL
Earl Beyer, who has been attending school at DePauw University is home for his spring vacation.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 19, 1904]

BLACKMAILER CAUGHT
A special from Michigan City to today's Indianapolis Star says:
Beauregard Switzer, well known business man of this city, has been arrested by United States marshals on a charge of mailing obscene and lascivous matter. He is held under $500 bonds. The evidence produced before United States Commissioner Jared H. Orr is said to be one of the most blasphemous, vulgar and obscene letters that ever went through the mails. The letter was addressed to J. E. Beyer of Rochester, Ind. It is rumored that it is a blackmailing scheme to hold up Beyer for something like $20,000, and Rochester, LaPorte and Michigan City people are likely to figure in the incident before it closes.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, July 16, 1907]

TROUBLE INSTEAD OF CASH
According to LaPort and Michigan City papers the arrest, by federal detectives, of Boreguard Switzer, of Michigan City, for sending obscene matter through the mails to J. E. Beyer, of this city, has some sensational features. It seems that the origin of the Switzer trouble dates with Mrs. Landy Glaze, now of Michigan City, who through Switzer, has been demanding some big money from Beyer on account of alleged letters written to Mrs. Glaze by Dave Edwards, deceased, while she was his wife, or supposed wife. Switzer, it seems, joined the Glazes in the effort to get some of Beyer's money and got himself started good and straight to the serious trouble by bold violation of the postal laws.
In Rochester where all the parties are known, there is but one opinion and that is, the effort was a bold and shameless scheme to get money. Everybody knows Ed Beyer to be a clean, moral man, faithfully devoted to his family and his extensive business interests and they also know the reverse of those who were trying to get some of his money by threat of scandal.
But Mr. Beyer is not made of the stuff that scares easily. Instead he placed the matter in the hands of the officers and will leave nothing undone to expose and punish the gang that attempted to scandalize him for the sake of getting some hush money. Local report has it that this is the third time this blackmail scheme has been tried on Rochester rich men and that it was successful once in filching quite a sum of money from a man who thought it better to surrender some of his wealth than face the scandal charges threatened against him by the shady pair who accused him. It is a terrible calamity for men to be attacked in this way but no man of means is secure from it and the whole community will stand by Ed Beyer in his move to stop it and protect himself and others from being attacked regardless of the humiliating publicity his vigorous and rightous self defense by legal process will evoke from the outside where the facts are not understood as they are in Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 19, 1907]

SWITZER A SHADY ONE
Speaking of the arrest of Beaureguard Switzer at Michigan City, for sending obscene letters through the mails and trying to blackmail him to Ed Beyer for $20,000, the LaPorte Argus Bulletin says:
Beaureguard Switzer, accused of the serious crime, is not a man of high reputation. It is said by the officers that he sought by his scheme to secure from Mr. Beyer as much as $20,000. His mother at one time, years ago, in this city ran an immoral house and her son is declared to be in the same business in Michigan City.
The man he tried to blackmail is the well known J. E. Beyer of Rocheter, who is president of the Indiana State bank there and prominent as a capitalist. There is a woman back of the whole affair; but she is probably in the control of Switzer and in this case of alleged blackmail a partner of his. The character of Mr. Beyer is practically unimpeachable.
When Switzer is tried, it will be in a United States court apart from this county, and if convicted of the charge against him he will be imprisoned in a federal prison.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, July 20, 1907]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Mr. J. E. Beyer, of this city, has been honored by Gov. J. Frank Hanly with the appointment of delegate for Indiana, to National Rivers and Harbors congress to be held at Washington, D. C. Dec. 9-11.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, December 1, 1908]

IS INTERURBAN LINE DIRECTOR
J. E. BEYER, of this city, was named director and his brother, J. F. BEYER, of Warsaw, was made vice-president of the WINONA INTERURBAN RAILWAY CO., at the annual meeting held in Warsaw this week.
The reports of the year were gone over and were found to show prosperous conditions. The following directors were names: H. J. HEINZ, Pittsburgh; F. S. WORDEN, Fort Wayne; H. C. ANDERSON, Pittsburgh; E. F. YARNELLE, Fort Wayne; J. H. MATCHETT, Bourbon; W. D. FRAZER and J. F. BEYER, Warsaw; J. E. BEYER, Rochester; C. C. BEYER, Kendallville; E. O. EXCELL, Chicago; R. L. LEESON, Winona Lake.
New officers were elected as follows: President, W. D. FRAZER, Warsaw; Vice-president, J. F. BEYER, Warsaw; Secretary and Treasurer, H. C. ANDERSON, Pittsburgh. C. F. FRANKLIN was retained as superintendent and J. C. SCHADE will continue to act as assistant secretary and treasurer.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, November 13, 1913]

CITY'S TALENT IN FINE MUSICALE
The musical given at the home of Mr. & Mrs. J. E. Beyer, Tuesday night, for the benefit of the choir of the Methodist church, proved to be one of the best programs ever heard in Rochester. Over 100 people were present to hear some of Rochester's best talent.
A well rendered piano solo by Miss Margaret Bailey, was followed by a song selection by Miss Ruth Brinkman. Miss Brinkman has a beautiful soprano voice, and the rendtion of her two selections was noteworthy for the clearness of the tones, and stamped her as one of Rochester's leading artists. Miss Pearl Rouch, the blind daughter of Mr. & Mrs. W. H. Rouch, also pleased the crowd by her singing of "My Life is a Dream." Edward Pfeiffer gave a rendition, "The Volunteer Organist" which was also well received.
Minister Sings
Rev. Baumgartner of the Evangelical church, sang the "Son of the Desert" and "The Two Grenadiers" and impressed all with his fine baritone voice. The Misses Margaret and Louise Bailey gave a splendid vocal duet as did Mr. & Mrs. C. J. Irwin. Miss Anna Batt scored heavily in her piano solo. Other good numbers were the vocal solo of Miss Mae Morningstar and the violin solo of Miss Claudia Stephenson. A number of others took part.
Lunch was served afterward and a silver offering was taken. It amounted to over $30 and will be used in the building of a new choir loft at the Methodist church.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, December 3, 1913]

READ WHY IT PAYS TO WORK HARD AND LIVE CLEANLY
[photo]
The recent deal made by J. E. Beyer, selling out to Armour and Co. the biggest business ever established in Rochester, led a SENTINEL representative to secure from Mr. Beyer an interview regarding the high points of his successful business career, the like of which is seldom found in a city of this size. Work, work and long hours of constant attention to business seems to be the secret of success, as the reader can gather from the following article.
Mr. Beyer left Hessen Nassan, Germany, in 1872 when 14-1/2 years of age. He severed his allegiance with the German emperor at that time and became a citizen of the United States five years later. He entered the public schools at Goshen, Ind., immediately upon his arrival in this county in August 1872, employing himself at such work as was obtainable to earn sufficient money for school books. In the summer of 1873 he was employed on a farm east of Goshen but returned to Goshen for his winter schooling, after which in 1874, he was employed in a butter, egg and poultry business in that city.
In 1875 he worked in the same line of business at Bristol, Ind., gathering produce regularly in the cities and towns of southern Michigan. In 1876, he operated in the same business in Goshen and surrounding territory, from which place on the second day of February, 1877, he came to Warsaw, Ind. His principal business at that time was the gathering of produce in Kosciusko county. The firm of Beyer Bros., was soon established after his arrival at Warsaw and the business was extended in various counties thruout Northern Indiana.
In 1879, a farm was purchased east of Warsaw, where was established the first creamery in Indiana, called the Eagle Lake Creamery. Mr. Beyer, with his associates then located Fountain Park where the first gatherings consisted of butter and egg shippers from Indiana and Ohio. Meetings at that place were held annually for a number of years. The park was rapidly put into shape and used as a summer resort. Soon it became the meeting place for editorial conventions, Sunday school socities and other excursionists. J. F. Beyer had charge of the construction and beautifying of the grounds while J. E. Beyer acted as business manager. Annual chautauquas were held during the months of July and August, which grew rapidly in attendance until in 1896 when the grounds, buildings and equipment were sold by J. E. Beyer for Beyer Bros., to the Winona Assembly and Summer School Association for the sum of $100,000, of which $20,000 was donated to Winona for free privileges, retained by Beyer Bros. and their families to the grounds and entertainments during their life time. The Beyers also took $20,000 in stock while the $5,000 was paid in cash and the rest in yearly payments of $5,000 each. At this place Mr. J. E. Beyer has his summer home, called the "Beyer Home," which he expects to retain during his lifetime.
In 1880 Beyer Bros. extended their business to North Manchester and in 1882 it was extended to Rochester, where the firm of Beyer Bros. and Co. was incorporated. Mr. Beyer at that time did the purchasing of the produce for the firm of Beyer Bros and Co. thru the counties of Kosciusko, Wabash and Fulton, traveling from city to city, at which points he was met by teams, which carried the produce from the farmers. Mr. Beyer spent two or three days per week regularly in Rochester until after 1892, when he became a permanent resident of this city. The firm then established branches at Logansport, Monticello, Kewanna and other points with headquarters at Rochester. Soon after Mr. Beyer's arrival here, he was elected president of the Rochester Electric Light Co. In the course of time Mr. Beyer developed a permanent outlet for his produce at Providence, R. I., where he established the firm of Beyer Bros. Commission Co., of which he was elected president. A few years later, branch houses were established in Boston and New York. His time then was divided between the East and the West but in later years, the eastern business, which had developed more rapidly, running into millions of dollars annually, demanded much more of his attention. His integrity and business ability gained him many friends in the eastern financial world.
When the war broke out, Mr. Beyer was confronted with the problem of getting his produce across the pond to meet the tremendous demand for such products in foreign lands. It seemed that the business depended almost entirely upon this achievement. After making every possible effort to get space on ships bound for foreign countries, Mr. Beyer discovered that it was nearly impossible. Knowing the relationship between Harold L. Brown, who was then doing a large and extnsive business in New York, and his father, Joseph Brown, manager for Armour and Co., Mr. Beyer conceived the idea, that thru this channel, space for exports might be assured and his business eeveloped in an extensive and profitable manner. Then arrangements were made for consolidating with Harold L. Brown, which were completed at the end of the year 1916.
After this problem was solved, Mr. Beyer, with his wife and son, Earl and family, left for a trip to California for a much needed rest. Hardly was the trip undertaken, when Joseph Brown, of Armour and Co., died. Then Armour and Co., immediately applied to Harold L. Brown, who had been at the side of his father for seven years, to accept his father's position. The son realized the efforts his father had made in the building up of Armour's business, took pride in its further development and felt duty bound to accept the position. Of this situation Mr. Beyer was advised by wire. The local man, taking into consideration the perplexities brot about by the war and being anxious that Fulton county be provided with an established concern of unlimited resources and one that would create a staple and wonderful market for this vicinity, could think of no concern to succeed Beyer Bros. Co., except Armour and Co. Mr. Beyer knew that this concern could not only develop the business, which he had built up but would place in this vicinity an industry, which could not only reach the markets of the world, but also be of great benefit to this community. Therefore, Mr. Beyer accepted Armour's proposition and sold out to them. The deal does not include the butter, egg and poultry business operated by Beyer Bros. at Kendallville, Goshen and Ft. Wayne, and other northern poiints, to which has recently been added a wholesale poultry bueiness, all of which is being successfully conducted by C. C. Beyer and his sons. Armour and Co only secured the eastern business and such portions of the western business which werre managed by J. E. Beyer. Some $360,000 figured in the consummation of the deal. Mr. Beyer retains the control of the United Public Service Co., of Rochester, of which he is the president.
In reviewing his life work, Mr. Beyer does not forget to give due credit to the efforts of Mrs. Beyer. He said, "much credit is due Mrs. Beyer, who has stood by me loyally during these years, no task being too heavy to further the interests of the business. During the many, many business meetings held at my home in Rochester, where one to a dozen of our superintendents met regularly, the home and the table were always ready. She could not have done more."
[NOTE: This compiler, who owns the home referred to by Mr. Beyer, has his computer and microfilm viewer in the very room where Mr. Beyer held many business meetings. At that time the room was the dining room. Mrs. Lena Goss, second owner with her first husband Chas. Davis, related this to this compiler. - W.C.T.]
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, November 22, 1917]

BEYER IS TO BUILD ANOTHER GOLF LINKS
J. E. Beyer, formerly of Rochester, is contemplating the construction of a fine new golf course on his farm west of Yarnell's cottage on the west side of Winona Lake. A committee, representing the Warsaw Golf club, has been negotiating with Mr. Beyer and it is practically settled that the course will be laid out and built by Mr. Beyer and leased to the local club. If the matter is definitely closed work on the new course will start early this spring.
The ground is said to have all the natural advantages needed to make it one of the finest golf courses in this section of the state. A committee accompanied Mr. Beyer over the farm recently and tentative plans were made. A new road will be built leading to the golf course. The matter will come before the local golf players in definite form at a special meeting to be held this week.
Erection of numerous homes and contemplated erection of others will make it necessary this year to abandon the present golf course near the Winona power houses.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 27, 1923]

WARSAW FIREMEN ARE GUESTS OF J. E. BEYER
Thirty Warsaw firemen were guests at a delightful banquet at the Eagle Lake Arcade Wednesday evening given by J. E. Beyer. The banquet was in compliment to their fine work in extinguishing the fire which took place at the beautiful Beyer home, at Winona Lake, some time ago. A delicious dinner was served to the guests. Carl Chapman acted as toastmaster for the occasion and a number of firemen responded. C. B. Moon was presented with a fine fireman's hat, due to his excellent driving of the fire truck to the marsh fire. Mr. Moon stated he was the only driver who could strike both sides of the curbing at the same time. A jolly good time was enjoyed by all present.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, November 9, 1923]

BEYER AWARDED $4,000
A sum of $4,000 was awarded in the Kosciusko circuit court to J. E. Beyer from the Pennsylvania railroad for land used by the railroad for an entrance to the Winona depot.
[News-Sentinel, Tuesday, January 6, 1925]

J. E. BEYER GIVEN TITLE TO WINONA LAKE LAND
Warsaw, Ind., Oct. 20. - Title to the land at the Winona Lake entrance was quieted by ruling of court here Monday in favor of J. E. Beyer. The - - - - and title reverts to Beyer should operation of the railway cease. Another petition of Beyer to vacate certain lots in Winona Lake was granted also.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, October 20, 1925]

J. E. BEYER DELIVERS TALK TO WARSAW CLUB
Warsaw, Ind., lMay 11. - Members of the Warsaw Kiwanis club enjoyed a real treat at the luncheon Monday in an address by J. E. Beyer, who gave a brief but interesting resume of his life history and also related the history of Winona Assembly. Mr. Beyer told of his coming to America and settling at Goshen where he first was employed as a farm laborer at $8 a month and board. Later he went to Goshen and engaged in the produce business with his brother, J. Fred Beyer. He told of coming to Warsaw to establish a branch produce house in 1877 and then told of acquiring the land on the east side of Winona Lake and of its development into an amusement park and finally told of the deal in 1895 when the property was turned over to Winona Assembly and Bible Conference.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, May 11, 1926]

J. E. BEYER GIVES INTERESTING SERIAL STORY OF HIS TRIP AROUND WORLD
[2-1/4 columns long]
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Saturday, May 7, 1927]

J. E. BEYER MAKES MANY IMPROVEMENTS AT WINONA
Warsaw, Ind., April 18 -- J. E. Beyer, owner of the beautiful mansion, Beyer Home, at Winona Lake, who arrived a few days ago from his winter home at Sacramento, Cal., today began extensive improvements at his home and to Winona park grounds.
Early today workmen began removing the old wooden seats which for many years have been the scene of the Hillside worship vesper meetings, and in their place he will install 2,000 steel seats imbedded in concrete, which will enclose one side of the natural amphitheatre in front of the Beyer Home.
In the midst of the theatre he will cause to be erected a fine fountain, fed from a deep well in his home. Back of the seats the overflow water will be carried in tiles to supply the grove of great oak trees, whose age is estimated at more than 200 years. The entire theatre will be paved with concrete.
In the beautiful park plot known as Beyer Circle, another fountain will be built by Mr. Beyer. The Beyer Home is being redecorated inside and new red tile roof will be placed on the large veranda. The usual beautiful flower beds are to be replanted in the Beyer Circle.
Besides his beautifying activities Mr. Beyer plans to again entertain the 2,000 or more Chicago boys who receive a week's outing at Boy City each summer.
Last summer Mr. Beyer treated 2,000 Chicago boys to Shetland pony rides, ice cream and cake and motor boat rides on Winona Lake.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, April 18, 1929]

EXTENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS ARE MADE BY J. E. BEYER
Warsaw, Ind., June 19. - J. E. Beyer has just completed extensive improvements on the hillside in front of his home. One hundred and twenty-five terraces, surfaced with concrete, have been constructed, covering the entire hillside area. The terraces are all occupied by iron seats especially built to fit the terrace.
A handsome drinking fountain stands at one of the rear corners with pure cold water brought from Mr. Beyer's private well. At another corner a large bird-bath has been erected.
A commodious platform has been reserved for the accommodation of baby cabs. A twenty-four-foot basin is being built in the Beyer Circle, where sprays of water will be sent forth night and day.
Other substantial improvements are contemplated in this part of the park, which is fast becoming the magnetic spot at Winona.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, June 20, 1929]

MRS. J. E. BEYER DIES IN SACRAMENTO, CALIF
Rochester relatives and friends of Mrs. J. E. BEYER were shocked to learn of her sudden death which occurred Sunday noon at her home in Sacramento, California, which followed an attack of heart trouble. Mr. and Mrs. Beyer, who for many years resided in this city where Mr. Beyer operated a produce establishment and later the light, heat and power company, have for the past fifteen years made their summer home at Winona Lake, Ind., and in the winter resided in California.
Three years ago the Beyers completed a trip around the world and while on this journey Mrs. Beyer suffered an attack of tropical fever. Although recovery from that malady was believed entirely effected, Mrs. Beyer failed to gain her usual good health and had been under physicians care for some time.
Irene OLDFATHER BEYER, aged 68 years, was born at Silver Lake, Indiana in August, 1861 and in the year of 1883 she was united in marriage to J. Edward BEYER, the ceremony taking place at Claypool, Indiana. For a number of years the Beyers resided in Warsaw where through the activities of Mr. and Mrs. Beyer the Winona Lake Institution was founded. Later Mr. and Mrs. Beyer moved to Rochester where they resided for over a score of years. Mrs. Beyer was an active member of the Rochester Methodist church and also a prominent worker in all the civil and social affairs of this community. The deceased is survived by the husband, one son, Earl BEYER, of New York City, and one grandson, Edward BEYER.
Mr. Beyer will arrive in Warsaw Thursday with the body. Funeral services will be held 1:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon at the Warsaw Methodist church, with the Rev. C. P. GIBBS officiating.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, January 27, 1930]

BEYER FUNERAL
Quite a number of Rochester people attended the funeral of Mrs. J. E. BEYER at Warsaw Thursday afternoon. The services were held at the Methodist church in that city. Mr. Beyer left last evening with his son Earl [BEYER] to spend the winter with the latter at his home in Aiken, S.C.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, January 31, 1930]

J. E. BEYER, WINONA LAKE, LEFT FOR GERMANY TODAY
J. E. Beyer of Winona Lake, former resident of this city, left Warsaw today for New York City and there on May 23 will take passage on the Carmanie for Havre, France. After a brief stay in Paris, Mr. Beyer will go on to Germany and visit his birthplace and old home. There he expects to visit with an older brother, now in his 81st year, expecting to return to Winona in August. Mr. Beyer will be accompanied by Robert Pollock, of Boston, a business partner of the former for many years and who has been Mr. Beyer's guest at Winona Lake for a short time.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, May 19, 1930]

J. E. BEYER NAMED AS LONGWORTH PALLBEARER
In the list of pall bearers at Aiken, S.C., for Nicholas Longworth, speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, who passed away at Aiken on Thursday last was J. E. Beyer, of Winona Lake, former resident of this city, who has been spending several winters at the South Carolina resort in the mountains. The late Speaker Longworth, of Cincinnati, also owns a home at Aiken where he and Mr. Beyer became acquaintances.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, April 14, 1931]

J. E. BEYER TELLS ABOUT WINONA'S EARLY HISTORY
J. E. Beyer, formerly of Rochester, gave an interesting talk before the Warsaw Kiwanis club at the weekly luncheon at the Hotel Hays recently. He told of the early history of the firm of Beyer Brothers and of Winona Lake. He said the Beyer Bros. produce firm was organized in 1877. He explained how the firm, deciding to utilize the ice cold spring water on the east side of Winona Lake, for preserving butter for future market, acquired the ground where now is located Winona Lake in 1881.
Three years later, he said, the Beyer Brothers established a summer resort there and made it a famous place for excursionists. It was called Spring Fountain Park. In 1890 the first chautaqua was presented. This was two weeks in length. In 1895 the ground was sold to the Presbyterian church for an Assembly and this marked the beginning of Winona Assembly. He said Beyer Brothers never operated their resort on Sunday.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, October 17, 1931]

HOME TOWN TALES
By "Pioneer"
An annual Easter custom in the days of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Beyer, occupying the beautiful Beyer home, [SW corner] Seventh and Pontiac streets, was the Children's Easter Egg Hunt. Days previous to Easter Mrs. Beyer was busy preparing and coloring eggs - never less than 3,500 - boiled and beautifully colored.
Early Easter morning Mr. Beyer and a crew hid the eggs in the bushes and hedge surrounding the Beyer lawn. The job was far too great for a thousand rabbits, but the rabbit was to have all of the credit, nevertheless.
At one o'clock Easter Sunday afternoon, one-half of the child population of Rochester lined the sidewalks framing the Beyer home. In hand were baskets, large and small. Even in childhood crops "the inborn" to get and to grab, whenever and wherever there is the least opportunity. Therefore, in the waiting Easter ensemble were wagons, clothes baskets discarded baby carrieges. Promptly at three o'clock the signal was given - the big scramble and egg hunt was on. Two "Big Children," laughing, shouting and enjoying the event most were Mr. and Mrs. Beyer.
God blest these noble people abundantly. They were Lamp Lighters along the pathway of Child Life. They played with and loved children. They lifted themselves by lifting others and did their part in making many an Easter Sunday a great day.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, April 20, 1935]

BEYER BROS. [Rochester, Indiana]
See Ice Harvest
Office was once at 110 East Eighth (where Rouch Insurance Company was recently).
Located first N side of street at 116 W 9th.
J. E. Beyer's office was in the back room on W side. His half-brother, Henry Pfeiffer, was also an executive of Beyer Bros.
Henry Sherrard reported that he was employed as assistant stenographer there for $45 per month. Other office employees included: Frank Kumler, secretary; Ruth Pontious, stenographer; Francis Condon, assistant treasurer; May Gray, treasurer, Bess Baker was clerk for light bills, and Henry Sherrard was shipping clerk, with orders to ship butter, eggs and poultry, standing orders every so often. Beyers also had a creamery and light plant [Rochester Light, Heat & Power Company] at SE corner 6th & Madison [601 Madison].

HORSES WANTED
The undersigned will pay highest prices for Horses, at their place of business on Pearl street, Rochester, on Thursday Feb. 2d, and Thursday, Feb. 9th. None but strictly sound Horses, of from 5 to 7 years of age wanted. Must weigh from 1,100 to 1,400 lbs. Dark dapple grays, dark iron grays, and chestnut sorrels preferred. BEYER BROS & CO.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, January 25, 1888]

BEYER BROS. & CO. (Biography)
BEYER BROS. & CO., wholesale dealers in Butter, Eggs and Poultry, commenced business at Warsaw, Ind., in 1877, and done a business of a little more than $30,000 the first year. Their business has increased from year to year until today they have plants at Kendallville, Waterloo, Sturgis, Mich., North Manchester, South Whitley, Kewanna, Star City, Monon, Brookston, Delphi, Logansport and Monticello, besides the original plat at Warsaw and their magnificent establishment here at Rochester. Last year their business reached the handsome figure of one and a half millions. They employ from 200 to 450 assistants, and constantly have 50 teams at work covering a territory embracing all northern Indiana and a part of Michigan, Ohio and Illinois. "From Maine to California, from Greenland's icy mountains to India's coral strant" Beyer Bros' goods are known and gladly welcomed. This firm, by fair dealing, have built up a reputation not only for themselves, but for Indiana Butter, Eggs and Poultry, that should make them the pride of every citizen of the state.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

LOCAL NEWS
According to the Albion New Era the Beyer Bros., poultry dealers with branches at Kendallville, Warsaw, Rochester and several other points, did a business amounting to two million dollars in 1899. They recently supplied the North Atlantic squadron with its stock of poultry, butter and eggs.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, September 29, 1900]

J. E. Beyer asked the board, through Mr. Stacy, that he be given the privilege of putting in two or three hydrants at his poultry yards. The hydrants are to be large ones, and in case of fire his watchman can be fighting the flames while awaiting the arrival of the fire department. The request was granted. The water will be piped from the main ending near the yards.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, November 21, 1900]

LOCAL NEWS
Miss Nezzie Newhouse will go to Wabash tomorrow, to visit her brother, Charles, and then go east with Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Beyer, Friday, where she will be employed in one of Beyer Bros' offices at Providence, R.I.
A Trip To Europe
Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Beyer and son Earl will leave Rochester Friday of this week for their trip to Europe, and will be gone over three months. They will leave New York City May 18, by the North German Lloyd steamship "Hohenzollern," formerly the "Kaiser Wilhelm II." Their route after leaving New York will be: Gibralter, Naples, Pompeii, Rome, Florence, Venice, Semmeling Pass, Vienna, Munich, Lake Constance, Zurich, The Rigi, Lucerne, Interlaken, Strausburg, Heidelberg, Mayence, The Rhine, Colonge, Amsterdam, The Hague, Antwerp, Bremen, Paris, London. They will leave London August 8th for the homeward trip.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, May 6, 1901]

A GIANT FREEZER
The large majority of Rochester people have but the faintest conception of the present magnitude of the annual business done by the Beyer Bros & Co., in this city. And the preparations for increased capacity are so vast in their scope that it takes time to realize the possibilities promised for the future.
It is, of course, generally known that a large corps of workmen have been engaged for some time at the east Rochester branch of this institution, but a visitor would be surprised beyond measure to be told the purposes of this activity.
This morning the plans and purposes of the new buildings were shown to a SENTINEL writer by Mr. J. E. Beyer, as he kindly piloted him through the establishment, and the following brief description can only give an inadequate idea of the plant and its general adaptability for the handling of live and dressed poultry.
On entering the first building, a brick and slate structure, about 32x30, and two stories high, used for an office and receiving station for poultry brought in by the farmers, you will then pass on into the poultry house, which is of brick and slate, two stories high and is 365 feet long by 22 feet wide. In this structure there are four long poultry runs, two on each floor, with a hall between them. Through these long runs the fowls make their way to the end where they are either assorted and crated alive or pass still farther along through another chute to the dressing room where they are killed, dressed, and hung on racks which are wheeled into a cooling room. They are then placed in huge tanks where pure cold spring water is forced over them until they are ready to be placed in cases surrounded by crushed ice, ready for shipment.
The building now being erected is a freezing room and will be 32x95 feet and three stories high -- a giant ice cream freezer, where the prepared poultry will be frozen perfectly solid for shipment to England and Germany direct from Rochester, arriving at their destination as fresh, cold and perfect as when they were shipped. The building will be perfectly insulated by a secret process known to Mr. Beyer, and will contain considerable costly machinery, which will, with all other machinery, be run by electricity generated at the Electric Light Plant, now being remodeled and equipped for power furnishing purposes. The capacity will be about twelve cars of 30,000 pounds each of frozen poultry per day and is so arranged as to be added to as needed. The poultry thus treated is for export trade only. Besides this, they will have a cold storage capacity of fifty car loads of refrigerated poultry so they can make a very large consignment on very short notice.
There are also 35 large ware rooms in a row where are kept the many articles necessary to run the plant. The company runs its own refrigerator cars and specially designed live poultry cars. They have just erected a car repair shop where each car is kept in first class shape, and cleaned and fumigated before each shipment is loaded, thus making the name of Beyer Bros & Co. famous for cleanliness and purity of products. The entire establishment is lighted by electricity inside and out and suppled by water works water for fire protection, spring water being used in cleansing the poultry. Their box factory where crates and cases are put together presents a busy scene and the whole plant is designed with a view to facilitate the rapid handling of poultry, live and dressed, and is a model of neatness in every department. This company also owns the immense packing house in the city which the people are familiar with, and which will eventually be used only as a butter and egg packing home.
The Beyer Bros say their markets in the east are growing, besides, the foreign trade which they will control as soon as they are ready, and they expect to increase their facilities each year as rapidly as possible and the amount of money put into circulation in Fulton county to handle the business each year is tremendous.
Mr. Beyer, being asked where all the chickens come from, said "the farmers are fast realizing that there is more money in poultry than any other crop they can grow, and their production will increase as rapidly as the farmers see that it pays."
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, May 23, 1902]

LOCAL NEWS
The Beyer Bros. teamsters have organized a union the purpose of which is to have all understand just where his duty begins and ends, to provide a fund for helping each other to get together socially, and to be on a fair footing all round. Pete Campbell is president; Mr. Sauns, secretary; and John Conrad, treasurer.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 16, 1903]

WILL MAKE BUTTER
Beyer Bros & Co., are preparing to establish a magnificent Creamery in Rochester at an early date. The old brick packing house on west Pearl street will be utilized for the new line of business. When ready for operation it will be equipped with the latest improved machinery and electrical appliances. The motive power will be electricity, and a full corps of experienced butter makers will have charge of the plant. The Beyers propose to make a high grade creamery butter exclusively for their export trade, and will use all the cream and milk that can be secured. As is well known by every one in Fulton county, the Beyer Bros. & Co., never do anything by halves, and when they begin to make creamery butter it may be understood that they will make it right and on a large scale.
If Rochester had more enterprise like that shown by this firm we would not feel it necessary to look about for opportunities to vote bonuses for factories to come here. From a little business, operated by two or three men in a small building they have built up an enterprise the magnitude of which is the pride of every good citizen of Rochester. And all this has been done without asking or receiving a cent of aid. Neither do they try to pull down another man's business, but put their shoulder to the wheel of progress and keep it there until something is accomplished for the good of their town. And these are the kind of men who make money themselves, and help others to make money by bringing business into the town.
Let the creamery boom and make for its promoters all that they expect of it, and let others follow the example and push along other good things until Rochester begins to grow -- then watch us grow.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, May 3, 1903]

NEW PROCESSING PLANT
The widely known and progressive firm of Beyer Bros., who have extensive business interests in Rochester are preparing to make another addition to their business. The new and latest thing to be introduced by them is a large and modern processing plant to be put in at a cost of several thousand dollars. This will be installed in their building on west Pearl street, which is partly taken up by the creamery. The plans of the building will be changed so as to be more convenient for the new business and probably in the near future after the plant starts operations, will have to be enlarged.
The plant is to be on the same style as the one in Washington, D.C., which is said to be one of the finest and, it is hoped by the company that it will be in running order by October 1st. Here all of the stale butter from the company's houses in surrounding towns will be worked over, and also that of other firms. In the process the buttermilk from the creamery will be used, through which the butter is to run. This takes out the staleness and gives it a fresh taste.
The product is, after it is given this treatment, ready for the eastern market, where it commands a fairly good price.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 28, 1903]

A HOME INDUSTRY
A staff correspondent of the Indianapolis News recently found a column and a half article for his paper in the Beyer Bros. packing and produce business in Rochester.
Notwithstanding the fact that Beyer Bros. does a three and a half million dollar business a year, the writer says the firm is not generally known to the Indiana public, first because of the modesty of the firm, and second because most of their output goes to New York and markets of Europe.
This is not strictly speaking a cold storage plant. It is a freezing plant, but there are cold-storage departments connected with it. The plant here occupies three and a half acres, and every bit of machinery is operated by electricity, even the freezing being done by electric current.
"We do everything else by electricity," said Mr. Beyer, "except dress the fowl. If some genius will invent an electric contrivance that we can use in stripping the feathers, we will pay a pretty piece of money for it." After the feathers are taken off the fowls are placed in revolving drums and are frozen as hard as rocks by what is called the "brine method." The frozen fowls are packed in boxes each fowl in a box made to fit its size and weight. There are five grades. The one pound chickens are called by the trade "broilers," and are sold to the nobility of Europe. The two and three pound birds are shipped to the high priced aristocratic hotels of London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna and not a few of them have gone to the Vatican. The three pound chick is the favorite "fryer" at European cafes. The four and five pound fowls are sold as "fryers" to the general European trade. Some are sold to American restaurants, but the firm makes a specialty of preparing "fries" for European hotels and restaurants. The American mallard is a favorite with European gormands and the supply is so limited that Beyer Bros. make mallards to order. They take the ordinary domestic duck and fatten it on celery and wild rice, and when it is placed on the table it has all the delicious flavor of the American mallard, and can be furnished at a cost within reach of everyone. In the fattening yard are troughs from which chickens are fed milk, and this gives them that "spring chicken" flavor that the Parisians so delight in. A milk-fed chicken is ever a spring chicken so far as flavor is concerned until it is eaten. The chicken output of the concern is very large. It averages twelve refrigerator cars a week, each car averaging about 18,000 pounds. Many of the cars are loaded with 30,000 pounds, and it is safe to estimate that the total output of frozen chickens alone will amount to about 12,250,000 pounds annually. This does not include turkeys, ducks and wild birds, such as quail, snipe, etc. Squirrels and rabbits are also sent out in large quantities. At one time last season the firm had 40,000 frozen rabbits stacked up like cordwood in its packing room.
The firm will soon have in operation one of the largest creameries in the country, and will make enough butter and other milk products to supply the whole country. In the various branches of the business the firm has an army in its employ. The work is divided into departments, and there is a head to each department, and the departments report to one general head in this city, so that at the end of each day the firm knows what its purchasing agents, its sellers, its buyers, its pickers, freezers, etc., have been doing, and there is not a moment in the day but the firm knows just how it stands financially, the condition of its stock and the position of the market. The firm has its own railroad yard and owns its cars and in time may have its own motive power. Even the people of Rochester hardly realize the magnitude of the concern. They see the buildings, the trains
going out and the wagons coming in, but the details they know nothing about, and are not aware of the great sums of money the firm spends in Indiana.
[Rochester Sentinel Friday, September 4, 1903]

PURIFYING BUTTER
The wheels of a new industry are beginning to revolve in this city. Over the east entrance to the three story brick building on west Pearl street is a large sign which reads: Beyer Bros. & Co., Process Butter Factory No. 2." This does not mean that this popular firm has two factories of this kind, but that it is a business conducted under government auspices and that it is the second establishment of the kind in Indiana. It would come nearer conveying a correct idea of its purpose if it were called a renovating or purifying factory, for this is just what it is constructed to do.
Every person who has had much to do with ordinary store butter knows that it grades all the way from fairly good to "real bad stuff." Now this is never the cow's fault. She does her part well. But milk and cream are always ready to take a sample of every oder they come in contact with. Many butter makers do not seem to realize this, and as the milk they handle travels the necessary stages from the cow to the churn it is exposed to many flavors not pleasing to the average taste. The foundation of this butter is all right but it is what has been added to it that condemns it for table use.
Now the object of this factory is not to add a single thing to this butter, but to elimnate all of these foreign flavors and substances that have spoiled it, and to prepare it for the market in a sweet, wholesome and pure condition. The process by which it is done calls for a fine grade of machinery and the highest class of skill. The butter to be "processed" is brought to the factory in barrels. After being sorted and graded -- for some of it is capable of becoming really high grade butter -- it is emptied into a large vat surrounded by hot water which is kept at the right temperature by the constant introduction of steam. Here it is melted and skimmed. All of the substances which have been injurious to it either rise to the top or sink to the bottom. After it is thoroughly skimmed the oil is carefully drawn off into another vat. There it is subjected to a still greater heat. It is then cooled and purified from all foreign odors by the introduction of pure, fresh air drawn through a shaft extending outside the building.
The next step in the process is the most interesting and important of all. We now have nothing remaining of the forbidding looking mass but the pure oil that composed the butter fat as it originally came from the cow. This is now returned to nice sweet milk that has been thoroughly sterilized, ripened under the best known creamery methods and churned into almost as good butter as it would have made in the first place.
Congress has recognized the demand for a work of this kind and has provided for it under government inspection, and every package of this butter made must bear a revenue stamp and be plainly marked in compliance with the law. It is put up in packages containing all the way from one to sixty pounds, and a car load of these tubs are now stored in an adjoining wareroom.
The work is under the direct supervision of Mr. F. M. Mason, a very pleasant gentleman from Washington D.C., where he had directed the construction and starting of the largest factory of this kind in the country. He has a corps of trained assistants. The factory has a capacity of five thousand pounds, and they expect to handle an average of four thousand pounds daily.
An unique feature of the work done in this building is found in the fact that two kinds of business are carried on, with one in dirct competition with and antagonism to the other, and the proprietors say they will be very happy when the one succeeds in making the other unnecessary. In the front room is located one of the finest creamery plants in existence which is sending out men to all parts of the country with the gospel of how to make gilt edge butter, good money and prosperous homes. They furnish on easy terms a cream separator which insures more and better cream than can be secured in any other way. When this good work has born the fruit they hope for, then there will be no butter made that needs renovating before it is fit to eat, and the expensive machinery now starting will be silenced for all time.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, October 22, 1903]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The new truck purchased by Beyer Bros. Co. was charged at the Electric Light plant, this morning, and was on the streets, this afternoon.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, July 26, 1905]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Beyer Bros. new electric truck was fitted up with seats and an abundance of electric lights, yesterday evening, and a large number of persons were treated to a trip over the city.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, July 29, 1905]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Columbia City Mail.
Eight thousand turkeys were dressed and shipped from Beyer Bros' pountry house at Waterloo to New York, Boston and Providence for Thanksgiving, to say nothing of the chickens, geese and ducks that went along. This represents a neat side income to the farmers who raised the birds.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, December 5, 1905]

AKRON
Akron News.
The Beyer Bros & Co., of Rochester decided very suddenly to open the Akron Milk station at this point. The firm purchased it some months ago and immediately closed it up, and sent teams over the territory to gather up the product in this territory. This was not quite satisfactory to some people and so in order to hold their prestige and build up their trade they have sent Billie Sands here who now has the station in charge.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, May 25, 1906]

THE NEW CREAMERY
Because of the increase in business in the creamery department, the Beyer Brothers Company have found it necessary to move the plant into the new building before the building is yet completed, and after the Saturday's work was done all the shafting and machinery were taken to the new building which is far from being completed.
The new building for the plant is of Winona Concrete stone with two floors and a very beautiful building. The front part of the first floor will be used for the creamery department, the back room for the processing plant and the second floor contains the large tanks for butter milk, etc. and has ample room for the storage of boxes and barrels, in which the product is packed for shipment.
The creamery is equipped with new machinery throughout, having two 800 gallon cold water agitators, a 5,000 pound pasteurizer, 5,000 pound churn and other machinery necessary. The plant is operated entirely by electricity, four large electric motors furnishing the power. The first work was done in the new plant today, the milk and cream being taken in and separated and the churning will be done tomorrow.
The building is 145x40 feet and on either sides are wide driveways with slate roof coverings where the wagons may stand while being unloaded.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 6, 1906]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Beyer Bros. creamery is churning over a ton of butter a day now, and the quality is so fine that the demand in the eastern markets for the product is always greater than the supply.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, October 22, 1906]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Columbia City Post.
Beyer Bros., of Rochester, who operate the largest produce, poultry and egg packing business in the state, with numerous branches in Northern Indiana, may close a deal for the purchase of H. H. Diffenderfer's plant on south Chauncey street. Negotiations have been pending for two weeks and Tuesday was set as the day for the arrival of the firm's agent, Henry Pfeifer, to look over the plant. He did not arrive, but is expected Wednesday.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, January 23, 1907]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The machinery for Beyer Bros.' new plant at Fort Wayne has all been ordered so that it can be installed as soon as the building is in readiness. The building, however, will not be put up until next spring. Several of the Warsaw employees of the company will be transferred to Fort Wayne at that time.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, November 20, 1907]

BUY SITE FOR CREAMERY
Deeds for twelve lots in Swinney Park place, comprising about two acres of land adjoining the Pennsylvania railroad and Swinney Park at Ft. Wayne, have been forwarded to Beyer Brothers and Co., the big firm of produce and commission men with depots at Warsaw, Rochester and other Northern Indiana cities.
The Fort Wayne location is secured for the erection of a creamery and produce commission plant to cost something like $50,000, and it will be the central depot for the extensive business of the Beyer Bros. Announcement of the firm's intention to go to Fort Wayne was made some weeks ago, but deeds for the property purchased from the Misses Swinney have just been signed.
It is expected that work upon the erection of the plant will commence very early in the spring. The tract is immediately east of Swinney Park and along the north side of the Pennsylvania tracks.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 2, 1908]

BEYER BROS. NATIONAL INCORPORATION
A special from Washington says Beyer Bros. Co., of Rochester and Warsaw, Indiana, have filed papers of incorporation in New Jersey.
Under the statutes of New Jersey the company has been granted very broad powers, its previous charter under the Indiana laws having been of a very restrictive character and not consistent with the progressive reputation of the concern. The authorized capital stock is named as $750,000.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 21, 1908]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Warsaw Times.
All previous records for turning out butter were broken Wednesday by the Warsaw plant of Beyer Brothers company, between 2,500 and 3,000 pounds being churned and worked ready for market. For some time past the local plant has been producing about 2,000 pounds of butter daily. This is shipped to New York City for consumption. The business of the Warsaw plant of Beyer Brothers company has grown wonderfully during the past two years and particularly during the past year. Thousands of pounds of poultry and thousands of cases of eggs are shipped from the local plant to distant points. The manager of the local plant is Dayton Shanafelt.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, June 18, 1908]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Messrs J. M. Studebaker, Jacob Wolverton, I. A. Sibley, P. O'Brien and George Witmer were in Rochester Friday in a 40 horse power Studebaker car. The gentlemen were entertained by Geo. W. Holman and R. C. Stephenson at Manitou. The visitors were also shown through the Beyer Bros creamery, poultry yards and the electric light plant. They were very well impressed with their visit and expressed their opinion that the Logansport-South Bend line would be a winner.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, July 18, 1908]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The rear of the old Beyer Bros. building on west 9th St., which was formerly used as a stable, is now being remodeled into a garage. The company has no further use for a barn as their work is done exclusively by two large auto trucks.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, July 3, 1909]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Beyer Bros. new ice cream factory turned out the first of their product today. It was a special order for the Baptist ladies Easter supper tomorrow evening, and a number of friends were remembered with a generous sample.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 22, 1910]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Beyer Bros. of this city, who operate several poultry houses in this part of the state, are making extensive improvements to their Huntington station. When the improvements are completed a milk depot will also be added to the other facilities of the place.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, May 2, 1910]

[Adv] Winona "BB" Ice Cream. Made from pasteurized cream and pure flavors. Our modern machinery in the hands of skilled workmen insures to you a cream of best quality. Sold at - Dawson's Drug Store, R. P. True Restaurant. BEYER BROS. CO. MFGS.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, July 16, 1910]

MORE BUSINESS
The Beyer Brothers Company owned by J. F. Beyer of Warsaw, J. E. Beyer of Rochester, and C. C. Beyer of Kendallville, are planning to enlarge their business, which is now the biggest of its kind in the country, and will erect a $100,000 cold storage warehouse in Ft. Wayne, at which point the Indiana business will be centralized. Concerning the new building and the business to be handled there, the Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette of Tuesday, has the following to say:
"The Beyer Bros. Company, largest dealers in butter, eggs and poultry and leaders in their line in the United States, are planning the construction of a warehouse and cold storage plant in this city to cost in the neighborhood of $100,000. This plant will be located along the Pennsylvania right-of-way just east of Swinney park, and the company, through its Attorney, Perry A. Randall yesterday petitioned the board of public works for the vacation of Garden street from Jones street to the Pennsylvania right-of-way, the first alley west of Garden street and ten-foot alley along the Pennsylvania tracks.
"It developed yesterday that the company purchased twelve lots from the Swinney estate more than three years ago with a view of locating a plant here, but because of the panic which prevailed in 1907 and the subsequent track elevation plans, which made it impossible to establish definitely the grade of the railroad the scheme was allowed to lie idle. At present the company is taking active steps to go ahead with the work.
"The Beyer Bros. Company has plants at Warsaw, Rochester, Kendallville, Logansport and Wabash, where butter, eggs and poultry are purchased and shipped to cold storage warehouses maintained by them in New York city, Boston and Providence. The company handles its products in its own refrigerator cars and is rated as one of the largest firms in the country engaged in this particular line of work.
"The structure will be 250 feet in length, will be equipped with sidings leading to the railroad, will contain a model cold storage plant and when completed all the business done by the company will be centralized here. It is the plan of the concern to make Ft. Wayne its headquarters for all the official business transacted, as well as a centralizing point for the butter and egg business in Indiana."
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 31, 1910]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Warsaw Union.
Beyer Brothers, who have for many years conducted a creamery in Warsaw, will in the near future move this part of their old plant to Ft. Wayne. The packing department of the local plant will be continued as before.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, September 24, 1910]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Beyer Bros. who have had a produce packing house at Andrews for several years, mave closed the place and their manager, Jesse Myers, has been transferred to Huntington and from there will visit surrounding towns buying produce from merchants.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 21, 1911]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Warsaw Times.
Beyer Brothers, produce dealers of this place, have their new and commodious packing house completed. There are few, if any, more enterprising firms in the country than Beyer Brothers. Some time ago they purchased about 100 acres of land just east of the north end of Eagle lake, where they have erected a large icehouse for their own use, with several other buildings to be used as packing houses for eggs and butter.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, November 13, 1911]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The work of moving the office of Beyer Bros. from its location in the Indiana Bank & Trust Company building to the new quarters on West Ninth street was completed today.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, July 25, 1912]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Beyer Brothers offices are now located in their own building on West Ninth street just off Main street, which have undergone extensive improvements. The building is one of the finest in the city for office work, being commodious and splendidly lighted and ventilated. The offices, which were originally located in the rear of the Indiana Bank, gradually grew until they occupied all available space on the two floors of the bank building. The move places all departments on one floor and will greatly economize time in the transaction of the heavy clerical duties in connection with the business.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 26, 1912]

BEYERS TO BUILD NEW PLANT
Beyer Bros., who operate packing plants in Warsaw, Rochester, Goshen and numerous other cities and towns over the state, have purchased property along the Pennsylvania railroad tracks in Columbia City and will commence the erection of a new packing house as soon as the title to the property is cleared and a good abstract has been secured. The new building is to have a basement and first floor and its dimensions will be 30x60 feet. It is to be of cement block and will be modern in every respect. Beyer Bros. opened a packing house in Columbia City three years ago and the business has been so profitable that it now justifies the erection of permanent quarters.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, October 2, 1912]

SHORT NEWS
Beyer Bros. have added another to the many produce houses they already own. A plant has just been bought by them in Gilman, Ill., which they will enlarge and operate in the same manner as their other agencies.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, January 11, 1913]

ELECTRIC TRUCK IN SERVICE EIGHT YEARS
After eight years of continuous service, including Sundays, Beyer Bros. electric truck is still in good condition. Jack Sayger, who has been driving the machine for several years says that "Old Joe" can be depended upon at any time and very seldom is known to break down. The machine looks like a brand new one now, as it has received a complete overhauling, has a coat of paint and a big electric head light attached.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 5, 1913]

15 TONS BUTTER MADE IN 6 DAYS
BEYER BROS. CREAMERY manufactured last week enough butter to last the city of Rochester eight months. The exact figures are 30,160 pounds or a little over 15 tons. These figures show a wonderful increase over former years. The growth is the result of the effort of B. F. WEBSTER, the new superintendent, who took charge of the plant the first of the year.
The local firm has to meet heavy competition in their field from Chicago firms, but notwithstanding they are now receiving cream from points 65 miles south and 100 miles east. They have kept men in the field since the first of the year to look after new business and as a result the amount of cream received has increased over 30 per cent for the same time last year. For instance on last Saturday Beyer Brothers took in at the local station from customers who haul their own cream, over 1000 pounds of butter fat.

Butter Making
In order that the Sentinel readers may understand just how the creamery makes butter, a representative visited the plant. The cream is received at the station in large cans and before it is poured into the receiver it is stirred thoroughly and a small amount taken out which is taken to the testing room. Here the cream is tested for the amount of butter fat and the customer is paid according to the test, which averages 30 per cent. Milk usually averages 4 per cent. Cream has been received at the local station which tests 65 per cent. And milk in one instance tested as hish as 11 per cent.

Thoroughly Sterlized
After the cream is poured into the receiving tank, it is pumped into agitators where steam coils revolve rapidly. Here the cream is heated to 144 degrees and is kept in that condition for 30 minutes. At the proper time cold water and a salt solution is driven through the coils which lowers the temperature to 45 degrees. While in this tank all improper odors are removed by a new process which was installed this spring. This is accomplished by forcing sterilized air through the cream. The air is pumped first through a strong disinfectant and then driven into the cream tank. After the cream has been heated to this high temperature and thoroughly cleaned by the air process, it is free from all bacteria. The necessary bacteria which are needed to add flavor to the butter is then put in, when the cream is poured into the churns.
As many as eight churnings have been made at the local creamery during the present rush in one day. The bu tter is then packed in large tubs and shiped east to market. Local dealers can purchase as much butter as they desire.
Another improvement has been installed this season which was needed badly and that is a can washing machine, which scalds and thoroughly dries the cans. The cans when they leave the machine are as clean and free from any odors as when they were first made.
The company this season, as in the past, has attempted to give entire satisfaction to customers and as a result have built up a wonderful patronage in the surrounding territory.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, June 13, 1913]

THREATENED TO EXPLODE BOMB
An explosion, which might have caused considerable damage, was perhaps avoided Wednesday morning, when Chief CHAMBERLAIN, summoned by Henry PFEIFFER, took from a Kokomo man, who assisted in the fireworks display Tuesday night, a BOMB, which he was attempting to explode near the BEYER BROTHERS offices on west 9th street.
The man was suffering great pain from a nail wound on his hand, caused during his work recently, and had indulged in enough firewater to make him ugly. Going to the paint shop in the alley by the Beyer offices, he secured a piece of fuse from the stores placed there, and biting the latter in two, attempted to insert it in a gas pipe bomb he had been ordered to get swearing frightfully all the time and vowing that he would blow up everything in sight. Mr. Pfeiffer called officer Chamberlain, who took the pipe away from the man and gave him a short time to get out of town. Whether the pipe was loaded or not, is not known. . . . . His actions gave the Beyer office force a great fright. It was learned later that his home is in Kokomo and that he had visited the city a number of times before, but his name was not ascertained.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, June 18, 1913]

WEBSTER TO START CREAMERY
On Saturday, September 25th, B. F. WEBSTER, who has charge of the local branch of BEYER BROS. creamery, will resign his position and in company with another man, will start a creamery at Decatur, Ill.
Mr. Webster has had charge of the local creamery since the first of the year and under his direction the business had nearly doubled. The creamery at Decatur is now under process of construction and will be ready to operate by the first of October. For many years Mr. Webster was connected with the Creamery Package Company of Chicago.
Mr. Webster will move to Decatur with his family soon.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, September 24, 1913]

WORK BEGUN
Workmen began today the building of the new ice plant for Beyer Bros. and Company. The plant will be erected east of the creamery and will be 44 feet long and 37 feet wide. The plant will have a capacity of 20 tons per day.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, November 13, 1913]

NEW ICE PLANT
The processing machinery in the processing department of Beyer Bros. creamery, which has not been used for over a year, the concern having stopped processing, is being "junked" presumably to make room for a new ice plant, 60 feet long on the first floor and a store room on the second floor. It is said that new machinery will be installed throughout.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, February 8, 1915]

[Adv} The World's Greatest Egg Carriers For Sale. Size, outside measurements 28 ft by 9 ft 8 in. These refrigerator cars are of heavy construction, matched ceiling inside and outside. Thoroughly insulated with hair felt and asbestos. Built to withstand heat and cold. Excellent opportunity to secure a summer cottage cheap, good garage, carriage barn, good granary, cow stable, horse barn, milk house, work shop, storage for fruit and vegetables. Apply Quick. Beyer Brothers Company, Charles A. Davis, Rochester, Ind.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 29, 1915]

BEYER THRU AT WINONA
Ice packing at the Winona Lake houses, owned by J. F. Beyer of Warsaw, was completed Saturday afternoon, March 11, perhaps later in the winter than ever before in the history of the company.
Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 15, 1916]

BEYER BROS. CO MERGE WITH A NEW YORK HOUSE
A business change of vast importance to Rochester, took place Tuesday, when Beyer Brothers Co. consolidated with the Harold L. Brown Co., of New York, the new firm to be known as the BEYER BROWN CO.
In an interview Wednesday, J. E. Beyer told a SENTINEL reporter that the business in Rochester would probably be enlarged and perhaps doubled. He said that the change was made in order to secure the influence of Eastern men, who are able at any time to secure proper railroad transportation. The new company is capitalized at $250,000.
Beyer Brothers Co. have been one of Rochester's leading industries for 25 years, when J. E. Beyer came here. Born in Germany, he came to America when he was 14 years old and started into the poultry business when he was 17, taking his products to the railroad station in a wheelbarrow. On his 59th birthday, Tuesday, he saw the organization of what is termed in the East, as one of the largest corporations of its kind, in which Mr. Beyer and his company own over one-half of the stock.
The following was taken from a New York paper: "The directors of the company will be J. E. Beyer, Rochester, Ind.; A. S. Hanford, Sioux City, Ia.; O. D. Gilman, Chicago, Ill. H. L. Brown and H.A. Bemis.
"The company will continue to operate the creameries and poultry and ice packing plants in Northern Indiana with headquarters at Rochester, Ind.
"This announcement occasioned great surprise in the trade, where no inkling of the projected combination had been heard. It makes a tremendously strong combination in many respects. Beyer Bros. Commission Co. with their great facilities for procuring goods and their big outlet in this city and in New England, have for years been one of the foremost produce houses in the country. Harold L. Brown Co., although a young house have made wonderful strides and have made a record probably unequaled by any other company.
"Harold Brown, long known to the trade through his connection with Armour & Co. as the right hand man of his father, Joseph W. Brown, and in recent months as head of his own company, has established a record as a trader and handler of dairy products unsurpassed by any man in the business."
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 7, 1917]

CHANGES IN OFFICES FOR TWO LOCAL FIRMS MADE
The Beyer-Brown Co. offices on East Ninth St., are being moved into new quarters in the creamery building on No. Madison St. To accommodate the large incoming office force in the creamery building, the present space is being enlarged to about double the former size.
The United Public Service Co. will move from their present location on Main St. to the building formerly occupied by Beyer Bros. on Ninth St. The Main St. building will probably be rented. It is likely that the firms will not be settled permanently in their new quarters for several weeks.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 21, 1917]

BEYER BROS. CO. IS TAKEN OVER BY ARMOUR CO.
Every Fulton county citizen and nearly every resident of this section of the state will be interested to learn that Beyer Brothers Co., dealers in butter, eggs and poultry, has passed into history. The firm was taken over Saturday by Armour and Company of Chicago and J. E. Beyer, president of the old concern, will in the future devote his time to the business of the United Public Service Co., in connection with some poultry and produce interests still held by him and his associates at Kendallville and Goshen. The consideration was nearly $200,000.
Mr. Beyer retains the ice business, the cold storage plant in East Rochester and the building occupied by the Winona creamery. Armour and Company have taken possession of the stations at Akron, Warsaw and neighboring towns. The business will be under the management of S. S. Schmitt, who has moved here with his family from Owosso, Mich. All former employes of Beyer Brothers will remain in the employment of Armour and Company including Otto Carlson, who will assist Mr. Schmitt.
The conditions brought about by the war caused Mr. Beyer to dispose of his interests. In the summer he took into the Co. Harold Brown, of New York, whose father was general manager for Armour and Co., at Chicago, in the hopes of obtaining the aid of a large concern to secure ships for exports. A few months later the elder Brown died and Harold Brown was offered his father's place. Armour and Co. then made Mr. Beyer a fine offer for his interests. Mr. Beyer in the past has taken many chances in order to retain the produce business for Rochester and with this end in view, he first sought the cooperation of Harold Brown and Armour and Co.
J. E. Beyer came to Rochester 25 years ago from Warsaw. He left Germany when he was 14 and went into business at the age of 18. He has probably written larger checks and sent thru the mails larger drafts than any other man in this section of the state. The electric light plant, since its foundation, has been his pet and he will probably devote the major portion of his time to its care. His present business interests will keep him in Rochester, which meets with the approval of his family. Mr. Beyer is now in his 60th year.
Earl Beyer, too has retired from the produce game. He is now in Washington, D. C., assisting Mr. Vanderlip, president of the National City BAnk of New york in the Treasury department. Earl Beyer originated the idea of selling baby bonds and was called to Washington, where he is working for $1 a year.
Armour and Company have enlarged the yards in East Rochester and can now feed 15,000 chickens. Heretofore, only 6,000 could be handled.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, November 1, 1917]

HENRY PFEIFFER DIED FOLLOWING ATTACK OF HEART
Henry PFEIFFER, 57, who gained the respect and admiration of the citizens of this community during his many years of residence in Rochester during which time he was associated with the BEYER BROTHERS poultry interests as general manager, died at 4:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon at his home, 136 Eel street, Logansport, following a sudden heart attack.
Mr. Pfeiffer has been in ill health for a number of months and he became stricken with a severe attack of jaundice, which is believed to have been aggravated by financial reverses when, immediately after he first was confined to his bed with the illness, his condition grew worse until last week, when he appeared to be slightly improved. Thursday evening he suffered a relapse and death came suddenly Saturday afternoon. The blow was a severe shock to the family, following so closely upon the heels of his business difficulties.
Short funeral services were held at 11 o'clock Monday morning from the residence at Logansport in charge of Rev. PRESTON, of the Broadway Methodist church of that city after which the body was brought to Rochester where funeral services were held from the Methodist church at 2:30 o'clock conducted by Revs. G. E. CRAIG, of East Chicago, former pastor of the church, and Rev. F. O. FRALEY. Interment was made in the I.O.O.F. cemetery.
Henry Pfeiffer was born in Gensungen, Germany, February 19, 1866, a son of George and Marie PFEIFFER. In 1881, at the age of 15 years, he came to the United States, with his sister Eliza PFEIFFER, who died in 1919 in Iowa. He located in Warsaw where he engaged in the poultry business with his half-brothers in the firm of BEYER BROTHERS.
In Warsaw he entered the high school and later continued in business, moving to Rochester in 1885 where he became general manager and controlled the entire Beyer Brothers interests.
In 1888 he was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda FOGLESONG, of Kewanna, who with two daughters, Mrs. Gordon MARTIN, of LaPorte; Mary [PFEIFFER]; two sons, Lucius [PFEIFFER] and Edward [PFEIFFER], of Logansport; two sisters, Mrs. Maria CARLSON, of Rochester, and Martha PFEIFFER, of Gensungen, Germany, and five half-brothers, J. E. [BEYER], J. F. BEYER, of Warsaw; C. C. BEYER, of Kendallville; Albert BEYER, of German Valley, Ill., and August BEYER, of Gensungen, Germany survive.
In 1914 he left the Beyer Brothers when that firm was sold out to Armour and Company and engaged in the poultry and produce business in Logansport, operating from Rochester until 1919 when he moved with his family to Logansport where he had lived until the time of his death.
At Logansport he reconstructed the large building on Erie avenue which housed the LOGANSPORT PRODUCE COMPANY and the offices of the PFEIFFER SALES COMPANY, from where he operated the MONTICELLO PRODUCE COMPANY, of Monticello and the GILMAN CREAMERY AND PRODUCE COMPANY, of Gilman, Ill., and prospered in business until a few months ago.
A boycott on eggs and poultry in New York, which knocked the bottom out of prices caused what his friends believed would have been merely a temporary downfall financially and in order to protect his creditors, he made an arrangement of his affiars in the First National and City National banks of Logansport, where it was stated that his financial difficulties could be settled speedily. However, he was forced to his bed with a severe illness two days after the assignment and remained in a critical condition until death relieved his suffering on Saturday.
Mr. Pfeiffer, prior to his financial difficulties, had accumulated a fortune and was well thought of by his numerous associates and friends. He was president of the National Association of Produce Dealers, a member of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias and Elk lodges, a member of the Logansport Rotary Club and the Methodist church.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, December 31, 1923]
__________

John Edward Beyer, who came to Indiana with two brothers in the late 1880's, became a progressive citizen in the early part of the century.
One brother located at Warsaw and another at Kendallville. They each started in business with a horse and wagon. Ed spent his early days here driving the country roads, picking up chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks, had them dressed by a few employees and sold them on the New York and Chicago markets. The small business prospered and after the enterprising citizen established regular routes in the growing area, he looked for other enterprises. He was one of the leaders to organize the Indiana Farmers and Loan Association in March 1892 [Bank of Indiana]. He also foresaw the need of electricity in Rochester and built an electric plant at the southeast corner of Madison and 6th streets in 1906, having purchased O. D. Ross' pioneer electric plant which originally lighted the streets of Rochester for the first time in 1889. The business prospered as homes and stores rushed to acquire the new modern system of lighting.
Meanwhile Mr. Beyer's produce business prospered and a new building was erected just south of the light plant. In 1915 Armours bought the plant and moved into a new brick and steel plant on East 4th Street at the southeast corner of the Erie - LE&W crossing. At one time the factory became a big producter of butter and later of cheese. Armour trucks covered a large area over northern Indiana, picking up milk and produce. Armours established a duck farm along Mill Creek adjoining the Erie to the north and east of [old] U.S. 31. For years ducklings were hatched and grown there. Many were sold to the Erie Railroad for serving on their dining cars, advertised as "Long Island" ducklings. However, complaints arose about the creek being polluted and the disabreeable aroma that spread over the city at times. This and business reasons brought about the closing of the duckling business. On April 23, 1959, Armours [discontinued their creamery business and] sold the buildings to Crystal Dairy.
[Hugh A. Barnhart, Fulton Co. Folks, Vol. 1, Willard]
See Rochester Hub & Spoke Factory; Lena Mogle Davis Goss, Fulton County Folks, Vol. 1, Willard.

BEYER EASTER EGG HUNT [Rochester, Indiana]
This was an annual event for several years around 1900, sponsored by Mr. John E. Beyer, one of the owners of Beyer Bros.
On the given day for the hunt, children flocked to the home of J. E. Beyer, 700 Pontiac Street. Many could not get in the house so the remainder of the children gathered in the driveway behind the house. There were no houses from the west side of his home to Fulton Avenue. It was in this area that the eggs were hidden.
The gate was opened and the children scampered out to find the colored eggs hidden in the tall grass. Many friends of Mr. Beyer had their pockets filled with colored eggs, and assisted him in seeing that every child would find at least one egg.

BIBLER, JAMES HENRY [Rochester, Indiana]
JAMES HENRY BIBLER (Biography)
A purely selfmade member of the Fulton county bar is James Henry BIBLER. He was born in Ohio in 1858 and came to Union township, this county, with his parents when two years old and to Rochester when 10 years. He later attended the city schools and then read law with Hon. M. L. ESSICK. He entered the practice fifteen years ago and has achieved prominence as an advocate and counsellor. He also took an active part in politics and was honored with the vote of Fulton county in the congressional convention last year. He is, at present, city attorney and his family consists of a wife, formerly Miss Lolo HOWARD, and five children.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

BICCARD, ADOLPH [Rochester, Indiana]
LOCAL NEWS
Mr. Adolph Biccard has sold his liquor business to Percy Hawkins and will now devote all of his time to the law practice. He and ex-Clerk M. O. Reese have an office in the commercial block wher they are now prepared to give their entire time to the wants of clients and general legal matters.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 27, 1901]

BOUQUET HURLED AT COL. ADOLPH BICCARD
Of Adolph Biccard, Past Commander of Fredonia Lodge, No. 122, Kinghts of Pythias, a Pythian magazine published in Indianapolis, has the following to say under a photo, in a current number:
"Captain Biccard is a native of Germany and after serving his time in the German army, came to this country in 1885, locating in Rochester, Ind., where he resided until seven years ago, when he located in this city. In May, 1886, he became a member of Fredonia Lodge No. 122 by initiation and the same month became a charter member of Rochester Company No. 27, U. R., serving the Company as Second and First Lieutenant. He served through the chairs in his lodge and became a member of the Grand Lodge where he took an active interest in the work, serving on several committees, also serving his district with marked ability for three years as Deputy Grand Chancellor.
"In recognition of his services, Fredonia Lodge presented him with a solid gold Veterans' Jewel, the presentation being made at the convention of the Grand Lodge in 1911. In 1890 he was appointed Major and A. D. C. by General James R. Ross, and has served continuously on the staff of each succeeding Brigade Commander as Asst. Quartermaster General, Asst. Com. General, and is now serving as Chief of Staff for General Wm. B. Gray. Col. Bicarfd is one of the thorough Knights who believe in doing things for the good of the Order and for its members."
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, March 5, 1914]

BICCARD, M. [Rochester, Indiana]
M. BICCARD
Dry Goods and Clothing
Among the many prosperous and thriving business houses of Rochester, we find none that are more worthy of mention than that indicated in the caption of this article. This is an old established house of fifteen years standing, coming under its present management two years ago.
This firm carries a full line of dry goods,notions, clothing, hats, caps, trunks, valises &c. This business may be summarized as follows: Goods bought at the lowest prices and sold in the same way; business transacted on modern principles; polite attention shown to all and satisfaction guaranteed in every sale.
In the dry goods department they show some exceedingly handsome novelties in dress goods, shawls, ginghams, prints, hosiery, handkerchiefs, embroideries, corsets, muslin underware, notions, fancy goods, &c. The variety is large and must be seen to be appreciated. The selections are very fine, embracing all the new novelties in the various items.
In the clothing and gents furnishing goods department they keep a full and well selected stock of mens, youths and childrens clothing, always being able to fit the smallest boy or the largest man. The stock of furnishing goods is very attractive, a rich and varied display being made of fine neckwear, silk handkerchiefs, toilet jewelry, fur, dress and driving gloves &c. They carry also a large stock of faultlessly fitting shirts, cuffs, collars, in both linen and celluloid. They show a fine line of hats and caps, a first-class selection of umbrellas, and a large stock of nobby traveling bags, valises, and trunks.
This house is under the management of Mr. A. BICCARD, who personally superintends everything, and warrants all goods to be just as represented. We have no hesitation in recommending this firm and we hope to see it continue to prosper in the future as it has in the past.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 29, 1888]

BICK'S WELL & PUMP SERVICE [Rocheste, Indiana]
Located 531 W 11th
Luroy Bick had a well drilling business in Rochester for 30 years 1946-76, having been taught how to drill wells by Charles Willard. They bought a second-hand truck which had been the first Fulton County library truck, a 1929 Model A Ford, and converted it into a well rig. Charles Willard's grandson, Bill Willard, still has this old truck in his barn.
[Thoma Powell Family, Maxine Heckathorn et al, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

BICYCLE EXCHANGE [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] Wheels to sell or rent, a full line of sundries, repairing promptly done. Guns, ammunition and sporting goods. The only first-class Cyclery in Rochester. Call for prices.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 11, 1899]

BICYCLE INDIANAPOLIS TO ROCHESTER [Rochester, Indiana]
FROM CAPITAL TO CITY ON BIKE IN FAST TIME
A bicycle isn't such slow transportation. Leon Lunsford mounted on an old fashioned tandem rode from his home in Indianapolis yesterday to this city in exactly 5 hours and 50 minutes. He is now at the home of his cousin J. C. Reed, who resides on a farm west of this city. He left Indianapolis at 10:45 a.m. and arrived here at 4:35 p.m. He came by the way of the Michigan Road. The time that it took Lunsford to make the trip is just about twice the time it takes to cover the same distance, which is exactly 100 miles, in an automobile. Lunsford came here to spend Memorial Day and will return to Indianapolis on his tandem. Lunsford was asked when he arrived here if he were tired and he said that he was not, and added that he believed he could make the return trip to Indianapolis the same with only a short rest.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, May 26, 1932]

BIDDINGER, ALBERT [Rochester, Indiana]
ALBERT BIDDINGER OPENS NEW BARBER SHOP HERE
Albert Biddinger, of Culver, has leased the room at 604 North Main street and has opened a barber shop in the same. Mr. Biddinger is an experienced barber. He has named his shop the Golden Rule Barber Shop." He is making a specialty of haircuts for 30 cents. George Forsythe has been engaged as a tonsorial artist in the new shop.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, June 25, 1931]

BIDDINGER, BILL [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Bill Biddinger)

BIDDINGER, CARL [Rochester, Indiana]
See Haggerty & Kessler Garage
__________

[Adv] State Auto Insurance - - - CARL BIDDINGER, Agent. Phone 573-J]
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, October 5, 1925]

BIDDINGER, H. E. [Rochester, Indiana]
H. E. BIDDINGER ELECTED MAYOR OF BILLINGS, MONT.
Rochester and Fulton county friends of H. E. Biddinger, of Billings, Montana, recently have been apprised that the former Fulton county man has been elected mayor of the City of Billings, Mont.
For the past several years, Mr. Biddinger has been business manager of the Billings Business College. He is a brother of Err and Frank Biddinger, both of Richland township.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, April 16, 1943]

BIDDINGER, PETER [Rochester, Indiana]
PETER BIDDINGER, Dealer in Real Estate. Over Walters' Grocery, Rochester, Ind.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, January 27, 1893]

PETER BIDDINGER (Biography)
Peter BIDDINGER was born in Wabash county, this state, fifty years ago. With his parents, Mathias and Sarah BIDDINGER he came to Fulton county in 1861 and has ever since made this home. He married Samantha Jane TRIBBETT and they have one son, Will [BIDDINGER], a daughter having died some years ago. Mr. Biddinger lived on his farm in Richland township until eight years ago when he came to Rochester, leaving his two farms in the charge of renters. He purchased the Tribbett property on West Center street and is substantially fortified in a financial way to make him one of the solid men of the county. He is widely and popularly known as the Fulton County Real Estate Agent, and his business is growing all the time because it is generally known that his word is as good as a bond in all transactions.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

BIOGRAPHY
Peter Biddinger, a well-known real estate dealer of Rochester, was born south of Wabash, Ind., on the Mississiniwa river Aug. 16, 1844. He came to Fulton county in 1861, with his parents, who located near Leiters Ford. Peter was reared to hard work, and was but sparingly educated. He was hired out by his father from nineteen to twenty-one and his wages were appropriated to the use of the parental treasury. He earned the money that bought his first overcoat after he became of age. He engaged in independent farming as soon as his circumstances enabled him to equip himself for it and continued it with varying degrees of success and with rare interruptions until 1891, when he removed from Richland township to Rochester, and the next year engaged in the real estate business. He owns farms in both Rochester and Richland townships, besides valuable residence property in Rochester. Mr. Biddinger married in this county Nov. 23, 1865, Samantha Jane Tribbett, daughter of the late William Tribbett. The children of this union were: Orpha Belle, who died 1892, aged twenty-three and William H. Mr. and Mrs. Biddinger have an adopted daughter, Banche Young. Peter Biddinger is a son of Mathias Biddinger, born in Pennsylvania. He moved to Ohio with his father and was married there to Sarah, a daughter of John Enfield. He came to Indiana in 1843. He was killed by an Erie train at Leiters Ford in 1890. His living children are Jonas, William, Elizabeth, who married Rev. James Walls, Peter and Jesse. The Biddingers are staunch republicans and are among Fulton county's best citizens.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 35-36]

BIDDINGER, WILLIAM [Richland Township]
BIOGRAPHY
William Biddinger. - The parents of William were born in Pennsylvania and married in Ohio; moved to Wabash County, Ind., when William was six years old; remained there twelve years, when they came to this county, and are now living in Aubbeenaubbee Township. The parents of Mrs. Biddinger were natives of Pennsylvania, married in Ohio, where Mrs. B. was born, and came to this county with her parents when a child. The subject of this sketch was born in Ohio, April 11, 1843; married Lydia A. Leiter, April 13, 1873; after several moves, finally settled in Richland Township in 1880, on the farm they now occupy. Mr. and Mrs. B. have three children--Minnie May, Ettie and Frank. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Sabbath school. Mr. B. is a member of the order of I.O.O.F., and in politics a Democrat.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 52]

BIDE-A-WEE TEAHOUSE [Lake Manitou]
BIDE-A-WEE TO SERVE DINNERS
The Bide-A-Wee Teahouse, which was recently opened at Lake Manitou by Miss Frederica Fox, is proving a success, according to the owner. Miss Fox has announced that in addition to the home cooked Sunday suppers of which she has been making a specialty, she will also serve Sunday chicken dinners from twelve to three o'clock. The tearoom will be open each evening and Miss Fox has announced that she will cater to supper parties, teas and bridge parties; several supper parties have been planned for the coming Sunday and daily the teahouse is attracting the attention of summer resorters.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, June 5, 1920]

BIDWELL, BENSON [Rochester, Indiana]
FORMER ROCHESTER MAN IN BIG SPLURGE IN CHICAGO
"Prof." Benson Bidwell, a former Rochester candy kitchen proprietor, is making quite a splurge in Chicago as inventor. He has a manufacturers company back of him and in the Sunday Chicago newspapers there were large and expensive advertisements of stock for sale in a patent which will change all steam power on railroads to electric power. "Prof." Bidwell announces in the ad. that he is the inventor of the Trolley Car System, the Railway Car Telephone system, the Bidwell Cold Motor, and the Water Electric Generator. He says he has made millions of dollars for people and will make millions more. And speaking of his latest patent, the Cold Motor, he says:
"The one great drawback the railroads have had in changing over to electricity has been that no motor, as at present made, can be run 150 miles at 60 miles an hour without buring out. It would melt the very wires.
"By using the Bidwell Cold Motor a train of cars could be run from New York to San Francisco without a stop at the rate of 60 to 80 miles an hour and not even warm up, and without a hitch.
"Besides running faster they would be more safe and sure than steam, cost less to operate and would last longer than any other motor now known."
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 8, 1905]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Benson H. Bidwell, who formerly conducted a candy store here, is being sought by the Chicago police and his son Charles A. Bidwell is already under arrest, charged with using the mails for fraudulent purposes. According to the postal authorities, the Bidwells have realized about $200,000 by selling stock in an electric motor that was invented by another man, whereas they claimed the invention.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, November 5, 1907]

BIDWELLS FOUND GUILTY
The Bidwells, former residents of this city but who have been on trial in Chicago on the charge of fraud, were found guilty Saturday.
Benson Bidwell started the motor company in 1906. He declared that he had invented an electric motor that would not burn out. He also claimed that he was the inventor of the trolley car and the electric fam. Investors from all parts of the United States answered these advertisements, sending in to the company $225,000, according to the books of the concern. Charles Bidwell was appointed secretary and general manager of the company and given 366,000 shares of the $2,500,000 stock of the concern.
The case, which was based on a complaint brought by an investor in the company, was brought to trial February 17. It went to the jury shortly after noon Saturday, the verdict of guilty being found after seven hours of deliberation.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 17, 1908]

BIDWELLS TO PRISON
Benson Bidwell, once the proprietor of a confectionary store in this city, since the self-styled wizard of electricity and alleged inventor of the trolley car, and his son, Charles Bidwell, must go to the penitentiary for swindling the investors in the stock of his Cold Motor proposition. The decision was made Saturday by Judge Chetlain, of Chicago, before whom the trial of the sensational two has been dragging.
The men were convicted on the testimony of Ida Palmer alleged one time fiance of Chas. Bidwell and who worked for them as stenographer.
They were given a week of freedom after which the prison sentence will be made.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, July 20, 1908]

GET PRISON TERM
The trial of Benson Bidwell and his son Chas. Bidwell, of Chicago, whose trial on the charge of swindling attracted a great deal of attention, were sentenced Saturday.
The Bidwells were former residents of Rochester and which time they were proprietors of the Bidwell candy kitchen, and the following from the Chicago Journal will be of interest to the Sentinel readers.
In one of the most sensational and dramatic scenes ever enacted in the Criminal courts, Benson Bidwell and son Charles F. Bidwell, his son, were today sentenced to the penitentiary for a term of one to ten years each by Judge Chetlain.
It was the dramatic climax in the career of the two silver-haired defendants. Father and son trembled with emotion as they took turns in denouncing those who they said had persecuted them, and who, they charged, were sending them to their graves.
Intense quiet prevailed as the elder Bidwell alternately begged for mercy and denounced those who he charged had been his persecutors.
The climax came when Judge Chetlain denied the defendants any further delay and asked Benson Bidwell if he had anything to say why sentence should not be passed upon him. With a quick move the trembling defendant, who is 72 years old, threw off his coat and with clenched fists and trembling form proceeded to address the judge.
"Have I anything to say?" he shouted, I should say I have, hour honor. Here I stand a gray-haired old man more ready for my grave than a prison cell. All my life I have devoted to humanity. I have created more than forty inventions, some of which have been allowed by the government. I am one of the greatest benefactors of the human race, and now they are preparing to send me to a prison cell.
"God, but it is awful. They said my cold motor was a fraud; they said the same thing in 1884 in Philadelphis when I exhibited the trolley car that I invented.
"They shouted then that I was a thief and a robber, but today the trolley car just as I invented it, which has made millions and millions, but not a cent for me, is being operated in all the countries on God's earth. It has been one of the greatest blessings for humanity, and now, here today, I stand facing a living death.
"I ask the court to change the sentence to a misdemeanor, because I am not guilty of the chafges, because I am an old man, and because I never did a wrong act in my life."
Several times Judge Chetlain interruptd the aged defendant, who almost collapsed, and finally in a kindly voice informed him that there was nothing the court could do. He than imposed sentence.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, October 26, 1908]

TO SAVE FATHER
Special to Sentinel.
Chicago, April 12. -- A son's plea that he be allowed to serve his father's sentence in prison practically assured the escape of Benson Bidwell from a convict's cell today.
Prosecutor George M. Popham went before Judge Chetlain and said he was willing that Benson Bidwell be freed after serving a short jail sentence, provided Charles E. Bidwell, the son, be taken to Joliet penitentiary at once.
The Bidwells were convicted of having defrauded the stockholders of the Bidwell Cold Motor Company, and both were given penitentiary sentences. In the crash the savings of 4,500 women were wiped out.
The son, who is more than sixty years old, pleaded to be allowed to go to prison in the father's stead, declaring that the aged man -- he is nearly eighty -- would not survive the rigors of a convict's life.
Judge Chetlain continued the case until Wednesday in order to allow Benson Bidwell to produce physicians to certify to the gravity of his physical condition.
For weeks the elder Bidwell has been ill and toward the last his condition has been that of a dying man. He and his son have been in the jail since last September, unable to procure bail despite their recent prosperity and their dreams of fortunes which were about to be realized when the law pounced upon them and their "cold motor" and proved their scheme a "confidence game."
For more than a week the elder Bidwell's life has been sustained by Dr. Francis W. McHanfara only through stimulants.
Word of his aged father's condition was carried to the son by one of the physicians.
The younger Bidwell requested an audience with Assistant State's Attorney George Popham, who is conducting the prosecution, and asked whether there was any way he could take upon his own shoulders the burden of his father's share in their mutual guilt.
Popham studied a moment. He was working upon a voluminous and expensive record of the case to be sent to Springfield as an answer to the Bidwell's appeal. He realized that the law could not much longer work its vengeance upon the old man by confinement and he said:
"If you will waive your appeal and save the state the expense and trouble of fighting it, the state will agree to release your father."
For a moment the son hesitated. His attorneys had promised his hope of defeating the sentence and he had great faith in his appeal.
"You say you will release my father if I go to the penitentiary?" he asked.
The prosecutor nodded in assent.
"Agreed," said the younger Bidwell, with trembling voice.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 13, 1909]

PERHAPS LAST FAREWELL
Bidding each other perhaps their last farewell, Benson Bidwell and his son Charles, who were convicted of running a confidence game in connection with the selling of stock in a "cold motor" concern, parted in the Cook county jail Saturday -- the aged father going to the home of his daughter to pass his declining days and the son, who sacrificed his chances for freedom to save his parent, returning to his cell to await the officers who will take him to the penitentiary.
The parting scene was one of the most pathetic ever witnessed in the dismal north-side bastile. For an hour father and son sat talking in low tones in the office of the jailer.
When the time came for the old man to leave he rose feebly from his chair, and, grasping the hand of his son, both gave way to tears.
The son tenderly kissed his father as he tottered through the jail door to freedom, and then turned to go to his cell saying that the burden of his imprisonment would be lighter now.
Benson Bidwell was taken from the jail by a well-dressed, elderly looking man, who escorted him to a waiting automobile in front of the jail. His escort refused to reveal his identity, but the automobile bore the license number 1081.
John E. Lind, 351 West Chicago ave., an old friend of Bidwell's is said to have been the one who took the elder Bidwell away. The automobile used is owned by the Edgerton Livery company of which firm Lind is a member.
They went to the home of Bidwell's daughter, Miss Rose B. Bodwell, 1519 Humbolt boulevard.
Since their sentence several months ago, the Bidwells have been in the county jail, pending their appeal to the supreme court. The old man has been gradually failing and is not expected to live long. The son offered to give up his appeal at once if his father was released.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 27, 1909]

BIDWELL, BENSON, "PROF."
See: Patents and Inventions

BIDWELL, SYLVIA [Rochester, Indiana]
See Sylvia May Wallace.

BIDWELL'S CANDY KITCHEN [Rochester, Indiana]
See Benson Bidwell
__________

[Adv] $10 in Gold. New Year's Present given to you by BIDWELL'S CANDY KITCHEN and LUNCH COUNTER. Each time you spend Ten Cents for our Pure Candy or at our Lunch Counter we will give you a Ticket. - - - - BIDWELL'S CANDY KITCHEN AND LUNCH ROOM.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, November 25, 1891]

BIG ISLAND [Lake Manitou]
Big Island, located W of Bessmore Park, the northernmost island of a cluster of four islands.

BIG STORE [Rochester, Indiana]
See Geo. H. Wallace
__________

THE BIG STORE SOLD
The Big Store owned by Geo. H. Wallace & Sons, has changed hands and Mr. Max Eichberg, formerly of South Bend who has invoiced the stock will open up tomorrow morning.
The Big Store has always done a big business. Mr. Eichberg is said to be a hustler, and with Harry and Charley Wallace remaining with him to help him get acquainted he will, no doubt, do a large business.
The transaction which gave Mr. Eichberg the store also gave him the building and Mr. Wallace takes 720 acres of land near North Judson. Both men are highly pleased with their trade as Eichberg is at his best as a merchant and Wallace makes lots of easy money in the land business.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, November 1, 1907]

BIGFOOT, INDIANA [Newcastle Township]
Located in Section 20, on farm owned by Jacob Long, and around 1950 owned by Wilvin LONG. It missed being a crossroad town by one-fourth of a mile and was on a straight east and west dirt highway, between 400N and 450N. Another source places it on 450N about a mile and a half west of the Kosciusko County line.
It was formerly called Henpeck, but because there were other towns in Indiana by the same name, [one in Cass County, later called Twelve Mile], the Postoffice Department sometime in the 1870's requested that a new name be given.
One room school nearby called Yale school.
Post office in Strong's general store.
Telephone company established in 1903 by Henry Oldfather as a branch of the Peoples Mutual Telephone Company. It was easy to get a phone and join the mutual company. One could build a half mile of telephone line himeself and for this he would get stock valued at ten dollars. Trees were used as poles. There were as many as eighteen phones on a party line. Service cost one dollar a month.
Big foot exchange was sold to the Mentone Telephone Co., but continued to be listed in the phone books until Mentone sold out to the Northern Indiana Telephone Co.
Dr. Winfield Scott Shafer served the community from 1875 to 1882. Returned to Medical School in 1882, after which he moved to Rochester where he founded Rochester College in 1895 and Woodlawn Hospital in 1905.
__________

Perhaps it would be a little interesting to the readers of the Sentinel to know where BIG FOOT is located and to learn the population. BIG FOOT lies 10 miles northeast of Rochester, 4-1/2 miles west of Sevastopol, 4 miles southeast of Bloomingsburg, 9 miles northwest of Akron. He have no R.R. but one is talked of; population is about 30. It has one store, postoffice, and doctor office. We want a blacksmith and a shoemaker yet.
[Rochester Sentinel, April 14, 1883]

BIGFOOT
The interesting story of Bigfoot, a Newcastle township community that is no more, first was detailed in a story in The Rochester Sentinel about 1950. It was reprinted in the latest issue of the Fulton Cunty Historical Quarterly, along with supplemental remembrances by present-day residents.
Bigfoot -- that is an unusual name for a little town. It undoubtedly can be placed among the classical ones of Indiana, which includes Gnawbone, Santa Claus, Oceola and many others.
Bigfoot was once a thriving little village located in the northeastern part of Fulton County but is no more. Today it lives only in the memories of the oldest citizens of the neighborhood who were born and lived their entire lives in that community. Others, who resided there as boys and girls, and moved away, heard of the glorious Bigfoot days from their fathers and mothers. And so it is only natural that the little place played its full part in helping to build Fulton County. Its history while hazy in some instances is just as an important part of Americana as that of any other community that ever existed.
When the village prospered at the height of its glory it was an important center of a progressive community. There were five houses, two stores, blacksmith shop, sawmill and a small office building. The population numbered around twenty-five persons.
What happened to Bigfoot that such a thriving community should fade out of existence? When rural free delivery and the model T Ford came into the lives of the inhabitants, it just went the way of all flesh. The houses and stores, one after another, became empty during the late eighties and nineties. Fire brought more destruction. The last store closed its doors about 1908. Gradually the place became deserted. The remaining structures were torn down or moved away. Today all that remains is one house nearby. A long pine tree and a lilac bush grow where the village once stood.
The settlement was located about eleven miles northeast of Rochester, almost in the center of Newcastle Township. The site, which is in section twenty, was on a farm owned today by Wilvin Long, who inherited the land from his father and grandfather. It missed being a crossroad town by one-fourth of a mile and was on a straight east and west dirt highway.
How did the village get that unusual odd name is the first question everyone asks. It is the opinion of most authorities, all of whom were pioneers of Bigfoot, that it originated from the title of an Indian chief, who once lived in that vicinity with his tribe. The name springs up in Indian history over the middle west, being somewhat common with Whitehorse and others.
Henry Colfax Heighway, who was born in the neighborhood says along with several others that the original name of the village was "Henpeck." When the progressive citizens decided to make application for the establishment of a postoffice there, sometime in the seventies, they were requested by the Postoffice Department to give it another name. There were other Henpecks in the State. One was nearby in Cass County and that town is now Twelve Mile. Mr. Heighway says that it was discussed in a cracker barrel session at the store. Jacob Long spoke up, when asked to suggest a name, and said, "Oh, Bigfoot, I guess." The application was promptly filled out and sent in that way. So Henpeck changed its name and Bigfoot it was for all time to come.
Marion Fultz, another pioneer and native of the community, remembers Henpeck and says that the name Bigfoot came from that of an Indian Chief. But Val Zimmerman, of Rochester, who as a youth helped his father at many funerals in the vicinity has a different story. He states that he once talked about this with Artie Eaton and they figured it out that the village got its name otherwise. After every rain, Val says, the heavy rich clay soil stuck to the farmers' boots and everyone of them quickly developed '"a big foot" -- which was quite often. Hence Bigfoot came as a natural name for the place.
Mrs. Jestina Mickey of Rochester, was born and grew up in Bigfoot. She says the first white man to own the farm on which the village was located was her father, Joseph Severns. A heavy growth of virgin timber stood there when the first building was erected. In 1865 the farm was sold to Jacob Long, grandfather of the present owner. Shortly thereafter Long saw the beginning of the little town.
Artemas A. Miller, who was born on a farm three-fourths of a mile east of the site, and still lives there, says the first structure was a farm house on the north side of the road where Marion Bybee later lived for several years. But the building that really started the village, he states, was a combination store and dwelling. It was erected by a man whose name has been forgotten. That was possibly around the year 1865. Several years later, about 1870, the business was purchased by Lewis Strong who took possession of the place. Shortly afterwards he built a larger building to the east and moved his store there. The other was used as a residence.
Mrs. Susie (Thompson) Rogers of Oakland, California, writes that she has been to Bigfoot "a thousand times, more or less." The Strong store, she says, was in the main room and there he sold dry goods and groceries. They had two children, Clinton and Emma. There was also a barn where he kept his horse and a small building in which vegetables and canned goods were stored. Mrs. Rogers worked for them at different times.
There seems to be no complete history of Bigfoot business houses through the years but old timers give quite a list of store owners who followed Lewis Strong after his untimely death, which will be told later. Included were Peter Busenberg, John Miller, Lewis Norris, Allen Jefferies, David Busenberg and James Coplen. The latter was the father of Gene Coplen, druggist of Rochester. "Jimmy" was forced out of business when the store burned in 1889, and it was never rebuilt. Gene relates that his father had taken out insurance in a new company and they were unable to pay him anything. It was a total loss.
A Fulton County atlas published in 1883 lists Bigfoot and states that a general store was located there, owned by Busenberg and Jefferies. Those who remember the partners say that Dave was a plump and jolly fellow, while Allen had a more serious disposition. In due time Dave bought his partner out.
At various times there was a second store located in Bigfoot and this chamged hands many times. William Barrett started the first one in front of his blacksmith shop about 1883. When Coplen was burned out the postoffice moved to Barrett's. Orange Meredith constructed a building and started a store. He had the postoffice for a time. At another period Elmer E. Jefferies
and Mart Kizer were in business together. Lena Hartman was a proprietor for a time. There was also Ora Anderson and his mother, Sarah Long, and they sold to Allen Long. In later years a Mr. Chatto was a merchant there. There were probably other store owners but their names were not forthcoming.
During the years when the store prospered the merchants ran huckster wagons over the nearby country to gather eggs, butter and poultry which they traded for groceries and dry goods.
Most of the old timers agree that the first postoffice was located in the Lewis Strong store. Mail was brought by horseback originally from Warsaw. When a "star" route was set up from Rochester to Talma, then called Bloomingsburg, the mail sack was brought from the latter village every Tuesday and Saturday. Joshua Tipton was a mail carrier for several years, then the Bert Taylor family took over the job and later Ollie Moore brought it on from Athens. Saturday afternoon was the big time of the week in Bigfoot and at the postoffice. As many as fifty farmers would gather in the general store to await the mail. They came in afoot, by horseback, by wagon and by buggy. This was the day they not only received mail but the Sentinel (Democratic) and the Republican (GOP), the two county weekly newspapers, arrived. Everyone could get up to date on the political and local news of the county.
The usual procedure was for the postmaster to dump the contents of the mail sack on to the counter. He would pick up each piece of mail and call out the name. If the recipient was present he answered "here" and it was thrown to him. If the person addressed was absent then it went into a postoffice box to await his arrival.
Mail was slow in those days but then no one was in a hurry. For instance, a letter mailed in Bigfoot late Tuesday afternoon would be sent out Saturday to Talma. It would be picked up there on Tuesday and taken to Rochester and then sent on its way by train. When rural free delivery out of Rochester was established in the county it marked the beginning of the end of the Bigfoot postoffice. It was no longer needed. When the postoffice was finally closed this came as a death blow and the village saw the Saturday afternoon crowds no more. The people were at home or they had gone to other towns to do their trading.
Bigfoor was somewhat ahead of other pioneer villages because it once boasted of its own telephone exchange, the true mark of a future metropolis. Organization work went on for almost two years. Then the mutual company was established by Allen Long about 1903 when the switchboard was installed in his home. He was the son of Jacob Long, founder of the village. Allen was the operator, lineman, foreman, bookkeeper, manager, and general trouble shooter. It is believed that the first president of the company was Henry Oldfather, who financed the business.
It was easy to get a phone and join the mutual company. One could build a half mile of telephone line himself and for this he would get stock valued at $10.00. Or if a citizen had the money he could pay in $10.00, get his stock and the half mile of line would be built for him. Trees were used for poles and there was not much worry about good construction -- audible conversation was the only goal.
Connection with the outside world was made the first year through a single line to Mentone. One local wire extended west to the Clarence Peterson farm. Another went to the Steel Ewing home. A line traveled south to Arch Stinsons and another reached northwest towards Talma. Dr. A. A. Stinson and Francis Richardson in Athens both were served from the Bigfoot exchange.
Mr. Oldfather acted as both president and secretary and issued the stock certificates. Frank Laird and Ephram Smith did most of the soliciting to get people interested A young man by the name of Elery Zoiner installed the phones in the homes, strung wires and installed the switch board. Later Long learned to do all this work. When the lines were being built the workers stuck up poles which were small trees with the bark still on. The single wires sometimes were simply laid between the bracket and the pole. Often there were no insulators. The wires remained this way several years before they were tied in. Subscribers reported that when the poles and brackets were wet there was considerable noise on the line and conversation was almost impossible.
There were as many as 18 phones on one party line and it was often difficult to get through to cemtral. There were about 100 subscribers at one time, all members of the company. The service cost $1.00 per month.
Later the exchange was moved into the Charles Witham house about the time Long moved to Mentone to take charge of the exchange there. The company had just sold out to the Mentone outfit. Loren Busenberg also ran the exchange but it was only for a short time.
Later the Northern Indiana Telephone Company bought the Mentone exchange and Bigfoot went along with it. The subscribers then transferred to the Mentone or Akron or Rochester systems and once that was done the Bigfoot exchange was out of business. That was the last business of the village and it followed the others into oblivion.
The people there for several years had another outlet to the outside world. The Rochester Telephone Company ran a line to the village and placed a public phone in the Sam Shobe residence. Those who wanted to call someone at Rochester direct came to the Shobe home and used that phone.
Oldtimers remember Allen Long as a progressive type of business man. Among other things he owned a horseless carriage. It had high buggy wheels with solid tires, a dashboard and the engine was up front. The power was delivered by heavy chains to the rear axle. At times the machine made a speed of six miles per hour over the rough country roads.
Bigfoot for some time boasted of a sawmill. This brought considerable activity to the community as buildings were being erected on every newly cleared farm. Not much is remembered about it although the mill operated in the place for a number of yers. Lewis Strong built and operated the first one. Marion Bybee rant it for several years. No other owners have been reported.
The first man to start shoeing horses was thought to be Isaac Tipton and his smithy was located on the north side of the road. In 1880 James Jameson of Tennessee brought his wife and two children to Bigfoot. He was young and willing to work so Peter Busenberg helped him to get started. A shop was built for Jameson at the west end of the village. The newcomer made good and in time became the sole owner of the business. William Barrett, store owner, operated the blacksmith shop about 1890.
Nearly all of the pioneers recall seeing the big huckster wagon, drawn by four horses, come into Bigfoot nearly every week. This was a new business started in Warsaw by some young German boys, the three Beyer Brothers. They bought butter, eggs and poultry and made a reputation for honest dealing. Their business grew with the years, and they established plants at Warsaw, Rochester any many other towns. They later sold the Rochester plant and others to Armour and Company. Ed Beyer for years was a leading business man of Rochester, being the founder of the electric company which is now the Public Service Company plant and of the Indiana Bank & Trust Company.
The story of Bigfoot and its citizens would be incomplete if Dr. Winfield Scott Shafer is left unmentioned. The well known physician, who later founded Rochester College and Woodlawn Hospital in Rochester, started his practice of medicine in this country community. He first lived in a log house on the east side of the road, south of the village. Later he moved one-half mile north and then into Bigfoot. He was there from 1875 to 1882. In the beginning he worked on a farm in the day time and attended the sick whenever called, day or night. He would travel on foot or horseback. He also taught singing in order to help make a living. While there he decided to become better prepared for his medical work. He turned over his practice to a Dr. Kizer and went to college again. When he finished he moved to Rochester and was a leading physician here until his death.
Another well known doctor who started practice in Bigfoor was Dr. E. E. Rhodes. He also moved to Rochester and his widow, Mrs. Clara Rhodes, is living in Rochester today. Dr. Ziker built himself a small office in the settlement. It burned down along with the general store in the 1889 fire.
The greatest tragedy that came to Bigfoot was the accidental death of Lewis Strong. In addition to his other business interests he operated two or three threshing outfits. He brought the engine and separator to the Albert Heighway farm, east of the possum Hollow school. The latter's young son, Henry Colfax, sat nearby and watched when something went wrong with the engine. While Strong stood at the front of the machine to try and get it off dead center the crown sheet burst out behind. This thrust the engine forward towards the separator. The left front wheel struck a stump and the tongue went into the ground throwing the engine into the air and completely over just six feet away from Colfax. Mr. Strong was thrown on the side of the separator, scalded and fatally injured. He died two weels later.
Bigfoot once had a baseball team that was the pride of the community -- just like the famous Red Fellows of Rochester. They won many games when the nine was going good. They played barehanded and some of them went into action barefooted. Jimmy Coplen was a star member of the team.
The little town once made political history by erecting the highest hickory flag pole in the county if not the state. It seems that the hickory tree for years was the emblem of the Democratic party and there were plenty of Democrats around Bigfoot. In the campaign of 1880 the Bigfoot Democrats erected a hickory flag pole carrying the United States flag and the Democratic banner. It was constructed by splicing three trees together with heavy iron bands and it was over 100 feet high. After serving its purpose the gigantic pole was sawed down and the tall stump was used as a hitching post for many years.
The folks who grew up in and near Bigfoot lived the open life. They used oxen to clear away the trees which gave them stump-covered ground to raise crops. They rebuilt the chimneys to their homes every fall with stone and at the top with logs, clay and straw. They walked to Bigfoot whenever the horses were working in the fields and in the worst weather they rode along mud roads on horseback. The women cooked meals over open fireplaces and later used wood burning kitchen stoves. A visit to Rochester was something that occurred about twice a year and youngsters never forgot the long ride there and back in the big wagon pulled by a team of strong horses.
These remembrances complete the story of a community that was founded in the wilds when life was rugged. Bigfoot was born, grew and played its part to develop builders and leaders who had faith in their country and helped it to go forward. Then when the stores they had built were no longer needed the little place did not die. Like an old soldier -- it just faded away.
Editor's Note: The information which makes this story possible was contributed voluntarily by many persons, most of whom were native of the Bigfoot community. Those who wrote to the editor or gave data in person were Artemas A. Miller, 75, who still lived at Bigfoot, having been born on a farm three-quarters of a mile east of there; Mrs. Emma Meredith, daughter of Lewis Strong, who was born in the first building her parents owned, grew up and still lived in the community; William Norris, who lived one mile southeast of Bigfoot, where he was born; Mrs. Addie Jefferies Walburn of Akron, who was born in Bigfoot in 1876; Mrs. Minnie Jefferies Wood of Lowell, born there in 1871; Mrs. Susie Rogers, Oakland, Cal.; Mrs. Jestina Mickey, Rochester; Val Zimmerman, Rochester; Colfax Heighway; Marion Fultz, who was born 2 1/2 miles west and lived there until he was 18; Perry Jefferies, Rochester, a native of the community; Dr. A. E. Stinson, and his son, Dr. Dean Stinson, of Rochester.
__________

YALE SCHOOL SERVED THE BIGFOOT COMMUNITY
One of the things I recall vividly was the string band which met informally and irregularly in the Allen Long store during the years from about 1902 until 1908. Among the players (I'm not sure they were musicians in the technical sense because they all played by ear) were Allen Long, fiddle; Earl Smith, banjo; Guy Busenburg, guitar; Levi Hartman, second fiddle. They all played all the old barn dance tunes although they never played for dances, only for their own "amazement."
Do you remember who had the telephone numbers "12 on 16" and "1 1/2 on 2?"
I suppose I could fill several typewritten pages of anecdotes which my Dad related to me and which happened to me but I think the most historical items of which I am acquainted, by hearsay or personal knowledge, are related in the Bigfoot story.
One item I think of which is not covered in The Sentinel story concerns the school which served the Bigfoot neighborhood during the years immediately preceding 1900 and the following years.
Yale school, District No. 5, Newcastle township, was located a few rods west of the crossroads west of Sycamore cemetery. It was a brick, one room building with the usual large wood burning stove located in the center of the room.
When I started to school in 1901, the teacher was Jerry Byers of Talma. He had only 48 pupils scattered through all eight grades. Some of the pupils who were older than I were Walter and Zora Coplen, Mary and Maggie Laird, Bessie Tipton and LaVerda Anderson.
The other teachers I remember were Bert Myers, Dow Haimbaugh, Rex Haimbaugh, Loren Bryant and Lloyd Eherenman.
One correction to be made in The Sentinel story is the statement to the effect that Allen Long established the telephone company.
The Bigfoot exchange was one of the exchanges of the Peoples Mutual Telephone company of which Henry Oldfather was one of the chief organizers.
When the exchange was established at Bigfoot, it was located in the Allen Long residence in a room back of the general store. There was a crew of four operators.
They were Allen his wife (Jennie), myself and my sister, Marcia. Of course, we, Marcia and I, were too young at the beginning of the exchange to operate the switchboard but as we grew old enough, we took turns. -- HARRY LONG.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, January 13, 1967]

BIGFOOT POSTOFFICE [Bigfoot, Indiana]
Located in Section 20, on farm owned around 1950 by Wilvin LONG. It missed being a crossroad town by one-fourth of a mile and was on a straight east and west dirt highway, between 400N and 450N. Another source places it on 450N about a mile and a half west of the Kosciusko County line.
[F.C.H.S. Files]

BIGFOOT POSTMASTERS [Bigfoot, Indiana]
Lewis Strong, Dec 21, 1875, Peter Busenburg, Mar 13, 1879.
James H. Kizer, Nov 28 1881, David Busenburg, July 8, 1884.
Orange Meredith, Dec 4, 1884. James Jamison, Sept 11, 1885.
Lewis Norris, Nov 24, 1898. William W. Bacutt, NB June 22, 1893. May 12, 1890. Ora C. Anderson, Oct 10, 1897.
Peter Busenburg, July 18, 1898. Ps to Akron, Jan 10, 1901, Take effect Jan 31, 1901.
Ps. to Akron Jan 10, 1901, take effect Jan 31, 1901.
[F.C.H.S. Files]

BIGFOOT TELEPHONE COMPANY [Big Foot, Indiana]
PHONE PLANTS SOLD
The Peoples Mutual Telephone Co., owning plants at Burket, Mentone, Big Foot and Silver Lake, with H. L. Oldfather as manager, has been sold to E. Braude and F. J. Zimmerman.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 29, 1915]

BIGGS, ALLEN [Henry Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Allen Biggs, a native of Montgomery County, Va., was born March 7, 1815. His father, James Biggs, was of English parentage, and was married to Elizabeth Price, of German ancestry, both natives of Virginia. Young Allen was a pupil in such schools as his neighborhood afforded, and secured an ordinary education, following in his youth as in after life the vocation of farmer. He came with his parents to Indiana in 1834, and in 1836 located near Gilead, Miami County, where his father entered a tract of land, being one of the earliest settlers of that locality, and where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1866. In June, 1838, Mr. Biggs was united in marriage to Elizabeth Johnson, and in the autumn of the same year he settled in Henry Township, Fulton County, where he yet resides. At that time there was but one white man living between his house and Rochester, a distance of ten miles. Mr. Biggs' homestead consists of 160 acres of first-class land, which at his settlement thereon was an unbroken forest; but cultivated fields and a good orchard have taken the place of he wilderness; and a commodious residence built in 1857, and other valuable farm buildings have superseded the primitive cabin. To these hardy pioneers were born eleven children, whose births occurred in the following order: John A., James, Mary E., Paris, Andrew J., Nancy J., Eliza A., William, Ballard P., Banner L. and Carrie A. The eldest two, John W. and James, united with the Eighty-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry in 1862. The former died in hospital at Nashville, Tenn.,in February, 1864. The latter was discharged on account of physical disability in February, 1865, and lived but three days after reaching home. William and Ballard have also deceased. Of the others, Banner and Carrie are yet under the parental roof, while the rest are married and residents of the same vicinity as their father. Mr. Biggs is a successful farmer and genial and esteemed gentleman.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, pp. 36-37]

BIGGS, DALE [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Dale Biggs)

BIGLER, CHARLES ROBERT [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Bob Bigler)
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ROBT. BIGLER'S CASE TO BE DECIDED OCTOBER 24
South Bend, Oct. 16. (INS) - Twelve defendants pladed guilty and five innocent when arraigned before Judge Thomas W. Slick in the Northern Indiana District Federal court here today.
Cases of those who pleaded guilty were referred to the probation department and Judge Slick set their disposal date for October 24th.
Included among those pleading guilty to charges were Charles Robert Bigler, 18, Rochester, national banking act.
The local youth was placed under arrest by Rochester officers for the theft of a $500 bill taken from the Farmers & Merchants bank a few months ago. Bigler was later released under $1,000 bond.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, October 16, 1941]

ROBERT BIGLER IS SHOWN LENIENCY BY JUDGE SLICK
South Bend, Ind., Oct 24. (INS) - The youth of Charles Robert Bigler, 18, of Rochester, today saved him from serving a Federal prison sentence.
Federal Judge Thomas W. Slick today sentenced Bigler to serve one year in prison for violation of the Federal Banking Act, but suspended the sentence and placed him on probation for three years.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, October 24, 1941]

BIGLER GETS WINGS
* * * * Photo * * * *
Lieut. Charles Robert Bigler, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Bigler, of Logansport, formerly of this city, received his "Wings" and commission at Luke Field, Phoenix, Ariz., January 4th, 1943.
"Bob" graduated from the Rochester high school in 1941 and was a member of the Zebra quintet. He started his aviation training at Santa Ana in Tulare, Calif., and received his advance schooling at Demoore, Calif., and at Luke Field, Ariz.
Following his graduation, he was transferred to Wendover Field, Utah, where he is receiving a special course in piloting the large four-motored B-17 bombers.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, January 14, 1943]

PILOT KILLED AT CONTROLS,
BOB BIGLER STEADIES FORTRESS TO BOMB HAMBURG
Lieut. Robert Bigler, former Rochester resident and R.H.S. athlete, enlisted in the Army Air Corps over a year ago with an eagerness known only to youth. Now he is fighting in the war, not only with that same eagerness, but with a vengeance.
Bigler and his flying companion, Lieut. Willis C. Carlisle, figured in the news over the week-end, as a United Press dispatch told of the plane's flight through a hell of Nazi cannonfire over Hamburg, hundred-time bombed German city.
The local boy lived through that cannonfire, but Lieut. Carlisle, who had been Bigler's inseparable companion since their training days at Wendover Field, Utah, will never fly again. He died at the controls of his Flying Fortress, named the "Judy B," after his baby daughter, and Bigler has promised the Judy B. will perpetuate his memory.
The "big guy," as Carlisle was known to his friends because of his husky, 180-pound frame, has been buried in a little English churchyard, 3,000 miles away from his home at Houston, Texas.
The fact that the Judy B. got back to her base can be credited to Bigler - whose 135 pounds were a distinct contrast to Carlisle's large build.
Bob's experience, which he said he never hopes to see anything like it again, was told quietly in his own words.
"It was five minutes before our bomb run over Hamburg Sunday," he said. "A Nazi fighter came in shooting at my side and knocked out my oxygen. A shell glanced on the back of my seat and hit the pilot's back. The pilot slumped over and I tried to hold him up with one hand and hold the ship in formation with the other. If I had let him slump I would have been unable to control the ship. We made our bomb run with me driving with one hand.
"Afterward the bombardier stood between me and the pilot's seat and held my oxygen hose to the pilot's air line so I could breathe. Then we tried to get the pilot's foot from under the rudder pedal where it was caught.
"While we were working on it 30 minutes out over the sea, the plane went out of control, falling 2,000 feet a minute. We were at 16,000 feet when we began to drop and were at 8,500 when we pulled out. The bombardier leaned down in another attempt to extricate Carlile's foot but his head caught between the instrument panel and the pilot's stick and he couldn't get back up.
"Meanwhile, the plane was still in a spin despite all I could do and fighters were swarming us on all sides. The gunners calmly kept bangng away and four fighters were knocked down.
"Finally we got the bombardier's head out of its trap and discovered that the automatic pilot had been switched on accidentaly. This was causing the ship to tumble, not the pilot's foot, as the automatic pilot was not set correctly. We switched it off and managed to right the ship.
"By this time the bombardier and I were so weak for lack of oxygen that we were barely able to keep upright. The fact we had knocked down four enemy planes made them wary and we were able to catch another group (of Fortresses) and come home with them."
Bigler's parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Bigler, are former residents of this city, now residing in Logansport. His wife, the former Betty Jennens, is living in Rochester. He graduated from Rochester high school in 1941 and has been stationed in England as a Flying Fortress pilot for several months.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, August 2, 1943]

BIGLER GETS AIR MEDAL FOR COMBAT MISSIONS
Lieut. Robert Bigler, former resident of this city has been awarded the Air Medal in England in recognition of five bomber combat missions over enemy-occupied Europe the War Department announced yesterday. Lt. Bigler's parents Mr. and Mrs. John Bigler now reside in Logansport.
Bigler was the subject of a recent press dispatch telling how he brought his Flying Fortress home from a raid over Hamburg after the pilot had been killed at the controls. He has been in the Air Corps since April, 1942, and has been overseas since April 20. His wife, the former Betty Jennens, resides at 813 Pontiac street.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, August 14, 1943]

VERSATILE
Lieut. Charles Robert Bigler, former resident of this city, now a U. S. Army Air Force pilot in England, is getting to be a versatile pilot.
Lieut. Bigler, an Associated Press dispatch reported today, acted as a tail gnner of the lead bomber of an American Squadron that blasted Poix-Amiens, France, yesterday. Bigler has flown several missions over occupied Europe as both pilot and co-pilot, but the task of gunner is apparently a new experience for the 19-year-old Rochester youth.
Crews of all planes in the raid on Poix-Amiens reported direct hits on the target despite heavy opposition from enemy anti-aircraft guns and interceptor planes.
"I know we hit it right on the button," Lieut. Bigler said. He was recently awarded the air medal for combat missions over Europe.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, August 17, 1943]

LIEUT. ROBERT BIGLER, ROCHESTER AIR HERO,
LISTED AS MISSING IN ACTION OVER EUROPE
A Rochester air hero, Lieut. Charles Robert Bigler, who has figured in the news more times than any other local boy now serving overseas, is missing in action.
Lieut. Bigler's wife, the former Betty Jennens, 813 Pontiac street, received a telegram from the War Department, yesterday stating that her husband has been missing in action since August 16 in the European area. No other details were given in the brief message, except that if any further information is discovered, it will be forwarded to her immediately.
Bigler, who graduated from Rochester high school in 1941 after serving as a varsity athlete on the R.H.S. basketball and track teams for three years, has been stationed with the U. S. Air Force in England since April 20, 1943. He entered the air corps in April, 1942.

Awarded Air Medal
A veteran of at least twelve bombing missions, Lieut. Bigler was recently awarded the Air Medal at his England base in recognition of five combat missions over enemy-occupied Europe. In a letter received by Mrs. Bigler early this month, he stated that he had then participated in his twelfth combat trip over Nazi territory. The last letter written by Bigler was received by his wife yesterday and was dated August 11th. Therefore, his record of flying missions undoubtedly had increased from twelve since the last report early this month.
There is a possibility that his plane was forced down in enemy territory and that he escaped unhurt. If so, he is probably being held in a German detention camp and will be eventually listed as a prisoner of war.
Lieut. Bigler's parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Bigler, former residents of this city, now reside in Logansport.

Intrepid Flyer
The local boy's name has figutred in the war news more than once during the past month. He earned the reputation of being an intrepid flyer when a press dispatch on August 2 told of his flight over Hamburg in the Flying Fortress "Judy B," when his best friend, Lieut. Willis C. Carlisle, of Houson, Txas, was killed at the controls and Bigler took over the big plane, made the bomb run over the city, and returned safely to his base. He did this in spite of the fact that Carlisle's body jammed the controls and German fighters were swarming all around the Fortress.
Versatility was added to his record in the air force, when a dispatch on August 1 told of his serving as a tail-gunner on the lead bomber of an American squadron that blasted Poix-Amiens, France. This was evidently an attempt to fulfill his oath to avenge the death of his friend, Lieut. Carlisle, in the Hamburg raid.
Bigler, a first lieutenant, usually piloted his own bomber, but had served wherever he was needed during the past few weeks.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, August 26, 1943]

LIEUT. "BOB" BIGLER FEATURED IN AMERICAN LEGION ARTICLE
The November issue of The American Legion magazine publishes a featured article by Captain John C. Lane as told to Fred B Barton, in which Lieut. C. Robert Bigler, of this city, who is still on the "missing in action" list, receives nationwide publicity and honor for bravery in action. The article evidently was written before Lieut. Bigler was reported "missing in action" while on a similar bombing raid over Axis-held territory.
Excerpts from the article which will be of interest to Bob's local friends, follow:
"One of our newest and bravest heroes, however, is a young man named Second Lieutenant Charles R. Bigler, from Rochester, Indiana. Bigler is a co-pilot. Odd thing, that, because his ability entitled him to be made a first pilot, but he refused the honor. There were two reasons. First, he's a little fellow, about five feet, two and lacking (as he thought) in self-confidence. Second, he was a born hero worshiper. And his particular hero was a man named First Lieutenant Willis B. Carlisle from Houston, Texas. Carlisle was pilot of Bigler's plane. He was a husky 180-pounder; enough to make two of Bigler, almost.

Gets Promotion
"Bigler gets the promotion he dreamed, after all. He probably gets a DSC for bravery too. It happendcd this way:
"Carlisle's plane had not yet reached the target--an important munitions plant in Cassel, Germany--when a chance .30 calibre bullet from an enemy plane caught him fair. He just had time to turn to his co-pilot and say, 'Well, little Big, it's your turn now. Take over. Make it a good bomb-run.' Then he crumpled. His full weight fell across the controls, tipping the stick forward and threatening to throw the plane off its target.
"There was no chance to call for help from the navigator and bombardier. To tear them from their posts just then would have nullified the effectiveness of the whole mission. Bigler braced his feet, held back the controls with his right hand and tried to pull Carlisle's body loose with his left. They dropped their bombs, as scheduled. Then Staff Sergeant Albert T. Tyler of Burbank, California, the top-gunner, rushed forward and helped. Bigler needed help, because his oxygen supply had been out, and a couple of times he nearly passed out. (They used up the hand oxygen bottles in a hurry and finally tore loose a well-tank of the precious gas from back in the waist and brought this forward.)
"Bigler called for help now that the mission had been accomplished, but the intercommunicating phone system had gone dead. At high altitudes and with enemy gun-fire demanding attention the average man has enough to do to look after his own position in the bombing plane; every man has a job, and you don't wander around the ship needlessly. Bigler called three times for help before anybody heard him.

Controls Jammed
"Even then they had a problem on their hands. While the navigator, Second Lieutenant John W. Bradley of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, took over all three nose-guns--and brought down a Nazi plane single-handed--the bombardier climbed back into the pilot's cabin to help. He was First Lieutenant Joseph G. Glaser of Williamston, Michigan. Bundled up in thick flying clothes and parachute he was hampered in his movements, and the pilots' cabin with its duplicate controls is of course a compact and crowded space. And the dead pilot had been a big man. Glaser found that Carlisle's right foot had wedged in beside the rudder pedals. In straining and pulling to lift the dead man's foot and leg it somehow happened that Glaser inside his oxygen mask got his head jammed between the controls and the dash panel, with the stick pushed forward. Somehow about this time the button got pulled out that brings the automatic pilot into play, and that acelerated the descent of the plane. They dropped from 16,000 feet to 8,500 feet in four and one-half minutes, but by that time Glaser had pried the dead pilot free and Bigler ws able to level off.
"Then calmly and decisively little Bigler put his plane in another U. S. formation and flew back with that escort to safe ground. The plane had accomplished its mission and nine men returned safe.
"Glaser has been cited for the Silver Star. Staff Sergeant Tyler has been cited for the Distinguished Flying Cross. But Bigler will probably get the Distinguished Service Cross. For it was Bigler wo piloted that 56,000-pound bombing plane and brought it back to safety. The man who didn't think he had hero stuff in him turned out to be the hero of the month. And he has just turned 19."
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, November 6, 1943]

MRS. BIGLER AWARDED SECOND MEDAL SATURDAY
At an impressive reareat-review Saturday afternoon at Baer Field, Mrs. Betty E. Bigler of Rochester, received an Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters for her husband, Second Lieut. Charles R. Bigler, who is missing in action.
The award was Betty's second within a month's time. On October 30th, she received the Distinguished Flying Cross in behalf of her husband's "extraordinary achievement while serving as a co-pilot of a B-17 bomber over Germany."
Mrs. Bigler, base officers, and base Commander Col. Robert L. Copsey watched a review of several hundred troops.
The award was presented by a high ranking Air Corps officer, the citation was read by Warrant Officer Lloyd H. Deffenbaugh and the commander of the troops was Second Lieut. Walter S. Beckman.
Mrs. Bigler was accompanied to Baer Field by her mother, Mrs. T. A. Jennens, of this city, and Mrs. Jack Morris and Miss Kate Morris, both of Akron.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, November 22, 1943]

LIEUT. 'BOB' BIGLER ALIVE AND BACK ON DUTY
MISSING SINCE AUG. 10 PILOT OF FORTRESS RETURNS TO ENGLAND
Lieut. Robert "Bob" Bigler is alive and well.
That news, though slightly more cryptic than a War Department message, received by Mrs. Betty (Jennens) Bigler at 10 o'clock a.m. Monday morning, through regular U. S. mail service, was joyously received by the bomber pilot's wife and a host of friends in this community.
Lieut. Bigler had been missing on a bombing mission, presumably over France since August 16th, 1943. His wife, who resides with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Jennens, 813 Pontiac street, this city on August 25th, 1943, received official notice from the War Department, Washington, D.C., that Lieut Robert Bigler was missing in action while on a raid over enemy territory on August 16th.
Today's message, which was from the Adjutant General's Office, Washington, D.C., read:
"Mrs. Betty Bigler
"Rochester, Ind.
"Dear Mrs. Bigler:
"A report has been received that Lieut. Robert Bigler has returned to his unit for duty. You can write him at his old address . . ."
In an interview with Betty this morning, she stated that at no time had she given up hope that her husband was alive and well. When questioned as to why she held this implicit faith that all was well with "Bob" she replied:
Saw "Bob" Leap
"Well, you see we received word from a member of the crew, who escaped by 'chute and was taken prisoner by the Germans, that he had seen "Bob" bail out and start to earth safely."
The bomber pilot's wife later received reliable information that four of the members of Bigler's bomber crew had parachuted to safety from the crippled Fortress "Judy B" and were taken prisoners by the Nazis.
It was the belief of the diminutive Rochester bomber pilot's wife that he had landed on French soil and had been given aid by the French underground agencies. The fact, that it took "Bob" practically eight months to work back to his base in England gives credence to Mrs. Bigler's supposition.

Cited For Bravery
Lieut. Bigler received world-wide recognition for an act of bravery and excellent flying ability, when on a bombing mission over Germany, his co-pilot was killed by fire from an enemy plane. With his friend's body entangled with his own and also with part of the mechanism of the huge bomber jammed, "Bob" brought the battered craft and its crew to a safe landing at its home base in England.
"Little Big," as Bigler's U.S. Air Corps friends call him, was a graduate of the R.H.S. with the class of '41. He was also a star on the R.H.S. zebra basketball squad and a member of the track team.
Lieut. Bigler's parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Bigler, reside in Logansport.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, May 1, 1944]

'BOB' BIGLER, 20, RETIRED FROM COMBAT DUTY, DUE HOME SOON
If Betty Bigler, pretty wife of Lieut. "Bob" Bigler, had any doubts about the authenticity of a War department letter apprising her that her husband, who had been on the missing list for over eight months, was O.K., such qualms were thoroughly squelched yesterday when the local postman brought her nine air mail letters all in the familiar handwriting of her bomber pilot husband.
This small avalanche of correspondence was written between April 23 to 29 and was presumably mailed from an air base in England.
Gave No Details
In an interview with Betty today she stated "Bob" did not give any details as to how he had worked his way back to England after he parachuted to enemy soil when his four-motored bomber, the "Judy B," was destroyed by the Nazis while returning from a mission over Germany on Aug. 16, 1943.
Lieut. Bigler's wife, from the time the first news came in that "Bob" was missing in action, was secure in her belief that her husband was still alive. Later word received from another member of the crew who escaped via parachute from the wrecked "Judy B" and was taken prisoner in Germany, related that "Bob" was seen floating safely earthward on his 'chute.
In one of the letters received yesterday, Lieut. Bigler stated he had seen Don (Cy) Stout, another Rochester aviator, who is stationed in England. Incidentally, Bigler informed his wife that he sure caught up on the home news as Stout gave him a bundle of recent NewsSentinels. "Bob" stated he had just completed a "test" flight with one of the big four-motored bombers and came through all right.
Pilots who have been out of service for any length of time are required to make a "test" run before they are qualified to return to duty. Bigler also reported that he had also had a flight in the Allies' new B-19 bomber which is rated to be the finest fighting and bombing craft in the world. A number of these will be put in use during the coming invasion.
Mrs. Bigler stated her long-missing husband would return to his home here in Rochester on or before this coming August. Under the rules of the U. S. Air Corps Lieut. Bigler will not have to fly on any more combat missions in any theatre of war. This rule holds good wherever a flier is shot down over enemy territory, it was stated.
Bigler also stated he was to be advanced to the rank of first lieutenant on May 7. Mrs. Bigler received her husband's Distinguished Flying Cross in a ceremony held at Baer Field, Fort Wayne, Oct. 21, 1943. "Bob," who is a graduate of Rochester High school and a former star of the Zebra basketball squad, graduated as a veteran of bomber pilots at the age of 20 years.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, May 5, 1944]

WAR ACE WILL RETURN TO ROCHESTER SATURDAY
Return of Rochester's World war II ace, Lieut. Robert "Bob" Bigler, will be made sometime Saturday, it was learned last night by Mrs. Betty Bigler, the former Betty Jennens and now wife of the famous flier.
The nationally known Rochester man, for many months listed by the War department as missing in action, was announed alive and well May 1. He had been reported lost on a bombing mission, presumably over France since Aug. 16, 1943.
"Little Big,"as his Air Corps companions dubbed him, informed his wife of his homecoming last night by telephone from New York City, after he was accorded a 21-day leave. It is not officially known how long Lieut. Bigler has been in this country although it is believed that he arrived in the United States about a week ago. War department regulations restrict overseas fliers from notifying anyone of their arrival until they have been in this country a week.
Receives Nationwide Recognition
The one-time Rochester High school basketball star and co-captain of the Zebras received world-wide recognition for an act of bravery and excellent flying ability, when on a bombing mission over Germany his co-pilot was killed by an enemy plane's machine gun fire. With his friend'sbody entangled with his own and also with part of the mechanism of the huge bomber jammed, "Bob" brought the battered craft and its crew to a safe landing at its home base in England.
Lieut. Bigler was reported safe by friends on the bomber, the "Judy B," after the plane was forced down over Europe. A crew member wrote Mrs. Bigler and friends of "B" that he watched the youthful pilot parachute to safety over occupied territory.
Escape from occupied Europe by Lieut. Bigler is a story not yet revealed although many contend that he returned to England via the French underground.
Lieut.Bigler's parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Bigler, reside in Logansport.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, May 12, 1944]

LT. BIGLER PROCESSED AT MIAMI BEACH, FLA.
According to the Public Relations office at Miami Beach, Fla., First Lieut. Charles R. Bigler, 21, Rochester war ace recently returned from active duty in the European war theater, is now being processed through the Air Forces Redistribution Station No. 2 at Miami Beach, where his next assignment will be recommended.
Lt. Bigler is under the careful surveillance of officials there who will pool their joint findings and use them in determining new assignments for the local youth.
A majority of his two-weeks' stay at the redistribution station will be utilized by Lt. Bigler in rest and recreation.
Meanwhile, more facts concerning the bomber pilot's career outside the United States were received here, also through Public Relations channels.
The release stated that the nationally known pilot flew 14 missions during one year in the European theater, shooting down one enemy plane. A pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress, Lt. Bigler won the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters. Wounded in combat, he also wears the Purple Heart.
His wife, the former Betty Jennens, resides at 813 Pontiac street. Mr. and Mrs. John Bigler, parents of the young officer, live at 1012 Spear street, Logansport.
He was graduated from Rochester High school in 1941 and was a four letter man on the basketball squad.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, June 14, 1944]

BILBY, WM. [Macy, Miami County, Indiana]
See: Carvey, Peter & John

BILL'S TIRE SHOP [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC. I have taken the agency for the famous Fisk Tires and Tubes. Light bulbs, fan belts, spark plugs and other automobile accessories carried in stock. BILL'S TIRE SHOP, Tire and Battery Service. 503 North Main Street. Phone 311.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, June 13, 1930]

BILLINGS, CLAUDE [Akron, Indiana]
See: Akron News
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AKRON EDITOR HONORED
Claude Billings, editor of the Akron News, was honored by his fellow members of the Indiana [Republican] Editorial Association at their annual meeting in Indianapolis Saturday when they elected him to be second vice-president of the association for the coming year. Last year Mr. Billings was the treasurer of the organization, W. C. Pershing, 92, Indianapolis, former Rochester editor and a past president of the G.O.P. editorial group was honored by the association at their annual banquet Saturday evening.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, February 10, 1941]

CLAUDE BILLINGS NAMED TREASURER OF G.O.P. EDS
Indianapolis, April 30. - Floyd F. Oursler, publisher of The Argus, of Cynthiana, was elected president of the Indiana Republican Editors' Association in their annual meeting which was held at the Claypool hotel, Saturday.
Principal speakers for the evening were U. S. Sen. Raymond S. Willis, former Sen. James J. Davis of Pennsylvania, Gov. Ralph F. Gates and William Jenner, secretary.
Other officers elected were George Huish of East Chicago, publisher of the Calumet News; John Sellers of Franklin, second vice-president and publisher of Republican; Claude Billings, treasurer of Akron, of the Akron News, and Otto Harris of Loogootee, secretary.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, April 30, 1945]

BILYEW, CHARLEY [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Louderback Garage

BILYEW, CLAUDE [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Claude Bilyew)
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Second Letter From Claude Bilyew)

BILYEW, MARY [Rochester, Indiana]
MRS. MARY BILYEW TO OPEN BEAUTY SHOPPE
Mrs. Mary Bilyew announced today that she has leased the room at 110 East Eighth street in the Bernetha building in which to open a beauty shop within the next week or so.
Mrs. Bilyew is a graduate of the Wayne university of Fort Wayne and has been a beauty operator for several years. She will operate her parlor under the name of "Mary's Shoppe."
Mrs. Bilyew's parents are Mr. and Mrs. Earl Fry, and her husband is Pfc. Claude Bilyew who is now serving overseas.
The News-Sentinel, Monday, February 22, 1943]

BIRD AND BEE MAN [Rochester, Indiana]
See also Henry A. Pershing, Fulton Co. Folks, Vol. 1, Willard.
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LOCAL NEWS
Col. I. W. Brown will address the citizens of Miami county at Bogg's Hall at Macy, tomorrow night on the subject of "Birds and Bees." The usual admission fee -- one yard of smoked sausage will be received at the conclusion of the lecture from each gentleman in attandance. Ladies free.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, February 1, 1900]

BROWN MAKES HIT
An Associated Press special was flashed out from New York last night which is of such interest to Rochester, that a corroboration of the SENTINEL'S announcement that Col. I. W. Brown was called to New York by Helen Gould to confer with her on the bird and insect question. The special is dated at New York and Says:
"Miss Helen Gould has decided to aid in fighting the mosquito and also to drive out the sparrow, which bird, naturalists believe is one cause of the prevalence of the insect. For some days Miss Gould has had among her guests at her country home at Roxbury, N.Y., Colonel Isaac W. Brown. Colonel Brown is known throughout the West as "the bird and bee man" of Indiana. For a number of years he has been a recognized authority on the habits of birds, bees and insects. Miss Gould has become interested in Colonel Brown's work and he is giving her and her friends instruction in natural history, giving particular attention to the mosquito."
At last the "Col" has reached the goal of his ambition -- got next to prominence in the United States. [- -? - -] years ago when the Sentinel first commenced advertising him as a genius in bird and bee lore and gave him a start with the public he met with every ordinary appreciation. He lectured in country school houses, usually walking out to the place of meeting and gratefully accepted sausage, cabbage, apple butter, pumpkin pies and other "eatables" as compensation gifts from his audience. Then he took to street corner lecturing and made his way, financially, by passing the hat. Then he had his lectures on birds and bees printed in pamphlet form, sold them after his lectures, and the income from this, the products of his garden at home, and the generosity of numerous friends put him on "easy street." Then he commenced lecturing to Farmer's Institutes on Bob White and the Bumblebee at so much per and went from there to the primary department of city schools where he made a great hit and more money. Then he toook employment as lecturer at Winona Seminar School and while there captivated a friend of Miss Helen Gould's to such an extent that the famous heiress and philanthorpist invited the "Col." to go to her home on the Hudson and teach her how to help the birds and fight mosquitoes and he accepted.
"Col" Brown may be not much of a scientist, as many people know, but his unique way of telling what he knows captivates new acquaintances and he has done much good in stimulating sentiments of bird protection among the children of the land. And now that he has struck it rich and will have money to throw at the birds -- the bad ones -- a good many people in Rochester who befriended him in other years are hoping he will not forget them.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, August 20, 1904]

WHAT ISAAC TOLD HELEN
In a column article relative to Isaac W. Brown's visit to Helen Gould in behalf of his bird and bee crusade, the New York Times says:
Miss Gould has been tramping and driving all about the country with her guests. She is very enthusiastic over his theories for the preservation of birds and the extermination of bugs. The naturalist's visit will probably result in the extending of substantial aid to his plans by her. Col. Brown has been pointing out to her today that twelve or fiften varities of birds have their nests near her house.
"Every bird has its bug" pretty nearly expresses the Colonel's gospel. The quail is the great enemy of the Hessian fly, that is proving so disastrous to the wheat corps in the West now. The potato bug has begun to do untold damage in Colorado since so many thousands of their winged devourers were killed a few years ago to afford plumage to women's hats.
"The quail ought to be semi domesticated," Col. Brown said to one of his friends this morning. "If the wheat growers in the West only realized how these fat, timid birds would eat up the flies they would never go out and kill them with guns or catch them in nets.
The quail is the most pacific bird in existence. I think the Lord made it so just because he knew how much it would be needed to fight these insect enemies of man."
This morning Col. Brown got up at 4 o'clock. He does this every morning, he says. He started out in the woods with two or three men whom he had persuaded to get up with him. They passed a dead apple tree. It looked very commonplace, but the naturalist rushed up to it as if he were making a great discovery.
"Just look at that!" he cried to the others.
"What is it? We don't see anything but a dead tree," one of them answered.
"Why, just look at the spider web. The spider has built it there to entrap the pests that have killed this tree. They are doing something man couldn't do. I'll just cut this limb off and take it back to show to Miss Gould," and he did.
"In my own town," he said today, "I offer a standing reward of $5 to anyone who will show me a mouse caught by a cat in either May, June, or July. Cats never catch them then, so my $5 is safe. That's another reason why birds should not be interfered with -- they help do away with the mice."
At Winona Lake, Indiana, Col. Brown has put up a lot of boxes for martins. He lectures near these boxes to the students at the Summer school there, and says none of them ever get bitten by a mosquito because the birds eat them as fast as they come.
The naturalist, John Burroughs, lives near here. The Westerner has the profundest admiration for him. One of the first trips he made after his arrival was to go over to see Mr. Burroughs. He was sorely disappointed to find him away from home.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, August 22, 1904]

ISAAC STILL SLICES MUSTARD
The Morning News of Dallas, Texas, speaking of the presence of Col. I. W. Brown, the famous Indiana naturalist says:
J. W. Everman, who is looking after Col. Brown's entertainment, stated last night that Col. Brown would deliver a lecture tomorrow evening at the second Presbyterian church, corner of Wood and Woodward streets, beginning at 9 o'clock. Monday morning at 10 o'clock there will be a reception to Col. Brown by the business men at the Commercial Club.
In Indiana and other Northern states Mr. Brown has become famous because of the effectiveness of his teachings of natural history. The philosophy of nature has been his study for the last fifty years and during this time he has acquired a competent knowledge of the habits of birds and insects and their place in the kingdom of nature.
He was seen at his hotel last night and related many incidents which could perhaps be profitably applied in the treatment of birds and insects in Texas.
"The people of the North are interested in cotton," said Col. Brown, "and we would like to see Texas get rid of the pest. I was the guest of Miss Helen Gould recently, and the conversation drifted to the boll weevil. Miss Gould loves humanity, but she is particularly interested in the people of Texas. When Taxes or Texas people are mentioned her face lights up with a smile as mine would should you mention some very dear friend of mine. When I acknowledged that I knew little of the habits of the boll weevil and would like to come to Texas and make a closer study of the pest, Mrs. Gould offered to pay my expenses. That's why I am here.
"I classify the birds into four classes -- scavengers of the air, scavengers of the blossoms and flowers, scavengers of the forests and fruit trees and scavengers of the ground. My lecture tomorrow night will deal exclusively with those birds that must feed on the ground and their economic value. My text will be "Behold the fowls of the air; they sow not, neither do they reap, but your Heavenly Father tendeth them.
It might be considered inappropriate to deliver a lecture in a church on Sunday evening, but I don't think this one will be, because I intend to call attention to the goodness of the Heavenly Father and His kindness to everything that he has created. It will be one of my schoolmaster's talks, such as were the 1,100 I delivered in Ohio last year."
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, September 6, 1904]

STILL TALKING AT ISAAC
Milwaukee Sentinel:
From Dallas, Tex., comes the cheering intelligence that Col. Isaac Brown, an Indiana ornithologist, is in that town to study the boll weevil situation and devise a remedy for this pest of the cotton industry. As the boll weevil is not a bird it is not quite clear at first glance why the mission should be undertaken by an ornithologist. But it seems that Col. Brown has a theory that "for every insect dangerous to vegetable life a bird has been created to exterminate it" -- which brings the boll weevil situation within the purview of his scientific specialty.
It might be asked why, on Col. Brown's hypothesis of providential automatic extermination, there are any predatory insects left to prey on vegetable life. But passing that perhaps captious criticism of a truly attractive theory, it may be assumed that the Colonel's errand in Texas is to look up the particular kind which is created to exterminate the boll weevil, and see why it is not attending to business. It should be added that the expenses of this noteworthy investigation are to be paid by the ever beneficient Miss Helen Gould, who has talked the matter over with the Indiana ornithologist, and is disposed, so to speak, to "take a flyer" at his ingenious project. All will join in wishing success to Col. Brown, and in hoping that he will get his hyupothetical bird and the boll weevil together in time to help the forthcoming cotton crop.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, September 14, 1904]

ISAAC AND HELEN
Miss Helen Gould, the multi-millionaire heiress, of New York, was in Peru last week, and the Journal "got its line on her." and she gave the Journal to understand that she is of the opinion that Isaac W. Brown is a - - - [not readable] - - - man. Miss Gould, after she had Colonel Brown go down to Texas to investigate the boll weevil, thought that it would be a good idea to have that gentleman in and around New York City for a while to lecture to the school children about how to encourage bird life in that vicinity. Lecturers have been excluded from the schools of New York City for years, but when Colonel Brown called on the principals of the schools and showed them a letter of introduction signed by Miss Helen M. Gould there was no longer any effort made to stop Colonel Brown from accomplishing his desire to speak to the children. That he immediately began to find encouragement in his work was shown by the interest taken by the children. "It is remarkable how quick the children took up with the idea," said a member of Miss Gould's party here Tuesday night. That Colonel Brown is receiving a salary of seventy-five dollars a week from Miss Gould, as reported, was denied, but the person giving the information said that Miss Gould was paying the "bird and bee" man's expenss and that he will remain in the east for many days yet.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, October 11, 1904]

BOOSTING ISAAC
A new religious magazine called "The Bible Record" came into existence about a year ago and at once became a favorite with all christian people who were interested in the advanced study of the Bible. The articles which it has published have been by the foremost religious writers of the day and it contains no advertisements. Yet the subscription fee is but a nominal one. Many have been the surmises as to who was financing the paper, but now that the last copy contains a full-page picture of Col. Isaac W. Brown, the "bird and bee man" of this city, and also a two-page write-up of him and his work, in addition to two articles by him, one on the purple martin and the other on the dove, there remains but little doubt that Miss Helen Gould is financing the paper.
It seems that the interest Miss Gould has taken in the work of Isaac will bring him in permanent prominence and prosperity, and the famous "sausage tours," of the Colonel's will be mentioned only in whispers.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, November 7, 1904]

HELEN GOULD COMING
Rochester is to have a most distinguished guest this summer in the person of Miss Helen Gould, the famous New York heiress and philanthropist. She has promised to come for a few days visit with Col. I. W. Brown, in August, and while on this visit will take in Winona as a side trip.
Miss Gould is greatly intersted in Col. Brown's crusade for bird protection and insect extermination and believes so firmly in his unique methods of educating the boys and girls to be humane that she will furnish ample means to push the good work all over the country.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, June 23, 1905]

HELEN PASSED US UP
The much talked of visit of Helen Gould to Rochester to see Isaac W. Brown seems to have been all talk. Helen has been to Winona and gone back home but Col. Isaac was not there and neither was he in Rochester to receive her in his home as had been widely published. Just why all this disappointment the SENTINEL doesn't know but Miss Gould did the handsome thing for Winona while there. She turned over to the Winona association property in New York of the value of $500,000, including the New York Bible Institute. Miss Gould has been a liberal supporter of the institute, having donated large sums to it. The Winona Assembly desired to get hold of such an institution in the east where young men could be trained for the ministry, for missionaries, Y.M.C.A work, Sunday school and other Christian work.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, October 5, 1905]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Today's Indianapolis Star has a two column portrait showing Col. I. W. Brown as a sick man, and an accompaning special tells how he has broken in health, as he is at French Lick trying to get relief from nervous affliction.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, November 1, 1905]

ROCHESTER AUTHOR
Of course literary ability is so common in the good old Hoosier state as to excite little or no comment, but it is probably not generally known that Rochester has an author "right in her midst" who has just completed a volume which will soon be off the press, and that the book will assuredly be one of the "best sellers."
Col. Isaac W. Brown has completed, after several months of labor, a volume which will bear the title "Some Birds and Their Relation to You," which will soon be issued by the Teachers' Journal Publishing Company of Marion, Ind. The book will deal with the habits of some of the common birds and their relation to the economy of nature. The book is designed to appeal especially to school children and to instill a love of nature in the youthful mind. Mr. Brown's publishers anticipate a large sale of the book, and as they are specialists in school publications they can usually gauge the popularity of a book in advance. An unusually large edition is being printed and will soon be placed on the market.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 4, 1911]

MORE HONOR FOR FULTON COUNTY
That in Fulton county lives a man who, more than any other person, is responsible for the assumption of concern over migratory and insectivorous birds by the government, in the recent agricultural act, is a fact ascertained today by a Sentinel representative. Col. I. W. Brown is the man.
The spreading of the "protect the birds" doctrine has been the Colonel's life work. He has spoken in almost every state in the union, and attracted the attention of many notable persons, among them Mrs. Helen Gould Shepherd, who aided him materially in his work. During his extensive lecture tour, Col. Brown stopped at Washington several years ago, and through the kindness of a friend was permitted to address a select audience of congressmen, senators, others and their wifes. Here the seed was sown, for Mr. Brown's appeal to the women that the government should protect the birds, was so strong, that it finally resulted in the incorporation of the clause in the recent act, printed in Wednesday's Sentinel.
As to Hunting
The Colonel was not interested in the protection of game girds, especially, but thinks it will do no harm to let them be unmolested for a year or so until the government can make laws governing their pursuit. It is not thought to be the intention of the government to absolutely prohibit hunting of duck, snipe, etc. This clause was inserted in the bill by the Senate, with a hope of killing the entire measure, but failed in its purpose.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, March 20, 1913]

SURE ENOUGH -- HE ENDED IT
Isaac Washington Brown, the "Bird and bee man," who has lectured in every state in the nation on the necessity of conserving and propagating the birds of the country, and who prosecuted his research work for years under the patronage of Helen Gould, Wednesday night closed his career as a public lecturer in Logansport where he started it thirteen years ago.
It was a whim of Col. Brown that he close his career as a lecturer there because in the first public lecture he ever gave, which was delivered there, he made a prophecy and pronounced a warning which, he says, went unheeded, but the prophecy is fulfilled.
"Thirteen years ago in your city," said Col. Brown, "I told you that unless we cared for and protected the birds of this country we would come upon the day when, instead of being able to boast that we can 'feed the world,' we would be compelled to import food products from abroad.
"Tonight I announce to you the fulfilment of this prophecy. Your press dispatches announce the coming of wheat from the Argentine, wheat and oats from Canada, potatoes from Ireland and Germany."
In closing his last public lecture Col. Brown paid an eloquent tribute to Miss Helen Gould.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, January 15, 1914]

WHAT'S THIS? BROWN TO SPEAK
Col. Isaac W. Brown, whose retirement was announced in the Sentinel last week, is coming out of seclusion long enough to go to Washington for a specific purpose.
"On behlaf of the birds of the world," he informs Representative Barnhart, according to a Washington correspondent, "I am coming to Washington to thank the congress of the United States for the passing of the law for the protection of migratory birds, and I am going to do it in a way that will attract the attention of the newspapers of the country."
The Colonel, who is a genius, probably will address a meeting of members of congress and their wives at Congress Hall hotel. The meeting will be arranged for by Barnhart and Senator Kern. At that meeting Col. Brown will formally and impressively deliver the thanks of the birds of the world for the migratory bird act.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, January 21, 1914]

PAYS TRIBUTE TO COL. BROWN
"A prophet is never without honor save in his home country."
The following editorial clipped from Thursday's issue of the Dayton (O.) Daily News, one of the leading newspapers there, pays a high compliment to Colonel Isaac W. Brown, the Bird and Bee man of this city:
"Dayton people have an odd and altogether delightful personality among them. Colonel Isaac Brown, a Hoosier Audobon, is talking to the school children about birds. It will be worth more to them than a whole week of regular school instruction, for the Colonel will not only tell them things they never knew before, but he will put the love of birds into their hearts and tell them why birds should be protected, because of their value to man. The youngsters do not have the only chance to hear the naturalist. He will lecture in the Steele high school auditorium, Thursday evening, and the public is invited. It will be well worth while. It is not often one can hear a man who knows birds first-hand, and the opportunity ought to be taken advantage of."
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 27, 1914]

COLONEL BROWN DIES SUDDENLY
Isaac Washington BROWN, familiarly known as "Colonel," Rochester's well known bird and bee man, closed sixty-six years of activity Monday night at 10:35 o'clock, when he passed away suddenly in his home on west 16th street following an attack of acute bronchitis.
Colonel Brown was in Chicago last week, was taken ill with indigestion and returned home Wednesday. His condition was not considered serious until Monday afternoon when matters took a turn for the worse. Acute bronchitis suddenly developed and the Colonel died before Mrs. Brown could reach a telephone to summon Dr. Charles GOULD who had been in charge of the case.
Coloner Brown was known all over the middle west and parts of the east as the "Bird and Bee Man," specializing in lectures on these subjects. He never disdained to speak publicly, but confined most of his efforts to school buildings, it being no exaggeration to say that hundreds of thousands of pupils have heard him speak. It was while he was engaged in this work that he attracted the attention of Miss Helen GOULD in 1904. She sent him to Texas where he studied the boll weavil and the Hessian fly, and then lectured for three years under her, at a substantial salary, filled numerous Winona engagements and spoke in the large Eastern cities. At this time he assembled a tidy fortune, which has been more or less cut down since by unfortunate investments. He essayed to run a model meat market, bought considerable property, and visited the Chicago board of trade, where he was a well known figure for many years.
Isaac Washington BROWN, son of John D. and Rebecca BROWN, was born in Carroll County, Indiana, May 27, 1848. He ran away from home when 16 years of age joined the 135th Infantry and served during the war of the rebellion. He came to Rochester in 1870 and entered a law office, but practiced very little. He was united in marriage with Emma STRONG, December 25th, 1872. To this union two sons were born, DeWitt [BROWN], Raiford, Fla., and Ray [BROWN], Seymour, Indiana. There also survive besides the widow, two brothers, Will [BROWN] of Tipton, Ind., and James [BROWN] of Hoopston, Ill., and three sisters, Mrs. Lizzie CULLER, Indianapolis, Mrs. Nellie ROWLEY, Rochester, Mrs. Mell THURBER, New York City.
Col. Brown was a member of the I.O.O.F. and K. of P. lodges. The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon in charge of Odd Fellows.
Colonel Isaac W. BROWN was probably Rochester's most picturesque character, and a legion of friends will join his family in their grief. It is doubtful if there lives another man who had a similar life work and it is certain that the good done by the "bird and bee" man will live long after him. He was peculiar, yes and like most prophets, without great honor in his home community, but his efforts had results. While not a naturalist, he knew much of nature, especially of bird and insect life, and he made practical use of his knowledge. He was a genuine friend of winged creatures and they, as well as the people, will miss the "Colonel."
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, August 25, 1914]

THE GOSPEL OF ISAAC WASHINGTON BROWN
Considered Comment
Jack K. Overmyer
Isaac Washington.Brown was a naturalist ahead of his time, a man fervently committed to spreading his message of conservation directly to the public which might translate it into action. Ike Brown understood the value of mass communication before that concept was known.
Considered little more than an amusing eccentric in his home town of Rochester during his lifetime, he nevertheless brought national attention to the city by the fame he achieved farther afield as "The Bird and Bee Man of Indiana." Ironically, in the end it also had to be others who made certain his significant passage through life would not be forgotten.
At the time of his death in 1914, Brown for 20 years had traveled throughout Indiana: and to 24 other states, including New York on the east, Texas and California to the west. Everywhere his eloquent, entertaining message was the same: appreciate and protect the birds because they are vital to our quality of life.
While Brown's journeys took him far from Indiana it was here that he developed the gospel of bird protection that he spread throughout the nation.
Ike Brown was born in Carroll County in 1848 and ran away from home at the age of 16 to join the Union army. He became known as Colonel Brown during his lecturing career, but it was a title of respect rather than rank. Ike volunteered late in the Civil War, saw no action and remained a private.
He came to Rochester in 1870, following his parents who moved here during the
war years. After his marriage to Emrna Strong he first studied law but found it too boring. He then became a speculator on the Chicago Board of Trade and at times was grandly successful. He made several small fortunes, but lost each one by poor investments or market turns.
Wiped out one last time, Brown decided to become a public lecturer and put his engaging personality to work. He spoke of this plan to a local friend, Sherman Gibbons, who lent him a few books about birds. The subject had met the man. Soon Ike developed a 20 minute talk that he enhanced in woods where he sought birds, learned to imitate their calls and practiced his speech. ..
Where to launch this career? At Talma school, nine miles northeast of Rochester, teachers Arthur Deamer and Roy Jones were close friends. So in 1894 Ike walked there and wowed students with his tale.of the habits, nestings and calls of birds.
This convinced him he was on the right track. For the next 10 years he went from schoolhouse to schoolhouse hereabouts, often on foot for he had no horse and little money. He'd take up a collection after his talks, sometimes getting money, other times food. He spoke in cities and towns, often without notice but always with a resounding reception.
The local folks found Brown's new career curious but hardly a thing to be taken seriously. Ike decided on a bold venture: he'd take his act to nearby Warsaw where the Winona Lake Assembly regularly featured lecturers and entertainers of national reputation. His tall, bearded figure appeared on the Winona grounds early one morning in 1904, speaking of martins and how they destroy mosquitoes. Soon a large crowd gathered to listen, spellbound. He repeated the performance two more mornings. Managers of the Assembly noticed that their early lectures were becoming poorly attended, so they investigated, discovered and then hired Colonel Brown as a regular lecturer. He appeared there seasonally until 1910, often attracting 200 persons on his morning bird walk-lectures.
While at Winona he attracted the aitention of philanthropist Helen Gould of New York, millionairess daughter of Erie Railroad magnate Jay Gould. This was the break that made him a national celebrity because for two years, 1906-08, Miss Gould sponsored him at the handsome annual salary of $5,000 and a free pass on the Eric so he could travel the nation propagating his message.
After his contract with Miss Gould expired, Colonel Brown chose to return to family life in Rochester and from then until his death Aug. 24, 1914, he traveled the state widely, bearing wherever he went a letter of introduction from Gov. Thomas Marshall.
At his death Brown was buried in the IOOF cemetery where, 14 years later, his South Bend friend Henry Pershing found his grave unmarked by any monument. Saddened, Pershing called this to the attention of the Indiana Audubon Society of which he was an official.
On June 21, 1931, almost 17 years after Isaac Washington Brown's death, 300 persons saw unveiled at his gravesite a large, Indiana boulder to which was affixed a bronze plaque. On the plaque is engraved his likeness and these words: "Erected and dedicated by the Indiana Audubon Society and friends in loving memory of Isaac Washington Brown, known over the United States as 'The Bird and Bee Man.' He traveled by various methods all over the country and spread the gospel of bird protection which has been of untold sentimental and economic benefit to mankind."
It was a fitting tribute, at last to Rochester's "Bird and Bee Man." Local citizens made some amends for their past indifference by providing the boulder and some of the necessary funds. Former Congressman Henry Barnhart, the .Colonel's longtime friend and supporter, spoke the eulogy at the ceremony.
Of Ike Brown's Rochester descendants, granddaughter Billie Brown Rigdon lives today in Syracuse, Ind. Steve Brown, a great-grandson, resides in the Boston area.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, October 7, 1997]

THE LATE "BIRD AND BEE BROWN," FORMERLY OF ROCHESTER,
MENTIONED IN MEMOIRS OF MARSHALL
The following reference was made to the late Colonel Isaac Washington Brown, pioneer bird and bee man of this city, in the memoirs of Vice President Thomas R. Marshall, which are appearing in the Indianapolis Star in serial form:
"Of recent years, both in fiction and in fact, much has been written about Main street. Some think it crude, half-civilized, perhaps barbaric, and certainly soul depressing; while others have imagined - perhaps even believed - that it is the most cultured and cultivated strip of ground in America. That from it proceed all the virtues and along his highway walk all the men and women worth while in the republic. Of course neither view is correct. To a man of Indiana, old Boston as we know it in the years gone before it became an annex to the Irish Free State, was provincial. A Hoosier in the manner born and manner bred, and a denizen of Indiana was equally provincial to the citizens of Boston. The real truth is that we are not provincial in and of ourselves, but we are provincial each to the other on account of the phraseology with which we express our thoughts or the way in which we lead our lives." May I be permitted to illustrate?
"I believe one of the most intelligent men along the line of ornithology that there ever was in Indiana was a man locally known as Bird and Bee Brown. His reputation along these lines spread beyond the confines of the state and attracted the attention of Mrs. Shepard, who was then Miss Helen Gould. This man Brown, however, led the simple life of the early pioneers and nature lovers of Indiana. He had not been educated up to the niceties of what is known in many places as polite society. The then Miss Gould invited him to New York and asked him to dinner, that she might obtain information as to his knowledge upon his specialty. He went - a plain and humble Hoosier unused to the elaborate details of the very rich.
"When he returned to his little Indiana hamlet, he is said to have described that dinner in somewhat this language: That it was the most remarkable dinner he had ever been seated at in his life. That he found at his plate all sorts of implements which, in due season, he learned were to be used in "putting away," as he recalled it, the different kinds of food that were served to him, and marvel of all marvels, he told these friends of his, back of every chair there stood a hostler.
Well, I suppose that Miss Gould was provincial to him and he if not worse, to Miss Gould."
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Saturday, September 19, 1925]

SOME REMINISCENCES ON THE LIFE OF THE
LATE COL. ISAAC BROWN, BIRD AND BEE MAN
[NOTE: The following appeared in The News-Sentinel in three issues, beginning October 4 and ending October 6, 1928, and are consolidated as follows]:
Editor's Note: In a recent issue of The South Bend Tribune there appeared a page feature article on the life of Col. Isaac Washington Brown, who a few years ago was one of the best known citizens of Rochester. The story was written by Henry A. PERSHING of South Bend, who came to Rochester to get the information on the famous "Bird and Bee Man." By kind permission of The South Bend Tribune and of the author, Mr. Pershing, the story is reprinted in The News-Sentinel, along with pictures loaned. It will be carried in three installments.
Installment One
Indiana has been the home of many well known men - poets, writers, travelers, orators, artists, presidents of the United States and many others in all the walks of life, but it never had but one Col. Isaac Washington Brown, known all over the country during his lifetime as the bird and bee man of Indiana.
He was surely a unique character and for some 20 years traveled over the United States, some times on foot, at other times on trains, with horse and buggy, any way to get there to deliver his message; and the burden of his cry was "Don't kill the birds!"
He was born in Carroll county, Indiana, May 27, 1848, a son of John E. and Rebecca BROWN. He was brought up on the farm, assisting his father and at the same time getting well acquainted with birds and bees as would any normal boy. He attended the ungraded schools nearby and secured as much of the rudiments of an education as could be gotten from those poorly taught country schools of that early day; but he learned to love nature, roaming the woods and meaduws listening to the quail, the meadowlark, the robin and wren and naturally became a student of nature.
* * * * * photo of Col. Isaac Washington Brown * * * * *
At the age of 16, being of a very active disposition, he could not resist the call for volunteers in the Civil War which was then raging. He was rather young to secure enlistment at home so, boy like, he ran away and enlisted in Company C 135th Indiana infantry, for six months. He had a lot of fun over his experiences, for he was ever far from the battle line. Once however the enemy did get a trifle too close when he and some of the boys were out on a foraging expedition and they were fired upon. When he returned to camp he very pompously marched to the commanding officer's headquarters, saluted the guard and informed him he had an important report to make. Upon being admitted to the presence of that dignitary, who, inquiring as to the reason of his presence, Brown replied in a very important manner, "Sir, I wish to report to you that we have been fired upon by the enemy."
Moves to Rochester, Ind.
During his absence his father moved to another farm close to Lake Manitou, near Rochester, Ind. In 1870 the young man went to Rochester to reside and lived there until his death. In 1872 he married Emma STRONG. A short time after we find him studying law. In this he was not very persevering. In fact, it was a calling not at all to his liking, for his active mind required something that had more push and pull in it, for he was possessed of an impulsive character that called for action. The law was too slow.
He later became a sort of secretary for Hutchinson, the noted Chicago board of trade minipulator, who had him act as crop inspector and assist in tabulating crop reports from over the country. In this manner "Old Hutch," as he was commonly known, tried the better to keep in touch with the price of wheat. Eventually Brown became quite an operator on the board of trade in Chicago and many are the stories told of his flush times when he would go home from some of his lucky deals. Once he returned with some $6,000, a big sum for those times. He was not happy with so much money. He wanted to spend it and see it doing something so he bought a meat market and advertised that everything would be on a cash basis. He would do no delivering. The result was that he did not make a success. He was 20 years ahead of his time.
Then he bought a hotel. He said no meals would be servied, rooms only. Well, the traveling public was not ready for that either, so that investment was a loss. But nothing could down Brown. He was full of energy and after getting more funds he went back to Chicago and tried speculating again. He won and as soon as he struck home again he decided something had to be done with that extra money that jingled in his pockets, so he hunted up every old soldier he could find around Rochester and presented him with a "ham of beef."
Back again to Chicago he went, happy to be in action, and the next time he returned he had another supply of cash. As he thought everything of his wife he used to say to her on such occasions, "Now Emma, lay in a stock of everything that's good to eat and wear with all the wood and coal that you need for the winter, for there's no telling." So, kissing Emma goodbye and laying a pile of bills on the table he would hike back to Chicago that was waiting for him, but this time the fates desired otherwise and along with his preceptor, Hutchinson, who lost everything trying to corner the wheat market, Brown lost his all. He returned home, shorn but not whipped. To be sure he had his soldier's pension to depend on but that was amall and inadequate. He must be busy and it must be something that required action.
He has always been a good talker, quick of thought and never at a loss for words. He was quick, red headed, big and strong and he must be doing something that has action in it. He would become a public lecturer, talk to crowds, sway the public with his utterances and accomplish some good at the same time, so he decided he would make a special study of birds, get up an interesting lecture and talk to the schools and the children. He was familiar with the habits of birds and wild life and it would be an easy task and a pleasant labor fraught with greet good.
He had a friend, Sherman Gibbons, to whom he explained his intentions and was furnished by him with a number of books on birds with the result that he soon had prepared a 20 minute talk which he felt sure would be well received. In order to become proficient in his delivery he would go out into the woods, hunt the birds, learn their calls and at the same time practice his speech until he felt the master of his theme. If the birds would sit on the fence rails and listen to him surely the children would, but he must find some audience on which to try it.
Walks Nine Miles to Talk
Everybody liked Brown and he had many friends. Among them were two country school teachers in the village of Talma, nine miles from Rochester, teaching in a two story brick school house. Arthur Deamer was the principal, and Roy Jones, now Fulton county school superintendent, was his assistant. On asking their consent to allow him to deliver his bird talk they readily agreed. Brown brushed up on his speech and walked the nine miles along the beautiful Tippecano river to Talma little dreaming that though now unknown outside of his own town he was then but making the beginning of a career which would take him from one end of the continent to the other spreading the good news and carrying the gospel of being kind to the birds with the battle cry, "Don't kill the birds!"
Arriving at Talma he found his way to the room of the principal, Mr. Deamer. The pupils were summoned from the lower room taught by Mr. Jones. Standing in the northwest corner of the room he delivered his first bird talk. It was received by the children with much applause, for all had listened closely and were interested in the subject with which they were more or less familiar but which Brown made more interesting by going into details concerning the habits of the birds, their nestings and their calls. His reception at the old Talma brick school house decided his course of action. If he could interest one school room full of children he could interest a thousand school rooms. His first talk was given in 1894.
He was poor, had no horse to carry him from school house to school house, so he went on foot. On one of his trips he walked to Mexico, Ind., a distance of some 20 miles. He sometimes used to give notice that he would be at a certain school house in the evening to talk to the farmers and their friends. He would be greeted by good audiences. After his talk, having given notice, he would proceed to take up a collection. Some would give money and others wouuld give him a few lengths of sausage or a ham or maybe potatoes. He seldom failed to receive sufficient to pay his expenses and something over for his good wife, Emma.
Talks to Country Schools
He was a near neighbor of Henry A. Barnhart, former congressman from the Thirteenth Indiana district, who appreciated the colonel, as he was commonly known, and it was of frequent occurrence for Brown to cross the lawn yelling as he approached: "Well, Henry; hitch up the old mare. I want you to take me to every school house in the county. You can talk for five minutes on the American flag and I'll talk one hour on birds." So they would start out and Brown would give talks to the country schools on his favorite subject for one whole day and many days thereafter and great good was the result. It was a serious matter to him and so earnest was he in his presentation that his fame began to go abroad. His name became familiar to the readers of the papers and he received calls from many places to talk about birds. In fact, it may be truly stated that he was the pioneer speaker in the country on that subject hence his presentation of facts was new to almost everyone and he was always listened to with attention.

Installment Two
He talked in all the Rochester schools and was invited to speak at the Indiana State normal, the Valparaiso normal and many others but he did not always wait for an invitation. He used to appear at school houses in small towns, walk into the room, introduce himself with that free and easy manner of his, "How do you do, Mr. Teacher. I was wondering if you would like to have me talk to your children about birds, the good they do and their funny ways." Of course, the teacher had heard of him and knew of his eccentricities and the reply would invariably be, "Why, certainly, colonel, we are only too glad to listen to you. Now children, keep perfectly quiet and listen to Col. Brown, who will tell us a lot of interesting things about the birds."
* * * * * Photo Where Brown First Talked * * * * *
And so he kept on, going from town to town until his name was well known for miles around. He had one characteristic which never failed him. He loved to be in the limelight. He never was bashful nor yet was he intrusive but he loved to attract attention. In public meetings he would arise in his seat and propound some question to the speaker, not to heckle him, but to get noticed. He would walk up and down the aisle of a passenger train with an oriole's nest in his hand and after he had received some attention with questions he would take his stand in one end of the car and in his loud, stentorian voice, deliver a talk on the habits of the oriole, how he built his nest, tell of the food he ate, how often he fed his babies, when he migrated. It would not be long before everyone in the car would be asking who the man was. Then he would announce to them that he was "Col. Isaac Brown, the bird and bee man of Rochester, Ind." In this way he became well known all over the West.
He proclaimed himself as a kinght errant on a crusade and was ever on the war path, so in his wanderings one day he appeared on the grounds of the Winona lake assembly near Warsaw Ind., and at an early hour in the morning gathered a crowd around him while he talked about martins and how they destroyed mosquitoes with which the grounds were very well supplied. He did this for two or three mornings. The management noticed that the lectures at the early meetings in the auditorium were very poorly attended and they soon learned the reason. They thought if he could draw such good crowds why not put him to work right on the grounds and have him become one of the regular speakers for the season. This they did with the result that he was on the regular program at Winona for nine consecutive seasons from 1902 to 1910. He was instrumental in having martin boxes placed all over the grounds so that the mosquitoes had a hard fight for their lives and finally had to move over to Warsaw and the surrounding towns to provide themselves with sufficient nourishment on account of the ferocious appetites of the martins who devoured whole families of them at a single meal, threatening their extinction. Other bird houses were also erected and thousands of children and adults on the grounds were brought to a realization of the beauty and value of the birds.
Miss Gould Becomes Interested
While at Winona in 1906 Dr. W. W. White, then editor of the Bible Record, published in New York city, heard Col. Brown and was so impressed with his interesting talks that he wrote to Miss Helen Gould, of Tarrytown, N.Y., a well known philanthropist, concerning the effectiveness of his labors. She wired him to come at once to Tarrytown as she was very much interested in his work. She sent him funds and a pass. After borrowing a white vest of Mr. Barnhart he immediately left for the East. While it is true that on account of lack of funds he was sometimes shabbily dressed he always liked to look neat, which he did when he appeared at the mansion of Miss Gould.
"Now, Mr. Brown," she said to him on their first day's meeting. "I want you to give all my guests a bird talk tomorrow morning."
"All right," said the colonel. "Meet me on the lawn at 4 o'clock tomorrow morning."
"But Col. Brown my guests cannot meet you at such an early hour."
"Very well, then, there will be no bird talk. It's 4 o'clock or not at all."
So the next morning at the unheard of hour of 4 the most of the guests were there and Brown took them a long stroll, telling of the birds they met, giving their names, their songs, their habits and their usefulness with the result that the guests declared at the breakfast table, for which all had a good appetite, that they had never spent so delightful a time. More than once were these walks indulged in, for it was all new to them and their eyes were opened to the beauties of nature and its inhabitants more than they had ever dreamed. From that time for two years Brown was in the employ of Miss Gould who gave him $5,000 a year, with a pass over all the Erie lines and all expenses paid and with Dr. Charles Gould as his companion on all his various trips from one end of the country to the other.
Travels in Many States
He traveled all over New York state, was in 24 states, including California and Texas. In the latter state he offered some valuable information as to getting rid of the boll weevil, which was then a great pest. His big solution was "quit killing the birds, especially quail, and you will not be bothered so much, for the quail is the greatest eater of weevils among all the birds." That was his cry where ever he went - "Don't kill the birds." Like the prophets warning in olden times he cried it from the walls everywhere. After his contract with Miss Gould ended he decided he would like to be at home oftener, for he was an affectionate man, loved his wife and children and his fireside and the thousands of friends of his native state. He proceeded to arrange for talks all over Indiana and as he was in constant demand he readily found it possible to give his addresses in every county in the state.
He not only interested children but adults as well. At Winona in his morning walks it was not uncommon for 200 people to follow him. In traveling over the state he would frequently stop on a street corner, as he did once in Marion, and gazed up long and intently. A policeman asked him what he was looking at. "Buzzards," said Brown. "Why, we have no buzzards around here," said the policeman. "Well," said Brown, "you have birds and they are the scavengers of the air." By this time a crowd would gather around him, he would be in his element and proceed to tell things about the birds and bees which were all new to the most of them.
This would bring him into notice and as soon as it was known he was in town some church would ask him to speak and a collection would be taken. He went from place to place, always busy, light hearted, a good word for everybody, great hand shaker, making friends and spreading the gospel of the birds wherever he went. He was in truth a character not soon to be forgotten, open hearted and generous. He would quickly give away the last dollar in his pocket to a friend in need, seeming not to think much of the morrow but trusting to luck and the Lord for his daily wants.
Wears Congressman's Trousers
He used good language, never coarse, was never at a loss for words, quick and impulsive and ready with repartee on all occasions. Once when talking to the inmates of Longcliff asylum he had as his companion Fred Landis, of Logansport, Ind. When Brown stated that the plover would fly from Indiana to the Gulf of Mexico in 11 hours Landis interrupted him by ramarking, "Don't you think that's a pretty long journey to make in 11 hours?" Brown turned on him with, "Now look here, Landis. I don't want any interruptions from a novice" and went on talking. Hon John W. Kern related that once when on a railroad car Brown entered and sat beside him whereat Kern asked him if he know Congressman Barnhart in Rochester.
"Know him," exclaimed Brown. "Well, I should say so. These are his pants I'm wearing right now," bringing his hand down on them by way of emphasis.

Third Installment
He and Barnhart were very good friends and while in Washington Brown tarried in the city for some two weeks talking in the schools. In fact, he was quite instrumental in having some bird legislation introduced in congress and some were passed. Brown, being a good mixer, was soon very popular and more than one bird talk did he give before congressmen and senators who listened to him in the cloak rooms, in the halls and wherever he could secure an audience. He had no use for President [Theodore] Roosevelt. He waid Roosevelt was a murderer.
"But colonel, you are surely going to call on the president before you leave?" said his friend.
"No sir," exclaimed Brown, "I have given strict orders that the president is not to speak to me. He and I are not in the same class."
* * * * * photo Col. Brown's Rochester Home * * * * *
He once met William Watson Woolen, of Indianapolis, who was a close student of nature and knew birds scientifically. Mr. Woolen told Mr. Barnhart that he did not think Brown knew very much about birds. When Brown was told this he exclaimed in a loud bravado tone, patting himself on the breast: "Woolen's old style. I am up-to-date." Mrs. Barnhart, the mother of Henry, being a religious lady, ventured to suggest to the colonel as he was passing the house one day: "I should think,colonel, that you's ask for the Lord to help you in your good work."
"I'm getting along very well, mother," said Brown and passed on, but he called back. "Needn't tell the Lord, mother, anything about it. I'll try to figure it out somethow." He always had a cheery word for everybody.
Once when he was descanting on the ravages of the Hessian fly and his remarks seemed a trifle strong he noted the smiles among his hearers and he cried out: "What I'm saying about the Hessian fly and its ravages is true and to back it up I am willing to hazard a piece of my reputation against $50 that I'm right."
One thing he did in all his talks was that he tried to create a human interest their thought under certain conditions. Once as he was walking with Mr. Barnhart he stopped at a telegraph pole, having first noticed that a woodpecker had a nest in a hole at the top.
"Now Henry," said he, "We'll just knock on the door to see if any one is at home."
Out flew an indignant woodpecker with a loud protest.
"Now Henry," said Brown. "Do you know what that woodpecker said when he flew out?"
"Well I hardly thnik I do," said Henry.
"Well I'll tell you what he said. He yelled at us as he flew away, "You confounded fools, you, what are you hammering on my pole for?"
Letter from Gov. Marshall
Mrs. Sherwood, of Ohio, heard him deliver one of his bird talks. It seemed to be so full of common sense that she had him visit Toledo and talk to all the schools in that city for two weeks. One very interesting occurrence took place every fall among the trees in his yard. Robins, bluejays, blackbirds and many others congregated in thousands previous to their departure for the winter and, of course, stayed all night. He explained it by saying that they knew he was their friend, and they felt safe. When Gov. Thomas R. Marshall presided in Indianapolis he gave Brown the following letter of introduction:

Executive Department State of Indiana
Jan. 11, 1911.
To the Superintendents of the several State Educational Institutions:
The bearer of this letter is Col. Isaac Brown a native born Indianian, veteran of the civil war, commonly known as "the bird and bee man." He is deeply interested in the preservation of the birds of Indiana and his lectures upon this question are not only valuable from the standpoint of conservation of our natural resources but they are also valuable in training young people along right ideals. If consistent with the condition of your institution you could arrange for the colonel to address your pupils I am very sure you would never regret having done so.
Very respectfully yours,
Thomas R. Marshall,
Governor.
Col. Brown was not only a speaker but a frequent contribuor to magazines, always writing in a plain way but tersely and to the point, especially from a practical standpoint. He loved children and they understood him. In the Chicago Examiner in 1907 in an account of his speaking to a crowd of little children in Jackson park, it says:\ "An old man with the light of kindness in his eyes stood bareheaded on yesterday afternoon on Wooded island in Jackson park and spoke to several hundred children who stood in a sheltered group on the veranda of the Japanese pagoda. It was a strange plea that came from the bearded lips of the patriarchial speaker. "Be good to the little birds my children," he said over and over again. This wonderful old stranger was the "bird man," agent of Helen Gould and a strange, picturesque old, old man he is, too; large of body as he is of soul with a merry smile for the children. He seemed an ideal harbinger of mercy and love. He stepped to the bushes and showed them how the birds lived and builded. He has studied the birds and knows their language; he trilled like a thrush, chirped like a sparrow and cawed like a crow. It was sundown when the old man took his way back to the city but he left with the children his kindly gospel of bird love."
Predicts His Own Death
But one afternoon in August, 1914 he returned home from Chicago sick and trembling. As he entered the docrole said to his wife, whom he dearly loved: "Well, Emma. I've come home to die." He was suffering from acute indigestion. He lingered a day or two and died Aug. 27 after a life of great usefulness in spreading the doctrine of being kind to the birds. Congressman Barnhart writing from Washington after his death, said of him:
He was free hearted, emotional, out spoken, over enthusiastic, industrious and picturesque. There was but one Ike Brown. Some did not like his way; and some do not like yours or mine. But he had a mission in life and accomplished vastly more for posterity than many who sneered at his method of attraction. Wherever he went, on the street corner, in college, or school, in church, in shop or field, he worked for practical results. He talked birds in trains, in cottages, in hotels, parks and palaces and his quaint but convincing logic made bird friends of everyone who listened to him. And nothing could be more in keeping than that the robins, the orioles, the turtle doves and the bluebirds should warble a requiem for the eternal rest of their great benefactor."
* * * * * Photo Marker Over Grave * * * * *
He was a member of the church, a Knight of Pythias and an Odd Fellow but strange to say no marble slab records his place of burial and although 14 years have passed since his death his lonely grave lies unmarked. As I stood by his grass grown grave it seemed sad to think that after spending the best years of his life laboring for the uplift of others all interest in him should cease when he was laid in his last resting place.
But if no stone shall ever mark his grave his words will always live in the hearts of the children to whom he talked and in the tree tops of this quiet God's acre the chorus of nature will forever sing songs of thankfulness in remembrance of the many kind words he uttered in their behalf. (THE END)
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Thursday, October 4, Friday, October 5, and Saturday, October 6, 1928]

HUGE STONE FOUND FOR ISAAC BROWN MEMORIAL
The Kiwanis Committee in charge of finding a stone which will serve as the base for the bronze plaque for the Isaac BROWN Memorial announced this morning that a beautiful stone had been delivered to a monument factory and would be made ready within a few days.
The committee consisted of A. L. WHITMER, Percy SMITH and Oren HENDRICKSON and they spent many days motoring over Fulton County and adjoining territory in search of a suitable boulder. They wanted a natural granite stone of sufficient size and with a fairly flat surface on one side and this was rather difficult to find. The one finally selected was located on the farm of George BLACK, county treasurer, about four miles southeast of Fulton. It was brought to Rochester by a truck donated by the Fulton County Motor Co.
The immense rock, which is a reddish grey in color and is a natural Indiana stone, will be set on a concrete base on the grave and the bronze tablet set in flush on the top flat surface.
The dedication of the memorial to the famed "Bird and Bee Man" will take place on the afternoon of June 21st with the Indiana Audubon Society and the Rochester Kiwanis Club in charge of the program. Members of the Brown family will be the guests of honor at the unveiling.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, June 3, 1931]

USED ARMOUR TRUCKS
In a recent story in The News-Sentinel in a recent issue regarding the Isaac W. Brown memorial it stated that the Fulton County Motor Company donated the truck for bringing in the huge stone to be used as a base for the bronze plaque. This was an error as Armour & Co donated one of their trucks and it was used to haul in the rock.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, June 5, 1931]

PLANS COMPLETED FOR UNVEILING OF COL. I. W. BROWN MEMORIAL
All plans have now been completed for the dedication and unveiling of a memorial tablet honoring Isaac Washington Brown, known the country over as "The Bird and Bee Man." The ceremony will take place next Sunday afternoon, June 21st at two o'clock central standard time, at the graveside in the I.O.O.F. cemetery here at Rochester.
The honor is being paid to a noted public benefactor seventeen years after he died, as he passed away on August 24, 1914 at his home on West Tenth Street. The idea of a fitting monument to be placed over the heretofore unmarked grave originated in the mind of Henry Pershing of South Bend, an old friend of the Colonel's. The Indiana Audubon Society was interested in the idea and that worthy organization began a movement under the leadership of Dr. Earl Brook, its president, that resulted in sufficient money being raised to purchase a beautiful bronze plaque which is pictured herewith.
* * * * Photo of Plaque * * * *
Rochester citizenship however, early expressed a desire to do its part and the Rochester Kiwanis Club agreed to secure and place a large natural Indiana boulder on which the plaque could be placed. This monument is to adorn the grave of Col. Brown and will everlastingly give its message to the people that here lies the body of the man who "spread the gospel of bird protection." The expense of securing and dressing the stone was paid for by the Colonel's personal friend, of years, Henry A. Barnhart, while many donations were made locally to help in the work.
The dedication ceremonies on Sunday will be open to the public and all lovers of the outdoors, of the birds and bees, and admirers of Col. Brown are invited to be present. The Indiana Audubon Society with Dr. Earl Brooks as presiding officer will have charge of the program, while the committee in charge for the Rochester Kiwanis Club consists of Val Zimmerman, Daniel S. Perry and Robert Shafer. The tablet will be unveiled by Mrs. Isaac W. Brown, the widow, while present will be one of the sons, Ray, Mrs. Ray Brown, three grandchildren, Mrs. Ted Brown, of Indianapolis, Billie Brown and Van Brown.
The program will be opened by music by the Leroy Shelton Post American Legion Band. Rev. T. L. Stovall, pastor of the Methodist Church will deliver a prayer and then Henry A. Pershing will present the tablet in behalf of the Audubon Society. Mrs. Brown will then unveil the tablet. Henry A. Barnhart will deliver an address on the life and deeds of the late benefactor. Music will follow and the program will close with the benediction by Rev. J.B. Gleason.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, June 17, 1931]

COL. I. W. BROWN MEMORIAL PROGRAM MOST IMPRESSIVE
Under threating heavens, that most fittingly portrayed the seeming brusqueness of the famous Bird and Bee Man, Col. Isaac Washington Brown, a group of over 300 people gathered at the I.O.O.F. cemetery this city, Sunday afternoon to attend the memorial services for the nationally known and revered "Bird and Bee Man."
With the opening selection of the Leroy Shelton Post American Legion band and to the sporadic song of orioles and robins which were perched high in the evergreens, skirting the everlasting resting place of their friend, the sun burst through the clouds spreading a glow of warmth and friendliness over the gathering, which elemental change was almost parallel with the true nature of the Naturalist for whom this appropriate, though belated honor was being given.
Assembled about the Brown family lot were high officers of the Indiana Audubon Society, friends and neighbors of the late Colonel and representative group from all the fraternal and civic organizations of this city. Seated around the veiled memorial base were the widow, Mrs. Emma Brown, two sons, Ray, of LaGrange, Ga., Dewitt, of Chicago; the daughter in law, Mrs. Mary Brown, and three grandchildren, Van and Billie Brown, of this city, and Mrs. Ted Brown of Indianapolis.
Pershing Lauds Brown's Work
Following a prayer invoked by Rev. T. L. Stovall, of this city, the Honorable Henry A. Pershing of South Bend, member of the Executive Committee of the Audubon Society in a brief and well pointed address paid his highest regards for the Bird and Bee Man and gave unstinted praise for the growth of the Audubon Society to the teachings and work of the Rochester naturalist. The movement for the memorial was launched a little over a year ago upon a motion made by the speaker and through this movement and the co-operation of the Rochester Kiwanis club and personal friends of Col. Brown, their dreams and aspirations were most completely realized Sunday afternoon.
Dr. Earl Brooks, of Noblesville, Ind., president of the Audubon Society followed Mr. Pershing with a few concise laudatory remarks about Col. Brown, stating that although the ravages of time will rust and destroy the bronze plaque memorial and the elemental forces will finally crumble the huge native boulder in which it is imbedded, the deeds and works of Col. Brown will live throughout all eternity, while from the tree tops and fields the feather friends of the naturalist will forever sing songs of thankfulness.
Following Dr. Brown's eulogy came the unveiling of the memorial by Mrs. Brown, whose age-feebled hands were of necessity assisted by other attendants in removing the white and blue drapes from the imposing memorial. During this impressive procedure of the ceremonies the drone of an airplane was heard overhead which momentarily stilled the song of the birds which seemingly attempted to have a part in paying homage to their protector.
Praised by Life-Long Friend
With the sun glistening on the burnished plaque and while scores and scores of friends and townspeople of Col. Brown edged near the ropes to view the grizzled likeness of the Bird Protectionist which is embedded upon the tablet, Dr. Brooks, introducted the Honorable Henry A. Barnhart, of this city, life-long friend and one of the earlier sponsors of Mr. Brown's colorful career, who delivered the main address of the memorial exercises.
Interweaving the historical and authentic works of his life-long friend and neighbor, Col. Isaac Washington Brown, Mr. Barnhart gave numerous touches of the humorous and eccentric trends composed in the make-up of his friend and neighbor that brought a touch of realism that made many of the old friends of the Colonel momentarily forget that Mr. Brown had passed to the Great Beyond, almost a score of years ago. A perusal of these incidents in Col. Brown's career started from the days he began lecturing before country school audiences up until the time he became a nationally known figure in the protection of bird life under the sponsorship of Miss Helen Gould, of New York City.
Excerpts from Mr. Barnhart's most fitting and interesting eulogy follow:
"This monument is a testimonial to both the work and the zeal of Isaac Washington Brown, known all over the central west as 'Bird and Bee Brown.' It is, in the main, a natural product finished out in the fields where Col. Brown delighted to commune with the birds and bees and where, as he frequently quoted, 'God works in a mysterious way His Wonders to Perform.' This rugged product of nature also exemplifies the sturdy character, whose memory we hereby revere, in this tribute. He loved nature, knew its ways and its goodness and was never more earnest than when proclaiming the doctrine of proper regard for God's creatures and for His schemes for the care and keeping of his protectors of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Memory Will Endure Forever
"This memorial, in solid rock and bronze, will endure for years but the doctrine, of kindness to dumb creatures and the preservation of all that makes life attractive, preached by him whose memory we here commemorate, will live on and on as long as humanity has hearts of mercy and minds attuned to the laws of conservation and preservation by which we enjoy life beauty and life worth living.
Honors Widow
"But we must not give all praise to Col. Brown. He was imbued greatly by immediate environment. His life companion was always the personification of gentleness, kindness, loyalty and Christian grace. She entered joyously into all of the enthusiasm her husband gave to the fervor of his cause. And it was abundant and animating. Like all good mothers she has had her joys and her sorrows but here she is in the golden sunset of a helpful and beautiful life, crowned with the glory of righteous womanhood and with the honor of having had an important part in the inspiration and promotion of a country wide crusade in behalf of a proper regard for God's beneficience in giving to mankind the delight and assistance of the birds of the air, outstanding immortals of Holy Writ.
"It was often noted that the birds assembled in unusually large numbers about the Brown home and one evening a neighbor counted forty-three robins playing about on the Brown lawn. And the bird champion always insisted they came in such large numbers to bid him good night. Also at his funeral it was said the singing of the birds in the trees about this place where his body was being laid in the grave was especially pronounced and it seemed they were chanting a requium to the eternal rest of one of the greatest of bird-life benefactors."
With a reading "Thoughts for the Discouraged Farmer" from James Whitcomb Riley's collection of "After Whiles" Mr. Barnhart's address came to a close and with a benediction by Rev. Joseph B. Gleason and a beautiful selection by the American Legion Band the memorial with its beief note of the life and works of Col. I. W. Brown was left to import its message to future generations.
The memorial program was given through offices of the Indiana Audubon Society, The Rochester Kiwanis Club, Rochester Citizens and friends of Col. Brown. Details of the exercises were in charge of a Kiwanis club committee composed of Val Zimmerman, Rev. D.S. Perry and Robert Shafer, all of this city.
Out-of-Town People Present
Henry A. Pershing, Chas. S. Brodbeck, Lewis A. Bowling, members of the executive committee of the Indiana Audubon Society, of South Bend; Mr. and Mrs. Samuel L. Perkins, the former an Audubon Field Lecturer, from the state of Maryland; Mrs. Margaret Knox, Secy of Audubon Society, of Indianapolis; President of Indiana Audubon Society Dr. Earl Brooks and wife, of Noblesville, Ind.; Dr. W. S. Batchley, Audubon Executive committeeman, of Indianapolis; Mr. and Mrs. Roger S. Roberts, of Noblesville, Ind., Mr. Roberts being the president of the Hamilton County Nature Study Club and Mrs. John Fredrick, of Kokomo.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, June 22, 1931]

THE STORY OF THE LIFE OF THE BIRD AND BEE MAN
AS TOLD BY HIS GRANDDAUGHTER, BILLIE BROWN
Editor's Note: The following story was written by Miss Billie Brown, granddaughter of Colonel Isaac Washington Brown, who is now a student at Western College. The original is on file in the Rochester public library. Believing it to be one of the best stories of the life of the famed "Bird and Bee Man" it is reproduced herewith so that all readers of The News-Sentinel can learn something of the good work accomplished by this deceased Rochester citizen.
__________

He was a tall man, tall in body and tall in soul. I was only four years old but I have stamped on my memory a clear-cut picture of him, as has almost everyone who ever saw "Col." Isaac Washington Brown. I can visualize him now, striding up and down, up and down, his hands clasped behind him in his characteristic manner, his red-gray hair, quite long, stirred by a friendly breeze, his bristling beard seeming to challenge the world at large to disapprove or contradict him, his blue, blue eyes holding the far-away look so often seen in their depths. There was something uncouth in his appearance. Yet overshadowing it was dignity - the calm, infinite dignity of a great soul.
Isaac Washington Brown was born in Carroll County, May 17, 1848, the son of John D. and Rebecca Brown. Here he lived the life of any country lad till the advent of the Civil War.
Isaac was fired with the desire to fight for his country and his flag, but he was only sixteen and even had his parents consented, he would have been rejected at any enlisting station because of his age. So the boy took matters into his own hands, as he did so often in later live, ran away, and joined the 135th Indiana Volunteers. He saw the active service which his youthful heart craved, and was at last honorably discharged.
Moved to Lake Manitou
In the meantime, his family had moved to a farm on the west shore of Lake Manitou, and here Isaac came to take up his old duties and tasks. During the following years, one of his favorite pastimes was spending hours in wandering through the woods and fields, identifying and learning the calls of the birds.
The profession which Isaac had chosen was that of law, but when he took up its practice, it proved irksome and entirely foreign to his impetuous, headstrong nature. He turned from law and entered upon a career sufficiently eventful to satisfy even him - that of an operator on the Chicago Board of Trade. Here he met with the usual ups and downs of this vicarious calling. At one time he was the partner of that spectacular and eminently successful operator known as "Old Hutch." Several times, my grandfather accumulated snug fortunes only to have them swept from his grasp by a turn of the market. At last the inevitable fatality happened. Through an unwise speculation, he lost absolutely everything he had.
Here was a situation to break the strongest spirit. Col Brown was past the meridian of life; he had a dependent wife and two sons to care for; he had no immediate means of support and nothing had been left him. Instead, with dauntless spirit, he began life anew when another would have surrendered hopelessly to fate.
Learned Work of Birds
All through the years, grandfather had continued his keen study of nature and particularly of birds, merely because of his intense love of wild life. While following the speculative game, he became a crop inspector. Traveling over the country to estimate crops, he saw the part birds and bugs played in aiding the farmer, and, after careful study, he formulated the idea of bird protection. Now he saw that his knowledge was more than a hobby - it was an asset which might be capitalized even while he furthered the interests of his beloved birds. His vivid personality made him a forceful speaker, and he felt that he could perform a work of benefit and true worth. Frieds were skeptical. Enemies scoffed. But with unswerving determination, Grandfather pursued his course.
He had conceived the idea that if he could command the interest and attention of children he could dominate any audience. Accordingly he walked - he who had possessed thousands - from his Rochester home to Talma High School to deliver his first lecture. It was about thirty minutes in length, closed with imitations of the quail and other birds and was received with thunderous applause on the part of his childish audience. For the succeeding months, Grandfather continued his tramps over the country, speaking to the children in practice for the greater work which he believed with steadfast faith would follow. Soon his fame began to spread. He was asked to speak at Farmer's Institute meetings, to give a lecture course at Rochester College, and engagements poured in with ever-increasing volume. Rain or shine, he continued his pilgrimages to the schools of the surrounding vicinity. At one time he walked to Mexico [Indiana] to deliver a speech in the days when walking meant walking and not a series of "lifts."
Not Taken Seriously
The people of Fulton County all knew Col. Brown. He interested them and they liked his pungent personality and unique lectures. But they refused to take him seriously. The idea that any man should devote his time to doing such a foolish thing as teaching bird protection was insanity to them. It was inconceivable. So Grandfather determined to change his base of operations.
The auditorium course was being held at Lake Winona. One afternoon the people passing throgh the park were amazed to hear a series of beautiful bird-calls and whistles proceeding from a magnetically "different" man, gazing intently into a tree, his thumbs in his waist-coat armholes. Fascinated, a crowd gathered. And when Grandfather had collected a sufficient number of people he began his lecture. Contrary to the usual course of things, the crowd did not melt away. It increased. In the afternoon the usually crowded auditorium (where the United States' greatest artists were seen and heard) was three-fourths empty. The next day, the same thing happened. The famous soloist on the program sang to a handful of people, while officials in the park, hundreds listened to the message of an old man whose long hair framed his face to an aureole of earnestness. The managers of the course investigated the cause of the only failure the Winona Auditorium had sustained that season. When they heard Grandfather talk, they engaged him to deliver his lectures in the auditorium or outside, as he pleased under their auspices.
It so happened that Miss Helen Miller Gould, New York's millionaire philanthropist, was attending the course. She saw and heard Col. Brown, and was so impressed that she sought him out and offered him a salary which report places at $25,000 a year to lecture to the high schools of New York City, in the Central Park Auditorium and to her friends. This offer he accepted and for the next few years, his fame, beginning in New York City, spread over the entire East. It is a peculiar though perhaps comprehensible fact, that the name of Col. Isaac Washington Brown is better known in New York State today than in Fulton County.
A Busy Life
The remaining years of his life were busy ones. He had become nationally recognized as a deep thinker and a keen student of nature - both animal and human - and was in great demand. At his own request, his connection with Helen Gould was broken, in order that he could carry on his work independently. He traveled extensively, appearing in almost every state in the Union, wrote several interesting books on bird life, and lived to see his once-derided theories of bird protection become a federal law.
One Wednesday afternoon in 1914, Grandfather returned home from Chicago very ill with an attack of acute indigestion. He recovered nicely, but on Monday morning suffered from a terrible pain in his head. With his usual impatience, he seized a pitcher of ice water and literally poured it over his head. That night, August 24, 1914, he died. His grave is in the Rochester I.O.O.F. cemetery.
The "Bird and Bee Man," as Grandfather was nationally known, was a picturesque character. He had many idiosyncracies, and these he cultivated for he realized the value of publicity, and worked on the theory that the best way to impress the public was to shock them. It is said that "Ike" Brown never left a meeting of any work, even if he attended merely as a spectator, without riveting the attention of every person present to the fact that he was there. If a thought came to him in the middle of the program, he would blurt it out brusquely, say in as few words as possible what he had to say - and leave an indelible impression on the minds of those who heard him. He robed himself in a cloak of boisterous eccentricity and only those close enough to him to penetrate his careful disguise knew the real man.
He Knew Children
There was probably not a man in the country who knew children better than Grandfather. The following extracts from an article in the Chicago Examiner, 1907, is an account of one of his typical lectures to children:
"An old man, with the light of kindness in his eyes, stood bareheaded in the rain yesterday afternoon on the Wooded Island in Jackson Park and spoke to several hundred children who stood in a sheltered group on the veranda of the Japanese Pagoda.
"It was a strange plea that came from the bearded lips of the patriarchal speaker. 'Be good to the little birds, my children,' he said over and over again.
"That wonderful old stranger was the "bird man," agent of Helen Gould. She loves him and his mission, and she sends him about to spread the gospel of God's love for the least of his creatures.
"And a strange and picturesque old man he is now. Large of body as he is soul, with a merry smile for the children, he seemed an ideal harbinger of mercy and love.
"Now and then he stepped to a clump of lilac bushes at the roadside and, with gestures of his hands, pictured the nests of the birds - how they build them, how they protect them, and how they lived in them.
"Then he spoke to the children as the birds speak. Colonel Brown has studied and loved birds so long that he can speak their mystic language. Now he trilled like a thrush; again he chirped like a sparrow; then he cawed like a crow.
Children Drew Near Him
"The children watched and heard him first in wonder, then with interest, and at last with love and sympathy. One by one the little ones who had hurried under the canopy at the first rain drop, stepped shyly down into the rain to be near the old man's side.
"It was sundown when the old man took his way back to the city and left the children with his kindly gospel of bird love."
"Ike," says a compatriot of his, "Ike was a true genius. Like most geniuses, he lived ahead of his age."
Grandfather was kind-hearted, and almost ridiculously generous. He was a warm friend and a generous foe. His marvelous courage and faith brought him through the years of ridicule, which many of his acquaintances viewed him as a harmless crank, to so eminent a success that his teachings were embodied in state and national law. When he died, young people all over the country mourned the passing of the "Bird and Bee Man" as a personal loss.
Colonel Brown was a well educated man. By education I do not mean schooling. But he understood people and life. He could hold the attention of any audience without a moment's notice. And he did what ought to be done, when and where it ought to be done, whether he wished to do it or not. And that is education.
He Loved His Work
Grandfather did not carry on his work with any mercenary object. He loved it so much when he was tramping from school-house to church and taking his reward in "yards of country sausage," as he expressed it, as when he was the agent of a millionaire. Practically every cent he earned he employed in furthering his ideas. His real profit lay, not in money, but in the songs of the birds and in the indelible impression written on the hearts of countless little children - an impression of a message of mercy and love "toward even the least of God's creatures."
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, June 22, 1931]

COL. I. W. BROWN'S LIFE FEATURED IN MAGAZINE
In a recent issue of "Outdoor Indiana" which is published under the sponsorship of the Indiana Department of Conservation appeared an interesting, two-page article concerning the life-work of the late Col. Isaac Washington Brown, of this city.
The story which was compiled by Editor Andrews, of "Outdoor Indiana," carried a two-column illustration of the Colonel, and comment on the famous "bird and bee man's" life by the late Henry A. Barnhart and by Col. Brown's old neighbor, Val Zimmerman. The story will prove most interesting to the older citizens of the community. A copy of the magazine which featured the story is on file in The News-Sentinel office should anyone desire to read it.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, October 15, 1942]

__________

Isaac Washington Brown, 1848-1914. Buried in Rochester I.O.O.F. cemetery. His monument reads: "Erected & dedicated by the Indiana Audobon Society and friends in loving memory of Isaac Washington Brown, known over the United States as 'The Bird and Bee Man.' He traveled by various methods all over the country and spread the Gospel of bird protection which has been of untold sentimental & economic benefit to mankind. Erected 1931."
[Wendell C. and Jean C. Tombaugh, Fulton Co Ind Cemeteries, Rochester I.O.O.F.]

BIRD FARM, THE [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] SINGING CANARIES - Rodericks - Celebrated "Yankee Warblers" in all their splendor. - - - - - THE BIRD FARM (Mrs. Albert Crothers, Prop.) Located quarter mile north on State Road 31. Telephone 677-m.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, November 7, 1931]

BIRD RESERVATION [Lake Manitou]
A bird reservation of 80 acres where the winged creatures will be given every encouragement to dwell in peace and where they will be protected from animals and hunters is the plan of John Shelton, who has begun work on his location. The woods just north of the Bailey Ice company ice houses at the lake have been given over to Mr. Shelton for the above purpose by the owner, Hiram Carrithers.
According to Mr. Shelton bird houses and "feeding troughs" will be erected in large numbers in the woods and everything that can be done to make it a desirable place to attract the creatures will be done. Special effort will be made to see that no one with a gun is allowed inside the preserve and anyone who attempts to kill within the limits will be immediately arrested. Warning signs will be posted all about the limits.
Mr. Shelton, who has been interested in bird life for a number of years, recently became a member of the Liberty Bell Bird Club and is following the plans outlined by that organization to make the reservation one that will attract all kinds of bird life. The natural surroundings of the reservation make it ideal for the purpose. The land is heavily wooded and parts of it are still uncleared of underbrush. The Mill Creek flows through the woods and the low swampy lands on each side assure plenty of insect food for the birds. Bird baths will be unnecessary as the proximity of the lake and creek will answer the purpose very well.
Mr. Shelton is the first Rochester man to take a decided movement to protect and encourage the birds since Col. Isaac Brown died.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, April 27, 1921]
[NOTE: The City Golf Course and Woodlawn Hospital presently (1997) occupy this site. - - WCT]

GIVEN WIDE PUBLICITY
The fact that John Shelton has established a bird prserve on his property near the lake has been given very wide publicity, the Los Angeles, California, Times carrying a brief dispatch to the effect that, "John Shelton has set aside eighty acres of his large farm near Rochestrer as a reservation for birds. The land is in thick woods. Shelton is placing hundreds of bird houses in the trees and will providce 'lunch counters.'"
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, May 24, 1921]

BIRDLAND TRIO [Fulton County]
CONSIDERED COMMENT
Jack K. Overmyer
L. G. Alber has spent most of his life near the Tippecanoe River in Newcastle Township and that's where he first learned of God's gift to him.
While watching over his mother's flock of turkeys as a boy of five, he would sit on a stump near the riverbank and listen to birds singing overhead.
Struck by the differing melodies and cadences he heard, the young Elgy (as I shall refer to him) began whistling imitations of their calls and thus, he says, was the gift revealed. The boy quickly sought ways to study and practice this whistling talent. With $115 he earned from picking 11 acres of pickles, he bought a Victrola record player at the Rochester jewelry store of Bill Howard, who also gave him six records for it. One of them was "Listen to the Mocking Bird." Elgy played it repeatedly until he could whistle the birdsong perfectly. Now he was obsessed with whistling and from then on, almost all the money he earned was spent for other records he could practice with.
That was over 80 years ago and today Elgy Alber still is "playing," as he calls his whistling. He does versions of popular and old favorite tunes as well as any of the 40 specific bird calls he has mastered.
Elgy is a lean, balding man with an infectious smile and a gregarious personality whose enthusiasm, energy and memory belie one who will be 90 years old in March. He speaks fluently and with satisfaction of the people and the events that have enriched his life; particularly of the Birdland Trio.
This Newcastle Township group composed of Alber, Allene Emmons (Biddinger) and Delbert Hunter earned a substantial amateur reputation around this region during the 1930's. Its history was recalled at my request by its two survivors, Alber and Mrs. Biddinger.
The trio began as a duo with Elgy whistling to the piano accompaniment of Dorothy Deamer (Paige) in the sixth grade of Talma school. By 1925 it became a trio with the addition of violinist Hunter, then a Talma high school sophomore whose study of the instrument would include a stint at the University of Notre Dame. Dorothy Deamer's mother, inspired by Elgy's performances, gave the trio its name.
In 1927 the Trio played in an amateur contest over Chicago Radio Station WLS when winners were determined by the audience mailing in postcard votes. The Birdlanders won first place with 22,000 postcards and got a trophy. In second with 14,000 cards were two girl singers from Knox.
Dorothy left the Trio for college, was succeeded by Beulah Busenberg (Lacosse) who later did the same. Allene joined Alber and Hunter in 1930 after her Talma high school graduation and already was an accomplished pianist, having begun playing at the age of 8.
For the next three years the Birdland Trio was on the road as much as three times a week for appearances around the area. Their usual fee was $15, handy enough in the Depression. In 1932 the Trio was featured on Radio Station WOWO in Fort Wayne. Its theme song was "Listen to the Mocking Bird," which Elgy first had heard on Bill Howard's Victrola.
Maturity, marriage and the demands of life stalled the Trio by the mid-30s although they played by invitation for a few subsequent years. Hunter eventually had to forego his violin playing when hands and fingers became less nimble and his farming duties multiplied.
Elgy and Allene kept their musical talents keen in the meantime. Elgy appeared frequently in subsequent years and later formed a whistling duet with his son, the late Sid Alber. Allene started a 27-year career as organist at the Bethlehem Baptist Church and still offers her easy, melodic keyboard style for friends and on special occasions.
Elgy "played' at local events twice this spring. He is a member of the Scrambled Eggs kitchen-instrument band at Mentone and of a senior citizens chorus at Bremen. He also does an occasional turn for nursing home residents, who might hear his killdeer, ground sparrow, finch, meadowlark or bobwhite calls.
Elgy has farmed most of his life and also worked 18 years for Rochester Metal Products. He has but one regret about the Birdland days. A letter inviting the Trio to appear on the well-known Chicago radio show, the Morris B. Sachs Amateur Hour, recently turned up in his papers. It had been misplaced somehow and Elgy never had seen it.
"I wish I'd known about it," he says. "We could have won."
[The Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, October 29, 1996]

__________

[NOTE: see Talma Trio Will Represent City at Station WLS, The News-Sentinel,
Friday, June 25, 1926. Also see Birdland Trio Wins First Place in Radio Contest,
ibid, Thursday, July 1, 1926]

BIRDLAND TRIO GETS CUP
The trophy won by the Birdland Trio, of Talma, in the form of a large silver cup is now on display in the window of this office. The award was given by The Chicago Daily Journal in the Radio Discovery Contest, conducted by station WLS. The trio composed of Alber, Hunter and Miss Deamer won first place in the district meet which was held at Chicago about a month ago. The contest for state honors will be held in Chicago the latter part of September.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Saturday, August 21, 1926]

FULTON CO. FOLKS SHOULD SUPPORT BIRDLAND TRIO
Three Newcastle township young folks, Messrs. Hunter, Alber and Miss Dorothy Deamer, who comprise the Birdland Trio, will on Saturday night enter the final tryout for the highest honors of the State of Indiana, in the radio broadcasting contest, held at the Sherman Hotel, Chicago, over Station WLS.
These musicians won first honor in county and district test, a few months ago. The county test was promoted at the local theatre under the management of the Krieghbaum Bros. and The News-Sentinel. All radio owners and others as well should mail in their letters to Station WLS Chicago, expressing their desire that the Birdland Trio was the best number of their Saturday's night program.
These musicians will give a program at the local threatre Friday which comprises most of the numbers they will use on the air at the Chicago station.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Thursday, October 14, 1926]

TRIO ON THE AIR
Many Rochester and Fulton county people heard the Birdland Trio from Newcastle township on the air from Station WLS, Chicago. The reception here was very poor. The three young people are in a contest with four other teams from northern Indiana for a capital prize of $250. All votes must be in at the WLS station by Wednesday evening. The winners will be announced that evening.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, October 18, 1926]

BIRDLAND TRIO FAILS TO PLACE IN FINAL TEST
The Birdland Trio, composed of Alber, Hunter and Miss Deamer all of Talma, who last Saturday evening entered the final broadcasting contest at Station WLS, Chicago, competing for highest honors in the state of Indiana, lacked a sufficient number of votes to land them among the prize awards. Local fans who tuned in on this station Saturday night stated that the above trio was the first number on the program and the reception at times was almost inaudible. It is believed the adjustments required to be made at the start of the station's broadcasting was detrimental to the Newcastle Township musicians' chances.
First prize was awarded to two young ladies of Knox, Ind., their number featuring voice and piano. A piano and vocal duet presentation from Monticello's entrants took second place, while third prize was awarded to a little girl of Crown point, who gave several readings.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, October 21, 1926]

TRIO ON RADIO
The Birdland Trio, well-known group from Newcastle township, will give a program on the radio Thursday afternoon at 1:15 o'clock from Station WOWO, Ft. Wayne. The trio which is well known for its musical ability in this section of the state is composed of Delbert Hunter, L. G. Alber and Allene Emmons.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, January 5, 1932]

CORRECTION
The Birdland Trio of Newcastle township, will be on the air over station WOWO, Fort Wayne, Thursday at 12:15 instead of 1:15 as previously announced.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, January 6, 1932]

HEARD ON AIR
The Birdland Trio of Talma, were guest artists in a 15 minute program broadcasted over station WOWO, Fr. Wayne, Thursday afternoon. Immediately following their program they were invited to give special numbers over station WGL, also of Ft. Wayne. The latter invitation was accepted and the program which was a feature for shoppers was given before 150 shoppers. Besides the trio, members Miss Allene Emmons and Delbert Hunter rendered vocal numbers.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, January 8, 1932]

BIRMINGHAM, INDIANA [Allen Township, Miami County]
See: Caulk, Isaac

BISHER, JOSEPH [Aubbeenaubbee Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Joseph Bisher. - He is the son of John and Angeline Bisher; the former was born in Pennsylvania, July 17, 1798, and married Angeline Corrington, in Warren County, Ohio, in the year 1826. The latter was born in the last-named county and State January 22, 1800, and deceased in White County, Ind., September 14, 1844, and he died in Warren County, Ohio, in the winter of 1860. Joseph was born in Warren County, Ohio, July 27, 1829, and married Mary Frocoat April 15, 1852, in Adams County, Ind., and after wandering about for several years finally settled in this county in April, 1865. Mrs. Bisher was born February 21, 1833. Her father was a soldier throughout the war of 1812. His name was Michael Frocoat, and was born in Harrison County, Ohio, about 1784, and deceased in Muskingum County in 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Bisher are the parents of nine children--Sarah E., born February 25, 1853; Louisa, born September 10, 1854, and deceased September 20, 1855; Maria J., born August 28, 1856; Emily, born June 15, 1858; John born July 10, 1860; Margarette A., born December 7, 1861; Mary F., born March 28, 1863; Joseph H., born December 19, 1864, and deceased March 20, 1866, and Joseph W., born August 11, 1877. Mrs. Bisher is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is a most exemplary Christian woman. Mr. Bisher owns a good farm of 160 acres and has it under a fine state of cultivation, and is one of the many well-to-do and much respected citizens of his community.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 33]

BISHER, LEWIS [Union Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Lewis Bisher, a farmer and son of John and Angeline Bisher, was born in Warren, Ohio, August 1, 1835. His father was born in Pennsylvania in 1798, and his mother in Ohio in 1800. Lewis married Sarah D. Waits, July 18, 1866, in Warren County, Ohio, who died there about four years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Bisher are the parents of seven children, as follows: John, William B., Clarence, Ora E., Ella May, Gracie B. and Lillie D. All take an active interest in Sabbath school. In politics Mr. B. tries to vote for the best man.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 56]

BITTERS, A. T. [Rochester, Indiana]
A. T. BITTERS (Biography)
A. T. (Tully) BITTERS has enjoyed a popular prominence in Fulton county affairs for a quarter of a century. He is a Pennsylvanian by birth, and adopted brick masonry as his vocation at the age of fifteen, and followed the trade until his enlistment in the war of the Rebellion at its beginning. There he entered the Marine service soon after enlisting and served faithfully to the close of the great struggle. He built the first brick building in Rochester, the Shields block, and stood at the head of artisans of his day. In 1872 he purchased the Rochester Sentinel and, for the first time in its history, put it on a paying basis. As a newspaper man he soon gained much prominence in northern Indiana and retired from the business fourteen years after entering it, with a proud record as editorial writer and a modest bank account, to accept the appointment of Postmaster of Rochester, which position he filled with marked efficiency for four years. Then he engaged in the manufacture of hardwood mouldings for two years and then purchased the City Book store, which he has successfully managed ever since. Mr. Bitters is 54 years old, owns a nice home on west Pearl street, is an active Mason, and was chairman of the executive committee of the court house cornerstone laying exercises of today. He has been married twice, his first wife being Miss Sarah St.CLAIR, who died in 1886, and his present life partner Miss Lida CHATTEN.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

BITTERS, ALBERT W. [Rochester, Indiana]
ALBERT W. BITTERS
Born in Peru and brought up in a printing office tells the principal story of Albert Bitters' life. He commenced work as a compositer when 14 years old and has followed the vocation nearly 22 years. He is an artist, too, in his trade, and devotes all of his energies to neat effects in job and newspaper printing. He married Miss Emma E. Shelton April 10, 1883, and they have one son, Harry. Mr. Bitters took a half interest in the Daily Republican when it was established and has given the paper much prominence as an artistic publication.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]
HOMETOWN TALES
By "Pioneer"
For the greatest number of hours, devoted to a business or profession, the "Laurel Wreath" must be presented to Albert W. Bitters.
We have seen Mr. Bitters leave the Rochester Daily and Weekly Republican printing establishment a few hours before sunrise, and we also have seen him enter the front door to begin the day's grind at an hour that was still dark.
Albert Bitters has written thousands of masterpiece editorials, beautiful or stinging, which ever occasion demanded. Being versatile and having learned his work well, he stepped to the type case, set up his copy, placed it in the forms, locked the forms in the big press, turned on the electric juice, fed the press, carried the sheets to the folding machine and sent the carrier boys on their way to deliver the Rochester Daily Republican.
No editor since the founding of the Republican party has written more editorial copy and devoted more valuable newspaper space to that party than Albert Bitters. While he was bitterly caustic in his writings regarding all things Democratic, the local leaders of that party understood and forgave and elected their ticket - occasionally.
As a reward for long and faithful party service, Albert Bitters was assigned the Rochester Postmastership for two terms. Hundreds of local Democrats and Republicans regret that the appointment was not for life. Because he had earned it.
Aside from being a writer of unusual ability, Albert Bitters is an authority on Masonic law, which has been his daily chart and compass for right living throughout his years. Therefore, a reputation no man can attack.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, January 30, 1935]

BIOGRAPHY
Albert W. Bitters was born in Peru, Miami county, Indiana, August 19, 1859, the son of Thomas Major and Maria V. E. (Rose) Bitters, the former a native of Hampton County, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Fairfield, Ohio. Thomas Major Bitters was born in 1836 and some time later came to Akron, Indiana, where he taught school for one winter. He then went to Peru as a printer on the Peru Republican and also worked as a shoemaker for a time. With the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in Co. K, 155th Indiana Infantry and was also a member of the regimental band in that organization. While in the service, he wrote war letters for the Peru Republican, and at the close of the war returned to his former occupation in Peru. He remained there but a short time, removing in October, 1873, to Rochester, Fulton county, Indiana, where he purchased the Rochester Union Spy, a republican paper still in existence though operating under the name of the Daily Republican. The history of this newspaper may be found in the chapter on the press of the county elsewhere in this volume. He operated the paper until his death which occurred April 2, 1902, at the age of sixty-six years. Albert W. Bitters was educated in the public schools of Peru, Indiana, and at the age of thirteen years he went into the newspaper business with his father, learning the profession of journalism in the school of practical experience and receiving his room and board as the wages of his apprenticeship for seven years. He later became editor of the paper and remained at the head of its affairs until November 22, 1921 when his appointment as postmaster was confirmed by the senate. He assumed the duties of this office the following January and since then has given the people of Rochester excellent postal service. He is highly thought of in the community and has always taken an active interest in all movements for civic betterment. He was married on April 10, 1883, to Emma Evalyn Shelton, the daughter of Samuel L. and Martha Ann (League) Shelton. Both Mr. Bitters' and his wife's families are traced back to the Revolutionary war. Our subject's great great grandfather was a Hessian soldier who deserted the British forces to enlist in the American army under Washington. Mrs. Bitters is the great grandchild of John Johnson, one of the two soldiers of the Revolution buried in this county at Shelton Cemetery. Her direct connection with an ancestor of the Revolution has gained for Mrs. Bitters membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution. To Mr. and Mrs. Bitters two children have been born: Harry Shelton and Margaret Rose, the wife of Clarence A. Dillon, of Fulton, and the mother of one son, John Allen Dillon. In fraternal circles Albert Bitters is a popular member of Masonic Lodge No. 79 and of the Eastern Star. Politically he is a strong supporter of the Republican party and as editor of the Republican newspaper in the city has been a material aid in advancing the interests of that organization.
[Henry A. Barnhart, Fulton County History, pp. 162-163, Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1923]

BITTERS, CALVIN K. [Rochester, Indiana]
CALVIN K. BITTERS (Biography)

Born in Pennsylvania 40 years ago, Calvin K. BITTERS came with his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Wm. BITTERS, to Akron one year later. After obtaining a good common school education in the Akron schools he entered the Northern Indiana Normal, and stayed there until he graduated in both the law and scientific courses. He also took stenography, and located in Rochester and commenced the practice of law in 1882. Soon after he was appointed circuit court stenographer and has held the position ever since. He also has a good practice and has an extensive patronage in probate business and clerical law work. He married Miss Mary MERCER in 1886 and the union is blessed with lovely twin daughters, Edith and Edna [BITTERS]. They own a beautiful home at the corner of Carrol and Jefferson streets.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

NEW FULTON COURT REPORTER
O. E. Swinehart, formerly of this city but now residing in Plymouth, has been appointed reporter in the Fulton circuit court and began his duties there Monday. Mr. Swinehart takes the place of C. K. Bitters, who has held the position of court reporter in the Fulton circuit court for the past thirty years and who has now retired. Through his appointment here Mr. Swinehart now holds that position in the Marshall county court also, and between the two his time will be pretty well taken up. He is a Rochester boy, well qualified for the position and his many friends will be glad to learn of his success.
[Rochester Sentinal, Tuesday, June 11, 1912]

DISPOSE OF INSURANCE BUSINESS JANUARY 1ST.
Miss Edith Bitters has announced the sale by herself and sister, Miss Edna, of the insurance business handled by them since the death of their father, the late C. K. Bitters in 1931, to the Haskett & Jones Agency, 124 East Eighth street, the same to be effective January 1. The Bitters agency was founded in 1902.
Miss Bitters, now the representative for a well known dry cleaning establishment stated today that present connections and the duties of handling them properly will no longer permit them to manage the insurance business properly, and for that reason they decided to dispose of the insurance contracts. She stated further that all policy service previously rendered by them will be handled henceforth by the Haskett & Jones agency.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, December 31, 1945]

BITTERS, FRANKLIN PIERCE [Rochester, Indiana]
Dr. F. P. BITTERS: Physician and Surgeon. Special attention given to diseases of women and children and obstetrics. Office and residence in Sentinel Block. Day or night calls promptly attended.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, February 1, 1895]

BIOGRAPHY
Franklin Pierce Bitters, M.D., was born at Bloomsburg, Pa., Oct 25, 1852. His parents were William and Elizabeth C. (Kuhn) Bitters. The father was born in Pennsylvania, the mother in Fulton county, Ind. William Bitters was a brick mason by trade, and in 1856 he came to Peru, Ind., and there worked at his trade for awhile. Subsequently he came to Fulton county, where he met and married Elizabeth C. Kuhn, with whom he settled in Rochester in 1858. Their son was given a common school education. He learned the brick mason's trade under his father, but at the age of seventeen he began teaching school. In June, 1876, he graduated from Northern Indiana Normal school, at Valparaiso, completing a scientific course. Immediately he went to Louisville, Ky., where he entered the Kentucky school of medicine, whence he graduated in June, 1879. He began the practice of his profession at Claypool, Ind., but remained there only a short time. January, 1880, he located at Rensselaer, Ind., where he successfully practiced for eleven years. At West Lafayette, Ind., in 1883, he married Anna May Stockton, a lady of intellectual and moral culture, and of strong force of character. She bore him three children, but, alas, death called the wife and mother and her children away, in the years 1890-91. Having been sadly bereft of his family Dr. Bitters felt the loss so keenly that he became discontented with living in Rensselaer, the scene of his loss, and in 1891 he became a resident of Rochester, where he has continued to practice his profession.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, p. 36]

BITTERS, J. D. [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] Harness, Saddles, Collars, Whips, Combs, Brushes, Blankets, Robes, Harness Oil, &c &c &c.
J. D. BITTERS, HARNESS SHOP, East Side of Main Street, Nearly opposite the Bank.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, November 29, 1879]

[Adv] Attention Farmers! And all others who think of buying harness or anything in that line.- - - Harnerss, Collars, Bridles, Whips - - - - Sign of the Red Collar, opposite Dr. Robbins' office. J. D. BITTERS.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 18, 1882]

[Adv] HARNESS AT COST! For the next Thirty days I will offer my entire stock of heavy and light, double and single harness, saddles, robes, whips, combs, brushes, etc., at Cost. - - - JOHN D. BITTERS, Four doors north of the Citizens Bank.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, October 9, 1899]

BITTERS, M. M. [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] The Boynton Hot Air Furnace, Over 70,000 in use. The father of heaters. $80 buys one set up. - - - - M. M. BITTERS, Agent for Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, October 19, 1894]

BITTERS, THOMAS MAJOR [Rochester, Indiana]
BIOGRAPHY
This esteemed citizen is a native of Pennsylvania, born September 21, 1835. His parents having moved from Northampton County, Penn., they settled in Columbia County in 1842. He left home at eleven years of age, and labored on a farm. He learned the printer's trade in 1854, and came West in 1856. He worked for some time in Indianapolis, and from there went to Peru, Ind., where he worked for some time. He was married, March 4, 1858, to Miss Maria Rose, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, born August 7, 1842. These parents have the following children: Albert W., born August 19, 1859; Maggie, born October, 1863. Mr. Bitters came to Rochester, October 6, 1873, and purchased the Rochester Union Spy, which he continued to publish successfully for six years. He displayed marked ability in its management, and it was soon noted for the bold and fearless advocacy of its principles. It was soon placed upon a paying basis and became valuable property. In 1879, he sold out to Mattingly Brothers, and moved to Rensselaer, where he purchased the Rensselaer Union, but soon changed it to the Rensselaer Republican. After publishing it for some time with good success, he sold it and returned to Rochester and engaged in the real estate and insurance business. He formed a partnership with Mr. A. C. Elliott. They loaned money, sold land and tended to all classes of legal business in that line. Mr. Bitters srerved in the war for the Union as First Lieutenant of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Indiana Infantry. He is a man of noble impulses and kind as a friend and law abiding as a citizen. He lately dissolved partnership with Mr. Elliott, and is now editor of the Rochester Tribune, a new Republican paper, which is succeeding admirably.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 21]

THOMAS MAJOR BITTERS (Biography)
Thomas Major BITTERS, the editor and senior member of the newspaper firm of M. Bitters & Son, was born in Pennsylvania 60 years ago. He commenced newspaper work in his boyhood as a typesetter, and came to Peru, Indiana, in 1856 and was foreman of the Republican of that town for seventeen years. Then he came to Rochester and purchased the Union Spy and published it for several years when he sold it to the MATTINGLYs and went to Rensselaer and published a paper there for two years. Then he came back to Rochester and founded the Tribune which he afterward sold to the HOWARDs. Then he again purchased the Republican and four years ago bought out the Tribune and merged its business interests to the Republican. He is a forceful writer, a man widely known to the newspaper fraternity and a devotee of religious matters rather than politics. He owns his newspaper building and his home and his family consists of a wife, son Albert, and a daughter, Mrs. Maggie MILLER.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

BIOGRAPHY
Major Bitters. - During the month of roses, in 1820, John Bitters, the son of a German soldier, who chose death rather than subserviance to George IV, was united in marriage at Martin's Creek, Northampton county, Pa., with Miss Sarah Ann Major, a young lady of Scotch parentage, to whom where born eleven children. Major Bitters, the subject of this sketch, being the eighth child and fourth son, born Sept. 21, 1835. When but eleven years of age Major Bitters went forth to earn an independent livelihood, and until 1854, when he took an apprenticeship at the Gazette office, in Berwick, Pa., he paid his parents over three hundred dollars out of his very meager earnings. In less than one year's time he was advanced to the foremanship of the office and at the commencement of the Buchanan presidential campaign, in 1856, published a campaign paper at Bloomsburg, Pa., with Frank Snyder as financial partner. Before election day the "Campaigner" suspended for want of patronage and the material was moved to Orangeville, Pa., where the publication of the Orangeville Democrat was established by the same firm, but the revenue was not sufficient to prevent a treasury deficit, and Major resolved to accept the advice just offered by Horace Greeley--to go West and grow up with the country. As foreman of the Democrat (which was a republican paper) at Danville, Pa., he earned sufficient means to carry him to Indianapolis, Ind., where he served a few weeks on the Journal, and thence to Peru, about Christmas time in 1856, where he resided until the 6th of October, 1873. During his residence in Peru, on the 4th day of March, 1858, he was united in marriage to Miss Maria Rose, to whom were born three sons and one daughter. Two sons died in childhood. Albert and Maggie are yet living, both married and residents of Rochester. Major enlisted as a private soldier in Company K, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Indiana volunteers, which was mustered in at Indianapolis in February, 1865, and mustered out at Dover, Del., in August of the same year. But most of his time in the army was given as second leader of a regimental brass band. Under his skillful services the Peru Republican developed from an insignificant country paper, printed on a hand press, to its present proud proportions. The purchase of the Rochester Union Spy was a venture that no one with a less degree of adhesiveness would have undertaken, but the debt incurred was paid in due time and the office and the paper very much improved. Three years later he sold the Spy office and purchased the Union office at Rensselaer and changed the name to Rensselaer Republican. In July, 1880, he sold out and returned to Rochester, engaging in the real estate business with A. C. Elliott. In 1882 he established the Rochester Tribune, which he sold to W. I. Howard & Son a year later. In November, 1884, he repurchased the Spy office, which under the management of W. H. Matingly & Bro. had been rechristened the Rochester Republican. On the 5th day of February, 1886, he added the publication of the Rochester Daily Republican, now in its eleventh volume, of which, together with the Weekly Republican, M. Bitters & Son ar the sole proprietors. In 1892 they purchased the Rochester Tribune and consolidated it with the Republican. Major Bitters is a successful editor and publisher, but the principal qualification he possesses is adhesiveness. Early and late he is engaged in looking after the welfare of his paper, and largely through his progressive ideas Rochester has developed from the usual old-time conditions of a country village to an admirable little city, well ordered and beautified with elegant residences, commodious churches, school houses and other metropolitan advantages of which the people are ustly proud. Politically Major Bitters was born and raised a democrat, and remained such until the democratic attempt at the extension of slavery, which aroused him to the support of John C. Fremont and soon after he identified himself with the republican party. Religiously he was born and raised a Presbyterian, but at maturity he united with the Methodist church and was an active worker for twenty-five years. In 1880 he commenced the study of evolution as presented by Darwin, Huxley, Spencer and others, and this knowledge is steadfastly maintained.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 36-37]

BITTERS, WILLIAM [Henry Township]
BIOGRAPHY
William Bitters. - The gentleman of whom we now write is a native of Northampton County, Penn. His birth occurred August 4, 1825. His ancestry is German. His paternal grandfather was one of the Hessians whom the British employed to assist in overcoming the rebellion in America, but not being favorable to kingly rule or British tyranny, upon arriving in America he espoused the cause of the oppressed colonies, and fought through that long and tedious war for the freedom of an oppressed people. At the close of the war, he located in Pennsylvania, where he married and reared a family. His son, John Bitters, who was the father of the subject of this sketch, served his country in the war of 1812. Mr. Bitters obtained a fair education, in such schools as his native place afforded. Upon attaining his majority, he served an apprenticeship at brick laying, and successfuly conducted the business for a number of years at Bloomsburg, in his native State. In 1856, Mr. B. immigrated to this State, and purchased a quarter-section of land in the eastern part of Fulton County. He afterward resided for some time in Peru, Miami County. He afterward resided for some time in Peru, Miami County, where he was engaged in the construction of the Miami County Court House. Upon returning to Fulton County, he located on the premises now owned by Daniel Daniels. In 1866, he purcased his present home, where he has since erected a fine brick residence. In connection with farming, Mr. B. is largely engaged in the manufacture and laying of brick. On the 6th of November, 1851, Mr. Bitters was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth A. Kuhn, a native of Pennsylvania. To them have been born eight children--Franklin P. (a physician of Rensselaer, Ind.); Calvin K. (practicing law at Rochester); Laura B.; Martin M.; Flora E.; Sarah M.; Chester C. and Jessie Edna. Mr. and Mrs. Bitters are Presbyterians in faith, but nave no organization near them.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 37]

BITTERS & CO., A. T. [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] INVESTIGATE! - - - WALL PAPER! - - - - WINDOW CURTAINS! - - - - BABY CARRIAGES. Drop in and see the goods and get prices. A. T. BITTERS & Co, CITY BOOK STORE.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 17, 1893]

BITTERS & KALE [Rochester, Indiana]

[Adv] ROOF REPAIRING. We specialize in repairing old roofs with Malleable Asphalt. - - - BITTERS & KALE, Local Applicators for Malleable Asphalt Co. Telephone 216.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, May 8, 1935]

BITTERS BRICK MILL - [Henry Township]
Akron's first brick mill, established by William Bitters.

BLACK, JOHN W. [Rochester Township]
BIOGRAPHY
John W. Black, farmer, P.O. Rochester. This estimable gentleman, born in Fairfield County, Ohio, March 10, 1838, is the son of John and Elizabeth (Mechling) Black, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Ohio. The subject of this sketch was educated in the district schools of his native county. He continued to reside in his native State until 1857, when he became a resident of this county, settling first in Newcastle Township, where he was engaged in farming and carpenter work until 1877, when he took charge of the County Infirmary, having previously served as County Commissioner for two terms, also as Township Trustee of Newcastle Township for a period of eight years. Mr. Black was married, September 30, 1860, to Mary Taylor, who was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, February 4, 1838. She is the daughter of Salem P. and Sarah (Baldwin) Taylor, the former a native of Vermont, born April 19, 1803, and the latter of Ohio, August 18, 1808. Mr. and Mrs. Black have been blessed with five children, three of whom are living, viz., Alvah F., born June 7, 1861; George, October 10, 1866; and Leonidas W., born July 23, 1878. Mr. Black is a member of Bloomingsburg Lodge F. & A. M., No. 489, and he and his worthy lady are members of the Lutheran Church.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 28]

BIOGRAPHY
John W. Black, an ex-commissioner of Fulton county, and for fifteen years superintendent of the county poor farm, is a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, born March 10, 1838; son of John and Elizabeth (Mechling) Black. The father of Mr. Black was born in Germany and died in Ohio, and his mother was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., and at seventy-six years of age died in Henry county, Ohio. Mr. Black, the subject of this review, attended the public ashools in Ohio, and there he also learned the carpenter's trade. In 1857, Mr. Black came to Fulton county, Ind., and Jan. 26 of that year he located in Newcastle township, where he worked at his trade during the summer season, and taught school during the winter, for five years. The major part of the life of Mr. Black has been devoted to agricultural interests, and in December, 1877, he was appointed superintendent of the poor farm of Fulton county, and in this capacity he continued until March, 1893. All through his long term of service he gave the utmost satisfactions, and the time which he held office is itself positive proof of his undoubted ability to properly care for the poor unfortunates and manage the farm to obtain the best results. In politics Mr. Black is a democrat and, as such, he served the county faithfully and well as a commissioner for five years. During his term as commissioner the county poor house was built, at a cost of $10,000, and also the first iron bridge in the county was erected over the Tippecanoe river. While a resident of Newcastle township he served for seven years as trustee. In 1894 he was the nominee of his party for county auditor, but went down with the entire county ticket, in the "land slide" at the election of that year. Mr. Black is now residing on his farm of seventy acres, two miles south of Rochester. He was united in marriage Sept. 30, 1860, to Miss Mary Taylor, who was born in Ohio. To them were born these two children: George and Nora, now Mrs. Bruce Low. Mr. Black has been a Mason since 1865, and an I.O.O.F. since 1872. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church. He is a man of pleasing manner and one whose honesty and integrity have never been questioned, and who today is one of the most popular men in Fulton county.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 37-38]

BLACK & BAILEY'S HARDWARE [Rochester, Indiana]
Located W side of street probably at 704 Main, where Mr. Bailey was already in business.
Founded by George Black and Max Bailey in 1924.
Moved to 712-714 Main in 1928.
After Mr. Black's death in 1943, Byron Bailey went into business with his brother Max, and employing a third brother, Elliott. It was then called Bailey's Hardware.
Max retired in 1960, selling his interest to Byron, who sold the business to his two sons, Robert Bailey and David Bailey, in 1973.
See Stoner & Black; Bailey's Hardware.
__________

BLACK AND BAILEY FORM PARTNERSHIP
George Black, who recently severed his connections with the Stehle & Shively hardware store, has taken over a half interest in the Max Bailey hardware store. Mr. Black has been engaged in the hardware business in this city for the past 30 years. He was engaged in the business with Norman Stoner for many years and when they sold out their store he remained with the subsequent purchasers. Max Bailey recently purchased the hardware business owned by his father, the late Stilla P. Bailey. The new partnership went into effect Monday morning.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 17, 1924]

BLACK AND BAILEY TO OCCUPY DILLON BLDG.
The Black and Bailey Hardware Store and the Sportsman Store at 704 Main Street will move into the room vacated by the Stehle and Shively Hardward Company in the Dillon building on Main street the owners announced Tuesday morning. By the terms of the lease Black and Bailey will take possession of the first and second stories and the basement of the Dillon Building. The leasers will attempt to move into the new room by the first of October. Black and Bailey have announced that they will hold a gigantic sale next week a full announcement of which will be carried in the News-Sentinel next Tuesday.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, September 13, 1927]

[Adv] - - - - Hardware, Paint, Roofing, John Deere Farm Tools, Stoves, Sport Goods, BLACK & BAILEY, 712-714 Main St., Phone 53.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, January 6, 1931]

CABLE BROKE
A cable supporting a 1000 pound weight on an elevator in the Black and Bailey hardware store snapped at 4:30 o'clock Monday afternoon. The weight fell 20 feet and drove itself six inches into the concrete at the bottom of the elevator pit. Luckily the weight operates in a slide and followed this to the pit. The report when the weight struck the bottom of the pit could be heard for some distance and it was at first thought an explosion had occurred.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, January 23, 1940]

BLACK & McMAHAN ORCHARD [Rochester, Indiana]
DAL BLACK, PAT McMAHAN BUY "WALTON" ORCHARD
A real estate transaction completed two weeks ago was made public Monday. The William Walton orchard west of this city has become the property of Dal Black and Pat McMahan. Mr. Black has been the manager of the orchard for the past three years.
The purchasers intend to operate the orchard in the same manner as has Mr. Walton.
The Walton orchard is the south 35 acres of the old Spohn orchard. Some of the finest apples in the state of Indiana re picked from the trees in the Walton orchard. Mr. Walton will devote his entire time to the management of another orchard which he owns near LaPorte.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Monday, February 8, 1926]

STANTON SELLS INTEREST IN THE SPOHN ORCHARD
H. L. Stanton, of LaPorte, operating under the name of Stanton Orchard Company, has disposed of the north end of the Spohn or "Big Orchard" to present owners of the south end of the same orchard, Messrs. Black and McMahan.
Mr. Stanton has been interested in this orchard since the spring of 1914. It has always been a great producer and is one of the best equipped orchards in the state. The new owners are fortunate in acquiring the entire orchard.
Mr. Stanton owns and operates a young apple orchard at Stone Lake, LaPorte, Ind., which he set out himself and is obliged to give it more attention each season.
He is giving up his interests here rather reluctantly, having formed many pleasant relations, not only among the business men of Rochester, but also with those who have so diligently assisted him at the orchard.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, November 24, 1930]

BLACK OAK NEIGHBORHOOD [Fulton County]
NEWS OF THE DAY
The farmers out in the Black Oak neighborhood have a new weasther signal service. The Government furnished the flags, a high pole has been put up at Clint Ralstin's and weather maker Guthrie telephones the weather report out each morning.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, April 27, 1905]

BLACK REPUBLICAN [Aubbeenaubbee Township]
Christopher Campbell was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1831 and came to Fulton County in 1853. He was known as a "Black Republican" because of his sympathy for the colored people and help with the underground railroad through Fulton County.
[Christopher Campbell Family, Mary Campbell Gynther, Fulton Co Folks, Vol 2, Willard]

BLACKBURN, FRED [Akron, Indiana]
See: Downs Sawmill

BLACKBURN, MEADE, MRS. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Downs Sawmill
BLACKBURN, TIM [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Downs Sawmill

BLACKETOR, ABE [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Jean C. & Wendell C. Tombaugh Obituaries, 1933, and ibid, 1943.
__________

OBITUARY
Harriet Emergene (Miller) Blacketor was born May 2, 1856, at Wawpecong, Miami County, Indiana. In 1860, her parents, George and Hester Miller, moved to Fulton County and located in the Burton neighborhood. From there they moved in 1862 to the Ebenezer neighborhood, where she has lived for 81 years among her many friends. She was united in marriage 68 years ago to Abe Blacketor, and moved immediately to her new home, where she lived until her death.
To them seven children were born:
Mrs. Elmer Newcomb
Mrs. John McKinney
Mrs. Paul Wheadon
Miss Etta Blacketor
Mr. Kline Blacketor
Mr. Joshua Blacketor
Miss Merle Blacketor
Mrs. Paul Wheadon and Merle Blacketor preceded their mother in death.
There were eight grandchildren:
Mr. Carl Newcomb
Mr. Leonard Newcomb (deceased)
Mr. Kline Blacketor Jr.
Mr. James Newcomb
Mrs. Paul Myers
Mr. Francis Abe Blacketor (in service in England)
Mr. Byron Ginn
Mr. Raymond Blacketor
Deceased - Floyd A. Newcomb, Nila Jean Blacketor, Zanna Etta Wheadon.
There are nine great-grandchildren:
Mary Lou Newcomb
Joanne Newcomb
Marcia Newcomb
Joan Ginn
Carrie Ginn
Carl E. Newcomb
Billy Myers
Brent Blacketor
Edwin Newcomb
Mrs. Abe Blacketor moved on the farm immediately after her marriage in 1875 and made this her home for 68 years. She has seen the neighborhood cleared of its great forests; its homes changed from log cabins to modern homes; the roads changed from winding dirt to plank, to gravel and to the present concrete highways. During all this time her home was filled with hospitality for all who came. Her family grew up and established homes of their own but the old home had so impressed itself upon them that at least once a week all paid a visit there. The house was filled with a happy crowd and in the center were the two parents, enjoying every incident of the week. The home was never too crowded; the table was still loaded at the end of the meal; and a jovial time was enjoyed by them all.
Slowly each one left with a renewed desire to hurry back next week. Few families have enjoyed such companionship. Discord was unknown. - - - - - - .
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, December 14, 1943]

BLACKETOR, FRANCIS A. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Francis Blacketor)
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Second Letter From Francis Blacketor)
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Third Letter From Francis Blacketor)

BLACKETOR, JAMES F. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From James F. Blacketor]

BLACKETOR, JOSHUA [Rochester, Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Joshua Blacketor, a resident of Fulton county since 1837, was born in Decatur county, Ind., in 1827, and is a son of Norman and Patsey (Hoobery) Blacketor. The father of Mr. Blacketor was born in Kentucky and died in Fulton county, Ind., about forty-one years ago, and the mother, a native of the same state, died in this county some forty-four years ago. Mr. Blacketor is the tenth in a family of twelve children, only three of whom are living at this time. Mr. Blacketor was reared upon the farm and farming has been his life occupation. He now owns a good farm of ninety-two acres about four miles southeast of Rochester. This land was entered by his father from the government, and the first deed for it is now in the possession of Mr. Joshua Blacketor. Mr. Blacketor was united in marriage in 1850 to Susan J. Babcock, a native of Indiana. To this marriage relation there are four living children, viz.: Thomas B., Sarah Ann, Elizabeth M., and James B. The political support of Mr. Blacketor has always been given to the democratic party. All through his residence of fifty-nine years in this county Mr. Blacketor has been known as a man of sterling worth and his friends are legion.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 38-39]

BLACKETOR, KLINE [Rochester, Indiana]
NEWS OF THE DAY
A letter from Kline Blacketor, who is now at Winnipeg, Canada, to relatives here, says he is there attending a provincial fair. He talks of the city and the beautiful decorations but adds that it lacks one thing -- there are no Stars and Stripes waving in the breeze.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, July 22, 1908]

BLACKETOR, LOVELLE [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Lovelle Blacketor)

BLACKSMITH SHOPS [Kewanna, Indiana]
Donald Van Duyne married Wilma Shoemaker and became a farmer and blacksmith near Kewanna. [NOTE: see Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard, pp. 596-599 for details]
[Van Duyne - Shelton Families, Fred Van Duyne, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

BLACKSMITH SHOPS [Rochester, Indiana]
Chris Kamerer.Located on W side of street at 428 Main. Later a building at that address housed Babcock Meat Market, and still later Tyler Sheet Metal Co. was loaced there.
Noah Craven, "Ol" Russler, John Schreyer, Samuel Aitkins, Samuel Arter, William Rannells, Henry Warner, John Becker, Milo Braman, Al Chestnut and "Chiney" Van Duyne
__________

SMITHIES ORGANIZE
The blacksmiths of the city have organized and have received a charter from the National Horseshoers Association. The officers of the local branch are Al Chestnut, Pres.; John Hill, Vice President; Sam Arter, Sec.; John Becker, Treas; and Fred McCarter, General Warden. Every shop with the exception of one is now in the organization. All shoes put on in these shops are stamped with the Association stamp, which is guarantee for good work.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, May 6, 1914]

BLANCHARD, JOHN L. [Rochester, Indiana]
BIOGRAPHY
John L. Blanchard is a nartive of Clermont County, Ohio, born July 17, 1834. He came to Jennings County, Ind., with his parents when he was six years old. He gained such knowledge and information as is usually obtained at the common schools. He worked on the farm for some time, and in June, 1855, was united in marriage to Miss Nancy L. Condrey, of this State, and born June 20, 1835. His father, Amos Blanchard, was born in Vermont July 17, 1814, and married Sarah Lower, a native of Pennsylvania. They came West to Jennings County in 1840, where they lived and died. They were of German and English descent. Mr. Blanchard came here in 1861, and by his industry and habits of economy, he soon won the respect of his fellow-citizens. He met with an accident in 1873, which deprived him of the use of two fingers of his right hand by being caught in the machinery of a planing mill, and for a time it was thought he would lose his whole hand. He was elected Recorder of Fulton County in 1878, and is a member of the Knights of Honor and of the Knights and Ladies of Honor. His family consists of the following named children: Rhoda S., born May 18, 1856, and deceased September 4, 1878; Elizabeth, born February 12, 1858; James W., born February 1, 1861, and deceased September 2, 1876; Levina E., born January 22, 1863; David S., born October 10, 1865; Sarah, born April 19, 1868; John E., born March 31, 1872; and Nannie M., born July 10, 1877, and deceased April 12, 1878. Mr. Blanchard now fills the position of Recorder, with much credit to himself and his friends.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, pp. 21-22]

BLIGH, GEO. [Rochester, Indiana]
GEO. BLIGH IN MOVIES
Bloomington, Ind., Sept 23. - Geo. Bligh, of Rochester, member of Pat Page's Indiana University football squad has broken into the movies. A cameraman has visited the Indiana Memorial Stadium and caught Page's "white Hopes" in action. The picture will be used in many theaters over the state.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, September 23, 1927]

BLIGH RESIDENCE [Rochester, Indiana]
BLIGH HOME SOLD
The Martin J. Bligh residence on south Main street, better known as the O. A. Davis home has been sold to Andy Stehle, who is part owner of the Stehle and Shively hardware store in this city. The Blighs are moving to the home on their West Farm which has been re-decorated and repainted. It is one of the finest farm homes in Fulton county.
Mr. Stehle will move his family which consists of his wife, and son and daughter, to this city from Peru within the next few weeks.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, March 27, 1925]

BLINN, CHESTER [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Chester Blinn)

BLOCK SERVICE STATION [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv. - The Block Service Station announces its opening to the public Wednesday morning, June 20, with a full line of oils and greases. Your patronage is respectfully solicited. D. W. Kilmer, Prop.]
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, June 19, 1923]

BLODGETT STUDIO [Rochester, Indiana]
PHOTOGRAPHER CLOSES STUDIO
W. M. Blodgett, who opened a studio over the Shoup hardware store three months ago, has closed up his place and moved his equipment to Mentone where he has another studio.
[News-Sentinel, Monday, January 5, 1925]

BLODGETT'S TAVERN [Fulton County]
Located just south of the Marshall County line.
Chief Aubbeenaubbee had villages near Leiters Ford and Richland Center and in Marshall County. Sources agree that he killed his squaw and was, in vengeance, killed by his oldest son, Paukooshuck, while drunk. Some say he was killed with a tomahawk while drinking in Blodgett's tavern just south of the Marshall County line. Others say he was killed in his cabin with a butcher knife which struck him from behind, between the shoulders, penetrating his heart.
[Chief Aubbeenaubbee, Shirley Willard, Fulton Co Folks,Vol. 2, Willard]

BLOOMINGSBURG, INDIANA [Newcastle Township]
See Talma, Indiana

BLOOMINGSBURG MILL [Talma, Indiana]
[Adv] 10,000 Bushels WHEAT WANTED! for which the BLOOMINGSBURG MILL will pay the Highest Cash Prices.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, June 10, 1891]
BLOOMINGSBURG POST OFFICE [Talma, Indiana]
Located approximately 550E and 675N.

BLOOMINGSBURGH POSTMASTERS [Talma, Indiana]
Joseph Brelsford, June 13, 1851. Michael Kesler, Mar 31, 1852.
Joseph Brelsford, June 2, 1853. Richard Coplen, June 24, 1854.
William Coplen, Oct 31, 1856. Ambrose Meredith, Dec 17, 1858.
Kennedy Whitman, Aug 15 1859. P. Collins, July 20, 1861.
Henry Bowman, Oct 29, 1864.
Sachwerell Foudray, Nov 27, 1863, Daniel Finley, Mar 12, 1878.
Henry H. Ward, Nov 18, 1878. Francis P. Waugh April 12, 1881,
Charles H. Bell, Feb 14, 1884.
Quimby Kling, Sep 11, 1885.
Simon Y. Grove, N.B. May ---, 1895, Mar 21, 1888.
[Name changed to Talma, Jan 25, 1896]
[F.C.H.S. Files]

BLOSSER, ELZA J. [Kewanna, Indiana]
FILES BANKRUPT SCHEDULE
A schedule in bankruptcy was filed Monday by Attorney Charles Yarlott of Logansport in behalf of his client, Elza J. Blosser, of Kewanna. Mr. Blosser succceeded Henry D. Howell about a year ago and since then has operated a haberdashery. It seems the patronage was not sufficient to meet expenses and the new owner of the stock gradually lost out until the end. The assets are listed at $633 and the liabilities at $2,100.
Mr. Blosser is one of Kewanna's enterprising merchants and his business trouble is the source of considerable regret on the part of his many friends.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, January 16, 1912]

BLOSSER, ROY [Kewanna, Indiana]
STATION IS SOLD
The Pure-Oil Filling Station at Kewanna, owned and operated by Roy Blosser for the past four years has been sold to James T. Burns who for many years was engaged in the meat business in this city
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, September 5, 1928]

BLUE DRUG STORE [Rochester, Indiana]
See Ruh Drugs, Alex; Mammoth Building; Central Block
__________

[Adv] For Drugs and Medicines, Go to the BLUE DRUG STORE (Plank's Old Stand) AGER & RUH.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, July 18, 1888]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Blue Drug Store has installed a milk-shake machine and is now serving that delicious beverage to its thirsty customers. Try a glass.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 12 1910]
DR. U. A. AGER DEAD
Dr. J. N. Rannells received a telegram announcing the death of Dr. U. A. Ager, which occurred at his home in Peru this morning. No particulars were given as to the cause of death, but it is presumed that it was wholly unexpected as Dr. Ager had been in his usual health within the last few days.
For years Dr. Ager practiced medicine in the Perrysburg neighborhood, and at one time was the partner of Alex Ruh in running the Blue drug store in this city. Later he moved to Peru where he has since resided. He had many friends and relatives in this county.
The funeral services will be conducted at Peru Friday.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, September 7, 1910]

BLUE GOOSE LINE
See Indiana Motor Bus Company

BLUE GRASS, INDIANA [Wayne Township]
Mr. McMillen, of Kewanna, has moved to this place and started a first-class butcher shop.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, July 10, 1907]

BLUE GRASS/BLUEGRASS POST OFFICE [Marshtown, Indiana]
[F.C.H.S. Files]

BLUE GRASS/BLUEGRASS POSTMASTERS [Marshtown, Indiana]
Henry H. Smith, March 10, 1851 [57?]. John Holida [sic], Nov 11, 1851 [57?].
John Mathews, Dec 19,1857.
David McCaughey, Oct 30, 1856. John Mathews, Jan 28, 1861.
Isaiah Ball, Dec 27, 1866, William Potter, Jan 21, 187[?].
E. C. Newhouse, Oct 31, 1870. Marshall C. Phillis, July 7, 1879.
Valentine Thompson, Sept 20, 1880.
Samuel N. Battie, July 22, 1881, James T.Towey, Aug 29, 1881
James T. Towey, N.S. Oct 19, 1885, Aug 29, 1881. Sam'l N. Beattie, Dec 31, 1885.
George W. Julian, Apr 12, 1889. Thos. H. Lease, Oct 14, 1890. Gilbert C. Lease, Feb 27, 1891.
Salinda Reed, May 15, 1891. Geo. W. Cook, March 28, 1892.
John W. Rush, N.B. July 18, 18[??] N.B. June 29, 18[??] , Oct 26, 1893.
[Name changed to Bluegrass Oct 26, 1893]
Sarah Beattie, Oct 5, 1899.
Sarah Beattie, Oct 5, 1899. Sarah Kimble Aug 25, 1900. N.B. Nov 20, 1900.
Perry O. Cornell, Sept 5, 1903.
Dis. Mail to Grasscreek Apr 3, 1906, effect Apr 30, 1906.
[F.C.H.S. Files]

BLUE GRASS SOCIETY [Grass Creek, Indiana]
An organization to collect funds for the Grass Creek Church.

BLUE PRODUCTS CO. [Rochester, Indiana]
Located 130 E 8th.
Owned by Earle Miller.
He left Rochester and served as reporter and copy editor on papers in Louisville, New Orleans and San Francisco. He became associated with the Blue Products Company, which manufactured special cleaning powders, in 1931 at Cleveland. Taking over ownership in 1940, he moved the business to Rochester, 116 W. 9th, and later to 130 E 8th. In 1954 he sold the business to Dee Fultz, who in turn sold to Garry Daniels.
At the age of 67 in 1952 Earle Miller became director of Fulton County Welfare Department, where he remained for 14 years.
__________

BLUE PRODUCTS CO. FACTORY TO REMOVE TO THIS CITY SOON
A new factory for Rochester is to become a reality immediately after the fall election, according to an announcement today by Earle A. Miller, of this city.
The new industry which has just signed a lease for the two story brick building 116-118 West 9th street, known as the Beyer building, is the Blue Products Co. of Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Miller, who has been associated with the company for a long number of years is president and Chas. D. Clute of Cleveland, Ohio is the vice-president of the organization. Mr. Clute is well known to Rochester citizens as he and Mrs. Clute have spent several summers at Lake Manitou.
Products Manufactured
The company which is all ready well established throughout the business fields of U.S. and Canada, manufactures various kinds of cleaning materials, disinfectants, floor finishings, and other products for domestic and commercial sanitation use.
The Blue Products Co. will employ approximately 10 or 12 peole at the factory and will also have a force of 40 salesmen who will be in the field continuously in the interest of the company.
In an interview with Mr. Miller it was stated that at least four new families would be brought to Rochester through the transfer of the factory equipment from Columbus to this city.
The Moore Implement Co., which now occupies a portion of the Beyer building, will remove to its new building recently erected at the rear of its present location, and the Dyche Motors, Inc., which occupies the east section of the Beyer building will soon remove to its own quarters at the southwest corner of Main and Sixth streets.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, October 14, 1940]

BLUE PRODUCTS CO. BUSINESS IS NOW WELL UNDERWAY
A newly established Rochester industry which was moved here from Cleveland, Ohio, in mid-November with little or no fanfare, today is well underway with an exceptionally pleasing run of business, and several local people are being melded into various positions throughout the plant. The industry is the Blue Products Co., which is located in the two-and-a-half story Beyer building, situated on West Ninth street.
The factory, which manufactures commercial cleansing, disinfectant and deodorant compounds, was brought to this city through the efforts of the Rochester Kiwanis club.
Long-Established Industry
Earle A. Miller, of Rochester, is president and Charles D. Clute, of Brocksville, Ohio, general manager of the company. These men organized the Blue Products Co. a number of years ago and for the past 25 years the plant was located at Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Clute is well known to Rochester people as for a number of years he and Mrs. Clute spent their summers at Lake Manitou.
An inspection trip through the Blue Products company's new home was made yesterday by a representative of The News-Sentinel. On the main floor of the building, one finds a neatly arranged and modern-equipped business office, while to the west are situated the offices of the general manager and the Indiana sales manager. In the rear of the first floor a spacious room is utilized as the company's shipping department, and another tightly sealed adjacent room houses the chemical grinding and mixing machinery.
The large basement of the plant is filled with supplies and stocks and the entire second floor is stocked with cartons, steel drums, pails, boxes and various sizes of shipping containers.
Several Local Employees
The local employee roster includes the following : clerical, Jean Miller, Eileen Brooke, Cecile Miller, and Harry Casper; head chemist, Dr. Rentschler; shipping department, John Pyle; salesmen, Earl Sisson, Ray Copeland of Akron, Kenneth McCoy, formerly of Rochester, Elmer Pennington, Earl Staley, Virgil Chambers, Frank Coon and Rex Richards. In addition to these local salesmen the company employs over two score salesmen in various sections of the United States, it was stated. During the period from March to August, which is the peak season of this industry, the company will have well over 70 people on its payroll.
A glance through the company's sales list reveals the Blue Products company manufactures 32 different types of cleaning powders and materials; 13 types of soap; eight types of polish; 12 types of disinfectants and insecticides and nine types of detergents. In addition, the firm also jobs industrial paints and floor finishes, bakelite, enamels, janitor supplies, gymnasium floor finishes, etc.
Mr. Miller stated the company has a long-established clientele in the following states: New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklaoma, Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, the Dakotas, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon and California.
The management further added that in the expansion of the plant preference would be given Rochester people as new positions are open.
While the new industry is still in the process of establishment, Mr. Miller stated that Rochester prople are always welcome to come in and inspect the offices and plant.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, December 20, 1940]

CHARLES D. CLUTE DIES IN HOT SPRINGS, ARK.
Charles D. Clute, aged 60, Brecksville, Ohio, vice-president of the Blue Products company which moved its plant from Cleveland, Ohio, several months ago to 116 West Ninth street, died suddenly Friday night in Hot Springs, Ark., from acute indigestion.
Word of Mr. Clute's death was received here Saturday by Earle A. Miller. Mr. Clute was well known in Rochester and had spent many summers at Lake Manitou. He had suffered with a stomach ailment for several years.
At the time of his death, Mr. Clute was enroute to San Antonio, Tex., on a business trip for the Blue Products comany. Mrs. Clute was traveling with her husband.
The deceased was born in New York state and had been identified with the Blue Products company for many years. His wife was Katherine Richardson of Cleveland. Mr. Clute was a member of the Episcopalian church and the Masonic fratenity.
Survivors are the wife and a sister, Mrs. Nellie Birdsell of Cleveland, Ohio.
The body was cremated in Memphis, Tenn., today and the ashes will be returned to Brecksville, Ohio, for internment at a date as yet undetermined.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, January 27, 1941]

EARLE MILLER PURCHASES 2-STORY BRICK BUILDING
Earle Miller, president of the Blue Products company, today verified a report that he had purchased the W. L. Moore building on West Ninth street, now occupied by his company, together with the large new seven-room brick residence adjoining the main building on the west, and the large new brick addition housing the John Deere Implement company to the north.
The purchase was engineered by the Fred H. Moore Realty company and gives the Blue Products company an available floor space of approximately 30,000 square feet for expansion as needed. The purchase price was not made known.
In former years the main building housed one of Rochester's biggest industries, the Beyer Brothers company, which was engaged in the creamery and poultry business. The big new brick addition was constructed by W. L. Moore recently to house the Moore Implement company which sold out to the John Deere company.
The sale is the largest transfer of business property that has been made in Rochester for quite some time and was announced by Fred Moore of the realty company bearing his name. The John Deere company today renewed their lease to the building they occupy.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, June 25, 1941]

BLUE PRODUCTS ACQUIRES ELKO COMPANY SUPPLIES
Earle Miller, of the Blue Products Co., 118 West Ninth street, this city, today announced that he has purchased the stock and material equipment of the Elko Manufacturing Co. of Logansport. The Logansport firm which manufactured sanitary supplies and cleaning compounds is retiring from the business field.
The equipment and stock will be brought to the local plant, immediately, Mr. Miller stated today.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, September 11, 1942]

BLUE ROOM CAFE [Rochester, Indiana]
Located 513 Main St.
__________

MRS. HELEN FISHER WILL OPEN A NEW CAFE HERE
An error was made in the News-Sentinel Tuesday when it was stated that Russell See was to open a restaurant in the Obie Goss building at 513 North Main street. Instead of Mr. See opening the new cafe it is Mrs. Helen Fisher who will be the proprietor. Mrs. Fisher is an experienced restaurant woman and has been the manager and chef in a number of cafes during the past frw years. Obie Goss will continue in the bottling business and will occupy a portion of his building just back of the Fisher Cafe.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, October 3, 1928]

[Adv] BLUE ROOM CAFE Announces Special Working Man's Lunch 25¢. Open from 5 a.m. to 12 midnight. MRS. HELEN FISHER, Prop.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, Octobver 11, 1928]

RESTAURANT SOLD
. . . The Blue Room Cafe at 513 North Main street was sold by Mr. and Mrs. Russell See to Mrs. O. S. Goss and Mrs. Jack Wilson.
Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Goss will also open a hotel in connection with the cafe taking over the second floor of the Goss building. Twelve sleeping rooms are to be made which will be equipped with the best of furniture. Running drinking water is to be provided in every room by a complete water system. Several bathrooms are also to be installed.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Saturday, June 24, 1929]

BLUEGRASS, INDIANA [Wayne Township]
See Marshtown, Indiana
__________

BLUE GRASS
A stock of hardware has been put in the store building on the corner of Street and Waker, by John Cornell. If this town gets the telephone, railroad and a new four-room school building it will soon be a young Chicago.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 4, 1903]

BLUMENTHAL, MAX L. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rochester Trading Post

BOCKOVER, JOHN [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Downs Sawmill

BOELTER, A. H. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Patents and Inventions
See: Rochester Roller Mills
See: Boelter Mill

BOELTER MILL [Rochester, Indiana]
NEWS OF THE DAY
The new 20x40 story addition to the old Whittenberger flour mill on East 8th street is being rapidly pushed to completion and when finished Mr. Boelter, the new proprietor expects to enlarge his business to such an extent as to meet all competition.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, April 16, 1908]

MILL IS GONE
The Boelter mill is now no more, the work of razing having been completed.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 1, 1916]

BOGGS, MILTON M. [Macy, Allen Township, Miami County]
BIOGRAPHY
Milton M. Boggs, M.D., of Macy, was born in New Castle, Henry County, this State, January 10, 1830. He was the second son born to James and Martha H. (Stinson) Boggs, the former a native of Virginia, of Irish descent, and the latter a native of Tennessee, of Scotch descent. While our subject was yet a child, his parents removed to LaPorte County, this State, where they located on a farm. In 1839 they removed to a farm in Kosciusko County. There the death of his father occurred in 1842, after which Milton returned to LaPorte County, where he worked on a farm by the month until April 17, 1847, at which time he entered the service of the United States in the Mexican war, from which he was honorably discharged in August 1848. He participated in several small skirmishes, but no important engagements. At the close of the war he returned to Leesburg, Kosciusko County, where he began the study of medicine. After three years of diligent study, he entered upon the practice of medicine at Palestine, that county. He removed to Fulton, Fulton County, in 1854, and in 1859 he located upon a farm which he had purchased in Cass County, in the vicinity of which he continued to practice his profession until in August, 1861. At that time he responded to his country's call, and organized Company E, Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry. He served with this company in the capacity of captain until in March 1862, when, owing to a disability received while in active service, he resigned and returned to his home in Cass County. He located at North Manchester, Wabash County, in 1866, where he practiced medicine until May 19, 1870, when he came to this county and located at Macy. He engaged in the drug business in that place in 1875, since which his attention has been directed between that and the practice of his profession. He has a commodious store room, well stocked, and is doing a good business. In Ocober, 1852, he was married to Emeline Miller, who died in February, 1856. April 8, 1857, he was married to Mary Penrose, who died in January, 1867. He was married again to Mrs. Mary Hanna on the 26th of May, 1870. In all, Mr. Boggs is the father of six children--Emma A., Joseph E., Alice V., Minnie W., Miltie and Myrtie M. The first four were born to his second wife and the last two to his third wife. Of these Joseph E., Miltie and Myrtie M. are deceased. Mr. Boggs is a member of the Christian Church and of the F. & A. M. and G.A.R. Lodges. Politically he is a Democrat. He received the appointment of postmaster at Macy in October, 1885, which office he continues to hold. Dr. Boggs is a pleasant, intellignet gentleman, a successful practitioner and business man and a good citizen.
[History of Miami County, Indiana, 1887, Brant & Fuller. pp. 507-508]

Dr. M. M. Boggs
A gentleman who is well and favorably known throughout the southern part of the county as well as northern Cass and Miami, is Dr. M. M. Boggs, who has for years been located in Macy, engaged in the drug business. His store is well stocked with all kinds of pure drugs, roots, herbs, etc., patent medicines of the best manufacture, drug sundries, cigars, tobaccos, etc. Dr. Boggs being a physician is a thoroughly capable compounder of all kinds of drugs, as he knows them all by smell or sight, and is exceedingly careful in filling prescriptions.
Dr. Boggs is one of the pioneer citizens of Macy and it is greatly through his progressiveness that the town is now what it is, he having built two large brick blocks, numerous residences, and always gave liberally to help build churches, secure industries, etc. He can, always be counted on for his assistance in any public movement.
Dr. Boggs is well liked and, professionally, has a large practice.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 14, 1905]

MACY
Macy Monitor
Having sold his drug store to Frank Skinner, of Peru, Dr. Boggs retires from an active business life. He is now in his 76th year, and with the exception of a few months over two years which he served in the civil war, he has been a practitioner of medicine for the past 54 years.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, August 5, 1905]

MACY
Macy Monitor.
There is but one survivor of the Mexican War in Miami county. That is Dr. M. M. Boggs, of Macy, and he is hale and hearty for one of his age. He receives regularly notices of the annual reunion of the boys who marched away at the call of the government to do battle with the country on the south. The Doctor was a member of the 16th regiment U. S. troop, Company H, Joseph P. Smith.
[Rochester Sentinal, Friday, February 16, 1906]

BOILER EXPLOSION [near Millark, Indiana]
We learn that a boiler attached to the steam saw mill, four or five miles southeast from Millark, -- ten or twelve miles from Rochester -- exploded on Wednesday, severely injuring three men-- two of them fatally. One, named Hipple, survived about four hours, and a young man named Harte died yesterday (Friday) morning. The explosion was caused by letting the water get too low.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, July 30, 1859]

BO'S MARINA [Bruce Lake, Indiana]

BOLINGER'S BODY SHOP [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] - - - - automobile body and repair work. - - - Also High-class Refinishing. Give Us A Trial. BOLINGER'S BODY SHOP, 501 North Main St., Phone 111.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, January 6, 1931]

[Adv] All kinds of Body, Top and Fender Work. All work guaranteed. 116 E. 7th, Phone 111.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, June 15, 1931]

BOLLEY, GEORGE [Akron, Indiana]
See Muskrat Farms
__________

AKRON TO HAVE LARGE MUSKRAT FARM SOON
Akron, Ind., Feb. 21. - Akron seems to be the center for the fur industry as was made known this week that they are to have a Muskrat farm near Akron. This farm is located one and one-half miles east of Akron on the Wm. Morret farm. On this farm, which is north of the Harding highway, is a small lake which has been leased for five years by George Bolley and Gail Harsh. The lake covers about three acres and is about 20 feet deep.
Fifty pair of Muskrats will be placed on the farm to start with. These rats are of the very best breed and will be bought in the East from large muskrat ranchers. Two pair were received Wednesday morning from Maryland.
The farm is being fenced off and as soon as this is completed the 50 pair will be turned loose on the farm. There will be no pens to keep each pair separated. They will all run together and build their own houses which will eliminate a lot of work.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, February 20, 1928]

BON TON DRY CLEANERS [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] Just Like New - - - - The Bon Ton Cleaning Shop. K. W. Hartung, Proprietor.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 12, 1919]

[Adv] Look Right -- every day of the week. - - - - Bon Ton Dry Cleaners, Tailors - Cleaners - Dyers, 712 Main Street, Telephone 427.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 26, 1921]

BON TON SANDWICH SHOP [Rochester, Indiana]
SANDWICH SHOP OPENED FOR BUSINESS TODAY
The Bon Ton Sandwich shop, an innovation in Rochester, opened Friday morning on Main street opposite the Arlington hotel. The shop is city headquarters and ticket office for the bus lines.
Harley McCarter, Rochester, formerly with the Armour company and Guy Young, Peru, formerly in the ice cream business in that city, are joint owners of the Bon Ton. The shop carries all deserts, sandwiches, hot-plate food and hot and fountain cold drinks. The shop is exceedingly attractive and entirely redecorated, Zimmerman Brothers, furniture dealers, having done the work.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, March 5, 1926]

BUYS OUT PARTNER
Guy YOUNG on Saturday morning consummated a deal with his partner Harley McCarter, whereby the former now comes into complete ownership and control of the Bon Ton Sandwich Shoppe and Bus Station. Mr. McCarter has not announced as yet his future business intentions.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Monday, April 19, 1926]

The Bon Ton Sandwich Shop, at 702 Main street was closed Thursday afternoon, by the owner, Mrs. Guy Young. She stated that the shop in all probability would be opened again Saturday under new ownership.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, September 10, 1926]

BON TON SHOP UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT NOW
The Bon Ton Sandwich Shop at 702 Main street, which was closed Thursday afternoon by the owner, Mrs. Guy Young, was re-opened Saturday noon by George Newman and his brother Ernest R. Newman of Huntington, who is an experienced restaurant and hotel man. George Newman is well known in this city. For many years he operated a bottling works here and for the last five years a restaurant at the corner of Main and Sixth streets. The new owners intend to cater to the public in the best possible manner. Meals as well as short orders will be served. The Indiana Motor Bus Company will continue to have their station in the Bon Ton.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Saturday, September 11, 1926]
BON TON CAFE GOES OUT OF BUSINESS, TODAY
The Bon Ton Sandwich Shop will cease operations in this city, at the close of its regular business hours tonight. This restaurant was established last spring by Messrs. Harley McCarter and Guy Young; a few months later Young purchased McCarter's interest and assumed active control up until the latter part of last month when he left this city for parts unknown.
The cafe was then operated a few weeks by Mrs. Young who found the task an uphill fight and last Saturday the management of the place was turned over to George and Elmer Newman. Pressing claims of various creditors was given as the reason for the suspension of this business.
The Indiana Motor Bus Station which was located at the Bon Ton will be removed tonight to the Linville restaurant, corner of Main and 6th streets. The Linville restaurant was formerly owned by George Newman.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, September 14, 1926]

BON TON SANDWICH SHOP [Rochester, Indiana]
The Bon Ton Sandwich shop will open in the Mintie Holeman room, 702 Main street (next to the southwest corner at Seventh and Main) about March 5. Some slight changes are being made to the room, after which the new enterprise, in which Harley McCarter and Guy Young, formerly of Peru, will be partners, will be launched.
The new business will specialize in hot sandwiches and light lunches. Fountain service also will be given, and confectionery and tobaccos will be sold.
Eight booths will be placed in the room; there will be a 30 foot counter for service; a griddle will be placed near the window, after the present show window flooring has been removed, and a steam table will be placed behind that.
Mr. McCarter has been working in Peru. Mr. Young formerly was in the ice cream business there, and expects to begin manufacturing it here in April.
Mr. Young stated Monday the bus station would be in the room where the new business is to start.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, February 15, 1926]

BONEWELL & BONEWELL [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] SPECIAL Sale of Glasses - - - Starts Wednesday and Lasts All During January - - - - BONEWELL & BONEWELL, 212 West Ninth St., Phone 646.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, January 13, 1925]

BONFIGLIO, JOHN [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] JOHN BONFIGLIO has the largest stock of Christmas CANDIES and FRUITS in town. Bananas 10 and 15c per dozen. Candy from 6c a pound up. Come and See!
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, December 15, 1900]

BONINE, ERNEST [Rochester, Indiana]
See: First National Bank

BONINE, J. D.
See: Hotels - Arlington Hotel
See: Hotels - Barrett Hotel
BONINE, WYLIE
See: Hotels - Arlington Hotel
See: Hotels - Barrett Hotel

BONINE & SON [Rochester, Indiana]
A. J. BARRETT & SON SELL LUMBER & COAL COMPANY
An important business transaction was placed on record today when the A. J. Barrett & Son Lumber and Coal Co., which has been in operation in this city for a half century, was sold to James L. Brooke, of South Bend. The new owner took possession of the business immediately.
Through this change of ownership another important business transfer will go into effect May 1st when John Barrett, junior member of A. J. Barrett & Son will take over the management of the Arlington Hotel. J. D. Bonine & Son who have operated Rochester's only hostelry for a period of 30 years, will relinquish their lease on the above mentioned date. The retiring hotel operators have not announced their plans for the future.
To Improve Hotel
When interviewed today the younger Barrett stated the hotel would undergo a complete overhauling in the way of improvements as soon as possession is obtained. Several alterations in room arrangements, together with redecorating and additional furnishings will be made. In honor of the older Barrett, who is owner of several buildings in the Arlington Block, the new manager is contemplating changing the name of the Arlington to that of the Barrett hotel. A. J. Barrett it was stated will retire from active business.
The new proprietor of the lumber and coal company has had years of experience in this field for several years being connected with the South Bend City Lumber Co. Mr. Brooke and family will take up their permanent residency here immediately.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, March 20, 1929]

BONINE & LEFFEL [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] - - - - We are making special rates on enlarging from old pictures, etc. Call and see our mouldings and frames - - - BONINE & LEFFEL.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, August 29, 1899]

BONNIE'S GREENHOUSE [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] BONNIE'S GREENHOUSE, 147 Fulton 'Ave. Now Open For Business. Vegetables and Flower Plants, also Potted Plants.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, May 9, 1945]

BOOHER, VERLIE [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rochester Bands
See: Booher & Booher

BOOHER & BOOHER [Rochester, Indiana]
NEW CHIROPRACTORS HERE
Drs. Verly E. and Laura Booher, Chiropractors, have recently purchased the office furniture and fixtures of Dr. G. B. Filbey, located at 628-1/2 Main St., and their office is now open for business at that place. They come highly recommended both as to good moral characteer and also efficiency as Chiropractors. Mr. Booher is a graduate of the high school at Marion, Ind. He attended college at Muncie. Mrs. Booher is a graduate of Amboy high school, and attended Marion Normal College. They both taught school for a few years and later became interested in Chiropractic. They have been very successful in their past practice. They are both graduates of the Palmer School of Chiropractic.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 30, 1921]

BUSINESS REVIEW OF ROCHESTER MERCHANTS
The practice of these well known chiropractors are increasing by rapid strides until they are today considered one of the leading professional people of this section and consulted by many engaged in the same line of work, they are people of years of experience in the profession.
Science has made great advance in the last few years, and many of the old-fashioned ideas have been discarded for the new results of science.
They had an adequate training to practice the profession most successfully. They are graduates of Palmer School of Chiropractic and previous to that time received a general and special education which was designed especially for the purpose of fitting them for all of the work that the science and art of chiropractic entails.
Their practice increased by rapid strides, and people go to their office weekly to consult them from all parts of this and adjoining counties, and the great work they are doing in the relief of the suffering is phenomenal. Then, again, their patients come from the very best class of people, people of standing in the community in which they live.
The science of chiropractic is founded upon the principle of spinal adjustments as the spine is the index to your health and removes causes by relieving pressure on the nerves. The slogan is: "If the spine is right, the man is right." Consultation and analysis are free to all and anyone who is not feeling in the best condition should call around and have an examination or an adjustment or two taken in time is a powerful preventative and may save you much future trouble and pain.
We are pleased in this review to compliment them upon the merited success they are making in the practice of their profession and upon their excellent standing in the professional world of the state, and assure our readers that at their offices they will receive the very best of professional treatment.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, August 17, 1922]

[Adv] - - - - - - BOOHER & BOOHER, Chiropractors. 720 Jefferson St., Phone 92.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, February 9, 1926]

BOOK STORE [Rochester, Indiana]
Removal. Mr. C. W. Cochran, our new enterprising Clock and Watch Maker, has removed his establishment to the Book Store in the old Post Office corner. . . Charley has an entire new stock. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, January 25, 1866]

BOOKMOBILE
See Fulton County Library Bookmobile

BOOKWALTER DRUG STORE [Macy, Miami County]
MACY TO LOSE ITS DRUG STORE; OWNER SELLS OUT
Macy soon will be without a drug store, as the building the one drug store occupied has been sold to Powell and Love, and the stock of drugs has been selling at a reduction. Mr. and Mrs. Bookwalter, proprietor of the former drug store and his wife, expect to move to Peru, when the entire stock has been disposed of.
Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Lidgard formerly of near Akron, have moved to Macy. Mr. Lidgard has leased the Earl Roberts barber shop. The couple live in the S. W. Tracy property.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, April 24, 1925]

BOOSE, WILLIAM [Lake Manitou]
See: Hotels - Talbert Hotel

BOOTS, ANTOINETTE [Rochester, Indiana]
Miss Antoinette Boots, daughter of Mrs. Charles Boots, former residents of Rochester but now of Evanston, Ill., is now one of the American beauty girls being glorified by Ziegfeld, the noted theatrical producer in his new show, "Ziegfeld's Palm Beach Girl." This new review recently opened in Atlantic City and then moved to the Globe theatre in New York City where it is now starting on a very popular career. Miss Boots spent the last two years with the Duncan Sisters in "Topsy and Eva" and has now moved on to Broadway in a show in which the requirements for beauty and talent are paramount. Her picture appeared in a recent issue of the Mid-Week Pictorial, a leading New York picture publication.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Thursday, July 1, 1926]

BEAUTY TO WED GRIDIRON HERO
* * * * PHOTO * * * *
Antoinette (Tony) Boots, a former Rochester, girl, who is now a Broadway musical comedy star has announed her engagement in New York to "Gibby" Welch (insert) former all-American football player of Cornell University. Friends of the couple say that the broken field runner plans a theatrical career. Miss Boots is well known in Rochester where she lived for some time when a child with her grandparents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Harry Killen. Her mother was the late Mrs. Katherine Killen Boots. After leaving Rochester the Boots family moved to Evanston, Ill., where Antoinette and her twin sisters attended Northwestern University. There they became acquainted with the Duncan Sisters, stage stars, who encouraged Tony to start on a stage career which she did entering the "Topsy and Eva Chorus." Since then her rise in the theatrical world has been rapid.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, November 1, 1928]

BOOTS, MRS. CHAS. [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] SPECIAL. Announcement to the ladies of Rochester and vicinity. I have just received a complete stock of Human Hair Goods. Reasonable prices. I carry a complete stock. MRS. CHAS. BOOTS, 1003 Madison St.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, August 22, 1911]

BOOTS, MILDRED [Rochester, Indiana]
FORMER LOCAL GIRL IS STAGE STAR AT CHICAGO
Rochester visitors to Chicago now can have the privilege of seeing a former Rochester girl in a stage play.
Miss Mildred Boots, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Boots, of Evanston, Ill., is playing the part of Eva in "Topsy and Eva," the vehicle starring the Duncan Sisters. Miss Boots has been a protege of the Duncan Sisters, and was given a chance in one of the lead parts, where it is reported she is being very effective.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Wednesday, August 19, 1925]

ADVERTISING MODEL
In this month's issue of the Good Housekeeping and of Vogue there appears pictures of Miss Mildred BOOTS formerly of Rochester. Miss Boots posed for the pictures illustrating fox fur advertisements. She will be remembered as the daughter of the late Mrs. Katherine BOOTS and who for several years was on the stage. She now resides in New York City.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, April 26, 1929]

BORDEN, ELMER E. [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] Having bought the stock of Harness, Robes, Whips, etc., of G. W. Stockton, I hope for a share of the trade in that line, and if reasonable prices and fair dealing will secure it, I will have it. Repairing done at all times on short notice. E. E. BORDEN.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 13, 1890]

[Adv] Hand Made Harness - - - The North End Harness Dealer makes all his harness and keeps for sale a full line of robes, whips, etc. Prices are right. E. E. BORDEN.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, January 13, 1893]

ELMER E. BORDEN (Biography)
One of Rochester's quiet but industrious citizens and business men is Elmer E. BORDEN who has built up a profitable harness trade at his store in the Arlington block. He was born in Miami county in 1865, and has followed harness making for ten years, being a skilled workman. He carries an extensive line of harness, robes, whips and horse goods of all kinds and orders anything you want not kept in stock.
He was married to Emma LEAVELL, of Tiosa, in 1890, and their home is blessed by a young son.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

BORDEN CANDY SHOP [Rochester, Indiana]
STORE CHANGES HANDS
A deal was closed Friday whereby Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Borden became owners of the Jake Crim fruit and candy shop. The new owners will take charge of the store Monday and they will endeavor to cater to all old customers and many new ones. Mrs. Borden has acted as saleslady in the shop for the past several months and is thoroughly acquainted with the business.
The retiring owner has not decided what he will take up in the future, but he may join his family, who have spent the winter in California.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 18, 1911]
[Adv] BORDEN'S For pure home made Candies Always Fresh. - - - - Arlington Block.
Rochester Sentinel, Friday, February 7, 1913]

BORDEN CANDY SHOP SOLD
A deal which has been hanging fire for the past two weeks was completed Monday afternoon whereby Mrs. Elmer BORDEN disposed of her confectionery store on Main Street to Ralph M. Montgomery of Tipton. There has been a confectionery store in this room for the last 20 years. The late Elmer Borden purchased the same from Jake Crim about nine years ago. The new owner has been living in Indianapolis for the past seven years. Mr. Montgomery has a brother who is in the same business in Tipton. The new proprietor contemplates many changes in the store. He will add a new soda fountain and some new cases. Mr. Montgomery will continue to make the same high grade home made candies which have established a reputation for the store. Mrs. Borden has no immediate plans for the future.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, April 28, 1920]

BORDEN FARMS PRODUCTS CO. [Akron, Indiana]
AKRON MILK PLANT TO CLOSE DOWN ON FIRST OF THE YEAR
A severe financial blow was struck at Akron and 267 families living mostly in Henry township Monday, when a statement as posted by the Borden Farms Products Company of Illinois that their milk plant located in Akron would close down permanently on December 31st.
This plant which has been the center of one of the bright financial spots in Fulton county, in recent years has been paying out to the farmers of that community on an average of $25,000 to $30,000 per month in cash and this income was divided among 267 farmers who delivered milk to the station daily.
The company posted a notice on their door Monday that the plant would be closed at the end of the year, which was the first definite announcement made although rumors had been current to this effect for some time. The only reason given for the closing was that it was done as a matter of economy.
Those who have watched the milk situation in Chicago explain the move by saying that while milk production has increased here and elsewhere that consumption has decreased in the Chicago market. All of the milk from Akron is shipped by train to Hammond then is sold in Chicago. Also the fact that Akron is beyond the hundred mile limit which brings an increase of freight rates is thought to have something to do with the closing. It is also known that the hundreds of milk producers living west of Chicago have been for some time demanding that the Bordens buy their milk, claiming a shorter haul and that they trade in Chicago.
It is understood that the members of the milk association will take action to see if the Akron plant cannot be kept open as otherwise the market for all of these dairy farmers will be lost and the cash income will be a thing of the past. The notice has created great concern among those affected and all others as it will mean a severe financial blow to the milk sellers, to the town of Akron, the township, and the entire county.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, November 28, 1933]

AKRON MILK PLANT TO CONTINUE OPEN SAYS BORDEN FIRM
Henry township people and others through the eastern section of Fulton county will be delighted by the news announced yesterday by the Borden Farm Produce Co., of Chicago, that the Akron milk and cream station will continue in operation as long as business continues as good as it has been during the past few weeks. The order which was received at the close of the old year was posted and announced by the station managers, L. F. Falkenstein, as business was resumed at the plant after the New Year's holiday.
Pays Large Sum Monthly
The Akron station has been one of the main sources of income of hundreds of Fulton county dairymen and throughout recent years the Illinois company has paid an average of $25,000 to $30,000 monthly to 270 farmers who delivered their milk to this plant.
The new order countermands one issued by the company during the latter part of November, that the plant would be closed permanently at the end of 1933. This order was issued during the time the Illinois and Wisconsin milk producers and receiving plants were experiencing labor and transportation difficulties.
It was through the clairification of these conditions together with urgent pleas from Henry township milk producers and kindred associations that the decision to continue the plant was decided upon by the Borden company.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, January 3, 1934]

BORDEN-WIELAND COMPANY [Akron, Indiana]
AKRON'S MILK PLANT TO CLOSE ON JULY 31ST.
It was learned today that the Borden-Weieland milk plant at Akron will close its doors after Monday, July 31, due to need of reducing expenses, according to company announcement.
The Akron milk plant, founded 20 years ago, was purchased by the Hammond Dairy Company and later by the Borden company.
The plant has handled a large part of the milk sold in Hammond and has maintained a reputation for quality not surpassed by any other large dairy in the Calumet area.
Dairy farmers supplying the plant have been members of the Chicago Pure Milk association since 1929.
Although the ice plant operated in connection with the milk station will probably continue to operate until Labor Day, the eventual result will be loss of work by several Akron townspeople or removal to other cities. Farmers will sever relations with one of the earliest paying dairies in the milk field. In addition, under Borden inspection, Akron dairymen have maintained conditions nearly up to grade A requirements and until recent times the market has paid well for superior milk.
Efforts are being made to induce BordenWieland to continue operating the local plant. Failing in that, the PMA will dispose of the milk as advantageously as possible and return the full Calumet price to local members by drawing on the Adjustment fund, if necessary.
PMA Support Assured
Immediately after the announcement by Borden-Wieland, Director A. P. Brucker of the PMA, called on several local members and stated he had conferred with Chicago Manager Lauterbach, who said the association positively would take care of Akron members.
A neighboring manufacturer has been advised by the local officers that the milk will probably go to the highest bidder.
July Prices Given
An increase of 11 cents per hundred pounds was announced at the price fixing meeting held at Gary. J. W. Swick, C. G. Smith and A. S. Berger represented the Akron local. They were accompanied by A. P. Brucker of Monterey.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, July 28, 1939]
AKRON MILK PLANT IS OPEN ON MONTHLY BASIS
Akron, Ind., Aug. 4 - The Borden milk plant in Akron will be open for at least another month, even though the milk is not being purchased by the Borden-Wieland company.
The Pure Milk association has arranged to sell the Akron milk to the New Paris Creamery and the Van Camp company at Garrett, and three large trucks are used to haul milk to New Paris and Garrett each morning.
Manager McBride and the regular plant men are handling the milk in the usual manner each day.
It is assumed that the New Paris and Garrett creameries were the highest biddrs for the milk, as bids were also received from Armours creamery at Rochester, Litchfield at Warsaw, and the Sanitary Dairy at Peru for the local milk.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, August 24, 1939]

BORDEN MILK PLANT SOLD TO PRALLE DAIRY COMPANY
Akron, Oct. 27. - Announcement has been made by Harold Pralle, Crete, Illinois, that he has purchased the local milk plant from the Borden-Wieland company, and plans are now under way to make the Akron local a Grada A station.
PMA officials from Chicago were present at a meeting of the local producers, held Wednesday night at he Public Library, and plans were discussed for converting the supply of milk into grade A product. It was decided that the association should send some inspectors into the community to look over the premises of the producers and tell them what was needed to meeet grade A requirements.
These inspectors will be here in a few days and work will be started on this program.
The Chicago Board of Health has already sent an inspector to the local plant and Mr. Pralle has been informed of a few slight changes needed before the plant will meet grade A inspection.
Mr. Pralle has announced that the present force will be maintained to operate the plant.
Mr. J.O. Waller, Dyer, who operated the plant for a few weeks, has discontinued and at present the plant is standing idle. The set-up for delivery of the milk is still as it has been for the past few weeks, but as soon as there is enough grade A milk in the territory to make plant operation profitable the milk will be brought here every morning.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, October 27, 1939]

BOSENBERG, F. W. [Rochester, Indiana]
Closing Out my entire stock of CLOTHING Must Go. Buy Now and get goods at your own price. - - - - - the North End Clothing House. - - - F. W. BOSENBERG.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, September 11, 1889]

[Adv] Academy of Music BILLIARD and SAMPLE ROOM, Chas. H. KRAUSE, Proprietor. Successor to F. W. Bosenberg.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, April 13, 1892]

BOSENBERG GROCERY, FRED [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] - - - Largest variety and finest brands of Pure Liquors - - - Quart or Gallon- - - Whiskies- - - Gin - - - Brandy - - - Wine - - - FRED BOSENBERG.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, December 7, 1878]
[Adv] Whiskies, Brandies, Wines, Gins and Beer - Especially for the Harvest season - - - - FRED BOSENBERG, Two doors north of Wallace House, Rochester, Indiana.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, August 5, 1882]

F. W. BOSENBERG
Liquors
The importance of purity and quality in every article of drink renders the business of supplying its demand one which should be intrusted only to reliable and honorable persons. Every city has its representative establishments, and Rochester lays claim to some of the best, both in regard to fine quality and large variety of stock. One of the best known and deservedly popular liquor establishments in the city is that owned and presided over by Mr. Fred. W. BOSENBERG, which is located on the north end of Main street, under the Academy of Music.
Mr. Bosenberg was born in the old country, and came to the United States in the year 1865. He had no help in making his start in his present business but by his own industry and push, succeeded in accumulating enough money to go into business for himself in a small way, but his business has steadily increased until his establishment now stands far ahead of those usually found in a city of this size.
Gentlemen can go there with the assurance of being supplied with pure liquors, secure from the insults and crowding of loafing bullies and bummers. His sample room is well supplied with the best of all kinds of liquors, and they are served to his customers in any style to suit. Gentlemanly attendants are always on hand to cater to the patrons of the house, and nothing is left undone that will add to the comfort or pleasure of his callers.
He carries a large stock of all kinds of liquors such as whiskies, brandies, gins, rums, wines, champaigns &v &c., both of foreign and domestic manufacture, also a large stock of cigars, representing the most popular imported and domestic brands.
Mr. Bosenberg is sole agent for the justly celebrated C. F. Smith's Lager Beer, manufactured at Indianapolis, Indiana. The qualities for which this beer is most distinguished are its healthfulness, purity, brilliancy of color, richness of flavor &c, the result of excellent water, intelligent care of its brewers conjoined to the use of apparatus possessing all the best modern improvements made in this country or elsewhere, and to the superior quality and quantity of the ingredients used. No claims are made for this beer that cannot be substantiated.
Mr. Bosenberg is also sole agent for DuBois' celebrated Wine of Apples, Sachs' Pruden & Co's A-T-S Agaric Bitters, Sachs-Prudens &c., which are classed among the finest tonics used in the world. So universal are the good qualities of these famous beverages, especially for purity health-giving, and health-preserving qualities which they possess, that there are few families, no matter how temperate, that have not at some time experienced their beneficial results. Mr. Bosenberg, who is sole agent for these beverages in this section has reason to congratulate himself upon the fact that he can recommend them to his patrons for their pure and healthful qualities.
Mr. Bosenberg's trade on these goods is large and constantly increasing, extending all over the surrounding section of the country. He has displayed great skill in the management of his affairs and has shown a spirit of enterprise that many an older man might do well to profit by. Since his venture in the commercial world he has made many warm friends, who will unite with us in wishing him a pleasant and profitable business in the future.
In 1882 Mr. Bosenberg spent five months in his native country, Germany, among scenes of his childhood. He is one of our best and most enterprising German citizens, also one of the best educated Germans in this section; a progressive man and very charitable citizen. He is highly esteemed by the people of Fulton county, and has established a reputation for square and honorable dealing that would reflect credit upon any person.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 29, 1888]

[Adv] GREETING! Having purchased the entire stock of Clothing and Gent's Furnishings of Fred Bosenberg, I am pleased to announce to my friends and customers that I HAVE REMOVED the same to my store room and will give buyers all the advantages I secure in saving rents, clerk hire, etc. COMPLETE STOCK. My stock of General Merchandise is not equaled in Rochester, and my expenses are so low that customers will save money every time by buying of me. ANTON THALMANN, North End.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, April 1, 1891]

BOSS CLOTHING HOUSE [Rochester, Indiana]
The Well-known Boss Clothing House, in the Masonic Building - - - - JOSEPH LAUER, Corner Store, Masonic Buiolding.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 13, 1878]

BOSTON STORE [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] THE BOSTON STORE, Originators of low prices. Dawson Block, north side of Court House, will be open for business Saturday, April 16th. - - - THE BOSTON STORE, Centennial Block, north side of Court House.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, April 15, 1898]

[Adv. - Big July Clearance Sale . . . . . The Rochester Bargain Store, 502 North Main Street. . . . Go where the crowds go]
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, July 5, 1923]

BARGAIN STORE CHANGES NAME TO BOSTON STORE
Albert Golding, proprietor of the Rochester Bargain Store, today registered the company's new store name "Boston Store" at the county clerk's office. Mr. Golding stated as a reason for the change that there were so many firms operating under the name "Rochester" that it wrought confusion in many of his business transactions.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Wednesday, December 2, 1925]

BOSTON STORE IS SOLD TO PERU ORGANIZATION
Announcement was made today of the sale of the Boston Store here to the Boston Store of Peru by Abe Zimmerman, manager. The new owners will take possession Saturday morning and the place will be open for business as usual. S. Teitelbaum, formerly manager of the Boston Store at Plymouth under the same management will be manager of the store here. The organization also owns a store at Elwood. Abe Levi, Peru citizen, who sold out the Rochester business had been conducting the place here himself since the departure two weeks ago of Albert Golding, his manager.
Mr. Zimmerman stated that plans were being made now to put on a huge selling out the next ten days and that all of the stock would be disposed of so that the store room could be entirely remodeled and completely restocked with new merchandise in the ready to wear line. He also stated that many new lines would be added. The name of the Boston Store will be retained as will the present location on Main street just west of the court house.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, July 30, 1926]
BOSTON STORE PURCHASES THE HOOSIER SHOE STOCK
A deal of considerable import to the people of this community was transacted yesterday when the Boston Store purchased at a Sheriff's sale the entire stock and fixtures of the Hoosier Shoe Store.
Mr. Camblin, manager of the Boston Store, announced today that the stock of shoes was secured at only a fraction of their original cost price and it was his intention to hold a sale and immediately dispose of the stock at just a slight margin over what it cost them. A large advertisement carrying the announcement of this sale will appear in an early issue of the News-Sentinel.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, February 28, 1933]

BOSTON STORE EXPANDS, LEASES PLANK BUILDING
The management of the Rochester Boston Store announced today that they had leased the Hoosier Store room of C. K. Plank, which they will immediately adjoin with their present business room at 806 Main street. A force of carpenters are already at work breaking through the walls for the annexing of these two extra large rooms, which when completed will be perhaps the largest store room within the city.
According to Mr. Abe Zimmerman, manager of the Boston Stores, the Rochester store will carry a complete line of furniture, rugs, linoleums, wall paper and kindred lines of household articles. They will also greatly enlarge their ladies ready to wear. A special Grand Opening Sale will be launched by the local store as soon as the repair work on the two buildings has been completed. In the meantime a general expansion sale will be started this week. Bills and a large page advertisement carried by this newspaper will go into the mails on Wednesday of this week announcing this special selling event. The Boston store is under the direct supervision of Mr. L. M. Camblin, of this city.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, April 24, 1933]

BOSTON STORE PURCHASES SALLY ANN MERCHANDISE
Through a deal consummated Wednesday the Boston store of this city became owner of the remaining stock of goods of the Sally Ann Shoppe, this city, which has gone out of business.
According to a statement made today by the manager of the Boston store the Sally Ann Shoppe stock which is comprised of ladies ready to wear and furnishings was purchased at about 20 cents on the dollar. The Boston Store has transferred the goods to their store when the customers will be given the benefit of this exceptionally low buy. The sale will begin Friday and those who are seeking truly outstanding bargains on dependable quality merchandise are urged to make their selections early.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, July 6, 1933]

NEW STORE INVITES APPROVAL PUBLIC AT OPENING OCTOBER 28
Opening of the new metropolitan fireproof home of the Boston Store will occur on Wednesday, Oct. 28, and thousands of visitors are expected to attend the event.
The structure, one of the finest in Indiana, is modern in every respect. It is a wonderful improvement over the former store which was destroyed by fire of undetermined origin.
Large Floor Space
The new store has more floor space than the old one. There are many squart feet in the store which includes millineery, women's ready-to-wear, corsets, children's apparel, furniture, floor coverings, paint, wall paper, lingerie, hosiery, women's accessories, men's suits, hats, furnishings, work clothing, shoe departments on the first floor and yard goods, domestics, notions, curtains, draperies, house furnishings, and a rest room in the basement.
Doors of the new store will be opened to the public for the first time at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28, and will remain open until 9 p.m. the same evening. All departments have been filled with new and complete stocks of merchandise.
Describ es Ruins and Rejuvenation
"The swish and slap of angry water, the roar of fire, loud yells, calls, whistles, bells, all dinned into my ears, as my body hurriedly carried things from the one store room to another," stated M. Camblin, manager of the Boston Store. "Meanwhile my mind wandered and wondered how it had all come about. Yes, on a night just a few months ago, blazing fire, then dead silence, and the Boston Store lay in ruins. But today, who would ever think it was the same location, gone is everything that was the old Boston Store.
Continuing Mr. Camblin stated, "In its place is not only a beautiful store but a one-hundred times more service giving. Modern in color, modern in decoration, but most important, modern in efficiency. Every department just shines in its own loveliness, but behind that pretty face lies the new merchandising ideas of hundreds of department store men. Not expensive folderols, but new arrangements, new display methods that will save patrons time and temper, helping them to select what they want without chasing all over the store. For instance, let's say you've just taken a dress from a rack that looks interesting to you and then you turn around to a mirror and find it up in front of you. Well, just behind that mirror is a dressing room, only a step, and on goes the dress.
"Then there's the new lighting, soft but full, the same density through the entire store, restful but showing every detail of color and texture of the goods you are looking at.
"Our old store, like so many are, was like an old town; it just grew. Aisles, like streets, just happened. When we added new departments, usually they were just squeezed in, but in the new Boston Store every detail is scientifically planned, not to serve you hurriedly but to do it easily, so that shopping will be a pleasure, not a bore, as it so often is because of inefficient method.
"Was it expensive? No. The old sideboard was far more costly than the modern kitchen cabinet, but there is no comparison in their usability. Our store is more than twice as large as before. Our new shoe department alone occupies nearly as much space now as the old one did, excepting the furniture section.
"We have more than doubled our stocks, and to you that means just twice as much selection. To home sewers and home-makers our new basement will be a revelation, and the out-of-towners will find a comfy rest and lounging room there where they can meet or await their men folks in town on business."
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, October 26, 1936]

AN HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE BOSTON STORE, INC.
With the re-building of the new Boston Store building an interesting history of this store is recalled.
The first Boston store was started in Rochester in the latter part of the 19th century, in the Holzman building at 528 North Main street, where the James Darrah plumbing shop is now located. This store was started by Mose and Samuel Flox, who operated the store for only a short duration.
Following the dissolution of partnership, Mose Flox went to South Bend and engaged in business and Samuel Flox opened a new Boston Store in the Centennial Block on the north side of the Court House. This store was opened on April 16, 1898 and the grand opening sale was held from April 30 to May 7.
In addition to dry goods Mr. Flox carried a stock of shoes, groceries and meats. Mr. Flox continued to operate this store for a periond of approximately five years, closing out his business here and starting a most successful career in Peru, Ind.
For many years Rochester was without a Boston Store, until in June, 1926, when Jacob Flox and Abe Zimmerman, son and son-in-law, respectively, of Samuel Flox, purchased the Rochester Bargain Store at 806 Main street, owned by Abe Levi, of Peru, and managed by Albert Golding. Otto Wagoner, of Peru, was named new manager. Following the closing of the Stafford shoe store, in the C. K. Plank building, the store was enlarged and a line of furniture and wall paper was added. Other managers of the store were Clyde L. Miller and Samuel Teitelbaum. The present manager is L. Milton Camblin who has served most efficiently in this capacity for several years.
The store was continued until the disastrous fire in the early part of the year which destroyed the Alf Carter and Boston Stores. Following the fire the late J. F. Dysert purchased the lots of C. K. Plank and J. F. Dysert, together with Charles Campbell, owner of the building at 806 Main steeet, erected one of the most modern and beautiful buildings in the city.
A new feature of the store is an up-to-date basement department. Mr. Flox and Mr. Zimmerman are the owners of several stores in surrounding cities, but the new Rochester department store is the largest and most modern of any of their stores.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, October 26, 1936]

ABE ZIMMERMAN GUIDES BOSTON STORE'S DESTINY
Abe Zimmerman of the Boston Stores, Inc., which opens its fine new home Oct. 28th, is the Secretary and Treasurer and general merchandise manager of the organization. He became a member of the firm immediately after his discharge from the army in 1919, and the growth of the Boston Store organization is greatly due to his progressive merchandising methods.
* * * * Photo * * * *
Mr. Zimmerman's fearless movements have resulted in the establishment of one of the finest retail and wholesale firms in the state. His purchases of merchandise at manufacturer's cost enables the store to offer its extensive stock to the buying public at minimum figures.
The American wholesale markets have long known his shrewdness, and honor his honesty and square dealing.
Many of the advanced ideas for efficiency and comfort which are being inaugurated in the new Boston Store are of his origin. The merchandising value of comfortable shopping condition has long been his hobby. Mr. Zimmerman will be in Rochester during the opening days of this beautiful new store, to renew acquaintances with his many Rochester friends.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, October 26, 1936]

JACOB FLOX, PRESIDENT OF THE BOSTON STORE, INC.
Jacob Flox, president of the Boston Stores, Inc., whose beautiful new Rochester store holds its formal opening on Wednesday, Oct. 28, is the son of the late Samuel Flox, the founder of the constantly growing mercantile organization.
The younger Flox and his sister, now Mrs. Abe Zimmerman, attended the public schools in Rochester during the years his father conducted the first Boston store in the small store building which is now occupied by the Darrah plumbing plant on North Main street.
Jacob assisted his father in the operation of the store and through his experiences he gained a shorough and practical insight into the management of the mercantile business. He was promoted to the presidency of the organization shortly after the death of his father in 1932.
Through the younger man's efficient supervision of the organization the business continued to expand, and until today, the Boston Stores, Inc., is regarded as one of the largest multiple-lined mercantile establishments in the state of Indiana.
It is doubtful if any merchant in this section of Indiana enjoys more friends or has a wider acquaintance than "Jake" Flox. He is known as an honest, straight-forward citizen and is held in highest esteem by the citizens of both Peru and Rochester. Mr. Flox will be in Rochester during the opening days of the New Boston Store, it was stated by a representative of the firm.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, October 26, 1936]

BOURBON, INDIANA [Marshall County, Indiana]
NEWS OF THE DAY
The Bourbon college has been forced to close on account of a lack of support and the building will be used as a club house by the Bourbon Tennis and Outing club.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, May 10, 1904]

Clyde TAYLOR, a former resident of this city, has sold his restaurant in Bourbon to Ezra GELB. Mr. Taylor will remain in Bourbon.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, August 17, 1914]

TWO BANKS AT BOURBON CONSOLIDATED, MONDAY
The Bourbon Banking Company, of Bourbon, conducted by B. W. and C. M. Parks, for the past 20 years, has merged with the First State bank of Bourbon. The merger took effect Monday.
B. W. Parks, who was president of the Bourbon Banking Comany during the entire time it has done business in Bourbon, and one of the organizers, died a few weeks ago. After consideration of the various phases of the two institutions, the officers and directors of both banks believed that they could serve the public to better advantage by combining the two banks and making a bigger, better and stronger institution, and at the same time would reduce the expense of operation.
The business will be continued in the First State Bank and will go by that name. The patrons of both banks will receive better service than heretofore.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, December 28, 1926]

CONTRACT FOR BOURBON SCHOOL BUILDING GIVEN
Merle Hodges, contractor of Warsaw, was awarded the contract for the construction of a new addition to the Bourbon public schools on his bid of $61,000. The contract was awarded Mr. Hodges by Trustee Ollie Smith at a meeting held in his office in Bourbon Thursday morning. Eight other proposals were submitted. The total cost of the building will be $80,000. The plumbing contract was awarded to the Cory Heating and Plumbing Company of Knox. Bradley and Babcock of Fort Wayne are the architects. Construction of the addition will be started in the very near future.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, August 24, 1928]
BOURBON SUFFERS $125,000 FIRE LOSS
Fire originating from defective wiring entirely destroyed the Bourbon Township Consolidated Grade and High School Building at Bourbon early this morning with a loss of $125,000 with insurance of but $50,000. Warsaw and Plymouth fire departments called to the aid of the Bourbon firemen, quickly exhausted the town's water supply.
The blaze was discovered at 1:15 a.m. by Ernest Herford who lives near the school building. By the time Herford raised the alarm the flames had gained such headway that firemen were unable to check them. Citizens of Bourbon formed a bucket brigade and assisted in fighting the flames. Their efforts were rewarded in that several nearby dwellings were saved.
Quickly Reduced to Ashes
The school building was a two-story structure containing 20 rooms and a gymnasium and was built in 1917.
The building was constructed of brick and concrete. Architects marvel at the rapidity with which the building was destroyed by the flames. At press time today the fire within the building was still smouldering.
The Bourbon school has an enrollment of 600 pupils and a staff of 20 teachers headed by Principal E. P. Smith. Nothing has been said by the trustee as to whether the school will be rebuilt or not or where school will be held until a new building has been constructed.
The Bourbon school building was located in the northeast section of Bourbon.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, December 26, 1928]

WILL SALVAGE SOME OF BOURBON SCHOOL HOUSE
There is a part of the brick walls left standing in the Bourbon school building ruins that can be salvaged, school officials of Bourbon township were told by architects from Bradley & Babcock of Fort Wayne, who were called into conference Thursday.
The architects expressed the belief that parts of the walls that were left standing in the ruins could be used without rebuilding. The foundations also can be used, it was believed. Should this prove correct it will mean a material reduction in the cost of rebuilding.
Trustee Oliver Smith of Bourbon township stated that, at the conference of the school authorities Thursday afternoon it was decided to re-open school one week from Monday, or on January 7. Various places where school sessions will be held are to be announced later.
The officials have not had time to complete plans for housing the school children but with the cooperation of Bourbon citizens and organizations of the community have promised they feel sure rooms will be available for the children when the time comes.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, December 29, 1928]

BOURBON SCHOOL READY
The new school at Bourbon which replaced the one destroyed by fire last winter, has been completed and is ready for opening school. Bourbon, like many other places unfortunate at first, has replaced the ashes and ruins with a structure nicer by far than the former building and now has a building of which to be proud.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, September 17, 1929]

TRUSTEE IS APPOINTED FOR BIG BOURBON STORE
Wayne Rittenhouse of Plymouth, has been appointed trustee in the Marshall county circuit court for the big general store of James Fribley of Bourbon. Mr. Fribley is one of the best known merchants in northern Indiana having operated a store at Bourbon for the past 35 or 40 years. He was hard hit this season because of the bad weather conditions over the holidays and because of an epidemic of smallpox among his clerks during the past six weeks.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, February 22, 1930]

FRIBLEY STORE SOLD
The Fribley Grocery Store at Bourbon was sold yesterday to Cloud and Sons of Macy, who own stores both at Macy and at Fulton.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, March 27, 1930]

NEW BOURBON WEEKLY
The Bourbon Plain Dealer, with Henry Ellwood, formerly of Marshall, Ill., as editor and manager, will publish its first edition on Wednesday, October 23. It will be a Democratic weekly paper and is owned by a stock company. Among the principal stockholders are Samuel Lemler, William Weissert, George W. Knight and Postmaster Slough.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, October 16, 1935]

BOURBON UNITES TO SAVE TOWN PUMP MONUMENT
Bourbon, Ind., July 23 - Citizens volunteered with trowels, mortar and a block and tackle today to repair their famed monument of the town pump, knocked off its foundation by a careening automobile.
The monument, only one of its kind in the county and dedicated two years ago, was struck by an automobile driven by Alex Palm, Laporte, in an effort to avoid collision with a milk wagon.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, July 23, 1936]

BOURBON OBTAINS NEW ELCAR TRAILER FACTORY
Bourbon, Mar. 27. - Contracts were signed here Tuesday by the Bourbon State Bank and Mrs. James Fribley with the Elcar Trailer company of Elkhart, whereby the Elcar company bought the well known Fribley department store building, and also the adjoining Schuyler Falconburg building.
Total space in the two floors of the Fribley building is about 28,000 square feet and in the Falconburg building about 4,500 square feet.
The Elcar company stated they would begin remodeling the buildings at once, preparatory to moving their entire factory from Elkhart to Bourbon for the manufacture of house trailers. They have been manufacturing this trade name car in Elkhart for a number of years.
A representative of the company first checked over the two buildings to determine whether the two together would have space enough for their factory. He reported that there was room enough, whereupon the deal was made with the bank owners of the Fribley building.
It was stated that the company, when they get into full production, will employ about 100 people, mostly men. It will take about 20 days to remodel the plant and get the equipment moved to Bourbon, it is estimated by the firm.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, March 27, 1941]

BOURBON TO HAVE NEW MANUFACTURING PLANT
F. D. Saimann of New York City has purchased the two-story building on Center street in Bourbon owned by Mrs. Jessie Wood and Mrs. Mary Neu and at present occupied by the Hines Equipment company.
Hospital supplies will be manufactured by the new company which will hire an estimated 40 or 50 employees when it is ready to begin production. Mr. Saimann and his associates were contacted by Ralph Mason, president of the First State Bank of Bourbon.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, September 25, 1944]

BOURBON CREAMERY [Bourbon, Marshall County, Indiana]
FROM NEAR-BY TOWNS
The bourbon creamery has decided to suspend business and the plant has stopped receiving cream or milk. A receiver will wind up the affairs of the company. Liabilities are about $2,400. The business was started a year and a half ago, but did not pay.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 23, 1912]

BOWEN, CLEM [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Wile Department Store

BOWEN, CLEM, JR. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Clem Bowen, Jr.)

BOWEN, OTIS RAY, GOV. [Fulton County]
[See article by Vernie Bowen in Fulton County Volks, Vol. 1, Willard, 1974.]
I lived in Leiters Ford 1908-12. We moved there in the summer of 1908 from Peru where I was born. We lived for a short time in the Polly house and later went to the Anderson house which is now occupied by the parents of Gov. Otis Bowen.
[Leiters Ford Memories 1908-12, Mary Campbell Gynther, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard.]

"DOC" BOWEN SHARES WITH US HIS TRIUMPHS, TRAGEDIES
CONSIDERED COMMENT
Jack K. Overmyer
Otis Ray Bowen was born in Fulton County's Richland Township and lived adolescent years first in Kewanna and then in Fulton, where he decided he must become a doctor. Achieving that, he settled into the satisfying life of a small town physician in Bremen of Marshall County.
And there he would have remained as the much-loved "Doc" Bowen, attending to his townfolk's births (3,000), deaths and ailments except that while doing all that he succmbed to what he calls his "incurable disease" - politics and public service.
In the next 30 years, then, this country doctor navigated the rough and tumble seas of politics so adroitly that he became governor - the most popular in the state's history - and, finally, a member of President Ronald Reagan's cabinet. None of this success ever changed the personality that made him so likable, a trait with which he transformed the public's perception that a nice guy cannot also be a successful politician.
Now all those who admired "Doc" during his presence on the public scene can learn much more about this remarkable man. His autobiography, "Doc: Memories from a Life in Public Service," will be putlished September 28 by Indiana University Press. It was produced with research and editing help from William DuBois, Jr., one of his staff members while governor, but the work is vintage Bowen; articulate, straightforward, honest and forthcoming. It's also a good read, well-written, organized, comprehensive.
He begins with his birth 82 years ago in Fulton County, where "my roots run deep", and writes with great affection of his family, specifically of father Vernie, who was a teacher and coach for 43 years. The son tells that his father's friendship and counsel inspired and enabled him to accomplish his life's goals. The recollections Otis has of his childhood and adolescent years in Fulton will be of great interest to many hereabots, for he evokes the life of that time and mentions friends and events. Of particular note is when as a young boy he awoke to find the house on fire and arounsed his parents; Vernie broke a bedroom window to get the family to safety.
Otis worked hard at many odd jobs to pay his way through Indiana University and medical school, which when completed gave way to immediate service as a captain in the medical service during World War II. He was present at the bloody campaign to capture Okinawa "where my worst memories ... are images of truckloads of dead Americans, their bodies stacked like cords of wood, being taken to the rear for burial."
Home safely, he and new wife Beth moved to Bremen in 1946 to begin 25 years of medical practice and it was there, in 1942, that his political career began rather casually. The county's Republican chairman asked him to run for coroner, believing that a physician should fill the position, even though the law did not require it.
"Doc" ran, was elected and discovered he had an irretrievable interest in politics because, as he writes, "I groused about many things." So he was urged to run for the legislature and was elected on his first try, in 1956, repeating the victory six more times.
That launched "Doc" Bowen into state politics and by 1967 into the prestigious leadership role of House Speaker. He considers that achievement to be the defining moment in his political career, for without those six years as Speaker he never would have been in position to become governor.
Elected Governor in 1972, he was reelected in 1976 and thus became the first governor ever to serve eight consecutive years. He writes with pardonable pride of his considerable accomplishments while governor, such as property tax relief, a recounting that not only is absorbing to recall but reminds one that this country doctor was an accomplished administrator to achieve his desire to improve the lives of Indiana citizens.
Two events of those years reveal much about Otis Bowen.
During the 1978 blizzard, he toured the worst areas of the state by helicopter. Stopping at the Rensselaer armory, which was full of stranded motorists, he found that a woman who was to have a baby by Caesarian section was in labor but could not reach a hospital. He ordered her placed in the helicopter, monitored her condition enroute and delivered her to a Lafayette hospital.
During another snowstorm, the Governor got a telephone call from an irate woman on North Meridian Street, whose driveway had just been cleared of snow when a state snowplow came along and filled it up. She demanced corrective action. "Doc" promised it would be taken care of immediately, left his office, got a snow shovel at his home and went to the woman's house, clearing the drive in five minutes. He then knocked on the door, introduced himself and told the speechless lady what had been done.
"Doc's" account of his life and career is relatively free of rancor against others, for that is not in his nature. On only three occasions does he admit harboring ill feelings against individuals.
After returning to the I.U. Medical School as a teacher when leaving the governor's office, Otis was asked by President Reagan in 1985 to become Secretary of Health and Human Sercices. He accepted and served competently for over three years. After summarizing those years, however, he decides that "Washington is no place for a Fulton County boy to hang his hat" and ranks the experience far below that of being a family doctor or governor.
Otis Bowen's life has not been without sadness. His first wife of 42 years and mother of his children, Beth, and a second wife, Rose, both were taken by cancer, casting him each time into a loneliness that has been cured by his third wife, Carol. He writes of each of these painful periods with tender love and honest emotion, specifically when recounting Beth's unswerving support in his medical and political careers.
Today, when not traveling, Otis and Carol live at Donnybrook on the east edge of Bremen where he mows the grass and takes care of the 250 trees and bushes he has planted over 27 years. He has recovered fully from the removal of a cancerous kidney.
A collection of 34 personal photographs enhance the text by Fulton County's most famous native son, who one historian ranks as the third best governor in Indiana's history, behind only Oliver Morton and Paul McNutt.
Local people will have the opportunity to speak to "Doc" in person on Sunday, October 15, when from 1 to 3 p.m. he will be present at the Fulton County Museum for a book-signing on behalf of the Fulton County Historical Society. Copies are $24.95
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, September 19, 2000]

BOWEN, PAUL [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men World War II, Letters

BOWEN, WALTER [Rochester, Indiana]
WALTER BOWEN ACQUIRES FEECE CARMELCRISP SHOP
Walter Bowen, owner of the New Evergreen Cafe, announced today that he has purchased the Carmelcrisp Shop at 110 East Eighth street, from Max Feece.
Mr. Bowen will move the equipment of the Carmelcrisp Shop to his cafe where he will operate the same in connection with his cafe.
The Carmelcrisp Shop was started in 1935 by Kenneth Overstreet. Mr. Feece has operated the shop for the past three years and sold the same because of the illness of Mrs. Feece.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, January 28, 1943]

GEORGE FLEEGLE SELLS BUILDING AND CONTENTS
George Fleegle, owner and operator of Fleegle's Cafe, 530 Main St. today announced the sale of the building, restaurant and pie shop.
Building and Cafe went to Paul Eiler, local electrical contractor and the pie shop, which has served the local restaurant trade for several years, was purchased by Mrs. Elsie Omler. Possession to both lines of business was taken by the now owners at midnight Monday. Mr. Fleegle stated today that he plans to spend the winter in California, but expects to return in the early spring and engage in business here. Mrs. Fleegle left this morning for Toledo, Ohio, where she will enter a sanitarium for treatment.
Purchase of the building by Mr. Eiler gives him control of all the property from Sixth street north to the Shell filling station. He expects to raze all wooden structures and to build a modern business block on the site. It is reported that the restaurant will be reopened soon by Walter Bowen of the Evergreen Cafe.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, September 11, 1945]
WALTER BOWEN BUYS FLEEGLE CAFE BLDG.
Announcement was made of the sale of the Fleegle cafe building, 530 Main street, to Walter Bowen, operator of the Evergeen cafe, 625 Main street, who will move his busines into the newly-acquired location about Nov. 13.
Mr. Bowen plans extensive improvements in his new location, it was revealed today. The cafe, which has been in continuous operation as a restaurant for about 50 years, was sold by Mr. Fleegle to Paul Eiler, local electrical contractor, who in turn resold the cafe site to Mr. Bowen.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, September 13, 1945]

BOWEN HARDWARE [Leiters Ford, Indiana]
Located W side of 750W in Leiters Ford.
Purchased by Vernie Bowen in 1951.
Sold to Phil Hiatt and Pat Hiatt.

BOWER, JOSIAH [Richland Township/Newcastle Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Josiah Bower. - The subject of this sketch was born in Licking County, Ohio, February 17, 1841. At two years of age, he came with his parents to this county, where he assisted in clearing a farm. His educational facilities were very meager, though he obtained an average education for those days. He was married, in April, 1860, to Sarah J. Bitters, born September 4, 1842. They are the parents of two children--Minnie, born June 17, 1863, and William, October 9, 1871. After marriage, Mr. Bower located in Richland Township, where, by hard labor, he cleared a farm, which he sold some time since, and has since purchased a valuable one in Newcastle Township. His father, William Bower, was a native of Ohio, and married Rachel Merick, of the same State. Mrs. Bower's father was Lemuel Bitters, of New Jersey. He married Catharine Ross, and located in this county in 1857.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 52]

MURDER AND SUICIDE
The farm home of Josiah BOWER, four miles northeast of this city, was the scene, Monday morning, of the most grim and ghastly horror which has ever occurred in Fulton county. The morning sun arose upon a horrifying spectacle, disclosing Josiah Bower's lifeless body, his head a mass of crushed bones, blood and fragments of brain while within the house laid his son-in-law, William Carr, groaning in agony with a bullet in his abdomen.
The horrible deed was committed by Josiah Bower himself, just at the break of day. He occupies a room at the northeast corner of the house with a door opening into the kitchen and dining room, to the east. Mr. Carr arose at an early hour to build a fire in the kitchen stove. He passed out of the house through the front door, secured an arm load of kindling and entered the kitchen from the east. The bed chamber where Mr. Bower was supposed to be sleeping was dark, for it was not yet day and the blinds were drawn down near to the bottom of the windows. Mr. Carr advanced with his kindling, unsuspecting, and stooped over at the stove. He had been in that posture but a few moments when a shot rang out from the entrance of the bedroom door, and a sharp sting in the vicinity of the lower chest told him that he had been pierced by a bullet. A glance revealed his assailant in the door and the entire situation dawned upon him in a moment. Not waiting to take a second glance at the threatening form of the would be murderer, the wounded man ran into the bed room just south of the kitchen, where his wife was still in bed, and fastened the door in order to baffle a further assault should that be attempted, and in excited tones told his wife, a daughter of the murderous Josiah, what had just taken place. Bower made no further attempt to kill his son-in-law, but was heard to leave the house hurriedly by the east door.
William BOWER, a son of the dead man, who formerly was proprietor of a restaurant at the north end of town, now a resident of Akron, stayed all night at his father's house and was sleeping upstairs when the shot was fired. He was aroused by the noise and came down to see what had taken place.
People began coming to the house and the wounded man was placed on a couch and made as comfortable as possible. A hasty examination showed that the bullet had entered his body about six inches below the heart just over the first rib. The man suffered great pain and one of the neighbors was hurriedly dispatched for a physician. Dr. J. N. RANNELLS was first to arrive and he proceeded at once to made the man as comfortable as possible. He was groaning heavily and pleaded continuously with the physician to stop, while feeling about the cavity made by the bullet, with the hope of discovering its location.
For some time after the shooting nothing more had been heard of Josiah Bower. The family feared to make an inspection of the premises for the purpose of ascertaining his whereabouts, lest he might be in hiding still imbued with murderous intent, and only waiting for an opportunity to fire a shot at anyone who might appear. Harvey GREGSON was one of the first on the scene and learning the particulars of the case he persisted in making a search for Josiah, although entreated not to do so. Walking out he surveyed the premises in many quarters and was finally successful in finding the man, cold and lifeless, the entire upper portion of his head cloven by a bullet.
Josiah did not take time to dress himself before committing the awful deed. When found, he was clad only in a gingham shirt and a pair of drawers, just as he had retired. He lay at the north side of a small barn, somewhat apart from the large one. As one walked from the road to where he lay, his bare feet came first into view, protruding from the corner of the barn. A sight of him was enough to make the stoutest heart sick. His head rested in a mass of blood. His face was ghastly pale and his eyes and mouth were open wide. The gun with which he accomplished his self-destruction was a Winchester repeating rifle of 44 calibre. His right hand clutched the barrel near the end, while his left was doubled under him. The lever of the gun was raised. It rested between his legs, the muzzle pointing toward his chin and one leg rested on the stock. It was easy to see how the death dealing shot was fired. The rifle was short and had been placed on the ground pointing upward. Bower held the muzzle to his head with his left hand, and getting it a little too near, a small piece was shot out of his thumb. His head was bent over upon the end of the barrel so that the bullet went almost straight up after passing through. This is shown by fragments of brain sprinkled upon the side of the barn, the highest about ten feet from the ground. The bullet struck the cornice of the roof, making a deep indenture and fell back again, burying itself in the earth. From appearances the gun was fired by his right hand. The bullet was about three quarters of an inch in length and three-eighths of an inch in diameter. It entered the skull an inch above the right ear and apparently passed through edgewise, laying the forehead forward.
The body was left where it was found until Coroner ZOOK arrived and made his examination. Four men then picked it up and carried it into the barn where it was covered with a sheet. While on the way to the barn, half of the brains fell out on the ground exposing fully the interior. The Sentinel reporter, who was early on the scene, took up the gun when the coroner had noted its position, extracted eleven loads from the magazine and brought back the empty shell which contained the death dealing bullet.
In the mean time Dr. W. S. SHAFER arrived at the residence and began a thorough examination. Mr. Carr was still suffering much pain and was required to remain in a half sitting posture because of his agony. The doctor used a probe, tracing the bullet downward from where it entered. He detected that a portion of the lung had been pierced, and followed the course of the bullet for about two and a half inches. Here its course seemed to have deviated and it imbedded itself somewhere within the abdominal cavity. It is an exceedingly difficult thing to find a bullet which has plowed its way among the intestines and the physicians abandoned the search after discovering the point where the missile turned inward. No blood issued from the wound made by the bullet until it was forced out and unless there is internal hemmorhage there is hope of his recovery. Yet until more is learned about the position of the bullet it is hard to tell whether or not he can survive. Mr. Carr was taken with chills and hot irons and cloths were used freely.
It yet remains a mystery as to what weapon was used in shooting William Carr. It was not the rifle. This is made clear first by the size of the hole, and it is also known that if the rifle had been used, the bullet would have passed entirely through the body, for the gun is capable of easily sending a bullet through a two inch plank. On the bed which was occupied by Bowers laid a 32 calibre revolver and it was the belief of the entire household that this was used in shooting Carr. But it was not the revolver. The Sentinel reporter examined the weapon and found the inside of the barrel covered with dust, also every chamber loaded and dusty so that no shot was fired from it. What was used is not known. These were the only firearms which the family knows of his having possessed but the supposition is that he had another revolver secreted and carrying it out with him, threw it away out of sight.
It is believed that a still greater tragedy was only narrowly averted. Last night Josiah at three different times tried to prevail over his son, William [BOWER], who was there from Akron, to sleep with him, but owing to the narrowness of the bed, Will decided to sleep upstairs. Mrs. Carr informed the reporter that her father had threatened to kill William, and had he slept with him there is little doubt but that he would have been another victim.
The probability is that Josiah Bower was partially demonized by a sea of troubles. He is an old man now in his 66th year, a hard worker, and a man noted for bad temper. It was only a few months ago that his wife applied for and was granted a divorce in the Fulton circuit court. This trouble has preyed upon his mind to a great extent. Mr. Bower had formerly a good number of possessions, but by repeated reverses of various kinds he has been deprived of all save the farm where he lived. This land he has been trying to sell, but so far has failed to find a buyer. With him on this farm have lived for several years, his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. William Carr. It is stated that there has been many differences between them and himself. All that has taken place will not be known. For some time the old man has been in ill health and under a physicians care. Dr. RANNELLS has been waiting upon him, and it was only a short time ago that Josiah informed the doctor that he would never take another dose of medicine. "I want to die," he said, and lamentingly continued that he had nothing at all to live for. "Outrageous fortune" seems to have been frowning upon him in his reclinging years, making life more and more unbearable until his mind gave way under the strain and with only the thoughts of death and revenge he committed the appalling crime. That his son Will was to be included in the deed was made plain for once during last night he arose from his bed and asked where Will was. Being informed he returned quietly to his room.
The coroner made an examination of his clothes and room with the hope of finding a written explanation left by the dead man, but that was not found. The old man's clothes were found under his pillow. A large number of papers and other articles were taken from his pockets. Among them was an account book and a pocket book containing $8.55 in cash, a confederate $50 bill and two checks on the Akron Exchange bank, one calling for $43.65 and the other for $50.21, these being received for wheat which he had hauled a few days ago.
Drs. SHAFER and RANNELLS went out again this afternoon to look after the wounded man.

William CARR, the man shot by his father-in-law, Josiah BOWER, died Wednesday evening at an early hour. He suffered constantly from the shock and Drs. Shafer and Rannells are of the opinion that death resulted from the proximity of the wound to the heart. He leaves a wife and several children.

Mrs. Minta [BITTERS] BOYER, a daughter of Lemuel BITTERS, of Akron, who had been caring for her mother up to the time of her death, left this morning for her home at Lafayette. (FRIDAY)
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, November 25, 1898]

BOWERS, ABEL F. [Rochester, Indiana]
See A. F. Bowers & Son.
__________

BIOGRAPHY
Abel F. Bowers, the son of William C. and Sarah Bowers, and a native of Allen County, Ohio, was born January 28, 1852. He was educated in the common schools and the University of the county in which he was born. In 1863, he came to Rochester, and soon after learned the mason's trade. On February 22, 1875, he was united in marriage to Miss Pauline McQuern, a native of Rocheter, Ind., and born October 6, 1858. One child blessed this union--L. G., born July 22, 1876. Mr. Bowers was for some years a very prominent teacher in the common schools of the county. In 1880, he was elected to the responsible position of Assessor of Rochester Township, which position he has filled acceptably thus far to his friends. He is a member of Rochester Lodge, No. 79, F. & A. M., and is noted for his industry and integrity. He does all kinds of mason work, builds houses and employs eight assistants. His father, William C. Bowers, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1808; settled in Allen County, Ohio, in 1840, and was twice married. James H. McQuern was born in Virginia October 4, 1816. He married Martha Swigert, of his native State; she was born January 4, 1833. They settled in Fulton County in 1841. He deceased December 29, 1879. The mother of Mrs. Bowers still survives her husband.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 22]

- - - - Mason Work on short notice. Remember he makes a specialty of Cement Work such as building Cisterns, Cement Walks, Fences, Etc., and in fact entire House Walls of Cement. Having had 10 years' experience exclusively in this business, he knows whereof he speaks. All work is guaranteed. A. F. BOWERS. Call on him at his office, 1st door west of Jos. Lauer's clothing store. Samples of Cement work to be seen there.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, September 5, 1884]

BOWERS GETS A NICE CONTRACT
Mr. A. F. Bowers has just been given a contract for building five thousand feet of concrete walk about the Jasper county court house, at Rensselaer. He met a field of bidders but his prices, his guarantee and his strong endorsements as a concrete manufacturer and builder impressed the commissioners so favorably that they gave him the contract.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, June 21, 1895]

ABEL F. BOWERS (Biography)
Abel F. BOWERS, born in Ohio 43 years ago, was left an orphan at an early age and Uncle Solly SLUSSER, who now has a home with him, gave him a home and brought him up to manhood. At the age of 16 Mr. Bowers came to Fulton county and soon after commenced teaching, following the vocation through twelve terms of school. Then he learned the trade of masonry and soon after turned his attention to the lime and cement business which he has successfully conducted for nearly twenty years. In 1887 he abandoned the lime trade and devoted his time exclusively to cement and fire clay merchandise and construction work in which these materials are used. During these nine years he has constructed about seventy miles of cement sidewalks besides foundations, floors and ornamental work in almost every neighborhood in this county and has also extended his work to neighboring counties and Chicago. Mr. Bowers is quite an enthusiast in the beauty and comfort of the city and owns a splendid home on the west side. He married Miss Pauline McQUERN and their family circle has been enlarged by the birth of L. G. and Bessie [BOWERS].
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

BIOGRAPHY
Abel F. Bowers, a contractor and builder, was born in Allen county, Ohio, Jan. 28, 1852, and is a son of William P. Bowers, whose death occurred in January 1892. On account of the death of the mother Mr. Bowers was raised by Solomon Slusser, who for the last twelve years has resided with Mr. Bowers. After attending the public schools in Ohio for some time he came to Fulton county in June, 1868, and during the winter of 1868-69 he was a student at a country school. In the spring of 1869 he came to Rochester and began learning the mason trade in the employ of C. P. Hinman. During the winter of 1869-70 he attended the Rochester schools and prepared himself for teaching. Thereafter for twelve winters he taught school in this county and worked at his trade during the other seasons of the year. For thirteen years past he has been engaged in the contracting and building business; all work done with cement being his specialty. Specimens of his work can be seen in Northern Indiana towns and in Chicago. His marriage took place in February, 1875, to Miss Pauline McQuern, born Oct. 5, 1856, in Fulton county, Ind., and a daughter of James and Martha McQuern, of whom the former was born in Virginia and the latter in Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Bowers are these two children, viz.: L. G., born July 22, 1876, and Bessie, born Oct. 14, 1883. In politics Mr. Bowers has been a life-long republican, and in 1892 was chairman of the republican central committee of this county. He has held the offices of assessor and justice of the peace. He is a pronounced believer in protection. Mr. Bowers is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Fredonia Lodge, No. 122, K. of P. He deserves the success he has earned.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, p. 39]

BOWERS, "GIL" [Rochester, Indiana]
"Gil" Bowers, former tank wagon driver for the Lowman Oil company and announcer at the local softball games, has taken over the management of the Cities Service station at the intersection of roads 25, 31 and 14. In addition to the filling station, Bowers states that he will handle tires and do battery repair work.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, August 7, 1942]

BOWERS & KAHOE [Rochester, Indiana]
NOTICE OF CO-PARTNERSHIP
A co-partnership has this day been formed by and between A. F. Bowers and J. Kahoe, to be known by the firm name of Bowers & Kahoe as contractors and builders, and in placing ourselves before the public in this capacity we believe we will be justified in saying that our ability as mechanics and honest workmen is well and favorably known by the many evidences of our handiwork to be seen in most all parts of Fulton county. Being thankful for past favors we shall aim to merit a continuance of the same in the future by our promptness and ability to keep abreast of the times in both workmanship and prices, ever keeping in mind the motto, "the laborer should be worthy of his hire."
Respectfully your servants, BOWERS & KAHOE. Office on South Street, west of Lauer's Clothing Store.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 10, 1886]

BOWERS & SON, A. F. [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] Concrete Walks, Walls, Curbs, Floors and all Cement Construction. 25 years experience. Estimates furnished, and all work guaranteed. A. F. BOWERS & SON. A. F. Bowers, L. G. Bowers.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, March 5, 1903]

BOWER'S RESTAURANT [Akron, Indiana]
Operated by William and Martha "Tootie" Hawk Bowers 1905-12.

BOWLING ALLEY [Rochester, Indiana]
NEWS OF THE DAY
The bowling alley in the Busenberg room will open Friday evening. Bowling will be free of charge that evening and all are welcome to come. Ladies free day will be every Wednesday. All welcome.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 4, 1908]

BOWMAN, ESTIL [Rochester, Indiana]
SELLS FILLING STATION
Harry Norris announced today that he hs sold his filling station at the corner of Main and Thirteenth Streets to Estil Bowman of Lafontaine. Mr. Bowman, who has taken possession, is an experienced filling station operator. Mr. Norris will continue to operate his filling station at the corner of Madison and Ninth Streets.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, April 9, 1935]

BOWMAN, ZACHARIAH [Henry Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Zacharia Bowman. This worthy citizen was born in Henry County, December 24, 1830, and was the eldest son of Daniel and Anna Bowman, who were of German descent and natives of Pennsylvania. His education was similar to that of most of the farmer boys at that period.
He remained at home assisting in the duties of the farm until his marriage with Miss Mary E. McAfee, January 1, 1850. This lady was born in 1831 at Hagerstown, Md. After marriage, the young couple came to Fulton County and settled on the farm where he still resides. They entered the deep, unbroken forest, as did the majority of youg pioneers, with hearts buoyed up with exultant hopes, looking forward to the time when the dense woods should be cleared away, and in their stead the broad, waving wheat-fields, dotted here and there with fine orchards and modern residences, with extensive farm buildings, that serve as monuments to the industry of the early settler. Mr. Bowman has lived to see his farm of eighty acres and other farms blossom as a rose; but the wife of his youth was called to her final resting place on December 23, 1879.
This marriage was blessed with six children--William, Sarah C., Benjamin F., Anna Maria, Emma B. Burns and Edmund, who is still under the parental roof.
Mr. and Mrs. Bowman were both members of the German Baptist Church, and Mr. Bowman has been a deacon in the same church for a number of years.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 37]

BOWMAN & WILSON STEAM FLOURING MILLS [Rochester, Indiana]
BOWMAN & WILSON STEAM FLOURING MILLS
We accosted Mr. Bowman, who talks like a gentleman, but not very much like a crowding business man, and proceeded to inspect the mill. Being an admirer of steam engines, we dove down into the engine room and took notes as follows: Engine and boiler old style; runs and drives the machinery with apparent east, but requires too much wood to be profitable. Engine 40 horse power.
The mill is 40x30 feet, three stories high, running three sets of millstones, which are capable of grinding five hundred bushels of grain per day. Total cost of the building, erected two years ago, $6,000.
They run one double reel bolt, one single reel bolt, one corn meal bolt, and one bran duster. It is claimed they can grind $30,000 worth of grain per year. They do custom grinding, buy wheat and all kinds of grain, and ship flour, &c., to all parts of the county.
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, November 20, 1873]

BOWMAN GRAVESTONES [Fulton County]
Thomas Powell advertises his readiness to furnish gravestones, tablets, monuments, etc, etc., in a superior style of finish, and at low rates. Hugh Bowman is his agent in Fulton County.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, October 1, 1859]

BOWMAN GRIST MILL [Aubbeenaubbee Township]
Located on creek at what was later the Walter Engle farm. [probably in Section 9].
The mill was built by James Boyles as a saw mill and was located on the outlet of Lake Maxinkuckee in the northwest part of Aubbeenaubbee township. It was later bought by John Bowman and converted into a grist mill, and was powered by water from the dammed up creek.
John Bowman's daughter, Sarah (Bowman) Boyer, acquired this mill after John's death.
See Bowman Grist Mill [Talma, Indiana]

BOWMAN GRIST MILL [Talma, Indiana]
John Bowman, who moved to Fulton County, Ind., prior to 1860, inherited all of his parents' estate and engaged in the milling business in Indiana, as his ancestors before him had done in Sandusky and Perry counties, Ohio, and in Pennsylvania, prior to coming to Ohio. While repairing the mill-dam at a mill he owned at Bloomingsburg (now Talma, Ind.), he contracted typhoid fever, from which he died Sept. 1862, at the age of 51 years, 11 months 25 days, only about a month after the death of his father.
The mill was built by John Bowman prior to 1860 and operated by Henry Bowman 1862-82; then the mill was sold to Newton Clymer and passed from one owner to another until 1908 it was owned by the State Bank of Richmond, Ky. The land where the mill had stood was purchased by Dr. Aaron Bowman in 1912 and has been in the family ever since, being presently owned by Rolland Calvert, son of Eldora Bowman Calvert.
The mill race has been dammed up at both ends to make a pond.
Eldora and Robert Calvert operated the El-Ro-Vert Campground where the Bowman grist mill was in Talma along the Tippecanoe River until the tornado of April 3, 1974.
[B. H. Bowman Family, John C. Overmyer, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]
See Bowman Grist Mill [Aubbeenaubbee Township]

BOXING
See: Rochester Boxing Club

BOY SCOUT CAMP CALLAHAN [Wayne Township]
Located on a hill on the south side of the lake on Jim Callahan's land.
Called the Fletcher's Lake Boy Scout Camp, operated by Al Drump of Logansport.
It had a screened mess hall and kitchen.
As the camp was on Jim Callahan's land, he fed the garbage to his hogs.
Callahan had an ice house and cut ice from the lake, which he sold in summers.
The land was later owned by Carl Lemmon.
__________

SCOUTS OPEN ANNUAL CAMP EARLY SUNDAY
Boy Scouts of Cass, White, Carroll, Miami, Fulton and Pulaski counties will leave early Sunday for Fletcher's Lake for the opening of Camp Callahan under the direction of LeRoy J. Remley, Three Rivers scout executive, who is camp director.
Mr. Remley and other members of the camp staff have been making daily trips to the lake during the past week getting everything in readiness for the opening Sunday. As in former years, the camp will be divided into three one-week periods: July 10-17; July 17-24; and July 24-31.
Other members of the camp staff include: Franklin Rittenhouse, Logansport, waterfront director; John C. Venatta III, Brookston, campfire director; Fred Case, handicraft director; Ben Drompp, first aid; William Ball, office; Cecil Laymon, dining hall director; Ralph Sanders, troop leader, all of Logansport; Richard Dilts, Winamac, troop leader; G. W. Wolf, Logansport, transportation officer; George Wolf Jr., Peru, nature lore director; and Albert Milton, Logansport, cook.
Scoutmasters who plan to attend include: Everett Shively, Winamac; George Riddle, Rochester; George Shaver and Oscar Beasey, Logansporrt; and William Hart, Galveston.
Following Reveille at 6:40 o'clock, each day's activities will be as follows: Breakfast, clean-up period, scout advancement period, instructional swimming, life saving, dinner, free period, handicraft, athletics, recreational swimming, retreat, supper, free period, campfires or night games, call to quarters, and taps at 9:30 o'clock.
Members of the camp committee determining camp rules and policies are James Cooper, Logansport, chairman, Bob Bradshaw, Delphi; Fred Reiss, Wolcott; W. E. Rust, Winamac; and James Puett, Logansport.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, July 9, 1938]

CAMP CALLAHAN CLOSED BY STATE HEALTH BOARD
A representative of the Indiana State Board of Health yesterday condemned and then closed Camp Callahan, the Three Rivers Council of Boy Scouts camp at Fletcher's Lake.
The camp was condemned because of unsanitary conditions. The state board of health representative, however, gave his stamp of approval to the beach and the water in Fletchers Lake for bathing purposes.
The order forced 52 Boy Scouts who were at the camp to leave immediately for their homes. William Foster, Logansport, field executive for the Three Rivers Council, was in charge of the camp.
The Three Rivers Council is composed of Cass, Pulaski, White, Miami and Fulton counties. Camp Callahan was bisected by the Cass-Fulton county line.
The camp site had been used for several years by the Scouts. It was located at the southwest corner of Fletchers Lake.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, July 24, 1940]

BOY SCOUT CAMP WRIGHT [Richland Township]
Located N side of Tippecanoe River, S side of 450N, E of Germany Bridge in the woods, and SW of Ernie Hiatt's. Word-of-mouth reports it was used in the 1920's and 30's, and probably into the 40's.
__________

MANY OF LAKE COUNTY TO WITNESS DEDICATION
Many residents of Indiana Harbor and East Chicago are expected to motor here Sunday to attend the dedication of the new recreation and mess hall at Camp Wright near the Loyal bridge.
Camp Wright is sponsored by the Boy Scout councils of the two Lake county cities. The recreation hall was built with volunteer labor from the two cities.
A. J. Sambrook, Indiana Harbor, Scout executive in charge of the camp, extends an invitation to residents of Rochester and Fulton county to attend the dedicatory exercises which are to take place at 2 p.m.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, July 13, 1935]

CAMP WRIGHT MESS HALL DEDICATED SUNDAY P.M.
The East Chicago Boy Scout camp, located eight miles northwest of this city on the banks of the Tippecanoe river, held dedicatory esxercises Sunday afternoon for its new all-seeel and cement mess hall. Over 400 scouts and officials from various points in Illinois and Indiana were present.
The dedication address was given by George Huish, of East Chicago. Mr. Huish is the state commander of the "40 and 8" Legionnaire division. Mayor J. L. Babcock and Legion Commander Gordon Graham were guests of the twin cities scouts.
Interesting Program
The Welcoming address was made by J. Thompson, president of the Boy Scouts of America. The drum corps then gave several numbers and community singing was enjoyed under the direction of O. P. Manker, of East Chicago.
Greetings were extended the scores of camp visitors by Mayor Andrew Rooney of East Chicago and Mayor Babcock of this city. During the noon hour the assembly enjoyed a most bounteous dinner which was served in the spacious new building. The mess hall is modernly equipped throughout, having hot and cold water as well as an electrical refrigeration system.
The afternoon program was comprised of a brief review of the two Boy Scout troops by A. J. Sambrook; the presentation of the new building by D. L. Mitchell, trustee of the Wright Estate and the acceptance of building address being given by Barlow Dicker, who is the chairman of the camp committee.
Groups of 35 or 40 Boy Scouts occupy the Camp Wright quarters throughout the entire season; the groups are brought in every two weeks by the Boy Scout officials. On July 20th ten younsters from the Knightstown home will be brought to the camp for a two weeks vacation.
Officials of the camp announced yesterday that new buildings would be erected at the camp each year until it will eventually become one of the best equipped Boy Scouts camps in the Central West.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, July 15, 1935]

KIWANIS TO HOLD MEET AT BOY SCOUT'S CAMP
Plans were made for the Kiwanis members to hold their next regular meeting at the Camp Wright boy scouts summer headquarters which is located five miles northwest of this city on the banks of the Tippecanoe river.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, July 15, 1935]

KIWANIANS ENJOY VISIT WITH SCOUTS AT RIVER
The Kiwanis Club of Rochester, numbering fifty men, enjoyed a delightful two hours visit and luncheon Monday noon with the Boy Scouts of East Chicago at Camp Wright on the Tippecanoe River. Inspection of the camp, a band concert by the Rochester Band and some by the scouts made a most interesting program for the visitors and hosts alike.
Upon arrival the Kiwanians were conducted to the tent section which is in a grove back from the river and there a committee of four inspected the tents to award the daily prize to the one which was in best order. Then followed a short band concert after which the scouts lined up at attention and then with a visitor in tow marched into the new mess hall. A real dinner of ham and potatoes with plenty of side dishes was served cafeteria style and all of the food disappeared quickly.
Val Zimmerman, president of the club, then took charge and introduced A. J. Sambrook, scout executive and Howard Dickes, assistant scout executive. The leader explained that they had been in this camp four years and planned to expand the facilities so that they can take car of more boys each season. Dr. M. O. King, chairman of the tent inspection committee, then praised the boys for their fine appearing camp and gave the award to Tent No. 3. C. C. Campbell announced that the Kiwanis Club would sponsor the building of a telephone line to the camp and the installation of a much needed telephone. He then spoke in appreciation for the splendid reception received by the Kiwanians. The gathering concluded with the scouts singing a number of their own songs and another band concert.
The camp consists mainly of the newly built steel mess hall on the river bank which is also used for meetings and entertainments and the tent section with seven large army squad tents, all kept in perfect order. The site is just above the old "Germany" bridge on a beautiful spot on the river. A large swimming hole is well protected with ropes while a long pier and several diving platforms make it complete. A new group of boys arrive every two weeks for a perfect outing while parents come on Sundays in large numbers. The camp is well worthy of a visit by local folks and they will receive a royal welcome at any time.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, July 23, 1935]

EAST CHICAGO SCOUTS TO GIVE PROGRAM IN CITY
East Chicago Boy Scouts of the Twin City Council who are encamped at Camp Wright, north of here on the Tippecanoe River, will present their regular "Farmers' Night" program of songs and stunts, at the corner of 7th and Main streets, Thursday night under the sponsorship of Johnson Dairy. Highlight of the program will be a Mexican skit, presented by six Mexican scouts. Rope spinning, whip cracking and songs by the entire camp will round out a program punctuated by solos by several of the campers.
Thos participating in the program will be treated to all of the ice cream they can eat.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, August 2, 1938]

FARMERS NIGHT PROGRAM CAMP WRIGHT, JULY 10TH
Supervisors of the Camp Wright Boy Scout camp, which is situated about seven miles northwest of this city, on the banks of the Tippecanoe river, announced today that a special Farmers' Night program will be given by the scouts, Wednesday evening, July 10th.
The entertainment, which consists of special stunts and songs by the talented members of the camp, will begin promptly at 8 o'clock.
At the present date there are 68 scouts and a staff of 25 supervisors and officials at the camp. The public is invited to visit this interesting place at any time throughout the summer season. All of the scouts are from the East Chicago, Ind., area.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, July 8, 1940]

SCOUT CAMP OPENS AT RIVER SATURDAY
Camp Wright on the banks of the Tippecanoe river, eight miles northwest of Rochester, was officially opened Saturday with the arrival of 30 Boy Scouts from East Chicago and ten Scouts from the Soldiers and Sailors Orphans Home from Knightstown. The camp is sponsored by the East Chicago Boy Scout Council. The outing from the Knightstown Home is sponsored by the American Legion.
The camp will continue until August 9th with new groups of Scouts coming from East Chicago at two-week intervals. C. E. Johnson, of East Chicago, is the camp director.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, June 29, 1942]

BOY SCOUTS [Rochester, Indiana]
BOY SCOUTS WILL ORGANIZE HERE
Through the efforts of Scoutmaster Sexsmith, who has had charge of the boy scout work during the chautauqua, a permanent organization of scouts will be formed in Rochester.
Prof. R. C. Johnson has been persuaded to take charge of the work with the assistance of Stanley Faulkner. Both men have sent to headquarters of the national scouts at New York City for their commissions which will probably arrive next week.
The boy scout work was first advanced and fostered by Batten Powell in England and later in America by Mr. Joyce and has been productive of great good. The work interested the boys in that period of life when they are growing and brings them in contact with good class methods of playing.
The local organization will make their own rules in regard to time of meeting and if dues are assessed, the amount will be determined by the local members. At the present time great interest is shown by the boys in the work and from 50 to 75 have been present every morning.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, July 26, 1913]

WILL ORGANIZE BOY SCOUTS
All boys interested in the Boy Scout movement, are requested to meet at "My Show" Tuesday afternoon, at two o'clock, for the purpose of forming a permanent local organization.
__________

The above announcement is proof of the fact that the course conducted by Scoutmaster Sexsmith during the recent chautauqua, is bearing fruit and assures the city of a permenent Boy Scout organization.
Application for scoutmasters' certificates have been made by Prof. R. C. Johnson and Stanley Faulkner, and books and pamphlets received by them indicate that the certificates will be granted. Prof. Johnson will be at the head of the work, but will be actively assisted by Mr. Faulkner who is the operator at "My Show."
Nearly 50 boys manifested interest in the work during the chautauqua week and it is thought as many will join the local organization.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, August 9, 1913]

BOYD, H. E. [Rochester, Indiana]
BIOGRAPHY
H. E. Boyd, farmer, P.O. Rochester, son of Abraham and Maria B. Boyd. Father was born in Allegheny County, Penn., May 4, 1810. His parents emigrated to Trumbull County, Ohio, when Abraham was about two years old. When he was about tewnty-seven years old, he went out to Allen County, Ohio, where he soon after married Maria B. Hover, March 9, 1837, in the old Shawnee Indian Council House, which is still standing, but is fast going to decay. Abraham is still living in Allen County, Ohio. Mr. H. E. Boyd's mother died, April 25, 1875. She was the daughter of Ezekiel Hover. H. E. is one of a family of eight children, born in Allen County, Ohio, January 4, 1838. At the outbreak of the rebellion, he was one of the first to respond to the call for troops by enlisting in Company F, Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, April 20, 1861; mustered out Augst 18, 1861. Re-enlisted in Company E, Forty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was with his regiment from Shiloh to Vicksburg and from there to Atlanta; was wounded at Atlanta; discharged October 20, 1864. He has been twice married. First married Hester Ann Fritz, November 15, 1864. She died December 31, 1869. They had three children--Inez May, born June 30, 1865; C. A., born May 6, 1867; and Bertram, born October 20, 1868, died October 16, 1874. On the 2d of December, 1875, Mr. Boyd married Martha Ellen Jones. They have three children, viz.: Lillian E., born March 9, 1877; Etta B., born October 8, 1878; Charles H. H., born January 3, 1881. They came to this county in August, 1879, and settled where they now reside, near the east bank of Manitou Lake. Mrs. Boyd is the daughter of Benjamin and Mary Jones, residents of Auglaize County, Ohio. In politics, Mr. Boyd is a Republican.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 28]

BOYER, GEORGE [Rochester, Indiana]
GRAND OPENING
The old stand so long known as the Wm. Boyer place will be open Saturday, March 13 [sic], by Geo. Boyer. Elegant free lunch in the evening. All gentlemen are invited. Come one, come all. GEORGE BOYER.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 11, 1904]

BOYER & HARRISON [Rochester, Indiana]
Try Boyer & Harrison, north end Main street, for blacksmithing and general repairint. They grind plow shares and do a variety of other work.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, April 14, 1904]

BOZARTH, LOT N. [Rochester, Indiana]
WOULD BE JUDGE
Nelson J. Bozarth, who is a candidate for the nomination for judge of the Porter circuit court, was born in Rochester, and his father, Lot N. Bozarth, was clerk of the Fulton circuit court at the time of his death. Nelson served in the Civil war, took law at Indiana university afterward, and has practiced at Valparaiso since that time. He is a cousin of Jasper Bozarth of this city and is remembered by the older inhabitants.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, January 26, 1914]

MAY BE CANDIDATE
Nelson J. Bozarth of Valparaiso, Ind., will be a candidate for nomination for Governor of Indiana at the Republican primaries. In the opinion of his friends, he has many elements of strength. His father, Lot N. Bozarth, died when Nelson was only 7 years old, at the home in Fulton county.
[Rchester Sentinel, Thursday, August 12, 1915]

WOULD BE GOVERNOR
Nelson G. Bozarth [sic], of Valparaiso, who wants the nomination for governor of Indiana on the republican ticket, was born in Rochester, July 14, 1849. [date not clear]. Mr. Bozarth is pretty well known about Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 27, 1915]

BRACKETT, ALBERT G.
CONCERNING WAR IN MEXICO IN '47
In a letter to a Rochester friend, Daniel B. Miller, formerly of this city, but now of Lanham, Md., a suburb of Washington, D. C., gives the following interesting sketch, with local color, of the Mexican war of other days.
"I was reading in the Congressional Library the other day, a book written in 1854 by Dr. Albert G. Brackett, a brother of the late Dr. Chas. Brackett of Rochester, Indiana, entitled, 'Gen. Lanes Brigade in Central Mexico.' I noticed complimentary mention of several Fulton County boys who took part in the invading engagements on the march from Vera Cruz to Mexico City in 1847. Dr. Brackett was at that time 1st Lieut. in Co I, Ind Vols, and after the Mexican war, served with distinction in the Regular army until the time of his death a few years in Washington D. C., at which time he was, I think, holding the rank of Colonel. On page 67 I find as a part of the description of his famous march, at a point near Natural Bridge, between Vera Cruz and Plan Del Dio, the following:
"One day a detachment of our men went out to kill some cattle to feed the troops on - they became scattered and Corporal J. B. Agnew of Co. K, 4th Reg. Ind. Vols., was shot through the leg by a party of Mexican guerillas. He crawled on his hands and knees to the road where he was found in a famishing condition two days afterward and brought into camp. His leg was amputated by the Surgeon of Hughes Battalion." Corporal Agnew was Mr. Dan Agnew's father.
"On page 85, Lieut. Brackett mentions that 'In anticipation of going into battle soon (battle of Huamantillo) I went to the mess of private soldiers whom I had myself recruited, and spent an hour with them, talking of home and making such arrangements as were necessary in case any of us were killed. The men of this mess were John Miller, John Barrett, Mark McGraw, and Samuel Miller, all of Fulton County, Indiana. They were all privates, but better men and more trusty fellows were not in the United States Army. One of them, Mark McGraw, now sleeps in the cold earth, but his memory is cherished in the warmest recesses of my heart. John Miller too has my lasting friendship and maintains well his reputation for valor. He was struck by a Mexican lance while marching into Puebla, but paid the debt with interest. In an Indian fight in California, since the war, he killed three Indians who were pressing him too closely.
With those men I spent a social hour, smoking a short campaign pipe to keep up my spirits and drive away the 'blue devils' in curling wreaths. Friendship is cemented more firmly in the army man than any place on earth. A man's heart is there laid open, and whatever of good or evil there is it makes its appearance. Harmony is the strength of all institutions, but more especially do we feel it there.
"Later as we advanced along the wide streets of Puebla the scene met was inspiring, as nearly every house displayed a white flag from the balconys of the upper story. Here was seen the red cross of England floating from the walls of an antiquated building - further on the white flag of non-combatants, while opposite appeared the proud banner of Spain, beside red and white flags of Australia. Along those wide and well paved streets there fluttered the ensign of nearly every civilized nation on earth. We were frequently fired upon from houses which had white flags displayed, and this treacherous mode of fighting was in exact keeping with the Mexican character.
"In reading this one is easily reminded that the present generation in Mexico has well preserved the inheritance of that same treacherous mode of fighting, in exact keeping with the Mexican character referred to by Col. Brackett. I do not know who Mark McGraw was, or if any of his family remains in Fulton County now, neither do I know anything of John Barrett, or his people, but many of the relatives of the Miller boys still live in Fulton County. They were raised a few miles south of Rochester, and were brothers of the late Hugh Miller, father of Mrs. Daniel Agnew. Both boys served during the entire civil war as officers in the Union army, where they sustained well the high character entertained of Col. Brackett, as they did afterward in private life. John was buried about 35 years ago at Rensselaer Indiana, and Sam soon afterward near Winona, Minn. Col. Brackett was a brother of Dr. Chas. Brackett, first husband of the late Mrs. Vernon Gould."
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, May 21, 1914]

BRACKETT, CHARLES [Rochester, Indiana]
Charles Brackett, Physician and Surgeon. Office at his residence, half a mile north of town. Rochester, Ind.
[Rochester Mercury, Thursday, March 1, 1860]

BRACKETT, CHARLES C. [Rochester, Indiana]
As a result of being a trifle too persistent in an effort to collect an account, Charles C. Brackett of L. M. Brackett & Co., wholesale grocers, will probably face a charge of robbery and assault with intent to kill, in the Fulton circuit court.
It is said that an affidavit supporting the charges has been signed by Arnold Priest and would have been filed in open court this morning had court been in session. It is expected that the affidavit will be filed with the opening of court Tuesday. It is said that the affidavit charges Mr. Brackett with robbing Mr. Priest of $300 by force, and with assault and battery with intent to commit murder.
A court of inquiry was held in Justice Troutman's office Saturday afternoon investigating the charges and is still in session.
According to Mr. Priest, the trouble is the outgrowth of an account he owes to the wholesale house, and which he agreed to pay in regular weekly installments, and his story of the trouble is as follows: Saturday morning he went to the office of L. M. Brackett & Co. and made his regular weekly payment and received a receipt for the same from the bookkeeper. Charles Brackett engaged him in conversation and asked him to have a look at the refrigerating plant and he accompanied him to the cellar of the building for that purpose. Once inside the room Mr. Brackett locked the door and began to abuse him over the account, assaulting him, and by force removing the contents of his pockets to ascertain whether or not he had any money on his person. In the search an Indiana Bank & Trust Company book was discovered and Mr. Brackett asked him how much money he had on deposit. Mr. Priest replied that he had $300 but that did not belong to him, as it had just been placed to his credit that morning by Beyer Bros. Co., and Frank Marsh to be used in buying produce on his rounds with his huckster wagons.
Mr. Brackett was not satisfied with the explanation and by abuse, assault and intimidation forced him to write a check in favor of L. M. Brackett & Company for $300 which he placed in his pocket. Having secured the check, Mr. Brackett left the room, turning the lock on Priest. After a lapse of five or six minutes Brackett returned and found Priest clamoring to get out. He told him to get back into the center of the room and he would unlock the door. Priest subsided but remained near the door and when Brackett opened it made a dive to get out but was caught, and in the struggle which followed Brackett pulled a big gun on him and threatened to kill him. Priest grabbed the gun with both hands and a wrestling match followed in which a favorable opening occurred and Mr. Priest escaped from the building on the run.
Subsequent inquiry on the part of Mr. Priest developed the fact that Mr. Brackett took the check to the office and waited while an employee hastened to the bank and secured the payment, when he returned to the cellar to release Priest.
Once released Mr. Priest got busy and sought the aid of the law in the matter, and the outcome is awaited with considerable interest. The penalty for assault and battery with intent to kill is from two to fourteen years in the penitentiary.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, May 30, 1910]

CHARGES ARE MADE
The Brackett-Priest cotroversy was revived this afternoon when shortly before 3 o'clock, Deputy Prosecutor F. J. Mattice filed an affidavit in the Fulton circuit court against Charles C. Brackett. The following is a copy of the affidavit: - - - - - -.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, June 3, 1910]

MR. PRIEST TALKS
Arnold Priest, who made sensational charges against Charles C. Brackett and was afterward reported as having refused to support his affidavit, feels that the printed reports of the settlement of the case did him an injustice, and asks The Sentinel to give space to the following signed statement, which is self explanatory:
"Inasmuch as the article in The Sentinel of Tuesday evening is much in error and unfair to me, I desire to say that I have at no time attempted to settle the Brackett case insofar as the state of Indiana, as a party, is concerned. I have at no time refused to respond to the affidavit which I signed before the deputy prosecutor. I was asked to sign another affidavit for assault and battery merely, and I refused to change the charge for the reason that I felt that the change would be inconsistent. There has been nothing mysterious about my actions and I have taken no steps which call for an apology nor have I done anything which I regret.
"I am free to say that I have been fully advised and have been shown the law as to my remedy in securing a return of the money represented by the check which I signed, and also as to my remedy in securing redress for what personal injury, shame and humiliation I suffered, and I am also free to say that these matters have been adjusted to my satisfaction. In this adjustment all parties were fully advised that I in no sense presumed to control any action upon the part of the state of Indiana, and I realize fully that if I am legally called upon to do so I will have to, and will, testify to all facts as I know them to exist.
"In the settlement I have made, I have been treated fairly, especially by L. M. Brackett, and since my family and myself are the persons who have been most offended and we are content, my personal desire is that the whole matter be dropped and I have so stated to the deputy prosecutor, realizing at the same time, as stated above, that I cannot control any action upon the part of the state of Indiana.
"A. M. PRIEST."
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, June 3, 1910]

BRACKETT, CHARLEY [Rochester, Indiana]
BRACKETT'S LIVERY! Furnishes you single or double rigs, with or without drivers. Gives you neat, safe outfits, and the prices are "on the bottom." Keep open all night and give prompt attention to telephone orders. Call up No. 16. CHARLEY BRACKETT, East of Arlington Hotel.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, November 13, 1896]
BRACKETT, CHARLES WILLIAM [Rochester, Indiana]
CHARLES W. BRACKETT (Biography)
One of the widely known young business men of Rochester is Chas. W. BRACKETT, the lumberman and livery stable proprietor. He was born in Rochester 33 years ago and his schooling consisted of graduation from the Rochester High school, a course in Earlham college and a medical course at Ann Arbor University. He had no desire for a professional life, however, and commenced his business career as a hardware man. From this he went to the shoe trade with the Hoosier, for several years. Then he became the local manager of Brackett & Marrett's lumber lbusiness and succeeded well. Being a lover of horses all his life, he kept an eye out for the livery business and last spring he purchased the Stanton stables and is making a success of the business by his management, although still engaged in the lumber business. He married Miss Ella MERCER and they have three daughters -- Mary, Bernice and Ruth [BRACKETT].
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

BIOGRAPHY
Charles William Brackett. - The gentleman whose name introduces this mention, is a native of Fulton county, Ind., born in the city of Rochester in 1862, and is a son of Dr. Charles and Margaret Brackett, now Mrs. Gould. He first attended the public schools and later graduated from the Rochster high school and then spent one year at Earlham college, at Richmond, Ind., after which he spent two years at the university of Michigan. He returned to Rochester and in 1884 engaged in the lumber business, which he continued until 1896, and then began the livery business. Mr. Brackett was married in 1885 to Miss Ella Mercer, of this county. They have three children,viz.: Mary, Bernice and Ruth. In politics he is a republican and is a member of Fredonia lodge, No. 122, K. of P. He is a man popular with his fellows and possesses good business ability.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, p. 39]

BRACKETT, JOHN E. [Rochester, Indiana]
TRAINING TO BE SOLDIERS
By Dr. John E. Brackett
Washington, D.C.
My grandfather, William Rannells, and his wife were cousins, and therefore of the same family in Virginia, where they were born, and where their ancestors for many generations had lived and labored. During the days "that tried men's souls," the long and bloody period of the American Revolution, members of these families were found with the riflemen of Morgan and among the troopers of Light Horse Harry Lee. Slavery in his native state became so intolerable that he and his cousin, also named William, decided to migrate to the far west. Kentucky would have been their natural selection for their new home, reaching the fertile lands beyond the mountains by way of the old wilderness road, over which so many Virginians had passed on their way to the blue grass country. But then, Kentucky had elected to enter the Union as a slave state, an insurmountable objection. They decided in favor of the northwest. These two cousins were known in Virginia as Long Billy, my grandfather, and Short Billy. Their homes were near together and from boyhood days they had lived and worked side by side, attended the same schools and the same frolics. Late in May, about the year 1816, these cousins, having disposed of their lands and such stock as they cared not to take with them, freeing their slaves, and leaving their wives with friends and neighbors until their return, with two good saddle horses and one pack horse, all properly equipped with such articles as voyagers through the wilderness would require, started westward and to the north.
My grandfather carried in his saddle bags and about his person, gold and silver coin to the amount of $9,500. How much Short Billy had I do not know, but probably a like amount. Now, $9,500 was a considerable sum of money to be wandering about with in an unknown country, infested by Indians, to say nothing of the weight. Without loss or serious accident of any kind they reached Champaign county, Ohio, where uncle, or Short Billy, concluded he would make his home, selecting a fine piece of land on the Sprigfield road, near the county seat Urbana, and here he afterwards brought his wife, cleared away and cultivated one of the finest farms in the state of Ohio, and here also, he reared a large family of boys and girls, no better ever lived. My grandfather pushed on along to Cary, several miles further west, and it was here he halted for a number of years, also clearing and cultivating a large tract of land, and also rearing a family of boys and girls, though before they reached maturity the western fever seized him and he pushed farther out.
The Pottawattomie Indians were preparing to vacate their lands for their new reservation west of the Missouri river, and here promised a favorable opening, and so, alone this time, he went prospecting and found satisfactory land in the dense timber district about midway between the towns of Rochester and Akron. Making his purchases and claims and having them properly surveyed and recorded, he returned to bring his family, stock and farm implements. My mother and grandmother have often told me of that trip through the dense wilderness. Roads, such as they were, often impassable until properly mended, through swamps, over sand hills, fording streams and skirting lakes, camping at night, when bodies of Indians often would steal in out of the darkness, silently squatting around the camp fire, smoking their pipes, finally wraping themselves in their blankets and going to sleep. When morning came the camp would find itself rid of its dusky visitors, probably to reappear at nightfal, with strings of fish and game of various kinds, venison, wild turkey, squirrels and quails. These they would carefully dress and with grave ceremony and courtesy hand them over to be cooked. Under such circumstances always self-invited guests for supper. Invariably kind, little to say, but never forgetting to treat us with the greatest courtesy, so that soon the terror what their presence at first produced among the women and childrn wore away, except in the case of Fanny Rose, a slave girl who had insisted in sharing the adventures of her young mistress, and but for whom life in the wilderness would have been hard for all of us, especially mother. And so the days and nights passed away until finally the journey came to an end. A house of logs, such as was generally found in the far west in those days was built with the aid of neighbors and we moved into it and settled ourselves as best we could in our narrow and cramped quarters. There was a loft, or attic, where we children slept, as did Fanny Rose, a space at one end having been partitioned off for her especial accommodation. As on the journey, Indians in various numbers would come in from the quiet darkness after supper, squatting around the hearth when the nights were cold, often bringing game and fish. If early enough joining us at supper and apparently enjoying our cooking, certainly our coffee, of which they would drink great quantities.
And so we lived alone there in the wilderness, quietly and uneventfully, we children growing older and stronger and more able to help in the work.
It is my mother talking.
"Eliza Ann, a girl of about twelve at that time. The heavy timber was giving way to fields of wheat, corn and other farm products. The land was rich and the yield plentiful. Our log house at that time stood in the midde of the second field, about half a mile south of the Akron road. But father soon found the little cabin much too small for his growing family and began preparations for a new and larger house, a site for which was cleared north of the road, and not far from the little stream of Chippewanoch, along the banks of which and north and west of the house an orchard was planted, fruit trees of great variety, proving as it soon did, to be one of the finest orchards in the whole county. Below us lived the Hoovers, who, about that time, built a dam across the creek to run a sawmill, from which much of the lumber for our house and numerous out-houses were brought. The work went on and, August 25th, 1842, the house was finished--large, substantial, and the couterpart, as far as possible, of the old home in Virginia. To us it seemed very fine in its white paint and green window shutters. We were very proud of it, for a more commodious or handsome home was not to be found in that part of the county. Father, not satisfied with farming, bought a whole square of ground in town on which he built a large store house for dry goods and general merchandise, and another for groceries, so that he and the boys, James and Newton, spent most of their time in trade, and we saw little of them at the farm, which mother managed with the help of several hired men. Will Woods, who afterwards married sister Nancy, was her main prop, though ably supported by George Moore, whom she called Little George, and Tim Williams, whom she named Timothy Tugmutton, and one or two others all of the time, and in busy seasons as many as a dozen or more. I was not destined to live long in the new house for your father came a-courting. At first we did not know to whom he gave preference. There was quite a rivalry between Becky and me. We girls were all fond of him for he was a fine man and much thought of by everybody. Father set great store by him declaring, often, that while Lyman was not a professed Christian (we were ardent Wesleyans), leastwise not an orthodix Christian, nevertheless a better man never lived nor a more honest. Lyman equally admired father. Many times I've heard him say he did not know which to admire most, father, mother or Fanny Rose. Father for his strong sense of justice and sound political opinions and courage in freeing his slaves and pushing out into a new country, "The Great Republic of the West," as he was wont to call it, or mother for following and so ably supporting with her unchanging cheerfulness in the midst of so many discouraging and disheartening conditions, confronting the pioneer and frontiersman, or again, Fanny Rose, the black woman, who refused freedom and comfort in order that she might cast her fortunes with those of her young mistress--all of which praise I listened to with great satisfaction, for I am sure that I was very much in love with your father."
"Father served two terms in the state legislature. It was thought best, before I married, that I spend one winter in Indianapolis. During father's last term, mother and I did so, though I did not care especially to go until your father said that he would be down for a week or two during my stay. The Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows was to meet there and he wished to be present at their meetings. One bright fall morning saw father, mother and myself occupants of the old Concord stage coach that ran between South Bend and Indianapolis. As I happened to be the only young lady passenger, it was voted that I should have a seat on the box with the driver. I therefore was mounted up in front when we started with four fresh horses from the front of Alexander Chamberlain's hotel, just across the street from father's store. Quite a little crowd had gathered to see us off, as the arrival and departure of the stage was always an event in those days. Your father had climbed up on the coach box, and somehow, squeezed himself on the seat beside me. I felt very proud on my elevated perch with a man on either side of me, behind four fine spirited horses. I thought how all the girls in town must envy me, for it was my first experience of the kind, and so we trotted merrily away toward the state capitol, more than seventy miles distant. In the fall of the year the roads were at their best, which was not saying a great deal, though parts of this particular road was very smooth and pleasant. Your father left us at the Elam farm, saying he would walk back a mile or more, and then for the first time I realized I was really going away from home. Onward we went, at times quite rapidly, at others not moving at all, for we often stuck in the mud of the swamps. We reached Logansport just at dark. How we went clattering down the long hill just before reaching the Wabash river, the driver blowing a delightful call on his horn. I became quite excited. Across the old covered bridge we rattled, up the hill and through the streets of the town until we pulled up at the steps of the hotel where we were to spend the night. Four days and nights this sort of thing continued, in many ways delightful, always something new and romantic. The frequent stops to change horses and drivers, and the stage drivers, in those days, were mighty fine fellows, as fine in their way as those Uncle Sam tells about out in California. We had no mountain roads, but there were hills and many bad places that rquired quite a degree of skill in driving, to avoid. The drivers were all very kind to me but never obtrusive, probably because they knew father and mother were inside. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed that ride. The inns or taverns where we stopped for dinner or for the night, were always so pleasant, the meals all so good. That was perhaps partly because we were so hungry from our long ride. Often we would have our breakfast by lamplight in order that we might get an early start. Our supper, always by lamplight. Then the beds were so soft and comfortable. I could go on for hours recalling those days and that ride in the old stage coach. Nothing like it in these days. Well, we arrived in Indianapolis in due time. The season, it was said, was unusually gay that winter. Every night we were out to a party of some kind, a ball, concert, reception, what not. I was crazy to go to the theatre, but father thought it no place for a professor, so I did not have my wish gratified until after your father came. He took me several times. I was glad when he came, for I now always had some one to go with me, and I tell you I felt very proud going into the reception rooms leaning on the arm of your father, for he was tall, graceful, handsome, and walked with such a lordly air as if the world belonged to him--just a way he had, a way I much admired, as I know did many other girls, for I saw many a bright eye glance admiringly as we passed. I was no dancer, but your father was a fine one. He seemed to enjoy it so. One night he persuaded me to dance a reel with him. I acquitted myself very well. The governor gave several balls and rceptions at his hoime, to all of which we were invited, and attended. The finest of all was the rception given to the Odd Fellows. To this one I went with your father, and if I say it, who should not, a finer couple was not seen there. I wore a new dress father had given me, made in the latest style and which fitted me perfectly. I knew all this and felt quite proud. I was so happy that I danced several time, once even with the governor himself, while Lyman had the governor's lady for a partner. We four were in the same set. I well remember the look of surprise on the faces of mother and father as they saw us. I could also note that father was quite pleased that his little backwoods Hoosier girl, as he often called me, should be so distinguised by the ruler of his adopted state. He had been very fond of dancing in his youth and attended all the balls and routs in Richmnd during the winter, and at the Springs during the summer. Indeed, he and mother had been quite gay before they were converted to Methodism."
"And so the winter passed away and we were back home again and glad enough to be there, for while we had a pleasant time we somehow felt that such festivities were not suited to our simple tastes. Well, we were married, and I moved to town where your father had built himself a good, substantial house near Newton's grocery store and not far from father's dry goods store. As father and the boys boarded with me, and much of the time I had one or two of the girls down from the farm, I did not lack company, though often when your father would be away on professional work in a distant part of the county for three or four days, I would become lonesome. We were very happy in those days, for we were young, strong and all enjoyed good health. We were warm and comfortavly housed, I had a fine fruit and vegetable garden and many flowers and fruit trees in our vegetable garden. Plenty to eat and drink, though no very fine dresses, yet good, strong and substantial clothing, warm and comfortable if not very stylish. Fine enough for a girl brought up to farm or country life as I was, indeed, good enough for any one, and so you see I was necessarily very happy at that time, and when you came, as you did quite soon, I was truly a happy woman if ever there was one. We were both very proud of you for you were well formed and healthy and bid fair to favor your father, than whom, let me tell you, there were few handsomer men, or more kind-hearted, tender or affectionate. But our happiness could not, did not last. Your father came home wet, cold and weary from a long ride in the country. He complained of pains in his chest. Albert, his youngest brother, was with us at the time, studying medicine. He sent at once for Doctors Howes and Shryock, but pneumonia developed and he sank rapidly. He died April 7th, 1847, 28 years of age, We buried him at the farm. Our little family burying ground is now incorported in what is known as Hoover's cemetery. Friends from both town and county came to show their love and respect by accompanying us all the long five miles to the little country graveyard. Odd Fellows from Logansport, members of the lodge to which your father belonged, were also present in a body and conducted the funeral ceremonies after the ritual of the order. While I do not know it for a fact, I have no doubt but that your father was the first member of that order to die in Fulton county. Indeed, I believe that there were but few members of the order in the county, but a lodge was organized soon after. I was frequently told that such action was hastened by the kindness and atention members of the brotherhood had shown at your father's funeral.
This little chap, known as John Ely, waxed strong and healthy and soon grew to be a sturdy lad, somewhat mischievous, as all strong, hearty boys are inclined to be, though never vicious, usually well contented, for he had practically two homes to choose from. His time was about equally divided between his home with his mother, who had married again, and at the farm with his grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins, all good, kind and inclined to humor and perhaps spoil the youngster. None of them kinder or more indulgent than the black woman, Fanny Rose, of whom he was very fond; indeed all were. Such a farm it was, for everything a boy's heart could wish was found. Of stock there were horses to ride and drive, cows to milk, oxen to yoke and sheep to pasture. Of fowls, turkeys, chickens, geese, ducks and a fine flock of pigeons.
Such eating as we had! Such dishes as Fanny Rose and my aunts could and did prepare! Such quantities of fruits of all kinds, both large and small! Could any boy, or boys, have wished for more? I say boys, for much of the time Scott Rannells, Uncle Newt's oldest son, a year or two my junior, was my companion. In the very early days there were two others, Willie Rannells, son of James and Susan Brown, daughter of June. Susan died in early girlhood. Plenty of company, and we were therefore never at a loss for fun and frolic, though we had our chores to do. These, however, were nevcr very onerous and performed quickly in a spirit of fun, for we were good-hearted always, never that I can remember, quarrelsome or unruly, all of which was no doubt owing to my grandmother's good government. Also to that prince of good fellows and best friend a boy ever had, William Woods, better known as Uncle Bill. What larks we had with him as guide, and what sweet times during sugar season, for the farm included one of the finest sugar groves in the county. No better sugar or syrup ever was made, even in the state of Vermont, than that made by Uncle Bill.
The sugar house was the original cabin occupied by the famiy during the first few years. What days and what nights were spent by us in that sugar house or camp, as we called it, boiling down sap. At night, seated or strtched out at full length on the ground around the fire listening to Uncle Bill's stories of Indians and of wars, for he had served as a soldier and had taken in a campaign or two, probably during the Black Hawk war. He knew a great deal about the habits, ways and methods of Indian fighting, indeed Indian life in general. After a time he would jump to his feet, call out, "Fall in Company A!" and while he was busy with his sword and sash, Company A (I was Company A) a lad of from five to twelve for these exercises covered a period of several years. This little boy of five would spring to his feet, grab a piece of wood, shaped like a gun, and stand very erect, with head up and chest thrown out, feeling very proud and important and there remain until the commanding officer, Uncle Bill, had his handsome sash and sword properly adjusted, when he would step out into the light, draw his sword and shout, "Eyes right!" "Left!" "Front!" "Dress up there!" Finally, with great diginty, "Attention, battalion! File right! Forward march!" Now and then Scott Rannells would form a part of Compny A, though Scott never took so kindly to the work, not having the proper military spirit. He would rather lie on his back in front of the fire and listen to stories. After marching us about for half an hour we would be brought back to the fire and for another half hour or so we would be put through the manuel of arms, often getting much mixed, for he had been drilled in Scott's tactics, while Harder's was the standard, latest. But he would consult he book, correct himself and correct us. All this was not only confusing to the intellect, but fatiguing to the body. When the order came, as it always did finally, "Break ranks!" we were very glad indeed and would hasten over to the barrel containing sugar sap, fill the gourd drinking cup and take a long, deep pull, then stretch ourselves out before the fire ready to listen to Uncle Bill's yarns of the Indians, of which he had an inexhaustible store.
And so this association went on year after year as long as I remained a member of the community. Uncle Bill's ambition as a drill master was not wholly satisfied with this sort of thing, for about 1856,'7 or '8, he organized the farmers, old and young, of his neighborhood into a military company, the first, so far as I know, to be organized in the county. Though there were a number of men in the county who had served in the Fourth Indiana Volunteers during the war with Mexico, members of a company in which my uncle, Albert G. Brackett, was first lieutenant. Whether any of these were members of this company I do not know, but I know that subsequently most, if not all of them, served during the civil war of 1861-5.
They met for drill at irregular intervals on a lawn, or rather glen, north of Uncle Bill's orchard. Here they would march, countermarch, go through the manual of arms, in all of which owing to the careful and patient instruction given by my painstaking uncle, they attained a good degree of proficiency. Now this was a well organized, uniformed company of men just away from the plow or harvest field, much in earnest and bound to make the most of their opportunities. Very proud and splendid they bore themselves. It was no easy matter to distinguish the individual member as they marched past a given point, for the ordinary stooped and slouchy gait gave place, when in the uniformed ranks, to an erect bearing true militry air. Heads up, chests well out and a quick and elastic step. The uniform, I remember it well, consisted of a black cloth roundabout or jacket, military cut, standing collar and a single row of brass buttons, the exact counterpart of that worn as a fatigue uniform by the household troops of Great Britain today, even to the little point down behind. Only the British jacket is always scarlet or blue, generally the former. White duck trousers with bright red ribbon or stripe down the outer seam. Large blue cloth cap, black leather vizer and glazed cover for wet weather. Shoes or boots, as may be, always bright and shining as the best blacking and polishing could make them. This alone was enough to cause a transformation. For arms each man carried his own squirrel rifle, more or less ornamented according to individual fancy. Powder-horn, highly polished, bullet pouch of undressed deer-skin slung across the shoulders by a broad strap of the same material. No side arms except in the case of Uncle Bill, who always appeared with his handsome, crimson silk sash and bright, well polished dress sword and scabbard strapped to his side, and who marched proudly at the head of his company with sword drawn, the bright blade flashing in the sunlight. How I did enjoy watching them march past where I sat perched on the topmost rail of a high stake and rider fence, cheering lustily and waving my cap with enthusiasm. Once when Uncle Bill gave the order to "Present arms!" as they passed me, my enthusiasm was so great and my dignity so profound I almost fell from my high perch as I removed my cap in return for the courtesy. So the drills went on, from season to season, covering a period of several years. I was always an interested spectator. I do not recall just how the information came to me, but somehow I was always informed when a drill was to be held, and early made my plans to be present, driving or riding to the farm, when I could have the horse, and when not, walking. Now I always had one boon companion or comrade, one who always was glad and eager to join me in any expedition, no matter where. That was my step-sister, Helen Staily. Certainly no boy ever was so fortunate as I in having a comrade so kind, so gentle, so ready and eager to assist me with advice and comfort of her presence.
One bright day in June, I heard that the drill was to take place. I went at once to Helen and asked her to go with me. "Gladly, Johnnie," she said, "if father will let us have the horse and buck-board. I don't feel strong enough to walk so far. You go and ask him," which I did at once, knowing beforehand just what his answer would be whenever Helen was concerned, and when I told him what we proposed doing he very promptly replied, "Why certainly, Johnnie, I am glad you are going and it is real thoughtful in you to take Helen." He doted on Helen, as we all did. "I'm sure you will have a good dinner at your grandmother's. I declare I wish it was so I could go. Well, some day we will all go up and have dinner at the farm--Newt, Lib, and the rest of us. Tell Helen to take an extra wrap for it may be cool coming round the lake after sundown."
And so we started, but had not gone far when Helen suggested that we take Joe Chamberlain with us. Joe was soon ready and eager for the trip. At her request we added somewhat to the length by deciding to come home by the river road, visiting the famous Indian fields where strawberries were many and large. A couple of baskets were added to the outfit, when we were off, and in due time arrived at the head of the lane from where we could see the farm house. I soon discovered grandma, seated complacently in an easy chair on the honey-suckle covered front porch, and as surely there was the black face of Fanny Rose peering over the gate. I drove gaily up, sprang out, greeted Fanny with an affectionate slap on her broad shoulders, saying, "Fanny, my girl, you are going to have guests for dinner." She answered promptly, "Now you John, what you alls want for your dinner?" "Stewed chicken, cream gravy, hot biscuit and strawberry shortcake." I had approached grandma, who had arisen to greet me, hold out her soft, white plump hand, which I stooped over and kissed, a ceremony she was very fond of, and one I had been early taught by my mother. "Why, grandma," I exclaimed, "what a beautiful dress you have on, and that new and dainty lace cap is so becoming. I declare you look as if you had just stepped off a Watteau fan. Every day you are growing more and more like Martha Washington" all of which little excusable flattery seemed to please her and harmed no one. Indeed, the girls both corroborated my statement as they came forward to greet her, who beamed with pleasure at the sight of the bright young faces. She held out a hand to each and bade them welcome. While we were exchanging compliments, Fanny Rose came around the corner of the house followed by Jake and exclaimed: "Now, you John, if you alls want strawberry shortcake for your dinner, you will have to help pick the berries." We all gladly consented and started out for the south field where they were to be found. We managed the first fence in good shape, but on reaching the second, were not so fortunate. The girls were ahead, Jake, my uncle (then a young man of 16 or 18), and I lingered behind. In attempting to climb the second fence their skirts caught on the fence rails, causing some consternation, and on the part of Joe, a considerable show of lace and embroidered lingerie, together with two plump calves and well turned ankles. Helen made very little show for her stockings were gray, with black elastic garters, and her skirt a dark silk. I ran to her assistance, while Jake helped Joe. I soon released Helen, she remarking to me in an undertone, "What a spectacle Joe is making of herself! I hope I don't look like that." I assured her she did not, and further protested that Joe made rather a pleasing and intresting picture. Her voluminous white and billowy skirts looked like the foam of the sea, while the bright red of her garters, in the midst of all this whiteness, might reesemble two coral reefs. But I think I shall have to paint Joe as the "circus rider," "hoopla," ready to spring through the paper balloon. "O, John, you always think of pictures. What are you going to do with me?" "You, Helen? Oh, you are always my dear delightful, Esmeralda.
"Esmeralda, lithe and airy,
Graceful she as any fairy,
Like a tuneful, sweet excess,
In a world of happiness,
While all gladsome motions meet,
In those lightly dancing feet."
I sang as we ran to assist Joe in releasing herself from her embarrassing position. "John, you are real nice to think of me in that way," said Helen, as she caught me round the neck and gave me a soft kiss, taking up the refrain in her glad, sweet voice.
"Esmeralda, joy surrounds her,
Sunlight clothes her, sunlight crowns her,
Passion stirring, though entrancing,
Softly bluhing, softly glancing,
And a thousand witching fancies,
Make wild music as she dances."
But just then an exclamation from Joe, a rip and tear, and she had freed herself from the splinters of the fence, only leaving quite a bit of lace petticoat behind, which I saw Jake quickly release and hastily put in the inside pocket of his coat.
We were all now engaged in picking strawberries. As they were plentiful and large our basket was soon filled, when we prepared to return to the house. At this point Joe declared she never would, in all her life again, attempt to climb a rail fence, if there was no other way out. She would remain here forever. Jake and I soon had the rails lowered enough for the girls to step over. Returning to the house we found grandma still seated on the front porch. We seated ourselves there also, while Fanny went in to prepare dinner.
"John, what do you hear from your Uncle, Captain Albert?" asked grandma. Albert was a favorite of hers and she always asked about him. "O! Uncle Charlie had a letter from him the other day. He is with his regiment down in Texas fighting Indians. His Colonel, Albert Sydney Johnston, has been sent up to Utah to look after the mormons and straighten them out. Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Lee is in command. Uncle Albert likes him very much; says he is a good soldier, an excellent officer, a gentleman and a Virginian. You know he always thought well of Virginians, grandma. I suspect that is why he likes you so well. You and he were always great friends, you know." "Yes, indeed we were; Albert was a good soldier, his work in Mexico was a credit to himself and family." "I hope you have read the book he wrote about the services of his brigade while there." "Certainly, I have read it through three or four times, and parts of it several times." "But, say grandma, I think the services of Uncle John vastly more important and interesting. You don't know much about him. I do, for Uncle Charlie has told me a lot which few knew. Uncle John did not write and publish a book about himself." "Why, Johnnie, tell me about him." "All I know, he was a West Pointer but resigned from the army after a campaign or two." "What had he to do with the Mexican war?" "Why, you see grandma, after war was declared, he offered his service to the Government and the President appointed him to a Captaincy in a regiment organizing in New York to be sent to California as soldiers of conqust and as settlers after the war was over, like many of the old Roman legions. After a voyage of six months around Cape Horn they reached San Francisco. Uncle John with his Company was sent to Nappa, where he was near neighbor of the Mexican general Vallejo, with whom he became quite chummy. Well, after the war, and California, as you know, became American territory, a state government was next in order, for with the discovery of gold the state filled up very quickly. In 1849 as many as a hundred thousand emigrants reached there, overland, and by the way of the Isthmus of Panama. The excitement was tremendous. That same year, Sept. 1849, a state convention was called at Monterey, to which delegates were sent for the purpose of framing a state constitution. Uncle John, well knowing the strong feeling on the part of delegates from slave states, Missouri, Kentucky and others, to make California a slave state, attended the convention, though not a delegate. Uncle John, through his friendship with General Vallejo and other Mexican delegates, soon had all the Mexicans pledged to vote for a free state. The contest was warm and furious. The government at Washington favored the slave element and it looked as if they would win, but the free-state men kept well together, resisting all efforts at compromise and with the aid of the Mexicans kept a bold front. Efforts of all sorts were made to break the solid Mexican vote but an influence that no one could understand or make out, kept them together until a vote was taken and the free state men won, by a small majority it is true, but still won. Now I will tell you what few knew: Uncle John was the influence that kept the Mexicans together first, last and all the time, and so I say I had rather have done what he did, for it was he who practically made California a free state. Think what it would have meant to the Nation and the whole world had that great state adopted slavery. Why, I had rather been Uncle John than General Scott himself. I could tell you a lot about California if we had the time, but I see Fanny Rose has dinner ready and I am as hungry as a bear."
What a dinner it was! It makes my mouth water even now to think of it. Everything we had asked for and much, very much, more. We all ate heartily, even Helen, who generally fed daintily. As for Joe and I, we even astonished grandma by the way things disappeared down our throats. Joe was in her element while eating chicken, hot biscuits and gravy. Grandma, bless her kind old heart, fairly beamed on us with pleasure, at the way we ate of her good things. Well, even the stomach of a growing boy, and a jolly rollicking girl, have limits and ours were finally filled. And now to see the soldiers, Hurrah! There's the drums, and here they come, with the best martial music in the county leading. Ike True with his drum and Nat Bryant with his fife. We rushed to the front porch as they proudly marched past with banners waving and drums beating. A more inspiring sight I never saw and never expect to see again, for since then I have seen all the fine companies and crack regiments of all the countries of Europe, including Great Britain, as well as our own country and Mexico. None produced that proud, swelling of the breast, the almost choking sensation of enthusiasm as did the company of plain and sturdy yoeman, the farmers of our own beloved Fulton county. They passed by with a quick, springy step, the drawing up of the right leg and bringing the foot down with a sharp, quick thud, not unlike a horse with the spring halt. Uncle Billy at the head, calling out "one, two; one, two; one, two; three four!" He saluted us as he passed and ordered his men to "Present Arms!" We waved our caps while the ladies waved their handkerchiefs with great enthusiasm. I saw Joe's eyes sparkle with delight and a bright red flush mount on her face and neck. Even Helen showed emotion, for her eyes, too, sparkled and a flush suffused even her pale face. As for grandma, she was delighted and clapped her hands in glee. They marched on down the lane, passed the barn, turned and came back, reaching the house, halted and came to "dress parade." Uncle Will stepped forward and asked for a drink of cool water from the well. "Better than that boys," grandma answered. Turning to Jake, she asked him to go down cellar and draw a bucket of cider and bring it to the soldiers. I followed Jack as did Uncle Bill, and we soon returned, each with a bucket full of good sweet cider just beginning to turn a little, but none the less tasteful and refreshing on that account. Fanny Rose brought up the rear with a great dish pan piled high with fresh, brown ginger cookies. Uncle Bill called, "Attention! stack arms, break ranks and have a good time boys." They all preferred the shade and grass of the yard to the hot, dusty road, so stretched themselves out on the grass in the shade of the trees, drank cider, ate cookies until they could neither eat nor drink more. Helen and Joe busied themselves passing cookies and filling the tin cups.
How beautiful and charming they did look! like Hebe offering nectar to the Gods. After they had filled themselves with cider until they could hold no more and had eaten all of Fanny Rose's cookies, Uncle Bill, who had been talking with grandma, called out: "Fall in, Company A!" Grandma and the girls ranged themselves in line beside the gate. As they filed out, the men gravely and courteously shook hands, taking off their caps and expressing thanks for the good time they had had. I heard one or two call out--"Say, Captain Billy, that was a happy thought of yours, marching us up here!" "I never had a better time in my life and never saw two prettier girls." They formed ranks and marched away to the stirring music of fife and drum. Tim Williams soon brought our horse around and we prepared to depart. "Johnnie," said grandma, "the next time you and your Uncle Charlie are out scouring the country you must come this way and tell me more about California. I hear Sam Stailey has lately returned. I should like to hear of his adventures. You might bring him along." "All right, grandma, I'll do it. Thank you so much for that good dinner and the general good time, for we have had a jolly one, haven't we girls?" "Indeed we have," they answered in union and away we went.
Turning north at Hoover's, we soon entered the dense timber. The road was soft and fairly smooth, the shade was grateful, so we bowled along at a pretty fair gait. Helen soon put her wrap about her shoulders, for the air was both cool and damp. We were not long in reaching the river and the old Indian fields, where the horse was pulled up at the side of the road away from passing wagons and securely hitched to a tall sapling. All three went busily to work picking the small but deliciously sweet berries that grew in great profusion. On looking into Helen's basket we found it half-full of berries that had been gathered at the farm and which Fanny Rose had evidently placed there. After some persuasion, Joe was induced to have a few transferred to her basket, refusing many, because, as she said, Fanny had evidently intended them for my mother. It was not long before our basket was filled, when we both turned in to fill Joe's, and that took but a short ime. Again we were on the buckboard, with faces turned homeward, where we arrived a short while before supper. Mother met us at the door and said: "Well I'm glad to see you safely back. Now, girls, you set the table. We will have supper on the back porch, and I'll boil the ham and poach the eggs. My rolls are already in the oven. We might have a dish of those berries, if you girls will hull them." "Mother," I said, "may Will Chamberlain and I make ice cream for supper?" "Yes, certainly, and that will be real nice. You boys get the ice from the ice house and ask George Inman to come over and help me mix the cream, for he knows more about ice cream than anyone in this town." We two boys, very much delighted, soon had the horse in the stable and a big block of ice in the tub ready for cutting, while George Inman and mother fixed the cream. I insisted on the big freezer, and soon we boys were busy whirling it. George promised to step over now and then to watch progress. I rather think he wanted to exchange glances with Joe. It was not a great while before George pronounced the cream in prime condition, ready to dish. As the other things were ready, Helen rang the bell for her father and the children. As he came around the house Helen and I were standing together by the garden fence, where he paused, stroking her hair tenderly, saying: "Well, daughter, have you had a nice time today?: "Oh, father, so nice, and all owing to John. You don't know what a comfort he is to me." "You and John are very good friends, I am sure. Well, John is a very good boy when not engaged in mischief, though he is inclined to be a little lazy. They do say, however, that is because of the Brackett blood. I myself do not believe the Bracketts are the least bit lazy. It's only their slow, deliberate way of doing things that gives that appearance." We were now called to supper by mother. As we stepped upon the porch my father exclaimed, "What a pretty table! Why, girls, this beats me. I never saw anything more inviting. Joe, I'm sure you are responsible for the flowers. They certainly do look pretty--almost as pretty as you are." My step-father, John H. Stailey, could be very gallant when he chose to take the trouble. My mother now called me to her side, saying, "I see Milo Smith across the lot going to feed his horse. You run over, give him my compliments and ask him to come and have a bit of supper with us." I did so. Milo said he would wash up a little and come over directly. We were all seated when Milo appeared, stopped and exclaimed: "I must have dropped down in Arcadia, everything looks so nice and comfortable." My step-father, holding aloft his carving knife, said: "Come right in, Milo; here is a place for you, and I'll give you my head if you don't say this is the best piece of ham you ever set your teeth into." Milo was liberally helped, and we were all busy, when my father again exclaimed: "I'm a living sinner if there ain't Charlie Brackett. Come right in, Charlie; there is always room for you." But before coming to the table Uncle Charlie stopped at the pump, where there was a basin, soap and towel, and gave his hands and face a thorough washing. "Well, this is nice," he remarked as he seated himself at the table, after having greeted everyone present. "How glad I am old Dolly turned down your alley. She knew what she was about, for a more charming table I never saw. The flowers are beautiful." "That is Joe's doing," I called out. Of course George Inmann was at the table, seated next to Joe, and I saw him squeeze her hand when I said this, and they looked knowingly into each other's eyes. "Yes," said Milo, "it struck me, and I still think we are all in Arcadia." "That's so, Milo," replied Charlie, "only there are two pretty maids here instead of one, as in the song, 'Pretty Maid of Arcadia; Pretty Little Maiden She.' I could play it for you if I had my fiddle; but I never was much at singing. It's a mighty pretty ballad, all the same, and our two maids here would answer well to the poetic fancy of the piece.
The supper progressed to the end. George Inman offered to dish the cream and Joe served the berries, while Will and I acted as waiters. Everything was good--the cream only such as George Inman knew how to mix and two stout boys how to freeze. George had brought with him a box of his famous sugar cakes, freshly baked that afternoon, as he said, expressly for this occasion. But after a while all were satisfied. They could eat no more. My mother suggested that they move to the front porch, where the moon could be seen, while she and Martha would wash the dishes. The large lunar oil lamp, my father's pride, had been lighted and placed on the table, and also a number of Cinese lanterns that Joe and George had strung about the porch. We were all gathered on the front porch admiring the moon when the gate latch clicked and in marched Mr. Kline Shryock, his daughter, Josie, Uncle Newt Rannells and Aunt Lib. They were all congenial and kindred spirits. While they were exchanging salutations my father called out, "Is that you, Jonas Myers?" "Yes, that's about the size of it," came back the answer cheerfully. "Well, Jonas, you old rascal," called Uncle Newt. "How dare you, sir, think of passing that gate? Come right in here, sir!" "O, well, Newt, don't get mad; I was only pretending. We were not going to pass, were we, wife? Why, man alive, we came down here expressly to make a call, a thing I seldom do." There was much shaking of hands and expressions of delight as the different members of the party were recognized by the new-comers. My mother came forward and invited them to the back porch, an invitation accepted by all, though Newt declared he could not eat a morsel, yet he would go out for company. Mother had newly spread the table, the lamp was burning brightly and the small colored Chinese lanterns added much to the beauty of the spread. There were many and loud exclamations of delight at the beauty of the fairy-like grotto. After ranging themselves around the table George Inman, with the two boys for waiters, prepared again to dish cream. Joe and Helen added berries at the table and mother poured the coffee. There could be no question about the tastefulness of it all. Uncle Newt was delighted and expressed himself in language forcible, if not always elegant. And so the evening passed away, eating, drinking and making merry. Uncle Newt was the first to suggest going, saying that while he had told Margaret, his wife, that he would probably not be home for supper and might even remain for lodge meeting, he now thought he had better be "moseying." At the word lodge my father sprang to his feet, declaring that he must go at once, however much he regretted leaving the good company. After a great deal of talk the men all decided that duty called them to the meeting, and they must go. I was asked to bring out a box of cigars, "the Rio Hundo," from the mantel in the parlor and pass them around. I did as directed, and all the men present took one, even Uncle Charlie, whom, I am sure, rarely smoked. He even said so, but would make an exception tonight. After lighting up, they all started for Odd Fellows hall, all being members of that order, several of them charter members. The ladies remained behind for a little further gossip and music.
While still on the porch Helen said to me: "What a day this has been! Perfect in ever way. "O! What is so rare as a day in June?'" she quoted. Uncle Charlie, who was standing near, answered: "I declare, Helen, I don't know, unless it is a night in June, for this is a perfect night, neither cold nor hot--just right. What a rare good time I have had, am having; an evening long to be remembered by all of us here. I am sure John will not soon forget it." "No, indeed," I replied, "for I mean to paint the back porch as it looked tonight, and I shall have Joe and Helen in the forground. I think it will make a good picture." "Indeed it will, John, and I bargain for the first copy."
Soon after all had departed, even mother had gone to walk home with Aunt Lib. The girls had gone to bed and I was left alone on the settee among the cushions and was fast drifting away into dreamland when Helen came out and cuddled up to my side. I told her I thought she ought to be in bed asleep, for she must be tired after such an exciting day. She quietly replied, "John, I could not sleep; it was so warm and close in the bedroom. Joe, the best girl in the world, was restless and uneasy and that disturbed me. I could not breathe freely, so came out here to be with you for a while and to ask mother when she comes back if I can't sleep upstairs. It is large and airy, with more windows. I don't believe she would object, do you?" "Of course not, Helen. You know very well that you may have any room in the house at any time. There is nothing anyone of us would not give up to you. You can go to bed at once if you wish. I will make it all right with mother." "Yes, dear, I know, but I had rather sit here with you a while and talk, it is so cool, so bright and pleasant here. You and I have sat out here many times watching the stars and wondering which one of them would be our home after leaving this world. John, tell me, would you feel very sad if I were to leave you and find a home in one of those far-distant stars up there, for I may tell you I have a feeling I shall not be here when anoher June comes around." Dear Helen," I said (and there were tears in my voice) "please don't talk of leaving us just yet. I am sure now that the hard winter has passed and summer is here and you will grow stronger every day. I heard Uncle Charlie say to mother this evening you were looking so much better tonight; better and brighter than for a long time. We all think so, so please don't talk about leaving us." But it was as she had predicted. Before another spring came around her gentle spirit had left us, to join that of her mother, leaving us all inconsolable.
I am now an old man, but even now when I allow my thoughts to wander back to the time when she was the joy and brightness of my life, my eyes fill with tears. We laid her away by the side of her mother in Odd Fellows cemetery, near the town, and there she quietly sleeps.
"Warm summer sun, shine kindly here,
Warm southern winds, blow softly here.
Green sod above, lie light, lie light,
Good night, dear heart, good night, good night."
[Marguerite L. Miller, Home Folks, Vol. II, 1910, pp. 88-105]

BRACKETT, LYMAN M. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Brackett & Barrett
See: Brackett Wholesale Grocery House
See: Hotels - Arlington Hotel
See: Cowgill & Co.
See: Hotels - Barrett Hotel
See: Louderback Garage
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LYMAN M. BRACKETT (Biography)
The possibilities of the success of business enterprise has no stronger exemplification in the county than in the career of Lyman M. BRACKETT. Born on a farm north of Rochester, in 1854, he took advantage of the meager facilities afforded by the public schools of the town and then took a course at Earlham College, finishing his education by graduation from Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, of Chicago. In 1875 he was given the position of lumber yard bookkeeper by his step-father, E. E. COWGILL, deceased, and was admitted to partnership in the business two years later. After the death of Mr. Cowgill in '82, Mr. Brackett and A. J. BARRETT purchased the lumber business. They were successful to an eminent degree and the firm is today the strongest, financially, in the county. His success in business readily brought Mr. Brackett into public favor and he has been treasurer of the city school board for six years, trustee of the Baptist church for ten years, treasurer of the Indiana Farmer's B. & L. Association, and President of the Citizen's State Bank for two years. He was also honored with the nomination for Presidential elector on the Harrison ticket in '92 and has succeeded well in all of his positions of trust. He, with Mr. Barrett, owns the Arlington Hotel block and a half dozen other business properties in the city, also real estate in several counties of the state. He owns one of the finest residences in the city, a beautiful summer home at Lake Maxinkuckee and wisely spares no pains nor money in securing as much comfort and pleasure as possible for his w ife, his children and his friends. He married Miss Sarah MERRIAM, of Brandon, Vermont, in 1877 and they have a family of one daughter and two sons, viz: Zoa, Charles and Lyman [BRACKETT].
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

BIOGRAPHY
Lyman M. Brackett, president of the Citizens' State bank of Rochester, is one of the ablest and most sagacious business men of Fulton county. Mr. Brackett was born in this county Sept. 9, 1854. After obtaining a liberal education in the Rochester schools and Earlham college, he completed a commercial course in the Bryant & Stratton business college at Chicago, graduating therefrom in 1874. He then became book-keeper for his step-father, Mr. E. E. Cowgill, then a lumber dealer, of Rochester. Three years later he became Mr. Cowgill's partner in the business, the firm thus formed becoming E. E. Cowgill & Co. In 1882 Mr. Cowgill died, and then Mr. A. J. Barrett became Mr. Brackett's partner in the business. The firm of Brackett & Barrett conducted the business until February, 1896, when Mr. Brackett sold his interest to Mr. Barrett. In February, 1894, Mr. Brackett was elected president of the Citizens' State bank and he has since remained the president of this bank, demonstrating extraordinary financial ability. He is regarded as a careful and far-seeing business man, and enjoys the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. Mr. Brackett has taken considerable interest in politics as a republican, but has never sought political preferment. However, he was honored by an election to the position of presidential elector for the Tenth Indiana district, in the year 1892. Fraternally he is a member of the orders of Knights of Pythias, Red Men, and Maccabees. He is an active member of the Baptist church, of which he has served as trustee for the last ten years. Oct. 17, 1877, Miss Sarah Merriam, of Brandon, Vt., became his wife. She has borne him three children, namely: Zoe A., Charles C. and Lyman E. Mr. Brackett's father was Dr. Charles Brackett, who was born at Cherry Valley, Otsego county, N.Y., June 18, 1825. Dr. Brackett received a good academical education, and early in life chose medicine as his profession, and graduated from the medical college at Castleton, Vt., in 1845, at the age of twenty years. He immediately established himself in practice at Davenport, Iowa, where he remained only a short time, and then, in 1848, came to Fulton county, Ind., where he soon grew into prominence in his profession. When the call came for soldiers to suppress the Southern rebellion he was among the first to answer the call. His words were: "I deem the preservation of the Federal Union and the maintenance of the Constitution paramount duties inclumbent on every American citizen, and in the performance of which none should shrink from any toil, sacrifice or suffering." April 20, 1861 found him captain of a company of eighty men, raised in Fulton county, and asking for a place to do service. The company not being accepted by the governoe, the call being full, Dr. Brackett went to Indianapolis and tendered his services to the governor, offering to serve the Union army in whatever capacity he could be most useful, and in August, 1861, he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the First regiment of Indiana cavalry. He immediately joined the regiment at Camp Blair, Mo. The following November he returned home on account of sickness. While at home he received a commission from Gov. Yates, of Illinois, as surgeon of the Ninth Illinois cavalry regiment, which was organized by his brother, Col. A. G. Brackett. He joined the regiment at Camp Douglas, and from there went into Missouri and Arkansas, and continued in the service until the time of his death, which occurred Feb. 20, 1863, at Helena, Ark. A detail was granted to convey his body home to Rochester. Of the above named Ninth Illinois regiment his brother, Albert G. Brackett, was colonel; his brother, Joseph Brackett, was commissary; his brother, James Brackett, was assistant surgeon, while he, as stated above, was surgeon. Dr. Charles Brackett's father was James Brackett, who was born at Lee, N.H., March 31, 1782, and whose father, Joseph Brackett, a native of New Hampshire, was a first lieutenant of cavalry in the Revolutionary war. Dr. Brackett's father was graduated from Dartmouth college in the class of 1805. He became a lawyer and located at Cherry Valley, N.Y., in 1808. One year later ha married Eliza Mari (Bennett) Ely, at Philadelphia, and for forty-one years thereafter he practiced law at Cherry Valley, where his family of seven sons and one daughter were reared. Dr. Charles Brackett was married in 1851 to Margaret Wilson, who was born at Rome, N.Y. Her father, William Wilson, was a native of Glasgow, Scotland. At a very early date he removed from New York to Fulton county, and settled near Kewanna. Unto Dr. Charles Brackett and wife were born the following children: Louisa, Lyman M., Rosanna, Mary and Charles W. In 1869, the widowed mother of these five children became the wife of the late E. E. Cowgill, who in his day was one of the best and most useful citizens of Fulton county. Unto his marriage to Mrs. Dr. Charles Brackett were born two children: the first, a son, died at the age of five years; the second, a daughter, Edith, survives as his only descendant. His widow became the wife of Dr. Vernon Gould, of Rochester, and is still living. Mr. Cowgill was born near Wilmington, Clinton county, Ohio, April 21, 1830. He was a son of Asa and Margaret Cowgill. His parents and grandparents were Virginians, of English lineage. Mr. Cowgill became an orphan at a very early age, and was reared by his father's brother. He made his first business adventure at Peru, Ind., where he met with but indifferent success. At Peru he married, in 1862, Miss Nellie Rayburn, who lived but a year after the event, and bore him no children. Shortly after the war Mr. Cowgill located in Rochester, and engaged in the lumber trade, in which he continued to the time of his death, which occurred Aug. 1, 1882. He was very successful in business, and at the time of his death had accumulated large wealth. He was beloved by all who knew him. In him the subject of this sketch, together with his brother and sisters, found a generous friend and kind father, when he became the husband of their widowed mother. To his example, counsel and assistance they ascribe a large share of the advantages they have enjoyed, and in return they cherish his memory as a rich heritage.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 39-42]

BRACKETT RESIDENCE [Rochester, Indiana]
L. M. BRACKETT HOME SOLD
S. Alspach Monday closed a deal by which Mr. and Mrs. Marion SOWERS, of Brooklyn, N.Y., became the owners of the L. M. Brackett home on [328] West Ninth St. Mr. Sowers, who is a teacher in Brooklyn, will finish the school term and with his family and Robert MARSH, formerly of this city, will move to their new home here about June 1. Mr. Marsh will retire, but Mr. Sowers will teach for a few years more.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, February 24, 1919]

BRACKETT WHOLESALE GROCERY HOUSE [Rochester, Indiana]
Located SE corner 5th & Main. [501 Main]
Building was later used as a sale barn by Levi P. and Robert P. Moore.
Then sold to Topps Mfg Co.
See Buildings, Brackett Building.
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WATCH US GROW
L. M. Brackett & Co. is the New Firm who will Assist in Our Boom
L. M. Brackett & Co. is the title of the firm who have bought the J. P. Michael building on north Main street, and have opened one of the largest wholesale grocery houses in Indiana. The members of the company are: Mr. Lyman M. Brackett, Charles H. Norris, Maurice C. Shelton and Chas. C. Brackett, and are all men who are well and favorably known in the business world.
The new firm will absorb the wholesale grocery stock of Shelton & Brackett, of this city, and have also bought the entire stock of groceries of J. P. Michael located here and at Indianapolis, and are now busy buying and placing goods in the new quarters.
Mr. Brackett will be the business head of the firm, and the work of placing the goods will be in the experienced hands of Messrs Norris, Shelton and Chas. Brackett, and if business ability, push and enterprise count for anything, the new firm will build a large and profitable business from the start.
Rochester lost a good thing when J. P. Michael left this city, and gains again in the starting of this enterprise, and our people can show a proper appreciation of it by buying only goods from the Brackett & Co. establishment.
[Rochester Sent inel, Thursday, June 13, 1901]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The wholesale grocery house of L. M. Brackett & Co. are installing a cold storage plant in their basement for the purpose of keeping fruits and other perishable goods. The storage has a capacity of eight hundred cubic feet.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 21, 1906]

BRACKETT & BARRETT [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Brackett, Lyman M.
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[Adv] LUMBER - - - Rock-Bottom Prices at our Lumber Yard. Examine our stock. There is none more complete or cheaper in Indiana. BRACKETT & BARRETT.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, April 14, 1886]

BRACKETT & BARRETT
Wholesale and Retail Lumber Dealers
In reviewing, even in a passably cursory manner, some of the more important of our city's interests, we cannot but feel impressed that the lumber interests of Rochester, founded as they are with advantage of location, both as to resources and supply, must assume at a near day an importance at the present but little understood by our citizens.
There is no place in this part of the State presenting greater advantages to the dealer in lumber than does Rochester.
Our near proximity to the great lumber districts, and having direct connection with the same gives us great advantages over many places. For a number of years we have been blessed with good facilities for obtaining lumber, but the "Acme" of perfection in this business was reached in 1882, when the gentlemen whose names head this article became sole owners of the extensive lumber yards under consideration. These are the oldest yards in Fulton county, being established by E. D. COWGILL in the year 1857. Mr. Cowgill successfully conducted the business until 1878, then taking in as partners Messrs. Brackett & Barrett (who at the time were in the employ of Mr. Cowgill) changing the firm name to E. E. COWGILL & CO., which name the firm continued under until the death of Mr. Cowgill, which occurred August 1, 1882.
Messrs. Brackett & Barrett then purchasing the interest held by Mr. Cowgill, again changing the firm name to that indicated in the caption of this article. This is one of the largest and most important lumber firms in this section of the country, and their trade the most extensive. It is an establishment which reflects great credit upon our city, one of which our people are justly proud, and we take great pleasure in presenting to our readers a few facts regarding the same.
The individual members of the firm are L[yman] M. BRACKETT and A[bner] J. BARRETT. They are both young men and devote their united energies to their business with telling effect. Mr. Brackett gives his entire attention to the inside and office work, seeing that all orders are correctly and quickly filled, while Mr. Barrett directs his energies to the outside work, buying, making contracts, &c. &c.
Besides their extensive lumber int erests in our city, they have yards located at Marion, Mentone, Deedsville, Etna Green, Argos, Leiters Ford and Marshland, Indiana. The fact of these gentlemen being such large dealers and manufacturing a large percentage of their lumber from their own lumber lands, gives the establishment under consideration a great advantage over the ordinary dealer. Mr. Barrett is constantly in the lumber markets, buying for their yards, and he is able to pick up many bargains not accessible to the majority of country dealers, who depend upon an occasional trip to the markets and visits from traveling salesmen. The purchase of most of the stock is made direct from the manufacturers, in large lots, and is not allowed to pass through the hands of the middle man. This mode of procedure enables them to secure these advantages, while at the same time they are able to pick out such as their trade demands, not being obliged to take an entire miscellaneous lot in order to secure what they need for their patrons here. Another great point is, that their location with independent side track, enables them to handle stock at a minimum cost. And as they at all times carry the largest stock of hard and white wood lumber, lath, shingles, hard and soft coal, in this section of the country, customers can rest assured of getting just what they want, and that too, at the lowest prices. These facts should be considered by our people when wanting anything in their line.
This establishment is situated near the Lake Erie & Western railroad tracks. They occupy over halp a block of ground, and have at present employed 62 teams hauling lumber and logs. This establishment is a most desirable one with which to establish business relations. The firm of Brackett & Barrett stands deservedly high in this community, and as they have a well established reputation for commercial honor their representations can always be relied upon with the strictest confidence.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 29, 1888]

BRACKETT & WILLIAMS HARDWARE [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] Hardware, Stoves, Tinware, Building Material - - - Twine Binder, Mowers, Plows, Wagons, Threshers,- - - -and all kinds of Farming Implements, also the Aetna Blasting Powder, for blasting rocks and stumps. Salesroom south of Court House.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 12, 1884]

BRACKETT FARM [Fulton County]
See: Downs Sawmill
BRADLEY, ARTHUR C. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Cole Bros.-Clyde Beatty Circus
See: Hotels - Colonial
See: Hotels - Fairview

BRADWAY, MARK T. [Henry Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Mark T. Bradway, the youngest son of David and Hannah (Woodruff) Bradway, natives of New Jersey, was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, September 19, 1835.
Mark attended the common school, acquiring a fair education and assisted on the farm until his seventeenth year, when, his mother dying, the family separated and a few months afterward he came to Indiana, purchasing a farm of twenty-five acres in Henry Township in 1854. After three years' residence there, he sold it and moved to Kosciusko County; not liking the place, he returned to Henry Township in 1862, and purchased a finely improved 100-acre farm owned by Dr. Terry, the residence and farm building being convenient and well finished.
Mr. Bradway married Miss Susan Richardson, born in Hancock County, Ohio, Feb ruary 24, 1839, and the daughter of Michael Richardson, who emigrated to Fulton County in 1848.
The fruits of this marriage have been five children, of whom Charles M., Sarah E., Frank E. and Lewis are still living, the two youngest sons being still at home.
Mr. Bradway has been a very successful farmer, and being a man of strict integrity, enterprising and honorable, he enjoys the esteem of his entire circle of acquaintances.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 37]

BRAGG, C. T. [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] C. T. BRAGG, Practicing Osteopath. All diseases successfully treated without pain or medicine. Consultation Free. Office Northeast corner public square at ROBBIN'S BOARDING HOUSE.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, June 8, 1901]

BRAMAN, EMERSON "BUD" [Rochester, Indiana]
LEASES SERVICE STATION
Emerson (Bud) Braman, former local resident, has returned to this city to take over the management of the Standard Service Station located at the southwest corner of Third and Main streets. He has leased this station, which was formerly managed by "Peck" Clayburn. The service station is now open with Mr. Braman in charge.
The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, August 5, 1942]

BRAMAN, WARREN C. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men World War II, Letters (Letter from Warren C. Braman)

BRAMAN GROCERY [Lake Manitou]
A. S. Braman has opened a grocery store on the north shore of the lake.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 16, 1921]

BRAMAN & SON [Rochester, Indiana]
LOCAL NEWS
J. A. Braman and son Bert have bought out J. D. Turner's second hand store. The exchange was made Saturday. Mr. Turner has been proprietor of the store for three years, and has received a very liberal patronage. The junior partner of the present owners, Braman & Son, has been with Mr. Turner for some time and is acquainted with the work. After a week's visit with relatives at Mentone, Mr.Turner and family will move to Frankfort.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, January 21, 1901]

[Adv] RUGS - - -FURNITURE - - - CARPETS. J. A. BRAMAN & SON.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, October 15, 1904]

FURNITURE STORE SOLD
A transaction was completed Wednesday evening whereby Dr. H. H. Ward, ex-county clerk, became sole owner of the John A. Braman & Son furnitue store, on North Main street, and took possession at once.
Mr. Ward at present, proposes to conduct the store in the room it occupies at the present time. Although not an old experienced man at the business Mr. Ward will undoubtedly make a great success of it. He is genteel and accommodating, and it is safe to predict that his army of loyal friends throughout Rochester and the county will give him their patronage. He expects to carry a full line of furniture, carpets, stoves and general furnishings.
[Rochester Sentinel,Thursday, February 16, 1905]

BRANDENBURG, BEN. [Rochester, Indiana]
Prof. Ben Brandenburg will on the first of March occupy rooms 5 and 6 in the A. B. Shore building where he will contnue to give piano lessons. The rooms have been completely remodeled and Mr. Brandenburg will have one of the most modern musical conservatories in this section.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, February 5, 1930]

BRANDENBURG, F. [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] - - - Lumber, Shingles, Lath, Doors and Sash. - - - Stock is all under cover. It will pay you to remember us for hard and soft coal. F. BRANDENBURG.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 11, 1901]

[Adv] - - - Wen you want lumber, lath, shingles, sash, doors, mouldings, hard or soft coal - - - The north end lumber yard, Rochester, Ind. F. BRANDENBURG & CO.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, March 2, 1905]

LUMBER YARD SOLD
A deal has been consummated whereby Mr. Oren Hendrickson, of Chicago, son of ex-treasurer E. R. Hendrickson, becomes the owner of the lumber yard and coal business of F. Brandenburg & Co., in this city.
The work of invoicing is now going on and the new owner will take possession at once.
The retiring proprietor has been in business at the same place for a number of years and in that time has built up an excellent patronage owing to his proper business methods and his selling out will be a loss to the city's business world.
Mr. Hendrickson, the incoming owner, is a Rochester man and is well known in this city as an upright citizen, who always has the welfare of his fellow townsmen at heart. This fact, coupled with his business integrity bespeaks nothing but success for him in his new venture, which will be welcomed by all his many friends.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, September 7, 1909]

BRANDT, CHARLES [Rochester, Indiana]
Charles Brandt is moving his plumbing shop into the P. M. Shore room next to the Blue drug store, where he will be temporarily located. He will occupy the room now used by the Model Cigar Co., after February 1.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, January 24, 1910]

NEWS OF THE DAY
W. C. Loy has moved his shop to with Charles Brandt, the plumber, three doors north of the Blue Drug store, where he is ready to repair your gasoline stoves, guns, lawn mowers, typewriters, keys of all kinds made, umbrellas repaired and recovered. Bring me anything, I can fix it.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, May 13, 1911]

[Adv] ROCHESTER PLUMBING AND HEATING CO. Successors to Charles W. Brandt. - - - - 528 N. Main St. We don't want to do your work unless our price is right.
[Rochester SEntinel, Saturday, March 30, 1912]

BRANTHOFFER, JOHN W. [Kewanna, Indiana]
BIOGRAPHY
John W. Branthoffer, who resides in Kewanna, was born in Junietta County, Penn., February 11, 1830. His father was born in Philadelphia, Penn., 1791, and died in 1859. His mother was born in Berks County, Penn, 1793, and died in 1862. They had seven children, five of whom are living, viz.: Joseph, Elizabeth, Barbara, John W. and Hannah. Mr. Branthoffer married Martha Ringer, October 5, 1854. She was born April 25, 1832, and died January 22, 1870. By this union they had four children--Frances S., Samuel, Margaret E. and John A.; the latter is deceased. Mr. Branthoffer was again married to Sarah C. Urbin, October 6, 1870. She was born in Franklin County, Ohio, December 20, 1843, and has three brothers and two sisters living. Mr. B. emigrated from Pennsylvania to Illinois in 1859, and in 1863, he moved to Lagrange County, Ind., where he lived until 1868, when he came to Fulton County, and purchased a farm of 155 acres, upon which he lived until about eighteen months ago, when he rented his farm to his son-in-law, Peter Urbin, and moved to Kewanna. On Christmas Eve, 1872, while absent from home, his house and all its contents was burned, amounting to $2,500; no insurance. Mr. B. is a member of the I.O.O.F., and he and his wife are members of the German Reform Church.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 56]

BREMMER, CLARENCE [Rochester, Indiana]
MEAT MARKET CLOSED
The meat market in the Noftsger building owned and managed by Clarence Bremmer of Indianapolis, failed to open for business this morning. Inquiries failed to divulge the reason for such an act on the part of the management and outsiders are at a loss to know what is wrong. When interrogated upon the subject, Bruce Love, the well-known meat cutter, who has been employed at the Bremmer market, stated that he knew nothing about the matter. Bruce says he quit last night for the simple reason that his pay was stopped. Further than that he sayeth or knoweth not.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, April 28, 1910]

BRESSE & HARTMAN MOTOR COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
Located E side of street between 515 and 529 Main.
Ford automobile dealer.
This later became the N portion of Louderback Garage.
See Finneran Motor Company; Louderback Garage.
__________

Word has been received here of the death of Bart BRESEE of Peoria, Illinois, which occurred at his home Thursday morning. The funeral services were held in Peoria Saturday. Mr. Bresee is well remembered here being at one time a part [owner?] in the Bresee and Hartman Sales Company, Fulton county dealers in Ford Company products. The family after leaving here resided in Monticello and Monon where Mr. Bresee held Ford Company franchises. Mr. Bresee has been in bad health for the past three years. His death was not unexpected. Surviving him are the widow and two daughters.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Monday, February 27, 1928]

BREWER & SON [Argos, Marshall County]
ARGOS
Argos Reflector.
H. C. Brewer purchased the interests of G. D. Stevens in the hardware firm of Stevens & Brewer, the new firm to be known as Brewer & Son.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, January 14, 1905]

BREWERIES [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Harlan & Co., Geo. O.
See: Metzler Brewery

BRICKLE, HARRY [Rochester, Indiana]
VETERAN OF THREE WARS HOME
First Class Private Harry "Mike" Brickle, just returned from overseas service with the Rainbow division, was discharged Friday at Camp Taylor, Ky., and reached home Saturday morning. Brickle sports a silver headed cane which he took from a German civilian who had become obstreperous while the Rainbow outfit was on guard duty along the Rhine. He wears the bars denoting Spanish-American war and Mexican border service and will soon add to it the service bars of the European war.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, May 10, 1919]
BRICKLE'S LINIMENT [Rochester, Indiana]
SAMUEL BRICKLE, AGE 90, IS DEAD
Samuel BRICKLE, one of the oldest men in the county and the inventor of Brickles Liniment, died at the county farm Monday evening on his 90th birthday.
The aged man had long been a well known figure in Rochester where he had lived since 1864. About 15 years ago he became crippled through disease and was compelled to walk in a stooping posture. For years he lived in East Rochester where he built the residence now occupied by Charles REED.
In 1870 Mr. Brickle began the manufacture of the well known liniment and traveled over this section of the state selling it. In late years he became so feeble that he was unable to work and the remedy was turned over to his son, J. F. BRICKLE, who lives in Syracuse, Ind. Through misfortune and sickness, Mr. Brickle was compelled to go to the county farm about a year ago. His son, Louis [BRICKLE], took care of his father while he lived.
Samuel Brickle was born in Pennsylvania and moved to South Bend in 1854. Ten years later he moved to Rochester. He was married to Myria SULLIVAN who died in 1901. They were the parents of four children, two of whom are living, Charley BRICKLY of Washington and J. F. BRICKLE of Syracuse, Ind.
The funeral will be held Wednesday at Hoover's chapel, burial at the Odd Fellows cemetery.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, November 24, 1914]

SAMUEL BRICKLE WAS FAMOUS
"Who has not heard of Brickle's Linement?" queries the Argos Reflector and then continues. "Few of us are unfamiliar with that name, but it is probable that a still smaller number of local readers knew of the identity or whereabouts of the 'inventor' of that erstwhile famous household remedy?
"Back in the 70's and the 80's, Samuel BRICKLE, with his humble medicine wagon, was as regular in his periodic visits through the rural districts of this community as our own "Doc" HOFFMAN is now. Samuel Brickle with his beard cut ala Horace Greeley, seemed quite an old and decrepit man during his later visits which became less frequent and finally ceased entirely.
"Children then unborn have grown to manhood and womanhood, a generation has passed and most of us had quite forgotten the old peddler. Now we hear that Samuel Brickle, the original and only patentee of the aforesaid household remedy, died at the county farm infirmary near Rochester, on Monday of last week, Nov. 29, his ninetieth birthday! He had been a citizen of Rochester for half a century."
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 4, 1914]

BRIDGES - CHIPPEWANUCK BRIDGE [Newcastle Township]
Located in NW corner of Section 27, on SR-25, crossing Chippewanuck Creek.
Notice to Bridge Builders. I will receive sealed proposals for the building a bridge across Chippewanuc Creek, near the residence of Charles S. Hickman, on the Rochester and Warsaw State Road, . . . P. C. Dumbauld Trustee Newcastle Tp. Sept 20.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, September 21, 1861]

BRIDGES - FULTON COUNTY
TO BUILD BRIDGES
The Fulton County Board of Commissioners at their session, this week, have transacted considerable business. - - - -
Bids were received for the construction of two bridges in Union township, three in Richland, two in Newcastle and one in Rochester, and of the six bidders the Rochester Bridge company was awarded the contract for the construction of all for the sum of $5,474.75.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, October 4, 1905]

BRIDGES - GERMANY BRIDGE [Richland Township]
Located on 375W at Tippecanoe River.
During the term of Nathaniel Dudgeon as County Commissioner, 1890-1894, the commissioners decided to replace the Germany Bridge over the Tippecanoe River, reporting it was not safe to cross. Many taxpayers objected. It was decided to put the bridge to the test of a steam engine. A threshing machine engine, driven by Gene Nafe, was parked near the center of the bridge over the river. The engine was opened full throttle for a period of time and the bridge stood the test.
In 1978 the bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites and Structures by the Fulton County Historical Society, but the county commissioners wanted to tear it down. However, the problem was solved on October 23, 1979, exactly 100 years after it was built, when it collapsed.
A new bridge was built in the summer of 1981.
[William Dudgeon Family, Malcolm Miller, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

BRIDGES - MICHIGAN ROAD [Fulton County]
Notice to Bridge Builders. I will receive Sealed Proposals for building a Bridge across Tippecanoe River, two and a half miles north of Rochester, where the Michigan Road crosses the same, until Saturday, March 16th, 1861, 3 o'clock p.m. . . . By order of Commissioners. Andrew J. Holmes, Auditor Fulton County, Ind. Feb 7, 1861.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 9, 1861]

High Water. The bridge across the Tippecanoe River two and a half miles North of this place has been swept away by the freshet. We learn further that the bridges over all the small streams are either broken down or swept away, and that travel has been almost stopped.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, February 21, 1867]

BRIDGES - MILL CREEK/MICHIGAN ROAD [Rochester, Indiana]
The bridge at the north end of town, has been repaired. The old plank being removed and new plank put down. The sidewalks have also been repaired to some extent, making them safer to travel over than formerly.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, July 18, 1863]

BRIDGES - PENDLETON BRIDGE [Richland Township]
Located at 200W and Tippecanoe River.

BRIDGES - SHEWARD BRIDGE [Newcastle Township]
Located at 375E and Tippecanoe River, just off SR-25.
BRIDGES - STILLMAN BRIDGE [ ---------]
Up river on Tippecanoe.

BRIDGES - TALMA BRIDGE [Newcastle Township]
Located East edge of Talma, approximately 550E and Tippecanoe River.

BRIDGES - TWIN BRIDGES
GERMANY
Two bridges will be erected at the Campbell place across Mud creek. One 40 feet long and the other 75 feet long. They will be known as the "Twin Bridges."
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, October 4, 1906]

BRIGGS, ALBERTUS C., REV. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Churches - Methodist Church [Rochester, Indiana]

BRIGGS, ROBERT P. [Allen Township, Miami County]
BIOGRAPHY
Robert P. Briggs, a prominent citizen of Allen Township, is a native of Richland County, Ohio, and was born May 25, 1835. He was the second son born to Robert Briggs, a native of England, who emigrated to America in 1833 and located in Richland County, Ohio. When our subject was two years old his parents removed to Hardin County, Ohio, where his early life was spent upon a farm. In the spring of 1857 he went to Missouri, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until the fall of 1861, at which time he returned eastward to this county and located in Butler Township; He removed to Allen Township and settled where he now resides in the fall of 1865. He entered Company D, 99th Ind. Vols, in August, 1862, with which he served in a manner becoming a loyal soldier until the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Jackson, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Kennesaw, the siege of Atlanta and the Battle of Fort McAllister, Ga. At the siege of Atlanta he was struck by a spent ball just over the heart. Oct. 21, 1855, he was married to Mary J. Elder, a native of Hancock County, Ohio, born June 14, 1837. She was the daughter of Jeremiah and Adelia (Miller) Elder, both natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Briggs have had nine children: Adelia C., Ruth A.,, Uala M., James M., Susan A., Albert M., Avice I., Jennie L. and Elizabeth L., all of whom are living except Susan A., who died in the ninth year of her age. Mr. and Mrs. Briggs are members of the Christian Church. In politics, the former is a Republican. Our subject and his wife are the owners of one hundred and sixty acres of land, one hundred and thirty of which is in cultivation. He is an industrious and successful farmer and a worthy and honored citizen.
[History of Miami County, Indiana, 1887, Brant & Fuller. pp. 508-509]

BRIGGS FARRAR DRUG STORE [Rochester, Indiana]
Located in the Academy of Music building, SW corner Fifth and Main.
__________
MOOSE WANT THEIR ROOM
The Manitou Moose Lodge has started proceedings to gain possession of a room in the Academy of Music building occupied by the Briggs Farrar Drug Store and for the collection of $80 back rent. The suit was filed in Justice Ewing's court.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, October 27, 1924]
BRIGGS OAKLAND-PONTIAC SALES [Rochester, Indiana]
OAKLAND-PONTIAC AUTO AGENCY IS OPENED HERE
A new automobile agency was opened up in Rochester this morning in the room formerly occupied by the McMahan-Black Orchard Co., as a salesroom for apples, located at 702 Main street. Mr. C. I. Briggs, an experienced automobile man of Cutler, Indiana, is the owner of this new business which will handle Oakland and Pontiacs.
The room will ber used exclusively as a salesroom for these popular cars and the servicing of these cars will be in charge of William Kise, expert mechanician, who has taken up his residence in this city. Mr. Klise [sic] was formerly employed in one of the leading garages at Logansport, Ind.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, March 1, 1927]

OAKLAND-PONTIAC AGENCY PURCHASED BY LOUDERBACK
Important change in the automobile field in Rochester was transacted Thursday afternoon when the Louderback Garage purchased the Oakland-Pontiac agency contract from C. I. Briggs. New cars are already on exhibition at Loudergback's spacious salesroom 535-539 North Main street.
Owing to the widespread popularity of the Oaklands and Pontiacs throughout this territory the Louderbacvks had been extremely anxious in adding these moderate priced cars to their agency and after several weeks bartering the deal was finally consumated.
Mr. Briggs when interviewed today stated he would continue with an agency here, having already taken over the Graham-Paige line and is also considering the addition of another popular and moderate-priced car.
No changes in the personnel of either of these agencies has as yet been made. Mr. Briggs was the first automobile dealer to introduce the Pontiac models in this locality, having opened up his agency here a little over two years ago.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, August 31, 1928]

BRIGHT, DAVID [Henry Township]
BIOGRAPHY
David Bright is a native son of Fulton county and one of its most progressive and popular citizens. He was born July 17, 1846, and belongs to one of the pioneer families of this locality. His grandparents, David and Fannie Bright, were natives of Kentucky and of English lineage. In 1833 they removed to Wayne county, Ind. Their second son, William Bright, who was born in Kentucky Oct. 12, 1821, accompanied them to the Hoosier state, and on march 18, 1841, married Mahala Lane, daugher of Isaiah Lane, a native of Virginia. In 1844 they came to Fulton county, and their home was brightened by the presence of six children--Milo, John, David, Fannie, Adeline and William H. Adeline is the widow of Irvin Black. David Bright was reared in the parental home and received only such educational privileges as were afforded in the primitive log school house of the frontier. He was married Feb. 16, 1871, to Frederica, daughter of Andrew Gast, a native of Bavaria, and a shoemaker by trade. Her father was married in New York city, and after some years' residence in Fremont, Ohio, came in 1853 to Akron, Ind., where he died Sept. 14, 1876. His wife passed away a month later. Mr. and Mrs. Bright have four children--Homer A., aged twenty-three, and Daisy E., aged nineteen, both engaged in teaching; Maud, fourteen years of age; and Ernest, a lad of twelve. At the time of his marriage David Bright began farming on his own account. He built a little cabin in the woods, and began the arduous task of hewing out a farm in the midst of the forest. He had not even a team, but borrowed a horse as he had need for it. The next season his father gave him one, but it died just at the time when he had most use for it. By work at the carpenter's trade he secured the money necessary to improve his farm. Where once stood the dense forest are now seen waving fields of grain, and the little log cabin has been replaced by a comfortable and pleasant residence, while substantial barns and other outbuildings have been erected, adding materially to the value of this fine farm. Mr. Bright has been called to serve the public in the capacity of township trustee, having been elected as a democratic candidate in 1890, although the district is strongly republican, a fact which indicates his personal popularity. He is a progrssive man, and has caused to be erected new bridges and school houses, including the fine school building in Akron, which will stand as a monument to his foresight for many years to come.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, p. 42]

BRIGHT, EUGENE [Akron/Rochester, Indiana]
EUGENE BRIGHT NAMED ON AERONAUTICS BOARD
The State Aeronautics Commission at Indianapolis on Tuesday announced the appointment of Eugene Bright, former Akron and Rochester lumber man, as a member of that board.
Bright, a native of Fulton county, assumed his new duties on Oct. 15. He served in World War II with the air force in the China-Burma-India theatre with the rank of captain. He was transferred to inactive status about six weeks ago.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, October 17, 1945]

BRIGHT, MILO [Henry Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Milo Bright. - The subject of this biographical sketch was born in Wayne County, Ind., January 26, 1842. He is the eldest son of William and Mahala Bright of the preceding sketch. He came to this county with his parents in 1844. Mr. B. attended the common schools of Henry Township and assisted on the farm until sixteen years of age, after which he attended a normal school at Kokomo. He now followed the occupation of school teacher in winter seasons and farmer in summer. On the 2d day of August, 1862, Mr. Bright was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe Ball, a native of Henry County, Ind., whither her parents had emigrated from Tennessee at an early day, and where they yet reside. To this union were born five children, four of whom are living--Ulysses G., Mary M., Benjamin F. and Miles E. Mr. Bright was called to mourn the loss of his wife on the 18th of August, 1872. He afterward married Miss Kate Ball, a sister to his first companion. To them has been born one daughter, Bertha E. After marriage, Mr. B. followed the occupation of farmer until the spring of 1869,when he embarked in the drug business at Akron. Commencing with a small capital, his business has constantly increased, by good management and close application, until he now has a large and constantly increasing trade. He also keeps a stock of books, stationery and jewelry, and has for twelve years been Postmaster and Notary Public.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 37]

BRIGHT, WILLIAM [Henry Township]
BIOGRAPHY
William Bright. - The worthy citizen of whom the writer now gives a short sketch was born in Kentucky October 12, 1821. He is the second son of David and Fannie B. Bright, natives of the same State, and of English ancestry. In childhood, Mr. Bright immigrated to Indiana with his parents, and in 1833 located in Wayne County. The facilities for acquiring an education were of necessity very rude in those days, and Mr. B. could attend but a limited amount of time, his services being required on the farm most of the time. At the age of seventeen, in the year 1838, he came with his father to this county were he assisted in clearing a farm. March 18, 1841, Mr. Bright was united in marriage to Miss Mahala Lane, a native of Wayne County, born 1822. Her father's name was Isaiah Lane, a native of Tennessee; her mother's, Naomi, and a native of North Carolina. Mr. Bright has lived in the vicinity of his present home since 1844. In 1860, they located where they now reside, on a tract of 120 acres of land, fifteen of which had been cleared. At present he has the whole of it improved, and has commodious and substantial farm buildings, all of which is the result of the industry, economy and good business tact of the proprietor. Of the children born to them five are living--Milo, John, David, Adaline and William H. These are all respected citizens.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 37]

BRIGHT & CO., M. [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] DOMESTIC SEWING MACHINE, The STAR That Leads Them All! Has no equal for capacity, durability, simplicity, practicability, superior construction, modern furniture. Other may imitate but none equal. See them at M. BRIGHT & Co.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, January 28, 1891]

BRIGHT & RICHTER DRUG STORE [Akron, Indiana]
Located first door E of Akron Exchange Bank, SE corner Rochester and Mishawaka streets.
Later Hosman Drug Store, and still later Arter Rexall Drugs were in same location.
Present site of Arter Rexall Drugs. [104 W. Rochester street]
See Hosman Drug Store; Arter Drug Store; Arter Rexall Drugs.

BRIGHTSIDES [Plymouth, Marshall County]
See Work Training School, Julia

BRILES, C. F. [Rochester, Indiana]
NEWS OF THE DAY
C. F. Briles of southeast of Rochester, purchased the Tippecanoe dairy of Mrs. F. H. Cornelius today. Mr. Briles has rented the Cornelius farm and will continue to serve the dairy's old customers in first class style.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 1, 1911]

BRILLIANT BRONZE STATIONS [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Stehle's Service Station

BRINEY, HAROLD [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Harold Briney)

BRINKMAN SHOE STORE [Rochester, Indiana]
See: First National Bank
__________

CLOSING OUT
Wm. Brinkman is now rapidly closing out his tailoring stock, with the expectation of starting in the shoe business August 1st.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, July 2, 1918]

OWNERSHIP CHANGE IN BRINKMAN SHOE STORE
With the announcement today of the opening of a new Brinkman's Shoe Store, Ruth Brinkman Sutherland and Hubert Taylor welcome into the ownership of the store, C. T. Baker, of South Bend, who for many years has called on the store as a representative of the Friedman-Shelby Shoe company. Mr. Baker is not taking an active part in the business. Management of the store will remain unchanged.
Under the store's new policy, a complete line of several well-known makes of shoes will be featured. The sale completed recently enabled the store to reduce stocks on some lines, so more attention could be given to Friedman-Shelby, Florsheim, Wolverine and Trade Builder shoes.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, August 30, 1939]

BRINKMAN TAILOR [Rochester, Indiana]
Owned by William Brinkman.
__________

[Adv] BRINKMAN Leader in Merchant Tailoring. Suits to order from $16 up. Pants to order, from $4 up. Fit and workmanship Strictly guaranteed. One door North of Ditmire's Book Store.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, November 13, 1896]

NEW TAILOR SHOP
In order to appropriately install my new place of business I will until July 5th make the following prices on tailor-made pants for cash only, $8.50, $9.00 and $10,00 pants at $6.50 and $7.00, $7.50 and $8.00 pants at $6.00. BRINKMAN THE TAILOR.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, June 27, 1905]

[Adv] Let BRINKMAN the Tailor Tailor you once And BRINKMAN the Tailor will Tailour you always. 706 Main St.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, February 17, 1908]

CLOSING OUT
Wm. Brinkman is now rapidly closing out his tailoring stock, with the expectation of starting in the shoe business August 1st.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, July 2, 1918]
BRISTLE RIDGE [ - - - - - ]
Miss Mariah Coons is attending school in your place. She is already a good teacher, but I hope she will improve her time.
[From Bristle Ridge, Rochester Union-Spy, Friday, January 22, 1875]

The Debating Society is still alive. They have a literary paper called The Plain Dealer, which is well edited, well supported and well named.
[From Bristle Ridge, Rochester Union-Spy, Friday, March 5, 1875]

The Sunday-school at the Champ school house is prospering finely.
[From Bristle Ridge, Rochester Union-Spy, Friday, April 23, 1875]
The Sunday school at the Calvert school house has suspended.
[From Bristle Ridge, Rochester Union-Spy, Friday, June 4, 1875]

BRITTON, W. L. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Gast & Britton

BROCKMAN, BILLY [Lake Manitou]
See: Hotels - Fairview

BROCKMAN, GENE [Lake Manitou]
See: Hotels - Fairview

BROCKMAN & SONS [Rochester, Indiana]
Brockman and Sons have sold their bill boards in this city to the Logansport Bill Posting Advertising Co. The latter concern owns boards in all of the large cities in northern Indiana.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 4, 1915]

BROOKE, CHARLES A. [Rochester, Indiana]
CHARLES A. BROOKE (Biography)
The pastor of the Grace M.E. church, Dr. Chas. A. BROOKE, has been in the ministry 41 years and yet he seems in the very prime of usefulness. He has been pastor of all the principal charges in the Northwest conference and was presiding elder of the Greencastle district from '73 to '77. At Lafayette he was pastor when a $35,000 church was built and at Valparaiso he was the prime mover in the construction of a $25,000 edifice. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Depauw University. He is married and his family of three sons are all Chicago business men.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

BROOKE, JAMES L. [Rochester, Indiana]
A. J. BARRETT & SON SELL LUMBER & COAL COMPANY
An important business transaction was placed on record today when the A. J. Barrett & Son Lumber and Coal Co., which has been in operation in this city for a half century, was sold to James L. Brooke, of South Bend. The new owner took possession of the business immediately.
Through this change of ownership another important business transfer will go into effect May 1st when John Barrett, junior member of A. J. Barrett & Son will take over the management of the Arlington Hotel. J. D. Bonine & Son who have operated Rochester's only hostelry for a period of 30 years, will relinquish their lease on the above mentioned date. The retiring hotel operators have not announced their plans for the future.
To Improve Hotel
When interviewed today the younger Barrett stated the hotel would undergo a complete overhauling in the way of improvements as soon as possession is obtained. Several alterations in room arrangements, together with redecorating and additional furnishings will be made. In honor of the older Barrett, who is owner of several buildings in the Arlington Block, the new manager is contemplating changing the name of the Arlington to that of the Barrett hotel. A. J. Barrett it was stated will retire from active business.
The new proprietor of the lumber and coal company has had years of experience in this field for several years being connected with the South Bend City Lumber Co. Mr. Brooke and family will take up their permanent residency here immediately.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, March 20, 1929]

BROOKER, DAVID [Union Township]
BIOGRAPHY
David Brooker was born in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1864, the son of Isaac and Sarah [Updegrove] Brooker. Isaac Brooker was born in Union county, later changed to Snyder county, Pennsylvania, on April 2, 1843. He moved to Indiana in 1865, arriving in Pulaski county on February 3rd of that year. Six or seven years later he came to Fulton county and settled in Union township where he became one of the most successful farmers of the community. At the time of his death which occurred on January 5, 1920, he owned two hundred and seventeen acres of land. His wife, Sarah Updegrove, was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, on February 2, 1847, and died in Union township, Fulton county, Indiana, on March 17, 1910. David Brooker was the oldest of the four children born to his parents, the other three being Rudolph, a farmer in Union township; Barbara, the wife of I. N. Troutman, of Plymouth, Indiana; and Walter, whose sketch also appears in this volume. David Brooker was reared on the home farm and was educated in the district schools of his home community. When he had completed his studies, he engaged in farming, an occupation which he has continued to follow with marked success. He now owns two hundred and twelve acres which he has improved with a fine set of buildings. He has never cared to specialize in any one thing in agriculture, preferring rather to carry on general farming. He married Sarah Ellen Kile, who was born in Crawford county, Ohio, the daughter of Philip K. and Elizabeth (Kiester) Kile, both of whom were natives of Ohio, coming to Union township, Fulton county, Indiana, in 1880. To Mr. and Mrs. Brooker were born eight children: Gertrude, the wife of Samuel McKee; Grace, the wife of Fred M. Ruth; Esther, who married Dean Neff; Edwin, who married Mabel Crabill; Addie, the wife of Lowell Master; Maude, the wife of Paul Snyder; Mildred; and Nobeline. Mr. Brooker supports the principles of the Democratic party, and he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church.
[Henry A. Barnhart, Fulton County History, p. 164, Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1923]

BROOKER, WALTER [Union Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Walter Brooker was born in Pulaski county, Indiana, May 3, 1870, the son of Isaac and Sarah (Updegraff) Brooker, a record of whom appears in the sketch of David Brooker. His boyhood was spent on the home farm, and when he was seven years of age, he removed with his parents to Fulton county. He was educated in the district schools and at the age of twenty-one years engaged in farming. He bought a forty-four acre tract of land upon which he placed all the improvements. His industry and close application to his work brought him such success that he has been able to increase the size of his farm from forty-four acres to one hundred and sixty-one acres. He carries on general farming, not wishing to confine himself to any one branch of agriculture, and he has constructed a fine set of farm buildings on the land. He was married to Nellie Edith Carithers, the daughter of Hiram and Melissa (Collins) Carithers, of Fulton county, the former of whom is still living and the latter is dead. To Mr. and Mrs. Brooker have been born two children, Geneva, who is the wife of Hugh Hunneshagen who assists in the operation of our subject's farm, and Josephine. Mr. Brooker has always voted with the Democratic party firmly believing that its principles best conserve the public welfare.
[Henry A. Barnhart, Fulton County History, p. 165, Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1923]

BROOKLYN VINEGAR COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
NEW CORPORATION
A new corporation has been formed in Rochester, The Brooklyn Vinegar Company, incorporated at $10,000 by Francis Spohn.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, May 2, 1921]

BROOKS, GEORGE W. [Disko, Indiana]
CIVIL WAR VETERAN HAS 150 GRANDCHILDREN
Unusual to say the least is the family record of George W. Brooks, 92, one of Fulton county's few remaining Civil war veterans, who lives at Disko.
Consider these facts and then marvel: he is the father of five children, three of whom survive; the grandfather of 37 children; the great-grandfather of 107, and the great-great-grandfather of six.
Probably this record sets a new kind of mark for paternal relationship in Indiana, and at least, is unusual enough to warrant no little comment.
Up until a few years ago, Mr. Brooks had been in extremely good health and then he lost the sight of one eye. Since that time he has been in declining health.
However, he retains his cheerful outlook on life.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, February 1, 1936]

BROOM MAKERS [Rochester, Indiana]
BROOM FACTORY
My factory for the manufacture of the best brooms in the market is in successful operation. Orders for Brooms solicited. Good Broom corn will be manufactured on shares and the best quality of Broom corn seed for sale. For anything in my line, call at my factory, seven miles east of Rochester and one-half mile south of the Akron road. W. H. CURTIS.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, November 29, 1879]
[Adv] BROOMS, BROOMS! Rochester's new Broom Factory is now turning out a superior quality of carpet, barn and office brooms. Call for the Curtis broom and thereby patronize home enterprise. The Trade supplied. W. A. CURTIS, Manufacturer, Rochester, Ind.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, December 29, 1886]

A CLEAN SWEEP
The public is hereby informed that I have re-opened my Broom Factory near the L. E. & W. station and that I am prepared to furnish the people with the best of brooms at low prices. Farmers are solicited to bring in their broom corn well seeded. W. H. CURTIS.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, October 22, 1890]

LOCAL NEWS
Wm. Curtis & Son, proprietors of the Wall street broom factory, have about decided to sell out their business. The prospective buyer lives at Hartford City, where a new factory is being started under the name of the Bradbury Broom company. Mr. Curtis has ten days in which to decide upon the deal, and if he concludes to sell he will probably go to Hartford City to work in the factory. Charley Curtis will probably go also, providing his chum, Herman Tetzlaff, does not too strongly object.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, January 14, 1901]

LOCAL NEWS
W. H. Curtis, who sold his Wall street broom factory to the Bradbury Broom company, at Hartford City, left for that place today, where he will be employed in the factory. Charles and the other members of the family will remain here two or three weeks.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, January 30, 1901]

LOCAL NEWS
W. H. Curtis, who for so long was Rochester's Wall street broom manufacturer, has decided that Rochester is a pretty good residence town. He sold out his business here, some time ago to a firm at Hartford City, but the firm has quit business and Mr. Curtis will remain in Rochester. Wall street will also take on its old time appearance, as the Curtis broom factory will soon be started in the room it formerly occupied.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, May 2, 1901]

LOCAL NEWS
Wall street is again on the boom. The Curtis broom factory began operations this morning with a full force of hands. Wm. Curtis prepares the brush for the broom, Charles does the wiring, and Spencer Tally, the veteran one legged stitcher is at his usual place.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, May 15, 1901]

BUILDING NEW HOME FOR FACTORY
M. V. Reeder, the well-known Rochester manufacturer of brooms, who was recently compelled to move from the room in the Centennial block north of the court house where the Chamberlain pool room is now located, has started to build a factory building of his own. The building is to be of cement block and will be located on the rear of the Reeder residence lot on Monroe street, where the manufacture of the well-known brands of brooms will be carried on.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, May 11, 1912]
WM. CURTIS DIES IN HAMMOND
Word was received in this city Thursday of the death of Wm. Curtis, 85, which occurred Wednesday night at the home of his son, Sidney in Hammond. Mr. Curtis was familiarly known as "Uncle Billy" and was a broom maker. He operated a shop on East 9th street. Early in life he was united in marriage with Katherine Anderson and to this union four children were born. They are Sidney, of Hammond, Mrs. Maude Cartwright, Mrs. Elsie Peterson and Mrs. Eva Makeson all of Chicago who survive him. The body will be brought to this city and the funeral will be held Saturday morning at the Christian church at 10:00 a.m. with burial at Mt. Hope cemetery.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, March 4, 1920]

ED WILBURN TO OPEN BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT
Ed Wilburn, Tuesday, announced the establishment of a broom factory and up to date auto laundry at the rear of the Kilmer and Son filling station at the corner of Franklin and Ninth.
Mr. Wilburn has had 25 years experience as a broom maker and for many years was at the head of the broom making department of the Progress Wholesale House. Brooms made by him have taken many prizes in shows. Mr. Wilburn's new venture will make the second auto laundry in the city and the only broom making establishment.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, August 25, 1925]

GETS FULL OWNERSHIP
E. D. WILBURN has bought the interest of his former partner Merle Tubbs, in the auto washing and broom making business located in the rear of the Ninth street and Franklin avenue filling station.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Thursday, March 25, 1926]

BROUILLETTE, CHARLES A. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Hotels - Arlington
See: Rochester Bands
__________

LOCAL and MISCELLANEOUS
Charley Brouillette has now got his cigar factory located in its new quarters, opposite the post office, and having thoroughly renovated and repaired the room, has now one of the neatest stands in the city.The cigars he manufactures have a wide reputation, and find a ready sale wherever they are offered. Dealers will do well to call on him at his new quarters where they will find a choice line of cigars and every article found in a tobacconist's line. When not present in person, he has the genial and affable Frank Richter as his salesman to wait on customers.
[Rochester, Sentinel, Wednesday, October 7, 1885]

[Adv] Smoke the "BEAUTY!". Chas. Brouillette, Manufacturer of Fine CIGARS. - - - Try the MON AMI, the best 5c cigar in market. CHAS. BROUILLETTE, Rochester, Indiana.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, October 21, 1885]

C. A. BROUILLETTE
Cigar Manufacturer
In establishing the general aggregate of the commercial and manufacturing importance of Rochester, the tobacco trade in its various branches must not be overlooked, as it is a factor of no insignificant proportions in the many and varied enterprises which influence the prosperity and advancement in our city.
In the cigar manufacturing business, the annual production is no small item, and we deem a sketch of the above named gentleman as worthy of space in our columns. Mr. [C. A.] BROUILLETTE has been in the cigar business in our city for the past three and one-half years, and has built up a very fine trade. He manufactures the following leading brands: The Beauty, Mon Ami, Sweet Lips, &c. All of these brands have a wide reputation, in fact the cigars of Mr. Brouillette's manufacture have such a hold upon the smokers, that they ask for them and will have no others. They are acknowledged to be the best cigars brought to this market, and have become so popular that he has ready sale for all he can produce. He also manufactures the celebrated Clippings smoking tobacco, and has a large local trade on the same.
Mr. Brouillette employs none but first class workmen, and uses only the best leaf for both fillers and wrappers. This being the case, it may readily be inferred that the products of his factory are equal to, if not superior to most others in the State. In fact we doubt if there are many factories, outside of the large metropolitan cities, that can make as good a showing as can our Brouillette. His place of business is four doors north of Masonic building.
He is a young man full of push and enterprise and we are glad to know that the people appreciate his efforts to please them, and that he is enjoying a large and rapidly increasing trade.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 29, 1888]

[Adv] Smokers, The ROSE BUD CIGAR will give you more satisfaction to the inch than any other five cent cigar ever made. Try it. Manufactured by C. A. BROUILLETTE, Sold by all Dealers.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 28, 1893]

CHARLES A. BROUILLETTE (Biography)
Charles A. BROUILLETTE is one of the most enterprising manufacturers of cigars in this section. He was born in Fulton county in March 1864, and engaged with Lee EMRICK to learn cigar making. After mastering the trade in its every detail he purchased his employer's factory and has since that time almost continuously carried on the business of manufacturing and selling cigars. His Monarch, Rosebud and White Pearl cigars have a wide reputation and ready sale. His factory and retail store is located in the Arlington block, and when in need of a good cigar do not fail to try one of the above brands. Mr. Brouillette is a lover of music and field sports and has been an enthusiastic member of the Citizens band for ten years. He married Miss Ella KING and they have one child, a baby daughter, Pauline [BROUILLETTE].
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

BROWER, AARON [Wayne Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Aaron Brower was born in Montgomery County, Ind., April 7, 1818. He was the only son of Henry and Annie (Hechman) Brower, who were natives of Virginia, but settled in Henry County, Ind., in 1820, where he purchased, at different time, about two hundred and seventeen acres of land. He died in 1842, and Mrs. Brower, Sr., in 1870. They were both members of the German Baptist Church. Aaron marrid Polly Bell, a native of Harrison County, Ky., September 10, 1837. This couple have had eleven children, of whom eight are living, viz., Susannah Hoover, Louisa Bowman, Sarah F. Craig, Anna Wood, Aaron C. Brower, Nancy McLochlin, Rachel Ware and William Brower. Mr. Brower, wife and two children belong to the German Baptist Church, and own 320 acres of land in Wayne Township.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 61]

BROWER, GEO. L. [Rochester, Indiana]
George L. Brower, Optometrist Refractionist, formerly of this city but now of Chicago, will come to Rochester next Saturday to examine eyes and to correct refractive errors. Thereafter he will come every two weeks. He will carry on his practice in the offices of Dr. Archie Brown over the W. A. Howard Jewelry Store.
Mr. Brower, after he returned from over seas where he served with the U. S. Army for more than two years, went to Chicago and took a course in optometry and was graduated from the school some time ago. Since that time he has been practicing in Chicago. He also acts as an instructor in the school.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, February 21, 1921]

BROWER, L. K. [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] Trees, Vines, Evergreens, Etc., - - - Will have assorted stock on sale during April and May, at my home in Rochester, Ind. Phone 286. L. K. BROWER.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, April 4, 1902]

[Adv] FOR SALE Apple, pear, peach, plum, cherry trees - - - - All stock guaranteed true to name. Season begins Oct 20th for Fall. L. K. BROWER, 402 West 3rd St. Phone 286.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1907]

BROWER GROCERY [Rochester, Indiana]
BUYS GROCERY
Ronald Powell, of this city today purchased and assumed active management of the Harold Reece grocery store, located on West Third street, this city. The business was formerly known as the Brower grocery. Reece has not announced his plans for the future.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, February 6, 1935]

OPENS GROCERY
Chas. Havlick has purchased the Brower Grocery on West Third street, this city, and will open the store for business Sarurday. Mr. Havlick is a son-in-law of William Brown, and is an experienced grocery man.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, April 12, 1935]
BROWN, ALFRED H. [Rochester, Indiana]
Alfred H. Brown, whose firm name is Brown the Florist, and whose greenhouses are on North Fulton avenue, announced today that he has opened a floral shop in the room at 502 North Main street. He will carry a complete line of cut and potted flowers, vegetables and flower plants in stock. Mrs. Brown will be in charge of the shop.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, May 8, 1941]

OPENS DOWN-TOWN SHOP
A. H. Brown, local florist has leased space in the Rochester City Dairy building where he will operate a down-town floral display shop. The new shop is already in operation.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, May 23, 1942]

BROWN, ANGUS [Rochester, Indiana]
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Angus Brown, of Rochester, comes directly from the Gaelic through his father, Hugh Brown, born in the Highlands of Scotland. Hugh Brown emigrated from his native land in 1832, and joined his thousands of countrymen in the queen's dominion on this side of the Atlantic. He brought with him his devoted wife, nee Christina McEachren, and domeciled in Glengary county, lower Canada. He re-engaged in farming, the pursuit of his boyhood, and provided comfortably for and educated plainly his large family. Of his sixteen children the following are living: Catherine, wife of Robert Thacker, North Dakota; Hugh, Morgan Park, Ill.; Niel, Buffalo, N.Y.; Margaret, wife of a Mr. Coleman, London, Canada, and John, Strathroy, Canada. The father died in 1867, aged eighty-eight. Dr. Angus Brown was the twelfth child. His birth occurred in Glengary county, Feb. 14, 1832. He chose medicine as his profession and about 1860 became a student in the homeopathic medical college at Cleveland, Ohio. He engaged in practice in 1863 in London, Canada, where he remained till coming to Rochester in 1869, being the first permanent physician of his school in the county. The doctor is a member of the state medical society. He has served a number of years as a member of the school board in Rochester, and manifested a deep concern for the cause of public education. Dr. Brown's first wife was Jane McArthur, whom he married in Canada. Their children are: Mary C., a teacher in Trinidad, Col., who engaged in the work when she was sixteen; Hugh, manager in Chicago for a Boston school-book concern, is a graduate of the university of Michigan and was for two years assistant state superintendent of public instruction of that state. Dougald, a merchant in Pontiac, Mich.; Catherine, wife of a Mr. Floyd, of Trinidad, Col.; Jane, wife of William Seller, Kokomo, Ind. Mrs. Brown died in 1867. The doctor's second marriage was in 1871 to Mrs. Lucy A. Shafer, a daughter of Chichester Chinn, a pioneer farmer in Fulton, and who died some forty years ago. This union resulted in four children: William M., married Nettie Owen; John B., Pontiac, Mich.; Archie and Edna. Dr. Brown has been a member of the Christian church since eighteen years of age.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 42-43]

BROWN, ARCHIBALD "ARCHIE" [Rochester, Indiana]
Archie Brown will graduate from the Hahoemann Medical College at Chicago, May 7th, and will return to Rochester to practice his profession.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 21, 1903]

BIOGRAPHY
Archibald Brown, M.D., was born in Rochester, Indiana, December 11, 1876, the son of Angus and Lucy (Chinn) Brown, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Fulton county. The grandparents of the subject of this review emigrated from Scotland and came to Londes, Ontario, Canada where they continued to live for the remainder of their lives. Angus Brown left the place of his birth in 1868 and studied medicine at Cleveland, Ohio, and attended a school of homeopathy. With the completion of his studies, he came to Rochester, Fulton county, Indiana, and began active practice which he continued until his death in 1903 at the age of seventy-one years, his wife dying in 1919, aged eighty-three years. His name is found on the roster of the first members of the Fulton County Medical Association. He had four children, all of whom are living, three in Rochester and one, John B., in Pontiac, Michigan. He took great interest in all movements for civic betterment and served on the school board for many years. He was one of the organizers of the First Christian Church and was always active in church work. Archibald Brown was educated in the graded and high schools of Rochester, being graduated from the latter in 1895. He then went to the University of Michigan where he remained for one year, leaving at that time to enlist in the 28th Indiana Light Artillery, with which he served throughout the Spanish-American War. After his discharge from the army, he resumed his study of medicine at the Hahnemann Medical College at Chicago and was graduated from that instuitution in 1903. He began the practice of his profession in Rochester in that same year, a practice that he has never discontinued. He was married in 1903 to Maude Waller, of Fowler, Indiana, and to this union three children have been born: Mary Ruth, Edna, and Martha Alice. Fraternally, Dr. Brown is a popular member of the Knights of Pythias.
[Henry A. Barnhart, Fulton County History, pp. 165-166, Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1923]

BROWN, BEN FRANKLIN [Henry Township]
RETROSPECTIVE REMARKS
By Ben Franklin Brown
Topeka, Kansas
I was born in Fulton County, Indiana, on the 14h day of July, 1841, so says the records. The particular place of this happening was on what was known, thirty years ago, as the John Shriver farm, abou two and one-half miles southwest of Akron. My mother told me she used a sugar-sap trough in lieu of a cradle, to rock me to sleep when I had a spell of disturbing things with an unusually loud and unnecessary noise. With my father-in-law, E. R. Powers, I fisited this particular spot the last time in the summer of 1868.
My earliest recollection of an incident worthy of note in this article, occurred on a farm about one mile west and one mile north of Akron, adjoining Judge John Ball's farm on the north, and where I became acquainted with Ancil, Daniel and George Ball, sons of Judge Ball. I do not know how he came to have the honorable prefix of "Judge" to his name. No doubt Ancil could give us light on the subject, but I remember well that father called him "Judge." Father purchased this farm and had moved his family on it when I was quite young, as I have no recollection of the transfer. The incident occurred in the springtime of 1845 or 1846. This portion of Fulton county was covered with the heaviest timber I ever saw anywhere in all my ramblings over several states and territories in the last fifty years. Early one morning there came to our house two neighbors, living west of us about a mile, by the name of Bryant (the description of our house I will omit, as there has been so many just like it described in former articles). It was a drizzling, rainy morning. They could not work out, so came over to have a talk with father. They sat down in front of the fireplace and were soon engaged in conversation. Not long after they had got to talking good, father spoke about the giant tree of all that forest, a yellow poplar, standing some fifty feet southeast of our house, and expressed a fear that lightning would strike it and thereby endanger the lives of his family. I remember that one of the men said, "Henry, if you have the axes we will help you to cut it down today, as we cannot do anything else." Father rather demurred on account of the weather, but they insisted. Finally he said, "I have the axes," and went out into a kind of a lean-to shed, in the rear of the house, and brought in three axes, with a whetstone. They whet them and then went out and walked around the tree two or three times before commencing operations. Now, it so happened that all three men were what is termed right-handed in axe craft, and when they were at work were entirely out of sight of each other. They worked until mother called them to dinner. Of course they did not work all the time, as if they were working for wages, as they would stop and inspect one another's work and talk a little. After dinner and more talk, they resumed and worked something more than an hour before the giant fell, and it made a terrible crash and shook our cabin like an earthquake. The men then measured the stump and found it to be a little over eight feet inside the bark any way they measured, and it was sixty feet to the first limb, and that was over three feet in diameter. What a value there would be to such a tree now. Methinks enough could be realized to buy a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in some localities in this country today.
The following autumn we moved to Rochester and father worked for Grandfather Rannells, who was operating a general store at that time. I don't think I visited the old home again until 1866, when I found a part of that tree still lying there where it fell twenty years before. After moving to Rochester, I spent most of my time, for four or five years, at my grandfather's home, which was about half way between Rochester and Akron (then Newark). He had a large family and one boy, Jacob, a few months my senior, who made a good playmate, hence I preferred to stay there rather than at home. Grandfather had a large house, perhaps the largest in Fulton county at that time, particularly on a farm, and I do not remember any house in Rochester, sixty years ago, as large as it was. He had two large frame barns at that time. I attended my first school while staying there. The school house, like a number that have already been described, was situated about a half-mile north and east of Henry Hoover's mill, which was also of ancient type, and the person who wielded the birch, or beach, at that school was James F. Wagoner, still an honored, valuable and respected citizen of Fulton county. I shall be much disappointed if I fail to read an article from his pen in the series being published by the Republican before the closing changes are rung on.
It was while staying at grandfather's that my next incident of note occurred. It was in the early springtime of 1847 or 1848, it being sugar-making time. William Woods, who had married my aunt, Nancy Rannells, had become foreman of grandfather's large farm, being chief in everthing pertaining to sugar-making. The camp was of logs, about 12 feet by 20, as I remember it, and covered with clapboards. It was so constructed that the west end was almost entirely open, as from that end the furnace was fed with fuel, which consisted of logs split up ten feet long. The furnace contained four very large iron kettles for boiling sap. The pit under the furnace to receive the fuel was about one foot deep and extnded outside the camp house at the west end about four or five feet. The camp was located about a half-mile from grandfather's house in a southwest direction and about due south of where the town of Athens now stands, very near the residence of Frank Brouillette, which was then all a dense forest from the Akron road two miles due south without a single human habitation, and about half a mile south of the camp meandered a sluggish stream called Beaver creek. Its borders contained numerous almost impenegrable jungles, ideal places for varmints and wild animals to frequent and seek shelter from the hunters in quest of game, such as served for food. This particular evening, after supper at the mansion, I got permission of Uncle Bill to accompany him to the camp. He also took Fan Rose, a negro woman, along to help carry the sugar home. He expected to "take off" that evening, after dark. Fan and I sat in front of the furnace, watching the bright glow of the fire, while Uncle Bill busied himself with the boiling of sap. He always did this final boiling down in the kettle, farthest back in the camp. Along about ten o'clock, while he was transferring the syrup from the kettle to a large wooden tray for the purpose of graining into sugar, which he did by constantly stirring with a large paddle until cold, up and out of the darkness from the south came the most piercing scream I ever heard before or since. Fan turned her eyes wrong side out and looked at me and exclaimed: "Fo' de lub uf God, what's dat?" And almost in the same breath turned and asked Uncle Bill what that screeching was. He replied that he did not hear it, but I always thought he did and was doing some very hard thinking, just then, before announcing a conclusion. However, he did not wait long, for in five minutes the scream was repeated, and then when Fan iterrrogated him again, he replied without hesitation, "Panther, b-- G--d." I did not know at that time what a panther was, and asked Fan. She told me that it was a large and ferocious wild animal, which was in the habit of dining on women and nice young kids, when or wherever found. This somewhat distrubed my sense of safety, and I at once changed my position from in front of the furnace to the rear end of the camp house, on the inside, near Uncle Bill. Now, don't think I was alone in making this change. Fan was moved by the same spirit at the same time, and we both got as close to Uncle Bill as he would allow. The movement of the panther was slowly to the east and the screams were repeated about every five minutes, it appeard to me. Uncle Bill finally transferred his sugar from the large tray to two wooden pails and we were soon wending our way through the timber toward home. Uncle Bill was on the side toward the panther, Fan next to him, helping to carry one of the pails of sugar, while I was on the other side of Fan, hanging on to Fan's other hand. Still I did not feel at all comfortable, by this time having heard the screams a number of times. Fan had come to the conclusion that it was not a panther, but was a woman, lost in the woods, calling for relief. They argued the question as we walked along, but Uncle Bill could not convince here that she was wrong. Finally he told her that when he got to the house he would prove to her that he was right, by the dogs. All settlers had dogs, and whenever there were dogs in hearing of the screams they would bark and howl. (We had three dogs.) Uncle Bill told Fan when we got to the house he would get his gun and start out toward the noise and call the dogs to follow, and if they followed him it would be something other than a panther. This proposition to test the matter seemed to satisfy her. So when we arrived at the house he proceeded to carry out the test. Our dogs were all sitting on their haunches in the front yard, barking and howling. By the time we arrived home, the panther seemed to be almost due south of there. Uncle Bill procured his gun and started out, calling the dogs, which were always ready to go with him when he had his gun, but this time they seemed to become ashamed of themselves, for instead of following him, they immediately hushed their noise and retired to the rear of the house, out of sight, utterly refusing to take part in the game in evidence. This seemed to satisfy Fan that her contention was wrong. However, I thought she had good reason for her belief, for I have heard very much the same kind of noise from girls and women at the sight of a little mouse. This was the only time that the scream of a panther was heard in that particular neighborhood, to my knowledge. I was told that Asa Bozarth, father of Jasper Bozarth, of Rochester, killed one in the timber east of Lake Manitou, when looking for his cows, one evening. I speak of this case, for I have failed to note any reference of the fact that there were panthers in the early days of Fulton county, by any of the former contributors.
There were wild hogs in the vicinity of grandfather's home, more numerous than deer or wild turkeys. I remember one autumn grandfather had forty acres of corn, where it was entirely surrounded by heavy timber. No human habitation nearer than half a mile. It was fenced into two fields, the outside fence being eleven rails high. Still the wild hogs would climb that fence and get into the corn, and being so plentiful, done great damage. Chris Woods, one of the employees on the farm, thought he would take a look at that corn, one afternoon, and in walking through the field, flushed four or five bunches of wild hogs. He reported that they were fat, and grandfather told him to take a team, his gun and a dog and get some fresh pork to eat if he found any hogs in the corn again. The next afternoon he hitched a team to a wagon, took his gun and a good dog for the business. Myself, and I believe George Moore, who lived near Athens, went along to see the fun. On our arrival at the field, we hitched the team, climbed over the fence and started the dog out. It was only a very short time until he found a bunch and soon we heard a squeal. We were quite close, soon coming in sight, and prevented the balance of the hogs from attacking the dog. He was holding one that Chris said would weigh about 200 pounds and would make good meat. Accordingly he shot it and told Towser to go after another one, which he soon caught. That one, proving satisfactory, was dispatched the same way. After driving all the hogs out of the corn, we returned to the dead ones and proceeded to skin them and cut them into convenient pieces to carry out to the wagon. It was dark when we reached home with our meat. After that, for several years, fresh hog meat was plenty in the fall of the year if they were found trespassing in the fields of grain.
I remember one day, when wheat was almost ripe, one of the men told grandfather tha tthe hogs were in his wheat in a certain field. After dinner grandfather put the saddle and bridle on old Jim, his saddle horse, mounted and rode out to the field reported infested with hogs, destroying the wheat. As he was riding through the field he suddenly came upon a nest of them lying down. They did not see him, nor he them, until very close. Among them was a large, sandy boar. Being so suddenly aroused he at once became furious, springing up, with bristles six inches long pointing toward his head, and tusks three inches, reared on his hind feet and aimed a blow at the horse. But he had seen the danger coming and made a wheel at the right moment, as the boar missed him, but caught grandfather's boot-top with one of his tusks and cut it about half off. Old Jim had business elsewhere and proceeded to take himself and grandfater out of there before the boar could renew the attack. Grandfather was satisfied with the investigation and quit the field very willingly, but sent one of the men, with gun and dogs, to clear the field, which they did at the time, but the work had to be repeated every day or two until the wheat was harvesed. This incident illustrated the ferocious nature of the wild hog, which was dreaded and feared by the early settler more than any other wild beast inhabiting the forest of Fulton county over sixty years ago.
We now come to about the winter of 1856 and 1857, at Rochester. The Methodist people put on a revival meeting in their church, which stood [SW corner Sixth and Main] where Chris Hoover had his furniture store in 1900, when I was last there, Rev. Burghner acting as cheif pilot, and a Mr. Fairchild, as good a man, morally and religiously, as ever lived in Fulton county, as first mate. Bro. Burghner threw the brimstone, while Fairchild dispensed the milk and honey, and they succeeded in working up quite an intrest, as I think the sequel will show, and I will ask Uncle Del Ward, Milo R. Smith and others that no doubt remember this incident, to corroborate what I here relate. R. N. Rannells, better known as Newt, and Rev. Burghner had become quite friendly in a business way, prior to the opening of this meeting. Before this I don't think Newt ever went to church, but on account of friendship for Burghner in their business matters, concluded that he would attend some of the meetings. At first he was irregular, but seemingly becoming interested became quite regular in his attendance. This action on his part being so unusual, caused a great deal of gossip and conjecture as to the final result. After the meeting had progressed a month or more, Bro. Burghner, as usual before closing the meeting for the evening, extnded an invitation to the penitent to come forward to the altar. Uncle Newt, being of a very impulsive make-up, was the first on his feet and immediately went forward. This action on his part created quite an excitement as well as surprise to those knowing him best. He approached the altar with alacrity, Bro. Burghner meeting him with extended hands. As they clasped hands Uncle Newt was heard to exclaim (and several heard him, as he was not in the habit of whispering or even speaking in a low tone of voice when he had anything to say): "Here is my hand for thirty days, Burghner, and if I can stick thirty days I will try it six months." I am sorry to have to record the fact that he failed to finish the thirty days. He had a number of men in his employ at that time, and some of them were prompted to do things that they thought would annoy and aggravate him to say something not strictly orthodox. One of these men was Spang Sperry. Uncle Del, Milo, et al., will remember him. I have heard him relate things he would do, then lay in hiding for Uncle Newt to show up and hear him swear, and then the laugh of Sperry proved too much for him.
Before closing I will relate an army story about Uncle Newt that is well known to a goodly number of Rochester people. He went into the army in 1862, as quartermaster of he Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which service he remained about eighteen months. On the morning of September 17, 1863, the Eighty-seventh was in line of battle in front of pigeon range of mountains, in Northern Georgia, about twenty-five miles southeast of Chattanooga, Tenn. We were confronting that wily old Confederate general, Braxton Bragg, and for some reason, about eight o'clock that morning, he saluted our lines, from left to right, with a desultory artillery fire. It seemed to have the desired effect, for very soon we received orders to strike tent, load transports and move to the left. We got busy at once, and what could not be carried by the boys was left for the quartrmaster and teamsters to load in wagons. The regiment filed out into a road that, for acute angles, excelled anything of the kind I have ever seen, before or since. No one of said angles would contain more than two of our six-mule-team transports, and be in sight of one another. Just as the regiment was ready to move, a regiment of rebel cavalry came in view, about a half-mile to our front, in the timber. This fact and the fact that we were leaving the quartrmaster to finish loading, as he was only about half loaded, perturbed him, conseuently he rushed things, in order to follow, before the Johnnies could intercept him. Our officers had taken the precaution of throwing out a pretty strong line of men to the right of main column, about one hundred yards or more, as flankers, as protection against a sudden attack. We had marched something more than a mile when a courier from the quartermaster passed to the front, where the colonel and staff were, and asked for a halt of regiment until he, the quartermaster could come up with his transportation, as he was seriously threatened with capture. The colonel promptly moved column by right oblique, outside the road, then halted. The colonel and staff dismounted and waited for the quartermaster to show up, which he very soon did, coming into view from around one of the sharp angles, on his roan charger, and he was making good time, I assure you. A few rods behind him came a six-mule team on the double-quick, a few rods behind that another, and so on in this very much out-of-order condition until they were all safe within the lines. For some time there had existed a bad feeling between the colonel and the quartermaster and he never failed to rebuke the quartermaster when opportunity was presented. As the quartermaster pulled the old roan down, near where the colonel stood, and dismounted, he being in a very high state of excitement, the colonel saw his opportunity, from the condition the transportation was in and proceeded to deliver his reprimand by saying: "Mr. Quartermaster, I want you to keep those teams closed up and straight in the road, sir." The quartrmaster, assuming his characteristic position, by crossing his hands on his back, replied: "Colonel, how in h--l are you going to keep teams closed up and straight in a crooked road, by G -d," this being delivered with a rising inflection from start to finish. Laugh, did you say? Evrybody that heard the quartermaster laughed except the colonel and the quartermaster. The colonel turned and walked down the line with more bad blood to the surface than ever before, and the quartermaster having never before delivered himself more seriously, could not see where the laugh came in. Closing, will say that the colonel and the quartermastr had several tilts before this, in which the colonel invariably came out second best. Thus endeth the chapter.
[Marguerite L. Miller, Home Folks, Vol. II, 1910, pp. 64-71]

BROWN, FLOYD [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Brownie's Drug Store
See: Dawson, George V.

BROWN, FRED J. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Fred J. Brown)

BROWN, ISAAC WASHINGTON [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Bird & Bee Man

BROWN, JOHN D. [Rochester, Indiana]
BIOGRAPHY
John D. Brown, farmer, P.O. Rochester, son of Mathew and Mary A. (Hannah) Brown, the former born in South Carolina in 1792, and the latter a native of Indiana. Mr. Brown, in an early day, became a resident of Marion County, Ind., and entered the land on which the State Insane Asylum now stands. It was while he there resided that the subject of our sketch was born, August 11, 1825. In 1830, they removed to Tippecanoe County, where they remained until 1832, when they became residents of Carroll County, where they were extensively engaged in farming, and in buying and shipping grain. The subject of our sketch became a resident of Fulton County, in 1867, and for ten years was engaged in buying and shipping stock and grain at Rochester. In 1877, he purchased and removed to a farm of 201 acres, in Section 10, near Rochester, on which he now resides. We can say of Mr. B rown's farm that it is one among the best in the county, and is under a high state of cultivation; and a remarkable fact concerning it is that mortality has never invaded its territory, there never having been a death within its borders. Mr. Brown was married, Ocober 3, 1843, to Rebecca J. Basaway, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, February 24, 1826. She is the daughter of Thomas and Elizaeth (Lunbeck) Gasaway, who were natives of Ohio. This union has been blessed with ten children, eight of whom are now living, viz.: Elizabeth, Isaac W., John W., Thomas M., James B., Aabra J., Nettie B. and Mary B.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 28]

BROWN, WILBUR E. [Fulton, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Wilbur E. Brown)

BROWN, WILLIAM [Liberty Township]
BIOGRAPHY
William Brown, a leading farmer in Liberty township, is also one of Fulton county's pioneers. He was born in Pleasants county, W. Va., Oct. 20, 1847. He came to Fulton county ten years later and grew to manhood on a part of the farm he owns. His education was of the district sort of the days before the war. He started out for himself at twenty years of age on a twenty-acre tract of his own and aided in the cultivation of his father's farm. In a few years he bought the partly improved place of Samuel Stibbs, containing 120 acres. He has erected a commodious residence and other buildings, reduced much of the land to a producing state and purchased enough additional to make him 280 acres. Mr. Brown was married first April 9, 1868, to Mary Catherine, daughter of John Syes, who came to Indiana from Preble county, Ohio. Mrs. Brown died in May, 1869, leaving one child, John D., who is married to Annie Buckley and resides on the farm. Jan. 9, 1876, Mr. Brown married Margaret Ann Gregory. The children of this union are: William E., Walter A., Mary Hester, Arthur Lee, Charles E. and Otto Glen. Our subject's father was John Brown. He was born in Pleasants county, W. Va., 1823, and died in Fulton county in 1877, leaving a fair estate. He was a democrat and a plain, worthy citizen. He married Elizabeth Bills, who is yet residing on the old homestead, and is seventy-two years of age. Her children are: Susana, wife of William Young, William, Martha J., married to William Floyd, and Elizabeth. Our subject's paternal grandfather was Josiah Brown. William Brown belongs to the democratic party and has served as supervisor.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 43-44]

BROWN BOBBY [Rochester, Indiana]
"BROWN BOBBY" COMES TO TOWN
* * * * * photo * * * * *
Those who have often longed for something different to eat are now watching daily for the white bicycle propelled moving shop which has already become a familiar sight on the streets of Rochester and around Lake Manitou. For Clair ZIMMERMAN has brought that "something different" in the community and he also has a different way of selling it.
He brought his business from his home in Michigan so as to be here among his wife's people. His unitque delivery service, pictured above with the owner, shows that he is a very enterprising young man who is willing to serve you at any time.
Mr. Zimmerman makes his product, an electrically-baked greaseless doughnut in his home kitchen. The trade name of this doughnut is "BROWN BOBBY" and when you want something good, something that tastes better than anything you ever had just telephone No. 373-R and place your order. Or when you hear the chimes on the street look for the Brown Bobby man and his shoppe right at your doorstep. Try a dozen of these crispy, crunchy, toothsome delicacies. They are good not only to your taste but good for you to eat.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Wednesday, August 23, 1928]
[Adv] HAIL THE BROWN BOBBY MAN. Please step to the door and Hail the Brown Bobby man if you want some nice luscious Brown Bobby Doughnuts today. - - - -
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, August 24, 1928]

BROWN GROCERY [Rochester, Indiana]
The Soldier Boy, Frank Brown, who has served his country faithfully during the rebellion, has just opened a large stock of groceries and provisions, at Fred Sturkin's old stand, one door south of A. J. Holmes' store . . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, June 29, 1865]

B. F. Brown. . . Large Stock of Groceries formerly owned by O. Meredith . . . Frank will always be found attentive and accommodating, at his store, opposite Court House Square, one door south of A. J. Holmes & Co's Store. Frank Brown. Rochester, Ind. July 13, '65.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, July 13, 1865]

BROWN LAND AGENCY [Rochester, Indiana]
Land Agency! The subscriber has for sale a large amount of Real Estate, consisting of several improved farms in Fulton and adjoining counties, as well as wild lands, village lots &c. For sale cheap, on time to suit purchasers. L. J. Brown, Rochester, Ind. lJune 13th, 1861.
[Rochester Mercury, Thursday, June 13, 1861]

BROWN MILLINERY SHOP [Rochester, Indiana]
Mr. B. F. (Frank) Brown has purchased the Millinery and Furnishing Establishment, one door South of the Central Hotel, of Mrs. S. C. Turner and will continue the business at the same place. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, February 21, 1867]

[Adv] The Ladies are especially invited to call and see the beautiful Pattern Hats & Bonnets - - - Winter Millinery and Fancy Goods. Great barbains in ostrich plumes. Miss C. M. BROWN. Meisch's Room, opposite the court house.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, October 21, 1882]

BROWN PORTABLE SAWMILL [Richland Township]
Von Andrews told me that after the death of Joseph and Emeline Zink, the family farm was divided and sold. Zink Lake and some land around it with a heavy stand of timber were sold. An old portable sawmill was moved in and was powered by a steam engine. The mill was worn and did not cut uniform boards. A man by the name of Mr. Brown from Argos operated the mill. The engine ran the sawmill and also was belted to a pitcher pump that pumped water into a storage tank so the engine had water to make the steam. The storage tank was mounted on a wagon so it could be pulled by a team of horses to the next job.
A man by the name of Glenn Alderfer skidded the logs from the woods to the mill with a team of big horses. Mr. Alderfer lived in the first house south of the mill on the bank of Zink Lake.
Many Saturdays were spent at the sawmill by Von and his cousin Carl. The boys stayed with their grtandparents and early Saturday morning the boys packed their lunch and started across the field walking to the mill. This was a big experience for boys 12 and 10 years old. A shack was just north of the sawmill at the foot of "Hog Back Hill."
This was where the noon hour was spent eating and talking to Mr. Brown about his sawmill experiences. The shack was hardly a good wind break. It was made out of rough lumber and covered with tar paper. Inside the shack was a wood-burning pot-bellied stove to keep warm by. Some of the men cut logs all week long, staying in the shack at night and then went home for the weekend.
Hog Back Hill was just a high hill looking like a giant hog's back. Standing any place on the shores of Zink Lake, looking north and using your imagination a little, you can see what looks like the back of a giant hog.
[Joseph Zink Family, Malcolm Miller, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

BROWN & CO., L. J. [Rochester, Indiana]
Stoves! Stoves! Largest Lot of Stoves ever brought to this town . . . George O'Harlan (successor to L. J. Brown & Co.) Tin Shop. . . Shop in the South Room of Wallace's New building. . . George O'Harlan, Rochester, March 27, 1858.
[Rochester Gazette, Thursday, December 9, 1858]

BROWN & FRAME [Rochester, Indiana ]
John Kewney, having purchased the Rochester Foundry of Brown & Frame, is now prepared to furnish plows . . . Castings of any kind, made to order . . .
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 26, 1859]

BROWN, CHIPMAN & HOSMAN [Rochester, Indiana]
BROWN-CHIPMAN-HOSMAN NEW COUNTY LAW FIRM
Announcement of formation of a new local law partnership was made Thursday, although it had been known unofficially for several days in certain circles. The new firm will be known as Brown, Chipman and Hosman, and will have offices in both Rochester and Akron. The members are Selden J. Brown of this city, and Albert Chipman and DeWitt Hosman of Akron. The new partnership will be in operation Jan. 1.
The Rochester office of the firm will be in the Masonic building, and the Akron office will be in the Exchange Bank building.
Attorney Brown, a graduate of the law school of the Rochester, N.Y., University, has been a practicing attorney for eleven years, four of which he was prosecutor of Fulton and Marshall counties and two of which he was deputy prosecutor. He is well known as having participated in a number of leading cases here.
Mr. Chipman is a graduate of Northwestern University, and has been in Akron since 1919 in law practice. He served in the world war.
Mr. Hosman, former owner and editor of the Akron News, is a graduate of DePauw University and attended the University of Washington, and the law school of the University of Chicago.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, December 24, 1925]

BROWN GREENHOUSES [Rochester, Indiana]
MICHIGAN FLORIST BUYS STEGEMAN GREENHOUSES
A business deal of considerable import was recently transacted in this city whereby Alfred H. Brown, of Holland, Mich., becomes the owner of the Stegeman Greenhouses, which are located in the northwest section of Rochester.
Mr. Brown, who is of middle age, stated he has been engaged in the greenhouse business throughout his entire life. For many years he was engaged in the floral business at Muncie, Ind.
The new proprietor states he will feature all kinds of flowering plants, potted goods, cut flowers, floral pieces, landscaping and shrubbery. Mr. Brown also added that he is laying plans for enlargintg the greenhouses in the near future.
The former owner, Carl Stegeman has gone to Texas, where he plans to make his future home.
Mr. And Mrs. Brown and their two children have already taken up their residence at 147 Fulton avenue.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, November 3, 1939]

BROWNIE'S DRUG STORE [Rochester, Indiana]
FLOYD BROWN PURCHASES THE SCHULTZ DRUG STORE
Floyd (Brownie) Brown announced today that he has purchased the Schultz Drug Store, which is located [616 Main Street] in the Char-Bell theatre building, this city.
Mr. Brown recently resignedhis position at the Blue Drug Store, where he was employed as manager for the past four and a half years. Mrs. Lucille (Schultz) Irvine, former owner of the Scdhultz Drug Store has gone to LaPorte, Ind. Where she will reside with her husband, Barrett Irvine.
The new owner states he will strive to keep his new store in pace with other modern drug stores in this section of the state.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, October 3, 1938]

BROWNIE'S DRUG STORE TO HOLD FORMAL OPENING
After several weeks of intensive planning and improvement, Floyd Brown, proprietor of the Brownie's drug store, announces that the formal opening of this store will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3.
The store, which is situated in the Char-Bell Theatre building and formerly owned by Mrs. Lucille (Schultz) Irwin, has undergone complete remodeling and many new fixtures and compartments have been added. The pharmacy carries a large line of drugs, sundries, cosmetics, etc., in fact everything that may be found in the modern city drug store.
Mr. Brown, proprietor of the store, has been engaged in the drug business in this city for nearly eight years. In his employment are two registered pharmacists, John McClung and Elmer Miller and clerks Barbara Darr and Bob Tracy.
The store will be open early Saturday a.m. for the formal opening and an open reception will be conducted throughout the entire day and late Saturday night. A picture of the new drug store appears elsewhere in this edition of The News-Sentinel.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, December 1, 1938]

MICHIGAN MAN PURCHASES DRUG STORE AND FIXTURES
Reid Erdmann of Grand Rapids, Mich., purchased the entire stock of drugs, accessories and fixtures of the Brownie drug store of this city at a receiver's sale, held here Friday.
Mr. Erdmann, a registered pharmacist who has been associated with the Muir Drug Company stores for a numer of years plans to reopen and restock the drug store which is located in the Times Theatre building of this city. The new proprietor stated he planned to have his business in operation by Tuesday or Wednesday of coming week.
Mr. and Mrs. Erdmann and their three children will take up permanent residence in this city as soon as a suitable house is available. Erdmann's family will come here from Reynolds, Ind. The sale was conducted by Harold C. McClain of Fort Wayne, who was named receiver for the Brownie drug store several weeks ago.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, July 3, 1943]

BRUBAKER, CLAUDE [Rochester, Indiana]
NEWS OF THE DAY
Having decided to seek another location Fred Craven, the north end barber, sold his shop yesterday afternoon to Claude Brubaker, who has been working in the Arlington barber shop about two years. Mr. Craven has been in business at that place for the last ten years, and has always enjoyed a good patronage and it was quite a surprise to many of his friends that he should wish to move away. Mr. Brubaker is a first class barber and will continue to give patrons of the shop the best of treatment as they have always received.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 8, 1907]

BRUBAKER, DEVERN [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Devern Brubaker)

BRUBAKER, J. WALTER [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Brubaker Garage
See: Brubaker's Market
See: Louderback Garage
__________

BIOGRAPHY
Joel Brubaker, farmer, P.O. Green Oak, son of Abraham and Martha A. (Parker) Brubaker, the former born in Virginia in 1811, and the latter in 1815. The subject of our sketch was born in Carroll County, Ind., April 11, 1842. When a lad he became a resident of Cass County, and was educated at Logansport. In 1859, he removed with is parents to Miami County, where he continued to reside until 1866, when he became a resident of Fulton County. He was married, Augst 14, 1864, to Lavanda I. Deniston, a native of Ohio, born June 26, 1844. She is he daughter of E. A. and Mary A. (Jordan) Deniston, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Virginia. This union has been blest with six children--Mary E. C., born July 6, 1865; William H., born January 31, 1869; Arthur A. W., born July 7, 1871; Omer F., born December 27, 1874; John W., born January 10, 1877; and Maud, born November 27, 1880. Mr. Brubaker resides in Section 32. His farm consists of 105 acres, and is under a high state of cultivation. He and his worthy lady are members of the Baptist Church, and are universally respected by all who know them.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 28]

BIOGRAPHY
John W. Brubaker, proprietor of Rochester Buick Company is one of the representative business men of Fulton county, one of its native sons who has found it profitable to remain within its borders. Mr. Brubaker was born on a farm in this county in 1877, the son of Joel and Lavanda (Deniston) Brubaker. Reared on the farm it was only natural that he should adopt that calling when he reached manhood. He acquired his education in the public schools and when sixteen years of age found employment on a farm, receiving ten dollars a month for his services. Later he engaged in farming for himself and continued in this until 1916 when he became proprietor of Rochester Buick Company, the leading enterprise of its kind in the city. He has a finely equipped garage and repair department, an up-to-date filling and service station where every accommodation and courtesy is extended to his patrons. Mr. Brubaker established his home when he married Miss Lula Haimbaugh, a native of Fulton county, a daughter of A. J. Haimbaugh whose record appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Brubaker have two children, Mabel and Jackson.
[Henry A. Barnhart, Fulton County History, pp. 156-157, Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1923]

BRUBAKER, JACOB [Richland Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Jacob Brubaker, farmer, P.O. Richland Center, born April 14, 1824, in Preble County, Ohio; after making some changes in location he settled in this county, 1858. He was married, June 23, 1853, in Cass County, Ind., to Sarah A. Dudgeon, a native of Pennsylvania, born April 16, 1833. Their children are: William H., born Octoer 14, 1854; Eli D., Born January 17, 1856; Samuel S., born October 7, 1857; Mary J., born Fevbruary 8, 1860, deceased October 17, 1865; Tillina D., June 9, 1862; Susanna, August 16, 1864; Sarah L., September 29, 1866; Lucinda C., January 30, 1871, deceased August 21, 1872; Jacob F., born April 23, 1873, and Rachel J., born December 2, 1875, deceased July 20, 1878. Mr. B. owns a good farm of 162 acres of land, and is one of the substantial citizens of his neighborhood. His father, Samuel Brubaker, is a native of Virginia, born in the year 1802; he married Elizabeth Weimer, born in Virginia July 22, 1802; they settled in Ohio at an early date, and deceased in Cass County October, 1857; they were the parents of thirteen children. Selah Dudgeon, the father of Mrs. Brubaker, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in the year 1801; he married Miss S. Deems; they settled in Cass County, Ind., in the year 1840; she died October, 1865.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 52]

BRUBAKER, KENNETH [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Kenneth Brubaker)

BRUBAKER, ROY D. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Roy D. Brubaker)

BRUBAKER & HISEY HARDWARE [Rochester, Indiana]
LEAVES HARDWARE AFTER THIRTY YEARS
A deal was completed Wednesday whereby Joel Stockberger, for nearly 20 years a local hardware merchant, disposed of his interest in the Stockberger and Hisey Hdw., cor. Main and 9th sts., to Walter Brubaker, brother-in-law of Lee Hisey, the other partner. Mr. Brubaker and "Bink" Stinson, auto agents, will sever their relations and the former will enter his new business Nov. 1, taking with him the agency for one of the popular cars he has helped handle. Mr. Stockberger will retire from business for the present.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, October 11, 1916]

NEW GARAGE
The Hisey and Brubaker Hardware is erecting a large cement block garage at the rear of their present location, cor. Main and 9th Sts.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, November 11, 1916]

BRUBAKER DAIRY [Rochester, Indiana]
BRUBAKER DAIRY IS SOLD TO JOHNSON DAIRY
Arrangement was made today that the Brubaker Dairy operated by Claude Brubaker has been sold to Ford Johnson, owner of the Johnson Dairy at 110 East Seventh street.
The transfer was made today and the Johnson Dairy is now serving all of the customers of the Brubaker Dairy. Mr. Johnson has contracted to purchase all of the milk from the Brubaker herd.
Statements by Mr. Brubaker and Mr. Johnson as to the sale are found in the advertising columns of The News-Sentinel.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, May 6, 1937]

BRUBAKER GARAGE [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] Genuine Goodyear BALLOON TIRES at BRUBAKER'S GARAGE.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, April 22, 1924]
See J. Walter Brubaker
See: Louderback Garage

BRUBAKER'S MARKET [Rochester, Indiana]
J. W. BRUBAKER BUYS ADAMS' MEAT MARKET
The Earl Adams meat market, 900 South Main street, was sold today to J. Walter Brubaker, owner of the Brubaker Garage. Mr. Adams, who has operated the market for the past several years, plans to move on the Adams farm located along the Tippecanoe river northwest of this city, in the spring. The retiring proprietor has been in ill health for the past several months and it was due to this fact that he decided to return to the farm.
Mr. Brubaker, who is also owner of the building which houses the meat market, has secured the services of Walter McGuire, an experienced meat market operator, to manage the market, and business will be conducted along the same methods as those extended the public by the retiring owner. The new management, however, stated today that they would in addition to their high quality shipped-in meats, also feature choice cuts of home-killed meats.
Harold Newcomer, who was employed by the Adams market, will be employed by Cloud & Sons in their meat department. A new assistant meat cutter will be employed by Brubaker to fill the vacancy.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, February 10, 1936]

[Adv] BRUBAKER'S MARKET, 900 Main St., Phone 217. Free Delivery - - - Home Killed Meats - - - - Fresh Fruits and Vegetables - - - - Open until 10 a.m. Sunday.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, June 26, 1936]

BRUBAKER MARKET SOLD TO STANDARD PACKING CORP.
Walter Brubaker announced today that he has sold his meat market at the [SW] corner of Main and Ninth streets to the Standard Packing Corporation of Kokomo who have taken possession. The transfer was made this morning.
The Standard Packing Corporation operates a chain of meat markets in northern and central Indiana using only meats which are killed by them at the slaughter houses in Kokomo.
Other cities in which the Standard Packing Corporation has stores are Logansport, Peru, Wabash, Delphi and Monticello. The stores are operated as Regal Stores which is a cooperative buying organization.
The Standard Packing Corporation will not only carry a complete line of meats in the former Brubaker Market but also a full line of groceries.
Paul Randall, Kokomo, who has been employed in Regal Stores in various Indiana cities for the past thee years has been named manager of the Rochester store.
Mr. Brubaker will continue to operate his garage at 913-915 South Main Street and to manage his farm south of this city in Road 25.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, April 22, 1938]

BRUCE, ABRAHAM [Union Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Abraham Bruce, a young and enterprising farmer, residing in Union township, was born on the farm he owns and cultivates. The date of his birth was April 2, 1858. Mr. Bruce is a son of one of the pioneer settlers of Fulton county. He is a son of Abraham and Sarah A. Bruce. His father died in the year of 1874, at the age of sixty-three years, and was buried in Bruce's Lake Cemetery. Mr. Bruce's mother is still living and resides with him on the old homestead. Her maiden name was Sarah A. Hoch, daughter of Samuel and Helena Hoch. She was born in Union county, Pa., July 31, 1819. Her husband was born also in Pennsylvania, May 16, 1811. He and she were married in their native state in 1835, and emigrated to this county in the fall of 1837, and settled near Bruce's lake. In the spring of 1838 they located on the old homestead now owned by the subject of this mention. He entered eighty acres at first, then later entered other lands, and finally owned 1,160 acres at the time of his death. He was a blacksmith by trade, and together with farming followed his trade throughout life. He came to this county with the limited capital of $50, but he practiced industry, enterprise and frugality and by these means grew prosperous. Politically he was a republican. From an early date he and wife were members of the Evangelical church. Unto these hardy pioneers and respectable citizens the following children were born: Daniel, Isabella, Harriet, deceased; Sarah, deceased; Robert, deceased; Julia, deceased; Abraham, Stephen and Ella M. Abraham, like others of his brothers and sisters, was reared on the farm. He has always lived on the old home place and followed farming. In 1878 he married Mary E., daughter of George and Catherine Dellenger, of Pulaski county. Mrs. Bruce was born in Ohio, but when young was brought to Pulaski county by her parents. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce has been blessed by he birth of two children, viz., Arthur C. and another that died in infancy. Politically Mr. Bruce is a republican and both he and his wife are members of the Evangelical church.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, p. 44]

BRUCE, BENJAMIN [Aubbeenaubbee Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Jacob and Hettie Bruce, the parents of the subject of this sketch, were natives of the State of Pennsylvania, and among the early pioneers of Fulton County, Ind. In his native State the father was engaged at the tinner's trade, but in 1840 he came with his family to Fulton County, Ind., and located in Aubbeenaubbee Township. From that time until the close of his life, he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and by industry and good management accumulated a comfortable fortune and a large landed estate. He located in this township among the earliest settlers, and bore his share of the trials and hardships that marked the pioneer period. He was an enterprising, public-spirited man, and was always ready to perform his part in encouraging the public improvements of the county. He was never a politician, and never consented to serve in an official capacity, although a zealous Democrat and an earnest worker in the campaigns. His life was upright and honorable, and his dealings with his fellow-men were of a nature that always won for him their confidence and friendship. Few were more widely known, and none more universally respected. He died on the 13th of January, 1872, leaving behind him an honored name and a good record. The devoted wife who shared with him the discomforts of this region in its pioneer days, survived to enjoy the prosperity that crowned their united labors, and to witness the improvements that came with later years. She died on the 11th of September, 1871, having enjoyed in life the good will of all who knew her. Benjamin, the subject of this sketch, was born October 12, 1845, at the old homestead, in Aubbeenaubbee Township, Fulton Co., Ind. As soon as he was old enough to follow the plow, his services were in demand on the home farm, and by his daily routine of duties he became familiar with the details of farming, adpting that pursuit in later life as his chosen vocation. When twenty-three years of age, he was the possessor of a farm of 120 acres, and employed his time in the cultivation of this farm until after the death of his mother in 1871. He then returned to the old homestead, where he has ever since continued to reside. In connection with the pursuit of farming, he has been engaged, for he past twelve years or more, in raising live stock for the markets, selling annually large numbers of beef cattle. He is yet a young man, but by energy and industry has accumulated a comfortable amount of worldly wealth, and is recognized as one of the leading farmers of the community in which he resides. By an honorable and moral life, he has gained the confidence and esteem of all who know him, and by his fair dealing in matters of business has established the reputation of an honest man. He is enterprising and industrious, and has always proved himself the friend of public improvement by his readiness to assist, by contributions, all measures inaugurated with that end in view. On the 1st of October, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary J., daughter of William and Malinda Moon, who came o Fulton County at an early day, and located in Union Township, where they still reside. Mrs. Bruce is an excellent and amiable lady, and shares with her husband the warm esteem of numerous friends. They are the parents of four children, named, respectively, Jacob, William, Nellie and Hettie, all of whom are now living save William, the second son.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 33]

BIOGRAPHY
Benjamin Bruce, an ex-treasurer of Fulton county, was born in this county Oct. 12, 1845. In Sept. 8, 1798, Jacob Bruce was born in the state of Pennsylvania. His death occurred in Fulton county Jan. 13, 1872. Jacob was a son of John Bruce, born in Scotland. John Bruce, after coming to America, settled at Philadelphia, where he plied his trade, that of a tinner, grew prosperous and lived many years. He had several sons and daughters, of whom the following came to Fulton county, and here died. The first to come was Stephen Bruce, who came in 1837, and settled at the southeast corner of what is now called Bruce lake, in Union township. The lake received its name in his honor, but was called Kewanna by the Indians, in honor of one of their chiefs. In 1840 the above named Jacob Bruce came to the county and settled in the southwest corner of Aubbeenaubbee township. His sister and her husband, George Ultz, came to the county still later. In Pennsylvania Jacob Bruce married Hettie, a daughter of Christophal Wentzel, the father of Edward Wentzel, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Hettie Bruce, nee Wentzel, was born in Pennsylvania, Sept. 9, 1809. She died in this county, Sept. 11, 1871. She bore her husband the following offspring: Louisa, deceased; Edward, deceased; Mary deceased; Benjamin, the subject of this mention; Elizabeth, Caroline, deceased; and Elizabeth. The father of these children became an extensive farmer and was for many years one of the substantial and leading citizens of the county. On his old homestead the subject of this sketch now resides. He and his good wife were life-long members of the Evangelical church, and brought their family up in that church. Benjamin Bruce has always resided in Aubbeenaubbee township, and devoted his life to successful farming. In politics he has adhered to the principles of the democratic party. In 1890 he was elected treasurer of the county, an office he acceptably filled for one term, refusing to make a second race for the office. Oct. 1, 1868, Mr. Bruce married Mary J., daugher of William and Malinda (Lee) Moon, pioneer settlers in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce have had four children, viz.: Jacob, who lived to the age of nineteen years; Willie, who died one year old; Nellie, the one surviving child, and Hettie, who died aged nine years. Mr. Bruce has lived an industrious, moral and honest life, and has won the esteem of many friends.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 44-45]

BRUCE, DANIEL [Aubbeenaubbee Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Daniel Bruce. - Among the early settlers of this portion of Indiana were the parents and grandparents of the gentleman of whom we write. Abraham Bruce, the father, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was married there to Sarah Hoch, who still survives, and now resides on the farm cleared by her husband. In the hope of improving his fortunes, he set out with the tide of emigration, in 1837, to locate in the West. He first settled near the Black Swamp, in Ohio, but after a very brief sojourn in that locality he decided to move farther West with his family, and finally located in Fulton County, Ind. He made the journey with an ox team, accompanied by the family of his father, Stephen Bruce, arriving in September, 1837. While they were building log houses on their land, they made tents of the covers of their wagons, and for several weeks these tents were the only shelter the families had. To add to the other discouragements of their situation, the prairie fires burned off the grass, and the only provender left for the cattle was acorns; and, to prevent them from eaing these, Abraham, the younger of the two men, drove them to a point near Lafeyette, Ind., for the winter. While watching his cattle, he found employment at the blacksmith's trade, at which he was an expert, and thus earned a small sum of money with which to meet the immediate necessities of his situation. At the end of about six years, he removed to Winamac, Pulaski Co., Ind., and engaged, in partnership with others, to erect the first saw mill in that county. During his residence at this point, he was engaged in keeping tavern, at the same time working at his trade. He had made a farm wagon for one of his neighbors, and had it ready for delivery, and, as he supposed, left it in a safe place; but during the night some one maliciously set fire to the wagon and burned it. He had depended upon the money from this job to obtain necessary articles for his family, and after this last stroke of misfortune he decided to leave the locality in which it occurred. Returning to Fulton County, the began the improvement of his farm in Union Township. Here his industry met with a more satisfactory reward, and his fortunes began to improve. He enlarged the boundaries of his farm, by the purchase of adjacent lands, until he had a tract of 900 acres in th home farm. He died a comparatively wealthy man, and had the consciousness that his possessions were the legitimate result of honest toil. He was a good citizen, in the best sense of that term, and all who knew him honored and respected him. He was a member of the Evangelical Association, and of the Masonic fraternity. In all his dealings with his fellow men, he was governed by strict principles of honor and justice, and possessed the confidence and good will of all with whom he was associated in life. Mr. Bruce and wife were the parents of eleven children, viz.: Daniel, Isabel, Malinda, Helena, Harriet, Sarah, Julia, Elly May, Robert, Abraham and Stephen, of whom all now survive save Malinda, Helena and Robert. Isabel, the eldest daughter married John G. Troutman; Harriet married Samuel Hoffman; Sarah married Isaac Whitmer; Elly May married John Baker; Abraham married Mollie Dellinger; and Stephen, the youngest, married Loate Slonaker. Just as prosperity began to dawn on him, the war called for the services of loyal men, and he was among the number who left behind him his prospects and hopes for the defense of the Union. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private soldier in Company E of the Eighty-seventh Indiana Regiment, and served two years and eleven months. During the greater portion of this time he was engaged in the capacity of teamster, and was only once in line of battle. At Perryville, Ky., where most of the Union troops were captured, he escaped with his team, but was compelled to leave his wagon behind. After the expiration of his term, he returned and resumed work on his farm in Pulaski County, and has ever since devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. By industry he has accumulated a comfortable estate of 400 acres, and by an upright, honorable life, has won the confidence and esteem of all who know him. In October, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Hizer, daughter of Aaron Hizer, an early settler and prominent citizen of Union Township, Fulton County. She was his companion and helpmate in the days of his early struggles, and still lives to enjoy the prosperity that has crowned their labors. They are the parents of nine children, viz.: Naomi E., wife of W. A. Light, Alphar A., Aaron A, Emma A., James Otto, Manoa Milo, Cary, Jeremiah and Levi, of whom all now survive save Alphar, Aaron, Jeremiah and Levi. Daniel, his son, and the subject of this sketch, was born June 6, 1836, in Center County, Penn. He accompanied his father's family to Ohio, and later to Indiana, and was reared amid the hardships and disadvantages incident to pioneer life. By his early surroundings he became accustomed to hard work and industry, and the habits formed in boyhood have characerized his later life. His educational advantages in boyhood were quite limited, and he was compelled to rely mainly upon his own efforts for the acquisition of knowledge. He remained at home, assisting his father, until twenty-one years of age, and then started upon a career of his own, having received fom his father two steers and a colt as his capital. He rented a portion of his father's farm, and subsequently purchased forty acres. He was stong and self-reliant, and, realizing that he had his fortune to make, he devoted himself to the task with an energy that soon bore good results. From time to time he invested his savings in other land, until he had a large and fertile farm.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 33]

BRUCE, JOSEPH [Union Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Joseph Bruce. - A farmer of Union Township, was born in Union County, Penn., June 30, 1829. His father, Stephen Bruce, was born in Northampton County, Penn., and when a young man went out to Marion County, Penn., where he married Elizabeth Moyer, and raised a family of eight children. About the year 1823, his wife died in Union County Penn., and March 24, 1825, Stephen Bruce married a second time, his wife's name being Mary A. Ultz, of Buffalo Valley, Union Co., Penn. They raised a family of three children--Magdalena, Joseph and Julia Ann.
In the spring of 1837, Mr. Bruce, with his family, started for Ohio, staying a short time in Sandusky County, of that State, and a few months in Seneca County. Not being satisfied with Ohio, he pushed farther West, landing at the east end of what is now known as Bruce's Lake, September 24, 1837, where he entered from time to time a large tract of land, upon which he lived until he died, July 5, 1856, and was buried in Bruce's Lake Cemetery.
The mother died at the residence of Joseph Bruce June 18, 1857, and was buried by her husband's side. The subject of this sketch came to this State with his parents in 1837, and was married to Sarah Harpster, of Pulaski County, November 4, 1855.
Mrs. Bruce is the daugher of William and Catharine Harpster, who were natives of Union County, Penn.; were married in Seneca County, Ohio, and finally settled in Richland Township, of this county, where he died March 7, 1878. Mrs. Harpster is still living on the farm with her son, Bentville. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce are the parents of eight [sic] children, viz.: Mary E., Joseph W., Ellen A., Samuel A., Sallie J., Harriet D., John S., Minnie E. and Olean M.; five of these children are living, who are a great comfort to their parents, as they are intelligent and obedient. The severe trial in the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce came when they were called upon, within a few days of each other, to give up to the Master three oof their precious jewels, viz.: Harriet, John and little Olean. But the Master has said, "Of such is the kingdom of heaven," and they are comforted. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce are worthy members of the Evangelical Church, and Mr. Bruce has been Class Leader, Steward and Sunday School Superintendent for many years. Pleasant Hill Church of Bruce's Lake, is a monument to his efforts in serving his Master. He owns the farm on which he lives and is one of our most successful farmers. In politics he was formerly a Republican, but for the last few years he has voted with the Nationals.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 56]

BRUCE, SARAH A. [Union Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Mrs. Sarah A. Bruce, widow of Abraham Bruce, Sr., who died on the old homestead in Union Township, August 21, 1874, and was buried in Bruce's Lake Cemetery, was born, raised and married in Center Township, Union County, Penn. She was born July 31, 1819. Her husband was born May 16, 1811. They were married February 5, 1835, and emigrated to this county in the fall of 1837, and settled in the vicinity of Bruce's Lake. In the spring of 1838, they located where Mrs. Bruce yet resides. Abraham B. was the son of Stephen and Elizabeth Bruce. Mrs. Bruce, a daughter of Samuel and Helena Hoch. Mr. and Mrs. B. are the parents of eleven children--Daniel, Isabella, Sarah, Julia, Abraham, Jr., Stephen and Ella M., are living, the others are deceased. The children are all living near their mother in this and Pulaski Counties, except Sarah, who resides in Kansas. When Mr. B. came here and settled among the red men he was quite poor, but by hard labor at the anvil he was enabled to gather a few dollars together, which he invested in land, and by so doing year after year, he acquired a large estate, which he left unincumbered and highly improved, to his family. Mr. and Mrs. B. were members of the Evangelical Church.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 56]

BRUCE BROS. [Rochester, Indiana]
BUSINESS REVIEW OF ROCHESTER MERCHANTS
There is no one establishment in this section more worthy of extended mention than this well known store which is so ably managed. They are known as the leading dealers in high grade wall paper and paint in Fulton county.
This store is one of the most commodious and well stocked places in its line in Rochester. The large business it has built up is due to the careful and conscientious methods employed in the conduct of the business. When it comes to wall paper, paints, oils, stains, varnishes and paint brushes, they have a fine selection of colors that is equalled by none in the city, comprising everything from the cheapest to the very best. Their line runs from the cheapest kitchen paper to the better grades.
Better have that inside decorating done right away as you do not have to look around for paper hangers and painters. A phone call will bring a representative to your home or place of business. Located south of court house.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, August 17, 1922]

BRUCE GROCERY [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv. - Give me a chance to prove to you that I can save you money on your Saturday's groceries. Full line of fresh fruits and vegetables. E. J. Bruce. Swartwood's old stand.]
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 27, 1923]

SMALL BLAZE AT BRUCE GROCERY WEDNESDAY
Fire, believed to have originated from a box of matches which either fell off the shelf or had been chewed by mice or rats, caused $50 to $60 damage Wednesday evening at 8:30 o'clock in the Elza Brue grocery store, corner Ninth street and Franklin avenue. The blaze, which was centered about the floor under the telephone, but some distance from the stove, was extinguished with chemicals before much damage had resulted.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, January 17, 1924]

BRUCE LAKE [Union Township]
Located 1200W and approximately 100N to 200N.
Originally called Lake Kee-waw-nay, [in Potawatomi it means prairie chicken] where signing of treaty with Chief Kewanna was made in 1837.
After the Potawatomis were removed Aug. 23, 1837, the lake became known as Bruce's Lake, because of the Stephen Bruce family that settled there, Sept. 24, 1837.
Bay Town was platted Nov. 5, 1902 by Harrison Wynn.
The town had 14 lots and four streets: Railroad, Main, Pearl and Madison.
Bay Station located at the town.
The post office, established in 1902, was called Bay, Indiana, with Abraham Bruce as the first postmaster.
Cincinnati, Richmond & Muncie R.R. was there in 1902. It was later known as the C. & O.

During the year 1837, Stephen Bruce, Sr., and his sons, Abraham Bruce and Stephen Bruce, Jr., came to Union Township and settled at Lake Kee-waw-nay [prairie chicken]. Chief Kee-waw-nay and his band had moved West August 23, 1837. The lake was known to white settlers as Bruce Lake. Frederick Mohler later erected a cabin in the woods in the same year.

Bruce Lake still is a thriving resort. The summer population is about 10 times greater than the winter population.
In 1976 Pat Bronson opened the Lion's Den restaurant in the old Lake Bruce Hotel. The hotel closed around 1930 and John Quirk converted it into a residence. The old Lakeview Hotel is now a residence, too. Formerly operated by Harry Hunneshagen, the Lakeview Hotel serves as home to his daughter, Mrs. Bill Werner and family.
The Hoosier Hide-Away, owned by Richard Moore, has 70 mobile homes in its trailer court and an amusement center. It also has outdoor church services in summer. Before WW-2 when Charles Showley owned this building, he had a dance hall called Oriental Gardens which featured name bands as did the Colonial and Fairview hotels at Lake Manitou. Showley had the highest and biggest toboggan in the state.
The Trading Post was another Bruce Lake store and restaurant, for many years owned by a huge man named John Dellinger. After he died, Al Speece ran the trading Post for a few years but it closed in the 1960's.
Today Bo's Marina, the Switch factory (formerly Bruce Products until the spring of 1976, Jay Hood's blacksmith shop (he repairs farm machinery instead of shoeing horses), and the Wade Ill log lodges are the town's business.
Bruce Lake should not be confused with Bruce Lake Station, which was a tiny town on the Pennsylvania Railroad two miles east of the lake. This was an older town because this railroad was built in 1884 and the post office, called Bruce Lake, was operating in 1855 with Benneville Stamm as postmaster.
[Bruce Lake and Delong, Shirley Willard, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]
__________

NEWS OF THE DAY
Bruce Lake is to be boomed by the C. C. & L. railroad. A dam has been put in the outlet of the lake by which the water in the lake has been raised fully three feet, making it a beautiful sheet of water. Cottages are to be built on its borders and a strong effort made to make it a famous summer resort for Chicago and Cincinnati people. - - - -
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 12, 1907]

BRUCE LAKE
Kewanna Herald.
The C. C. & L. depot at Lawton was moved to Lake Bruce on 2 flat cars Sunday. The railroad has been promising the lake people a depot for three or four years -- but were as slow about making good as Carnegie is about dying poor.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 20, 1909]

BRUCE LAKE BOOM
The Kewanna Herald prints a picture of a magnificent new hotel which is to be erected at Bruce Lake this summer and has the following to say of the enterprise:
"One of the biggest enterprises that ever came down any of the pikes hereabout is that now being managed by Keene & Mather of Chicago, which provides for the erection of a mammoth hotel at Lake Bruce at once. The vicinity of Kewanna will have one of the nicest summer resorts in the state when the hotel and adjoining amusement park are completed. This lake, which has always been very popular with our folks, will be improved by this modern hotel to be built on the property formerly owned by the C. C. & L. Railway on the south side of the lake. This plat contains 15 acres and will be made into one large park, with baseball grounds, row boats, and everything up to date. The C. C. & L. people have just completed a new station at this point, besides being instrumental in locating the fish hatchery which will keep the lake always supplied with fish. Messrs. Keene and Mather, the gentlemen from Chicago who have charge of the proposition, state that it will be one of the biggest things that ever happened to Kewanna as the people who will live at the Lake in the summer will all patronize Kewanna merchants and besides the transportation the C. C. & L. will give, it is also planned to have an automobile bus make regular trips between the lake and Kewanna. One of the disadvantages of the lake has been the inability of its two hotels to handle the crowds which drift in during the hot weather. This new hotel, which is to be erected by the Lake Bruce Hotel Co., is to have sixty rooms and a dining room which will accommodate 200 people. The Hotel Company is an Indiana corporation, capitalized for $50,000. The electric lines of the state that have headquarters at Indianapolis have all arranged to give special rates to the lake, with the clientele from Chicago, Peru, Cincinnati, Marion, Muncie, Logansport, Indianapolis, Kokomo and all other points on the electric lines and the C. C. & L. and connecting railways it will be readily seen that a hotel at this point will be a big money maker. The Herald will be pleased to keep its readers posted on the progress of this enterprise."
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, May 21, 1909]

BRUCE LAKE
Kewanna Herald.
Chas. Showley is just completing a fine large addition to the Lake View hotel at Lake Bruce. This addition is modern in every respect.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, May 22, 1909]

JORDAN AND BAIRD ELEVATOR RAZED AT EARLY HOUR TODAY
The first fire of importance ever at Lake Bruce totally destroyed the Jordan and Baird elevator on the north side of the town, just north of the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad tracks, at 3 a.m. Saturday morning at a loss estimated at $15,000. In addition to the building, 500 bushels of oats and large quantities of feed and fertilizer were consumed by the flames. The origin of the blaze is undetermined.
The fire was discovered by George Compton, a trucker. Help was summoned from Kewanna, but the force of men which came from that town arrived too late as the fire, when discovered, had gained too great a headway to be stopped.
Bruce Lake has no fire fighting equipment, and the big building, owned by L. H. Jordan of Chicago and S. Baird of Kewanna, burned to the ground within a half an hour. Flames, however, driven by a wind from the west, were kept from the Charles Showley home, and only the Al Shine cottage, other than the elevator, became ignited. The Shine blaze was put out quickly.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Saturday, March 28, 1925]

BRUCE LAKE DAM [Lake Bruce]
See Lake Bruce
__________

BRUCE LAKE
Kewanna Herald:
The actual work of building a dam across the outlet from Bruce Lake was done Wednesday by farmers of the community. Two hundred loads of rock were hauled and fifty more to complete it were expected yesterday. Hay and dirt were mixed with rock and a mound 15x65 feet was built across the outlet. It is expected that the surface will rise three feet.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, June 10, 1905]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The dam which was constructed several months ago at the outlet to Bruce Lake sprang a leak late last week or early this week, and the surface of the lake shows a change already. The original idea was to raise the surface three feet. It had gotten up twenty inches or more, all the sand bars, which prevented easy boating, were entirely covered and the lake was beginning to resume its old time appearance.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, November 10, 1905]

BRUCE LAKE
Kewanna Herald.
The new dam that was recently put in to enlarge Bruce lake has raised the water to such a height as to flow over the road north of the bridge and it has washed a gutter about sixteen feet wide and seven feet deep, making the road impassable.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 6, 1909]

BRUCE LAKE DAM
The farmers around Bruce Lake are determined to lower that body of water, which they insist is damaging their farm lands, and the C. C. & L. Railroad is equally determined to keep the water up and make the lake a popular summer resort.
It will be remembered that the dam was blown out and rebuilt several weeks ago, and again Friday persons unknown placed a charge of dynamite in the newly rebuilt concrete dam and blew out a space of six feet right in the center. The water in the lake dropped five inches by Friday afternoon before a construction crew of the C. C. & L. arrived on the scene and stopped the raging waters with a temporary dam. The matter was kept as quiet as possible in the hope that some information might leak out which would enable the officials to arrest the parties. The railroad is now putting in another concrete dam and say that they will rebuild as often as necessary and will maintain an armed guard to protect their property, if the destruction continues. They are also taking measures to discover who is guilty of wrecking the dam on previous occasions and it is not unlikely that arrests will follow.
A Kewanna man informed the Sentinel that practically nine-tenths of the people around the lake were in favor of the dam, are anxious to see the lake grow to be a popular resort and appreciate the efforts of the C. C. & L. toward that end. A few farmers, however, whose farms adjoin the lake insist that the dam causes an overflow that damages their property to a great extent, and that the advantages of a summer resort will not offset their loss of tillable soil. A number of the farmers are prominent men of the county and it will be a serious matter to accuse any one of them of taking unlawful measures to do away with the dam, but the railroad officials and a number of citizens who favor the resort are satisfied that someone is guilty of the destruction and are taking measures to find the party or parties.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, May 20, 1909]

BRUCE LAKE
Kewanna Herald.
John A. Barnett spent part of Monday and Tuesday at Indianapolis where he filed a petition with the land department asking for survey and re-establishment of the meandered lines around Bruce lake.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, May 22, 1909]
PICKING AT DAM
The Bruce Lake dam trouble that has caused considerable agitation in Union township lately is destined to grow even stronger by the fact that 18 inches of the dam were taken off Friday by Linn Overmyer, one of the farmers whose land is overrun by water backing up from the dam.
It is said that Overmyer claims to be backed in his action of Friday by the advice of an attorney and experts that he may have to resort to the use of dynamite to accomplish the removal of sufficient amount of the obstruction to insure safety to his land.
The action of Overmyer has caused a hubbub of excitement among the people of that section who are in favor of the dam. The recent dynamiting of the dam by parties unknown wrought the citizens up to fever heat and it is probable that some legal steps may be taken to stop further destruction of the dam.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, June 12, 1909]

NEW DAM SURVEY
Kewanna Herald.
The Bruce Lake dam is out again.
The Auditor of state has ordered a new survey and plat of the lake to be made by Willis H.Ward, ex-county surveyor.
The above gives the dam situation in a nutshell. The temporary dam which was erected at the lake last week to repair the damage caused by Linc Overmyer taking off about eighteen inches with a pick axe and crowbar about two weeks ago, was torn out sometime Monday night. The planks and filling were in place Monday evening and the ground about the dam Tuesday morning indicated that several had worked on tearing it out. The dam is now about eighteen inches lower or about the same as before the last temporary dam was put in.
Parties from Kewanna have taken the matter before Deputy Prosecutor Floyd Mattice at Rochester but he is of the opinion that any prosecution will have to be brought in Pulaski circuit court as the dam is in that county.
The damage of tearing out the dam falls upon Fulton county property and where such a case should be brought is a question.
For several months parties have been working to have a new survey made of the lake by the state and now have succeeded in having the auditor of the state, Hon. John C. Billheimer take the matter up.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, July 10, 1909]

HE MADE GUN PLAY
The survey of Bruce Lake, which was ordered by auditor of State, Bilheimer and which is being made by ex-county surveyor Willis Ward and assistants, is now nearing a close.
An incident that happened Friday looked quite serious for a while. The surveyor's gang was on the north side of the lake and the instrument was on the farm of Henry Guise. The chainmen, Carl Reno and Russel Mills and Willie Ward, flagman, were on the farm of ex-county treasurer Benj. Bruce. Mr. Bruce saw the men on his land and yelled at them to get off. However, he was so far away they didn't hear what he said and consequently didn't go. Mr. Guise then went to the house and getting his shot gun went to where the boys were working and emphasized his remarks in a manner that gained his point. Bruce then went to Mr. Ward and had a little talk in which Ward soon told him where he was wrong and the men were allowed to go ahead with their work.
The work of surveying is very nearly through to the original meander line and it takes off strips of land in some places as deep as 400 feet. The land which the receded water leaves belongs to the state and many acres will be reclaimed by the survey. Linc Overmyer, who has been one of the persistent objectors to the dam on account of water backing up on his land will have a strip cut off from his hay, corn and oats fields by the survey. Henry Guise will also lose by the new line. Land that he had claimed has been sold for lots on the Lake front and will have to be settled for to the state. Many other instances of land claiming has been found around the lake.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, July 17, 1909]

DAM BLOWN AGAIN
The Bruce Lake neighborhood was thrown into a nervous state of excitement again Wednesday, when it was learned that the Bruce Lake dam had been blown out again.
The latest move on the part of those opposed to the dam occurred Wednesday morning at 12:30 o'clock and the dynamite explosion was heard for miles around. When daylight came hundreds of enraged citizens visited the scene and it was discovered that a break seven foot wide and five and one-half foot deep had been made. As this hole reached to the bottom of the dam, water in tremendous volumes poured out of the Lake and flooded the lowlands for miles.
There is no positive knowledge as to the perpetrators of this last offense but everyone in that community has their own opinions as to the guilty party and if the fact becomes absolute proof, the person or persons will be summarily dealt with.
When officials of the C. C. & L. R.R. Co., heard of the blow-out, they declared that the dam would be maintained if they had to employ mounted police to patrol the dam, day and night.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, July 29, 1909]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Kewanna Herald.
A petition was circulated this week and was signed by everyone who saw it -- asking that the land between the low water mark of Bruce Lake and the meander line established by the Ward survey be made a public park. It will be forwarded to the state officers as the petition is signed by almost every voter in this vicinity.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, August 2, 1909]

OTHER SIDE OF IT
The Winamac Republican prints the following interview with Attorney Geo. W. Holman, of this city, in reference to the dam at Bruce Lake:
Atty. George Holman of Rochester whom the Republican editor met between trains at North Judson one day last week, presents a new side to the Bruce lake dam matter that gives a different color to the whole situation.
"Some years ago the people of Bruce lake neighborhood and above Bruce lake petitioned for a ditch," said he, "which was in time legally established and constructed. The ditch brings much water from above the lake, and extends through the outlet and on to the river. The people about the lake helped construct the drain They permitted the people from above to dump their water into the lake and all together they contributed to pay for the outlet to carry the water to the river." Continuing, Mr. Holman said, "When someone came along and erected a dam at the outlet of Bruce Lake, they obstructed a public ditch. The people who constructed this ditch for drainage purposes are damaged when a dam is put in their public drain that permits the water to come down upon them from above, and does not permit it to go on its way without obstruction through the regularly and legally established ditch."
If Atty. Holman's version of the affair is correct, and there appears to be no reason for doubting it, the outlet will have to be kept down to the specifications shown in the public ditch of which it is a part.
Returning to the recent state survey, Mr. Holman says the talk of the state selling the land along the shore of the lake left by the receding water, or of establishing a park there is all a joke. "By more than one Indiana supreme court decision," said he, "it has become established that where a lake like Bruce lake recedes, that the abutting land owners own the newly made land added to their property by the lowering of the water's level."
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 6, 1909]

BRUCE LAKE DAM
Kewanna Herald.
The dam at the west end of Bruce Lake is now practically no dam at all, the parties interested in the destruction of the dam having put on the finishing touches. All that remains of the dam now is a wing on each side about three or four feed wide. The rocks and chunks of concrete have also been carried away and deposited across the road in a deep hole, about three hundred feet west of the dam.
No dynamite was used at this last attempt to completely destroy the work of the citizens of this part of the county and the C. C. & L. railroad. Instead it is evident that the wreckers used crow bars, pick-axes and similar instruments.
The outlet of the lake is now lower than before the dam was put in and a great volume of water is pouring out day and night. The first day after the remaining portion of the structure was destroyed the lake dropped about three inches and has been receding ever since. It is more than probable that it will go beyond the low water mark which will endanger the fish in the lake.
No attemt has been made to stop the flow of the water with the exception of the men in charge of the government fish broodery placing a large number of heavy rocks in the current to break the force and possibly help keep the fish from being carried out of the lake.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, September 18, 1909]

DAM IS FINISHED
Kewanna Herald.
What is thought will prove to be a happy ending of the unpleasant feelings existing among the property owners about Lake Bruce, has been brought about in the lowering of the level of the new dam built there last week.
Parties who were interested in the matter and wished to settle the difficulty so that all would be pleased had county Drainage Engineer W. K. Stephenson survey the lake last Wednesday and establish a level for the dam which was fixed at the bottom of the ditches emptying into the lake on the north side.
The dam, ordeed by the state board of health, was built under the supervision of Health Officer Dr. Thomas of Winamac, by John A. Barnett, acting agent for Dr. Thomas, by D. D. Troutman and three others. It is of concrete six feet thick and has an oval top. The dam will raise the lake about twelve inches.
When the workmen pitched their tents and prepared to go to work constructing the dam one property owner in the vicinity threatened to be bad, and told the workmen if they continued with the dam they would get a dose of lead. One night when one of the men was watching the dam that no damage would be done to it, the same party who had threatened the workman told the watcher he had better leave there or he would be shot. Since the dam has been completed, this man has told Contractor Troutman that he will tear the dam out if the water raised above the road to the log cabin.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, May 20, 1910]

SQUABBLE RAISED
The Bruce lake vendetta is being revived it seems. The outlet dam is not the thing of contention now, as it was two or three years ago -- though the frequent use of that little word in conversations about the matter might easily lead a stranger to think so.
In truth, however, the dam has done its share in again "starting something," because by its being lowered the water in the lake has been lowered correspondingly, thereby uncovering the new "bone of contention."
The receding of the water bared a strip of ground a few feet or at most a very few rods wide in the rear of some properties long held there -- extending from these properties, or what had been considered the lines of those properties, down to the edge of the lowered water.
Claiming this uncovered strip to be "state land" Charles Showley, a storekeeper at the lake bought or has claimed to have bought it from the state, the rumored price paid for it being $300 -- which may or may not be the correct amount.
After he got control of the strip, it is charged, "tariff-ic" methods were adopted. It seems that across the disputed strip is the favorite and most convenient way down to the water, and so Mr. Showley, as owner or controller of the strip, has to be reckoned with in matters pertaining to navigation of the lake. Those who oppose him charge that as long as visitors to the lake rent boats from him, all is serene and the water is free; but if the visitors choose to patronize some one else for boats or other supplies, and then attempt to cross the "strip" to reach the water, "the fight is on." Hence the insinuations that he uses the strip to put the pinch on others.
Of course in justice to him, it is fair to say that if he holds a state deed for the strip he apparantly has something to stand on -- some basis for his contention. But on the other hand, the people who have for years owned property abutting on the lake claim that their ground runs to the water, let it be high water or low water, and that they don't propose to give up without a fight what the lowered water has handed to them. And there you are. It seems a sure thing that a court decision will be necessary to settle the ownership question.
It has been reported this week that, in order to get the thing going in court, an affidavit is to be filed against Showley for trespass -- filed by one of the long-time property owners, the charge being that Showley is a trespasser when he goes upon and assumes authority over the strip of land in controversy.
The report came true this afternoon when a damage suit was filed in Fulton circuit court by Otto J. Bruce and Lillian Bruce vs. Charles E. Showley. The plaintiffs set forth that they are the owners of two lots on the shore of Bruce lake and that they have improved them greatly. They allege that on July 17, this year, the defendant with others unknown to them violently, with force and arms entered upon said lots, without plaintiffs' permission and dug holes in the lawn, thereby injuring the grass and holding possession for half a day. They further allege that a few days prior the plaintiff [sic] tore down a sign warning trespassers and then on July 22, again entered upon the real estate and attempted to prevent the erection of a sleeping cottage, threatening their arrest if they did not desist. For these reasons the plaintiffs ask for $50 damages and that during the pendency of the suit a temporary injunction be granted restraining defandant from interfering further at thehouse or at the boat landing.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 28, 1911]

BRUCE LAKE HOTEL [Lake Bruce, Indiana]
BRUCE LAKE HOTEL IS LEASED BY CASS CO. MAN
John Murphy of Chicago, owner of the Bruce Lake Hotel at Lake Bruce, who has operated it for five years, has leased the summer resort to B. J. Powell of Logansport. Mr. Powell is now making preparations to open the hostelry. Mr. Murphy, who is employed by the Yellow Cab company in Chicago, reached the decision to lease the hotel on advice of physicians who were caring for his wife.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, May 1, 1925]

BRUCE LAKE PARK [Lake Bruce, Indiana]
PLAN BRUCE LAKE PARK
A plan is now under headway which if carried out will give Bruce Lake visitors a beautiful park.
Henry Guise owner of the grounds on the north bank of the lake has made out plans for selling a number of lots directly on the lake front for the purpose of cottage building and also to throw open the grove back of the lots as a public park and place of amusement for the benefit of visitors to the resort. The grounds that are proposed to be made into a park are those used for the past many years as a picnic grove and is very popular among those who have visited the place. Of course the surroundings will be beautified by a general cleaning up of all that would be a hindrance to the good looks of the place and Mr. Guise will spare no expense in making the best of the opportunity to give Bruce Lake a boost. The plans were filed with Recorder F. E. Rouch, this morning.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, October 29, 1907]

BRUCE LAKE STATION [Union Township]
Located at 900W and 100N.
See: Lake Bruce
__________

BOUGHT PLANING MILL
Kewanna Herald.
Milo Smith, who resides north of Kewanna, and who has operated a saw mill at Bruce Lake station for several years, has purchased the Rochester planing mill of Frank Myers at Rochester and will move there to take possession sometime in August.
In the deal Mr. Smith also became owner of some valuable town property adjacent to the mill and Myers took the Smith farm north of here and Mr. Smith's threshing outfit. According to the contract of the sale Myers is to operate the thresher and fulfill the contracts made by Smith.
It is Mr. Smith's intention to retain the saw mill at Bruce Lake and will operate it as heretofore. With his many years of experience in this business there is every reason to believe that Mr. Smith will be successful and he expects to take up the manufacturing of furniture at a later date.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 15, 1910]

TRADES STORE
Guy Smith, well known Bruce Lake Station general merchant, has traded his business for a farm near Columbia City, to Harrison Crabill, a brother of Lester Crabill.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, December 23, 1916]

BRUCE LAKE STATION STORE-POSTOFFICE DESTROYED BY FIRE
One of the most destructive rural fires of the current year occurred at Bruce Lake Station shortly before 10 o'clock Thursday evening, where the general store, postoffice, auto service station and home, all combined in the two-story frame structure owned by Harrison Crabill, were completely destroyed. Loss, which was estimated close to $6,000, was only partially covered by insurance.
The blaze, which is believed to have originated from a defective electrical lighting plant at the rear of the building, was discovered by Mrs. Crabill who was awakened by the smoke and bright light which entered her bedroom, which is located in the second story of the building. After arousing her husband a general alarm was spread by phone throughout that community and scores and scores of people soon appeared on the scene and assisted in preventing the flames from spreading to neighboring residences.
Made Quick Headway
The fire had made such headway at the time of discovery that it was deemed useless to summon any fire fighting apparatus and neighbors were able to remove only a few pieces of the Crabill's household furniture. A small frame garage adjacent to the store was also destroyed by the blaze. However a truck and the Crabill's Pontiac sedan were removed to a place of safety.
Great anxiety was felt by those assisting in salvaging the few pieces of furniture as the flames licked dangerously near two large gasoline pumps and some tanks which were positioned at the front of the building, however these did not explode.
Among the contents of the store which were ruined was practically all of the evening's U. S. Mail which arrived at the station over the C. & O. at 6:30 o'clock. Close to a hundred dollars in currency, belonging to the U.S. postoffice department were also burned.
Neighbor Injures Arm
William Fansler, a farmer who resides near the Crabill home suffered a badly lacerated arm when he broke in one of the windows in an attempt to gain entrance to the burning building. He was removed to his home where a physician was called and attended the injury. Mr. Carbill aged 65, while trying to spread the alarm over phone, fainted and had to be removed from the building.
Due to the fact that there was no wind, the volunteer fire fighters experienced but little difficulty in preventing the flames from spreading to adjacent residences. The glare in the heavens, while the conflagration was at its heighth, could readily be seen for a radius of 15 miles, and spectators from Rochester, Kewanna, and Winamac were attracted to the scene.
Mr. and Mrs. Crabill are making their temporary residence at the home of their son-in-law, Edward Brooker, who resides at Bruce Lake Station. As this was the only store in the Bruce Lake community, it is thought quite probable that Mr. Crabill will erect another building and resume business in the same location. Pending his decision, the postoffice business is being conducted by Mr. Crabill at the Brooker residence.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, April 1, 1932]

WILL REBUILD STORE
Harrison Crabill has announced that he will rebuild the store at Bruce Lake Station, which burned recently. Today a gang of workmen were busy cleaning up the lot and getting ready for the new building.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, April 15, 1932]
__________

The town had two streets: one named Pig Tail Alley, because of the kink in it.
It was a stop on the Pennsylvania Railroad, between Logansport and Culver.
The railroad was built in 1884.
Post office was operating in 1855, and was called Bruce Lake.
Harrison Crabill ran a general store there for 16 years, [1917-April 1, 1932] in which he had an ice cream parlor, post office, cream station to buy cream from the farmers, and even his own Delco electric power plant. Upstairs was a stage and hall used by lodges and churches, and occasionally plays were performed there.
The building was originally owned by Mrs. Polly, who sold it to Elmer Smith before 1900. Harrison Crabill bought the store from Guy Smith in 1917.
The building contained seven rooms upstairs and seven rooms downstairs.
In one corner of the store, one of the downstairs rooms contained the post office.
The building burned April 1, 1932.
Other businesses in the town: Henry Zellers, blacksmith; Leonard Shriver, garage; Judd Crabill and Ed Brooker, well drillers; Heinz pickle factory, which was just a salting station open during the pickle season.
Donald Van Duyne, blacksmith for 60 years (third generation blacksmith in Fulton County), lived in Bruce Lake Station and had his shop there.
[Bruce Lake and Delong, Shirley Willard, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

BRUCE LAKE STATION POST OFFICE [Bruce Lake Station, Indiana]
Located100N and 900W, on Pennsylvania R.R.

BRUCE LAKE STATION POSTMASTERS [Bruce Lake Station, Indiana]
[NOTE: the records show the postmaster at Bruce Lake, not Bruce Lake Station]
Harrison W. Wynn, N.B. May 11, 1898. Lewis Wiesjohn, Mar 1, 1900.
Lewis Weisjohn, March 1, 1900. Lewis White, Mar 22, 1902.
Henry C. Adams, Apr 22, 1903. James W. Tunis, Apr 30, 1904. John W. Sickman, May 18, 1905. M.O Oct 7, 1907, NB Nov 7, 1908.
Elmer Smith, Oct 19 1910. Guy Smith, Dec 12, 1913.
Harrison Crabill confirmed May 10, 1917, commission signed May 22, 1917, assumed charge June 14, 1917, Res. Mar. 28, 1936 Ck. 4th.
Harold W. Nutt, confirmed May 10, 1935, commission signed May 18, 1935, assumed charge May 20, 1935, Res. Aug 1, 1936.
Mrs. Chloa Washburn, Act P.M. Sept 22, 1936, assumed charge Sept 17, 1936.. Confirmed Oct 6, 1936, commission signed Oct 19, 1936, assumed charge Oct 24, 1936, Res. W.O.P.
Mrs. Milfred Holloway, Act P.M. Apr 4, 1941, assumed charge Apr 1, 1941. Confirmed Apr 21, 1941, commission signed Apr 30, 1941, assumed charge May 1, 1941, Res. W. O. P.
Woodson Nelson, Act P.M. May 21, 1942, assumed charge May 18, 1942.
[Discontinued Dec. 18, 1942, Ef. as of Dec. 10, 1942. Mail to Kewanna]
[F.C.H.S. Files]

BRUCE PRODUCTS [Bruce Lake, Indiana]
In 1976 became the Switch factory.

BRUCE'S/BRUCE LAKE POST OFFICE [Bruce Lake, Indiana]
Located at Bruce Lake, Indiana.
Application for post office dated Sep 2, 1902, by Abraham Bruce.

BRUCE'S/BRUCE LAKE POSTMASTERS [Bruce Lake, Indiana]
Benneville Stamm, June 7, 1855. Jno. N. Snyder, Mar 29, 1872.
John N. Snyder, Mar 29, 18[??], T. Mooresburgh, Aug 28, 1876.
Amanda Lebo, Feb 1, 1887, Benneville Stamm, Nov 21, 1883.
Bennevill Stamm, N.S. Jan 26, 1886, Nov 21, 1883, Jacob Fansler, Apr 8, 1886, Apr 24, 1886.
Jonathan K. Smith of appointment - - - - June 7, 1892, Juna 24, 1889.
Allen B. McMillen July 23, 1892.
Abraham Bruce, Oct 1, 1902. Eli M. Barker, June 27, 1905.
[Bruce Lake June 27, 1895]
[F.C.H.S. Files]

BRUETTE & COLLINS BARBER SHOP [Rochester, Indiana]
Messrs Bruette & Collins would respectfully inform their customers that they have removed their Barber shop to the large and spacious room in the Mammoth Building, over Lyon & Kendrick's Dry Goods Store . . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, February 7, 1867]

BRUGH, GEORGE W. [Aubbeenaubbee Township]
BIOGRAPHY
George W. Brugh was born in Aubbeenaubbee township May 19, 1856. His father, Joseph Brugh, was born in Seneca county, Ohio, Sept. 28, 1822. He removed from Ohio to Steuben county, then to Fulton county, in which he settled on a farm adjoining the present farm of George W. Here his death occurred March 29, 1874. When he came to this county he came by wagon, and owned a span of horses, a wagon, and possessed but $2.50. He grew prosperous, and at the time of his death owned a good farm of 160 acres. His widow now resides with her son, James B. Brugh, whose personal sketch is given elsewhere in this work. Joseph Brugh became the father of ten children, viz.: George W., James B., Arabella, Albert M., Edward, Lillie, Elmer, Nannie, deceased; Lucy, deceased, and Laura. All the living children are residents of Fulton county. George W., the immediate subject of this personal sketch, remained at the parental home until he reached the age of twenty-three years. Oct. 30, 1879, he married Francis E. Hunter, daughter of Lane and Julia Hunter. This marriage has been blessed by the birth of three children, viz.: Virle, deceased; Harry O., and Oscar R., deceased. Mr. Brugh and his wife are members of the Methodist church, and in politics he has adhered to democracy. Though he began life as a poor man, Mr. Brugh has been very successful as a tiller of the soil and stockraiser.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 45-46]

BRUGH, JAMES B. [Aubbeenaubbee Township]
BIOGRAPHY
James B. Brugh, a son of Joseph Brugh and a brother of George W. Brugh, who is mentioned above, was born in Aubbeenaubbee township, Fulton county, on April 24, 1857. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty years of age, and worked on the farm with his father and brothers. He began life for himself at the above age, as a partner with his brother, George W., at farming. Subsequently the partnership was dissolved and since Mr. Brugh has farmed alone. He has prospered and now owns an excellent farm of 160 acres. His aged mother resides with him, as has been noted in the sketch of George, his brother. Mr. Brugh has always been a staunch democrat, politically. He is a member of the fraternal order known as the Knights of Maccabees. He is a representative citizen, industrious and persevering, and has won the reputation of being such in the estimation of all who know him.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, p. 46]

BRUMBAUGH, NOAH [Union Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Noah Brumbaugh, a representative farmer and citizen of Fulton county, is a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, and was born March 16, 1834. His parents were Isaac and Catherine (Zerkle) Brumbaugh. The father was born in West Virginia in 1803, and died at the home of the subject of this sketch, in this county, in 1884. He was a son of David Brumbaugh, who was of German parentage. Mr. Brumbaugh's mother was born in old Virginia. She bore her husband twelve children, of whom five are now living. The home of the family was in Fairfield county, Ohio. The father was a farmer by occupation and was a highly respected citizen. Noah Brumbaugh's youth was spent on the farm and farming has been his main pursuit. In youth his educational advantates were very poor, but through the avenues of books and papers he has become well informed on many subjects of general interest, and no man stands a warmer friend of education than does Mr. Brumbaugh. He remained under the parental roof until he was nineteen years old. Learning the carriage-maker's trade, he followed the same for about eight years, with the exception of the time he has been a tiller of the soil. At farming he has been very successful. He came to Fulton county in 1864, and located on his present farm near Kewanna. Mr. Brumbaugh and Maria Apt were united in marriage in 1862, in Fairfield county, Ohio, where she was born. Unto the union the following children have been born: Cora, once a teacher, now wife of William Mason, of Kewanna; Prof. Jesse F., graduate of DePauw university, now principal of Brown's Valley, Minn. schools; Orpha May, graduate of DePauw university, now teaching; Nevada, teacher; David, and Gertrude. Mr. and Mrs. Brumbaugh are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and enjoy the esteem of a wide circle of friends.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 46-47

BRUMFIELD HOTEL [Akron, Indiana]
See: Hotels - Akron Hotel
BRUNDIGE, GEORGE K. [Akron, Indiana]
GEORGE K. BRUNDIGE (Biography)
The next Recorder of Fulton county, George K. BRUNDIGE, was born near Roann, in Wabash county, and lived there for twenty-five years. Then he located in Akron and engaged in the hardware business but later made a change to a notary and collecting agent. He was nominated for Recorder by the republicans in 1894 and elected, but will not assume the duties of his office until next December. He married Miss Indiana WHITTENBERGER, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Jacob WHITTENBERGER, in 1886 and they own a pleasant residence.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

BIOGRAPHY
George K. Brundige, county recorder, was born in Wabash county, Ind., Aug. 17, 1859, a son of Uriah Brundige, born in Ohio in 1813, and died in 1879. His life work was devoted to agriculture and was passed largely in Wabash county. He was successful and accumulated a snug competency while yet in health. He was educated poorly, but possessed an active mind and kept himself well informed through current literature. John Brundige was his father, and a Scotch ancestry is directly referred to with much pride. Uriah Brundige married Elizabeth McGovern, wose children were: John Bundige, Missouri Valley, Iowa; William, died at twenty-two; Martha, married T. Porter, New Orleans, La.; Phoebe, died young; George K., Morton, Missouri Valley, Iowa; Byron, died young, and Novilla. Besides the ungraded schools George K. Brundige spent one year at Terre Haute, in order to better equip himself to battle with the world. He spent two years on a farm upon leaving school. He was then employed as a clerk in a hardware store, later worked for Patterson Bros. of Akron, this county, in the same capacity. In 1886 took the contract for getting out ties and other railroad stuff in this county for Powell & Lord, of Chicago. He engaged next in the insurance and real estate business, with a commission as notary public. In November, 1894, was elected to his present office by a majority of 105, and took his office a year later, for a term of four years. Aug. 27, 1886, Mr. Brundige married at Akron, Ind., Ina, a daughter of Jacob Whittenberger, of Pennsylvania German birth, whose wife was Mary McCloud. Mr. and Mrs. Brundige are the parents of one child, Harry I., born June 10, 1887, and died April 19, 1894. Mr. Brundige is making a record as a careful and efficient official, and renders satisfactory service as Fulton county's recorder.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, p. 47]

BRUNDIGE, INA [Akron, Indiana]
BIOGRAPHY
Mrs. Ina Brundige. The youngest child of Jacob and Mary S. Whittenberger was born at Akron, Indiana, April 26, 1864. She has lived in Fulton County all her life; she attended the public schools taking advantage of the opportunities afforded in that era of time. In August 1880 she was united in marriage with Geroge K. Brundige; one child was born to them, Harry Jacob, who died at the age of seven years in 1894.
Mr. Brundige was elected County Recorder on the Republican ticket in 1894, Mrs. Brundige served as Deputy, during the term; their place of residence was at Rochester while engaged as County officials.
At the expiration of four years they returned to Akron where they were companions of Mrs. Brundige's parents, who were in declining heralth. Mr. Whittenberger died February 8, 1900, age eighty-one years. They remained at the Whittenberger home with the mother who passed to the Great Beyond September 2, 1902, at the age of seventy-five years. Mr. Brundige sustained a fractured hip in December, 1906, from which he never recovered; his demise occurred January 6, 1909. The family residence was erected by Jacob Whittenberger in the year 1855. A small frame building erected about 1840 served as the pioneer home until the addition was built. The place is a landmark and a family residence in all that the term implies. It was the home of a pioneer and never occupied by any others than the Jacob Whittenberger family; this home was noted for its generous hospitality always open to the itinerant and was known throughout the North Indiana Conference as a stopping place for the traveling minister; in pioneer days the homeless and friendless found shelter and food to tide them over rough places and the hungry wayfarer was always fed.
In 1856 Mr. Whittenberger was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary McCloud Shelt. This was the second marriage for each of them as death had claimed their former companions. To this marriage two daughters were born, Mrs. Ella Noyer, a widow and Mrs. Brundige. They are occupying the family residence which is modernized in the way of electric lights and water privileges, which is, despite its sixty-seven years of age, a comfortable and substantial home in the corporate limits of Akron. The farm adjoining is operated by Donald O. Noyer, a son of Ella Noyer. Mrs. Noyer has two other children; they are Ralph W. Noyer, Ph.D., of the State GTeachers' College at Kearney, Nebraska, and Mrs. Chas. W. Westley of Brainard, Nebraska. Mrs. Brundige is an active member of Akron Methodist Episcopal Church and of Akron O.E.S., is a daughter of the American Revolution through the Joseph Sippy ancestral line and at present is the Historian of Manitou Chapter No. 840 N.S.D.A.R. Mrs. Brundige is entitled to four lines of Revolutionary ancestry but has only made effort to obtain the Sippy record who was a member of the French fleet commanded by General De Lafayette.
[Henry A. Barnhart, Fulton County History, pp. 167-168, Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1923]

BRYAN, CLEMENT EARL [Leiters Ford, Indiana]
CLEMENT EARL BRYAN VICTIM OF PNEUMONIA
Clement Earl Bryan, aged 21 years, passed away Sunday afternoon at two o'clock at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bryan, who reside north of Leiters Ford. The young man was a victim of pneumonia. Clement, who is a senior student at the Purdue university, became ill 17 days ago and was removed to the home of his parents a little over a week ago, where he was placed in an oxygen tent which was procured from the Culver Military Academy hospital.
The young man, who was a graduate of the Leiters Ford high school, and a former member of the Fulton County 4-H club had a host of friends among the young people of this county, and also at Purdue university where he was most popular in the activities of the university. Clement was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and was also a member of Purdue University's Golden Glove boxing team of 1936.
Clement Earl, son of Walter and Almeda Bryan, was born on a farm in Aubbeenaubbee township on February 18, 1916. He attended the Leiters Ford grade and high schools and upon graduating entered the Purdue university, where he was taking a course in Forestry and Military work. Clement would have graduated with the 1937 class at Purdue.
The survivors are his parents, a brother Kennedy [Bryan] at home; his grandparents, and a number of aunts and uncles.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock at the Leiters Ford Methodist church. The services will be in charge of Rev. C. V. Roush, former pastor and Rev. M. W. Crider. Burial will be made in the Leiters Ford cemetery.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, February 22, 1937]

Clement E. Bryan, Alpha Gamma Rho, 1916-1937. -- Wendell C. & Jean C. Tombaugh, Fulton County Indiana Cemeteries, Leiters Ford I.O.O.F., Aubbeenaubbee Township:

DARK CLOUDS
By Clem Bryan
The following poem has been found among the papers of the late Clem Bryan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bryan, who died on February 21st. The Bryan family reside near Leiters Ford. This unusual poem was written a few days before his death.
__________

I am dying, like the thunder in the sky,
And only God can save me now
As quietly I lie on my bed of rest,
While angels cool my brow,
Tired - yes, and helpless too,
As limp hands lay by my side.
Pale and cold they are,
But I know why - they've died,
And too, soon the rest of me will go
As I grow more helpless - and die
Parts at a time, very long times.
Still seconds pass with
Darker clouds in the sky;
It can't be long it seems to me -
Eternity is passing in long array,
'Tis darker now, more clouds
I know 'twill end the day
As faster they come across the sun,
Driven by a mighty blow,
So snuffs out my life,
It's time for me - I know.
- Clem Bryan
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, April 1, 1937]

BRYAN, WILLIAM JENNINGS
[Adv] HEAR WM. JENNINGS BRYAN. He will Speak in Front of the Court House SATURDAY at 3 p.m.
[Rochester sentinel, Friday, October 30, 1908]

GREAT BRYAN DAY
There were many things occurred to interfere with the Bryan meeting on Saturday afternoon that were very annoying to the wonderful throng of people that came to do him honor. His special train was scheduled to arrive here at 3 o'clock and long before that hour, although nothing had been done to induce the people to come except the mere announcement that Mr. Bryan would be here, the streets were crowded with prople all anxious to see and hear the great statesman and orator. But, as usual, the train was late and but little information could be obtained as to its whereabouts or when it would arrive. But the people waited good humoredly. When the train left Peru for this place it got as far as Macy where the engine became disabled and had to be supplied by a freight engine that happened to be standing in the yards at this place. It was 6:20 when the Bryan train arrived but the crowd was still at the depot to meet it. The local reception committee that went to Peru to meet Mr. Bryan, consisting of Arthur Metzler, F. J. Mattice, A. A. Gast and Roy Deniston, escorted the speaker to the stand where he was fittingly presented to the vast audience by our well known townsman, Robert C. Wallace.
Mr. Bryan at once entered upon a discussion of some of the principal questions of the campaign and the points he made were so apt and forceful that they brought forth round after round of thunderous applause. He paid a high compliment to the democratic state ticket and also to Mr. Barnhart, the democratic candidate for congress. He denounced in strong terms the falsehood that he had in a speech years ago alluded to the old soldiers as beggars, and incidentally referred to the fact that among the number of candidates for the presidency in this campaign he was the only one that had been a soldier. A republican "butted in" on the 16 to 1 question and got a center shot that sent him to grass amid the jeers of the crowd. Mr. Bryan spoke for thirty minutes. After a long delay in turning the engine on the Y, Mr. Bryan proceeded northward to Plymouth, fully four hours behind schedule time. From thence he attempted to get into Chicago where he had several engagements to speak at night, but another engine died at Chesterton and he did not get to Chicago until Sunday morning. It is reported and generally believed that there was a conspiracy among railroad men to prevent Mr. Bryan from meeting his engagements in this state and also in Chicago. In any event it was a remarkable coincidence that two engines drawing his train should die on the tracks between Peru and Chicago. It will be difficult to make the public believe that the failure to get him to his appoointments was not premeditated.
After spending a few quiet hours in Chicago on Sunday he started homeward making a few speeches in Kansas today on his way. Tonight he speaks in his home city, Lincoln, and thus closes the greatest speacking and traveling tour ever made by any candidate.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, November 2, 1908]

BRYANT, BERT [Rochester, Indiana]
BRYANT & TIPPY OPEN NEW MID-WAY GARAGE
A new garage will open in this city on next Wednesday morning in the building at the rear of the Black and Bailey hardware store. The proprietors Bert Bryant and Raymond Tippy are thoroly experienced mechanics, the former having been in charge of the repair department of the Louderback garage for a period of nine years, while Mr. Tippy has had years of experience in automobile repair work in this city.
The new garage which will be known as the "Mid-Way" will be equipped with the most modern machinery and a complete assortment of parts and accessories for all makes of cars will be carried in stock.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, December 28, 1931]

BRYANT, BETTY [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Wile Department Store

BRYANT, FRANK E. [Rochester, Indiana]
NEWS OF THE DAY
Mr. Frank E. Bryant, secretary of the Rochester Light, Heat and Power Co. and secretary of the Beyer Bros. interests has purchased the M. A. Search residence property on south Main street, and may decide to live in it some time. Mr. and Mrs. Search will probably go to the Northwest in the hope of finding a healthier climate. They are most excellent people and popular neighbors and their many friends will be sorry to have them leave.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, March 2, 1905]

BRYANT, GLEN [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Churches - Lutheran

BRYANT, HAROLD [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Harold Bryant)

BRYANT, RUSSELL [Rochester, Indiana]
BUYS SERVICE STATION
Russell Bryant, this city, has bought and taken active charge of the Texaco Service station at the [SE] corner of Main and Eleventh street, it was announced today. The station was formerly operated by Walter Becker.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, October 24, 1941]

BRYANT & OSGOOD GROCERY [Rochester, Indiana]
See: First National Bank
__________

A Change. Messers E. B. & W. H. Chinn have recently purchased the Grocery Store owned by Bryant & Osgood.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, November 8, 1866]

BRYANT PICKLE COMPANY
See: Macy Pickle Company

BRYANT TIN SHOP [Rochester, Indiana]

BRYANT TIN SHOP MOVES
The Glen Bryant Tin Shop, formerly located in the old Beyer building on West 9th street, have moved into their new location directly south of the court house in the room formerly occupied by Kirkendall and Mackey.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Monday, March 29, 1926]

Willis BRYANT, aged 34 and Harvey HOLDERMAN, aged 43, farmers who lived on adjoining farms, one mile north and two miles west of Tippecanoe, were almost instantly killed and John HOLDERMAN was fatally injured at 6:10 o'clock Sunday morning when a Whippet sedan they occupied was struck by a west bound Nickle Plate excursion train at the Main street crossing at Mentone. John Holderman died at 3:45 o'clock Sunday night.

John Holderman was taken to the McDonald Hospital at Warsaw following the accident where he was found to be suffering with a fractured skull, nose, jawbone and other injuries. Willis Bryant is the son of Thomas and Jane BRYANT of this city and is a brother of Glen BRYANT who operates the Bryant Tin Shop on the south side of the public square.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, September 6, 1927]

BUCHANAN, BLYTHE G. [Rochester, Indiana]
CITY CONTROLLER TELLS HOW BUSINESS IS MANAGED
The following story appeared in the Sunday edition of The South Bend News-Times. It tells of Blythe Buchanan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter M. Buchanan, of Rochester, and who is remembered by many friends here. Blythe grew to manhood in this city and makes many visits back to his father's in the old home town.
__________

'The financial affairs of a city should be run on the same basis that big business uses," is the opinion that B. G. Buchanan, city controller here holds, "and that is the way we are trying to run city financial affairs."
City Controller Buchanan first entered political work during Mayor Mason L. Petro's administration in Mishawaka, and he finds it hard but interesting work.
Blythe Buchanan
Buchanan is married and has been a Mishawaka resident for 19 years. He got his business training in the school of life and is especially pointed in attributing much of his knowledge of business to the time he worked in the United States postal service. He points out that it was thru being transferred to the Mishawaka postoffice from Rochester, Ind., during the W. Eugene Butterworth term that he came to make his home in Mishawaka.
In Rochester, where he was born March 8, 1886, he served as foreman in the job department of the Republican Printing Co. office before going into the government service.
Business Experience Wide
Since coming to Mishawaka, he has served in various business enterprises. He left the postoffice here after serving under Postmaster John Herzog and with George W. Moon bought out the Mishawaka garage. Later he sold out and went with the Studebaker Service, under L. J. Oliver, in 1922. He was manager and treasurer in the C. M. S. Factory Equipment Co., and later went with the South Bend Radio Co., after taking a course in radio from the School of Radio, which is affiliated with the National Radio Institute, Washington, D.C. He established his own radio department in the August Eberhart store and he continues in that business along with his job as city controller.
"Hobbies? You might say I play a trombone," Buchanan grinned as he recalled that he played in the Citizens' band at Rochester, Ebel's band, South Bend, The Mishawaka Woolen and Rubber Manufacturer Co band under Fremont Thayer and the Dodge Manufacturing corporation band under "Cap" Lewis.
Installs Voucher System
"Right now, my principal activity is directed to this office. I've always held that a city's financial affairs should be run the same as any big business.
"Since my time here," Buchanan continued, "the purchase by voucher system has been installed. Nobody can buy a bolt and nut without first getting a voucher. This system was put in to make it possible to account for every penny that goes through this office.
"Any bills presented must have a sworn statement saying that the amount is correct and all bills are filed on our own blanks.
"The city controller's job is one that requires him to be a counsellor to the mayor at times and that necessitates that the one holding the job must know the laws by which his office is governed. My spare time here is spent in studying up on those laws. It is my intention to give intelligent information when it is called for and this side study keeps me busy."
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, June 9, 1931]

BUCHANAN, ELMER JULIAN [Grass Creek, Indiana]
BIOGRAPHY
Elmer Julian Buchanan, proprietor of the Grass Creek elevator, first saw the light of day in Fairfield county, Ohio, on April 3, 1862. Mr. Buchanan's parents were James H. and Anna W. (Macklin) Buchanan, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume in the biography of P. M. Buchanan. When Mr. Buchanan was but two years old, his parents settled in Wayne township, this county, and six years later the family returned to Ohio, and, after a stay of about four years in that state, returned to Wayne township. After attending the common schools, Mr. Buchanan attended the high school of Rochester, and then the Northern Indiana Normal for three terms. For eleven years he taught school, beginning at the age of eighteen. In June, 1891, he and D. F.Rans entered into a partnership in the grain and tile business at Grass Creek. At the end of one year Mr. Buchanan purchased the interest of Mr. Rans, since which time he has conducted the business successfully, dealing in grain, flour, tile and salt. Aug. 30, 1892, Mr. Buchanan married Miss Florence V., daughter of John H. and Sarah Weyand, of Cass county. Politically he has been a staunch democrat, and in 1894-95 served as committeeman for the west precinct of Wayne township.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 47-48]

BUCHANAN, PETER MACKLIN {Rochester, Indiana]
P. M. BUCHANAN, Attorney at Law, Justice of the Peace and general collecting agent. Office over the Citizen's Bank, north-west corner of Public Square, Rochester, Ind.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 22, 1893]
PETER M. BUCHANAN (Biography)
Born and raised on a farm Peter M. BUCHANAN gained his present standing as a lawyer by dint of industry and studious inclination. He came with his parents from Ohio to Wayne township in 1865 and entered Judge SLICK's law office as a student ten years afterward. After completing his studies he was admitted to the bar and soon after married Miss Maggie RICHESON, of New Waverly, and to them two sons have been born. Mr. Buchanan was Justice of the Peace for several years and has built up a splendid practice in his profession. He is a lover of music as well as the law and has always taken an active part in the musical organizations of the city as a leader of song. He owns his home and has numerous other property interests in the county.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, September 20, 1895]

BIOGRAPHY
Peter Macklin Buchanan, attorney at law, Rochester, Ind., was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, Feb. 3, 1856. He is a son of James H. and Ann M. (Macklin) Buchanan. His father was born in Virginia in 1830. He died in Fulton county, Ind., in 1892. He was of Scotch descent. Mr. Buchanan's mother descended from Pennsylvania Dutch, was born in Ohio in 1835. She died in Fulton county in 1893. These parents were married in Fairfield county, Ohio, whence they removed to Fulton county in 1865. Subsequently they returned to Fairfield county, where they lived for four years. Then they returned to Fulton county, in which county they ever afterward lived. They had six children, of which three are dead. Their son, whose name introduces this brief biographical mention, was reared on the farm. His education was obtained in the country schools, the graded schools of Kewanna and the Northern Indiana Normal school. He began school teaching when nineteen years of age and taught up to 1883. He first began the study of law in 1879. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1883. He served as justice of the peace for some three or four years, then began an active practice of the law. He has gained a good clientage and ranks among the best of his profession in the county. In 1883 Mr. Buchanan wedded Miss Maggie J. Richeson. The marriage has been blessed by the birth of two sons, namely, Blythe and Harry. Mr. Buchanan is identified with the democratic party, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias order. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, p. 48]

BIOGRAPHY
Peter Macklin Buchanan, lawyer and abstact writer of Rochester, was born in Liberty township, Fairfield county, Ohio, February 3, 1856, the son of James H. and Ann Maria (Macklin) Buchanan, both natives of Ohio. The parents of our subject farmed in Ohio for a time and then traveled by wagon to Indiana. They arrived in Fulton county in April, 1864, and rented the James Search land in the vicinity of Kewanna. In the autumn of 1864 they moved to the Jacob Showley farm, situated six miles south of Kewanna, and farmed there for five years. Late in 1869 Peter Macklin, the grandfather of the subject of this review, came to Indiana and agreed to let his son-in-law, James H. Buchanan, farm his home place in Ohio. For about five years thereafter, James H. Buchanan remained on the Macklin farm but at the expiration of that time again returned to Indiana. He purchased a sixty acre farm near Grass Creek in Fulton county where he built a home and cleared the land. He made this farm his residence until his death, which occurred on May 19, 1890, his wife dying in February of the following year. They had six children: Ada, deceased; Cecilia, who is dead, married James M. Horn; Elmer J., of Kewanna; Charles F., of Grass Creek; Peter M., the subject of this sketch; and Desse, who died at the age of nine years. Peter M. Buchanan received his elementary education in the public schools of Kewanna, and at the conclusion of his work in those schools, he taught school in Wayne township for one term. He then attended Valparaiso University for two years and again took up the profession of school teaching which he followed for twelve terms. Being dissatisfied with this means of earning a livelihood, he commenced the study of the law in 1879 under the supervision of J. S. Slick. On April 16, 1883, he married Margaret Richeson, of Cass county, and in June of that year he moved to Rochester and began practicing law. In 1906, he purchased a set abstract books and since that time has conducted a combination law practice and writing abstracts of title. To Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan have been born three sons: Blythe G., of Mishawaka, Indiana; Harry J., who lives in Indianapolis and has there children, Jack Macklin, Jean, and Hugh James; and George P., a graduate of Indiana University who is single. Politically, Mr. Buchanan supports the Democratic party and has served two terms from 1884 as justice of the peace. In fraternal circles, he is a popular member of the Knights of Pythias of which he is Past Chancellor. He has always been active in church work, working for the best interests of the Grace Methodist Episcopal church.
[Henry A. Barnhart, Fulton County History, pp. 168-170, Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1923]

BUCHANAN & ZARTMAN [Kewanna, Indiana]
[Adv] The Matchless STUDEBAKER line for 1913 - - - - - BUCHANAN & ZARTMAN, Kewanna, Indiana.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, February 27, 1913]

BUCHANAN ELEVATOR [Grass Creek, Indiana]
Operated by E. J. Buchanan.
Mfgrs. of "Automatic Flour"
See: Buchanan, Elmer Julian

BUCHANAN HARDWARE [Rochester, Indiana]
Also see Shoup Hardware
__________

BUCHANAN BUYS ULREY-URSCHEL HARDWARE SHOP
James "Buck" Buchanan, experienced hardware man formerly employed here by Stehle and Shively, lately of Burnettsville, has purchased the Ulrey and Urschel hardware store at 721 Main street, and will continue its operation.
The store will be closed for invoice the first of the week.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, September 25, 1925]

REOPENS HARDWARE STORE
J. J. Buchanan, formerly of Burnettsville, has reopened the hardware store in this city which was purchased several weeks ago from Ulrey and Urschel of North Manchester. The invoice was completed Wednesday night. Mr. Buchanan will continue to operate the store, carrying a large stock of hardware and electrical supplies. Buchanan traded a storage house in Reynolds for the local store.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, October 2, 1925]

BUCK, SHANNON [Akron, Indiana]
See Akron Feed & Grain

BUDLONG PICKLE COMPANY [Rochester, Indiana]
LOCAL PICKLE FACTORY OPERATED ALL WINTER
A period of the most prolonged activity in recent years in one local industry was closed recently (about 11 days ago) when the branch of the Budlong Pickle factory in the northwest part of the city, managed by Francis Spohn, completed an all-winter run, the first since 1911. It was expected the plant will resume operation sometime this spring.
Employment was given, all winter, to a force of thirteen women and seven men and sometimes five more persons. The long run and this sizeable number of employees doubtless will prove a surprise to persons of this community when it becomes known.
Persons sometimes forget the pickle factory but it has been one of the most persistent and perennial industries the city has had.
From October first to the middle of March the factory has handled this fall and winter 25,000 bushels of pickles. Some of the pickles have been obtained around Rochester and some from Michigan and northern Indiana. A part of the pack, consisting of dill and sour pickles, has been sold to New York, Cincinnati and other firms.
The Budlong Pickle company has a factory at Westville, Ind., one at Michigan City, Ind., and others in Michigan and Wisconsin. A station is maintained at Macy, and one at Ora for collection of pickles.
In the local area, 150 acres are contracted for and pickles from that area are raised for canning at the local factory.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Thursday, March 25, 1926]

FATHER SEEKS DAMAGES FOR DEATH OF HIS SON
Joseph AULT, late Wednesday afternoon filed a suit in the Fulton circuit court seeking $2,000 damages from the Budlong Pickle Company of Chicago, Ill., because of the death of his son, Atwood D. AULT, aged 11, on August 23, 1926. The Budlong Pickle Company operates a pickling and salting station in this city at the corner of Jay and First Streets. Francis SPOHN is the local manager of the concern.
It will be remembered that Atwood Ault died in Woodlawn Hospital on August 23, 1926 from shock and loss of blood eight hours after he had had both of his limbs severed close to his body when he crawled under an Erie freight train near the Budlong Company plant. After the lad had started to cross under one of the cars of the train which was standing on the track while the locomotive was taking on water the train started catching the lad just as he was passing over the rails.
The plaintiff sets forth that his son was employed and had been employed by the Budlong Company for 10 days prior to the fatal accident, both in the pickling station and in pulling onions in a field owned or leased by the company situated west of the plant which field faces the Erie right of way.
On the day of the accident Mr. Ault says his son with several other lads had completed their days labor at 5 p.m. and were on their way back to the plant in the charge of man by the name of McFADDEN an employee of the Budlong Company. Mr. Ault alleges that McFadden did not exercise proper care in watching his son and permitted him to crawl under the train which act caused his death.
Mr. Ault says because of the negligence of McFadden, who was an adult and an agent of the Budlong Company his son met his death which death could have been prevented had he used the proper precaution and authority. It will be noted that the suit was filed in the local court just one day before the statute of limitations covering the case would have expired. It is understood that the Budlong Company will resist the suit.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Thursday, August 23, 1928]

BUDLONG PICKLE PLANT EMPLOYS SEVERAL PEOPLE
According to word received today from Francis Spohn, manager of the local Budlong Pickle Company, this plant swung into operation this morning with about fifteen girls and men being placed on the payroll. This force will be given steady work for several months on the sorting of brine pickles for the Chicago factory
According to Mr. Spohn the main factory at Chicago is being overflooded with brine pickles at this time and carloads of pickles are being sent out to the company's branch plants for sorting.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, February 15, 1932]
FULTON COUNTY PICKLES SHIPPED TO LONDON, ENG.
R. W. Lomax, Chicago, field manager of the Budlong Pickle Company and Francis Spohn, manager of the local Budlong plant, Friday with the aid of thir employees finished the packing of a car load of pickles which have been consigned to Cross and Blackwell, London, Eng. The car was sent over the Erie railroad to New York. There were 80 barrels in the car and each of the barrels contained six bushels of pickles. The pickles, all of which were grown in Fulton county, were the smallest and the fanciest of the crop. It took many weeks for the pickles to be sorted. Cross and Blackwell are considered the best fancy foods packers in the world and their products command the highest prices. There was a shortage of pickles in Europe this year which resulted in the order being placed with the Budlong Company. The products of many American pickle companies were inspected by representatives of the English firm before the contract was placed.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, January 11, 1935]

BUILDINGS - ANGERMAN BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
Removal. The Rochester Post Office, Chester Chamberlain Postmaster, has been removed from the Wallace Block to the new building just erected by Angerman and fitted up for that purpose, north of A. C. Hickman's Dry Goods Store.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, March 7, 1867]

Mr. Angerman has finished his new store room, north of A. C. Hickman's, which will be occupied by D. S. Gould the coming week.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, July 4, 1867]

New Barber Shop. G. W. Picket . . . has just opened up a First Class Barber Shop over D. S. Gould's Star Store, in Angerman's Block, Main Street, Rochester, Ind. . . Rochester, Ind. Feb. 20, 1868.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, February 20, 1868]

BUILDINGS - ARMORY HALL [Rochester, Indiana]
See Centennial Block; Baptist Church; Christian Church; Rochester High School Basketball.
__________

FIRE ESCAPE BUILT
As the result of a visit from the state building inspector, the Armory hall now has a fire escape. The hall is often crowded with from to to three hundred people at the basket ball games and several persons had often remarked that there was great danger from a fire, without another exit. Jonathan Dawson, the owner of the hall, was notified a few weeks ago to build a fire escape within twenty days or to close up. As this hall is the only one in town where basket ball games can be held and the new athletic building will not be built, Mr. Dawson ordered an escape to be put up at once. The new exit is at the rear end of the hall and is substantially built of wood.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, February 18, 1907]

BUILDINGS - BAILEY BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
RAY MYERS TO MOVE HIS RESTAURANT UPTOWN
Another business house on East Eighth street, just off Main street, was assured Friday with the announcement by Ray Myers, proprietor of the "Lake Erie" restaurant in the Bailey building opposite the Nickel Plate station that he would move his equipment to the Frank Newman building opposite the postoffice building, on December 19.
The move, contemplated for some time, was partly the result of the removal of trains from the Nickel Plate line, and partly from Mr. Myers' desire to place his well-established business in a better location.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, December 11, 1925]

BUILDINGS - BALCONY HALL [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rannells, William W.

BUILDINGS - BEEBER BLOCK [Rochester, Indiana]
Located on SE corner of 9th & Main, and extending E to the alley.
Express Office. Since the death of R. P. Smith, the former express agent, considerbale figuring has been done by two or three parties to secure the office in connection with their other business. Those in authority say that if Ernsperger, Jackson & Co. desire it continued at their place of business it shall be so, if not then the next best place shall be chosen, which of course would be Ed. Chinn's grocery store, in the Beeber block.
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, November 26, 1874]

Situated on the site of the old Beeber block, was the Citizens Block.
It was a two-story brick building, comprised of eight business rooms.
[Numbered from 9th & Main east to the alley]
[1 & 2] In 1879, beginning at 9th and Main, G. H. Killen & Co., occupied the first two rooms, one for groceries, and the other for boots and shoes.
The corner room later was the site of the Ford Agency, and finally the Berghoff Cafe.
The second room became the New York Candy Kitchen. Both of these burned. A service station was then built there, and later converted into Kentucky Fried Chicken.
[3] The next room E was G. M. Sergent, dry goods.
[4] The fourth room was Miller & Hoover meat market.
These two rooms are now occupied by Deamer & Deamer.
[5] The fifth room was W. E. Woolley leather store.
[6] The sixth room was unfinished. David Goldsmith had a grocery store in the seventh room. R. H. Chandler sold furniture in the eighth room.
The fifth and sixth rooms have been torn down. A parking lot for rooms 3 and 4 is there.
The second floor housed offices and apartments in later years.
[A sign above the windows on the second floor of the two or four rooms to the East read "Tippecanoe Petticoat Co." as recently as around 1970 to this compiler's recollection. -- WCT]

BUILDINGS - BEYER BROTHERS BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Blue Products Co.
__________

OFFICES MOVED
The offices of the Northern Indiana Power Co., has been moved from the Beyer Brothers building on West Ninth street to the Char-Bell building on Main street.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, October 27, 1924]

BUILDINGS - BITTERS BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
U. S. TIRE SHOP OPENS FOR BUSINESS SATURDAY
A new auto tire and accessory shop will open in Rochester Saturday in the Bitters building, [114] East Eighth, formerly occupied by the Rochester Monument works. This new firm will handle United States Tires exclusively and will be managed by Samuel SIMS and son, E. F. SIMS.
The Sims have been residents of this city since last December, moving here from Monon, Indiana, where they were engaged in the same line of business. Machinery for vulcanizing and other repair work is being installed and the management stated they would maintain a service truck which will answer all trouble calls in and about this vicinity.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, April 3, 1928]

BUILDINGS - BOZARTH BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
George W. Truslow, Tailor . . . South Room of the Bozarth Building opposite the Mansion House, Rochester, June 3, 1858.
[Rochester Gazette, Thursday, December 9, 1858]

Closing Out Sale. Having determined to close up my business at an early day, I will offer my remaining Stock, consisting of dry goods, groceries, hardware, boots and shoes, hats and caps, clothing &c at prices that will insure their rapid sale. Cheap Cash Store, Bozarth Building, Rochester, Nov. 11, 1859.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, November 12, 1859]

A. H. Robbins, C. L. White, Physicians and Surgeons, Office on Main Street, two doors south of the Bozarth Building, Rochester, Ind.
[Rochester Merciry, Thursday, March 22, 1860]

G. W. Truslow, Tailor. Shop in the Bozarth Building, south room. Rochester, Ind.
[Rochester Mercury, Thursday, April 26, 1860]

Stradley & Elam at the Bozarth Building . . . The books of C. J. Stradley will be found in the hands of Mr. F. Ryland for settlement at the old stand. Stradley & Elam, Rochester, May 2, 1861.
[Rochester Mercury, Thursday, July 4, 1861]

C. J. Stradley, at the Bozarth Building . . . Rochester.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, April 10, 1862]

G. P. Cherry would respectfully inform the public that he has purchased the entire stock of trade of C. J. Stradley . . . next door South of the Post Office, Bozarth Building. Rochester, Nov 5th, 1863.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, December 31, 1863]

BUILDINGS - BRACKETT BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
Located SE corner 5th and Main [501 Main]
Occupied by Brackett Wholesale Grocery House.
Later used as a sale barn by Levi P. and Robert P. Moore.
Finally sold to Topps Mfg. Co.
See Brackett Wholesale Grocery House
__________

COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION OF FINNEREN ELEVATOR
Thirteen years ago John Marsh, of Indianapolis, an engineer employed by the Home Elevator Company came to install an elevator in the then L. M. Brackett Wholesale Grocery establishment on the corner and Main and Fifth streets.
When this building was taken over by the Finneren Motor Sales Company recently it was discovered that the old elevator is inadquate to elevate automobiles to the upper floor of the building.
So Ralph Finneren went to Indianapolis and arranged with the elevator firm there to remodel the old elevator and they promised to send up a good man to do the work.
Marsh was the representative sent to Rochester. When he reached this city he decided that before calling on the Ford agency where he was to work he would call on Mr. Brackett.
So he went to the building where he had worked once before and discovered that he was to tear out the elevator he had built 13 years ago and install a new one.
This work has been going forward until Friday afternoon when the first trip was taken on the new elevator. It carried 3,000 pounts, and was pronounced ready for operation by Marsh, who now returns to Indianapolis leaving the finishing touches on the job to the local workmen.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, February 23, 1923]

BUILDINGS - BUCKEYE STORE [Rochester, Indiana]
Stradley & Dawson, retail dealers in Fancy Dry Goods, Groceries, Hardware, Hats, caps, Ready-made clothing &c. Store in building known as the Buckeye Store. Rochester.
[Rochester Gazette, Thursday, December 9, 1858]

BUILDINGS - CENTENNIAL BLOCK [Rochester, Indiana]
Located N side of E 8th, from E side of alley to Madison Street.
__________

Constructed by "a sort of stock company": Feder & Silberberg, Deniston & VanTrump, J. Dawson, E. E. Cowgill, George Norris and David Cooper in 1876. Proposed to erect 8 business rooms, totaling 165 feet frontage. [NOTE: rooms numbered from alley to Madison Street. WCT]:
[1 & 2] Feder & Silberberg occupied the double rooms at the alley, operating an extensive manufacturing and wholesale and retail clothing business. Second floor was room occupied by Woodmen lodge, and later used by Moose lodge. First room was used by Chester White Swine Record Association. It and the next room are now owned and occupied by The Rochester Sentinel. The upstairs is now apartments.
[3 & 4] Shepherd & Deniston entered into partnership April 1, 1876, and had a hardware store in the double rooms adjoining Feder & Silberberg. Present locations of Peterson & Waggoner law offices, 120 E 8th, and Gottschalk Realty, 122 E 8th. After WW-2 the upstairs was the site of Joyner Corp., who later moved to 1400 Wabash.
[5 & 6] The fifth room from the alley, owned by Jonathan Dawson, was occupied by Holzman's dry goods store. The sixth room, owned by David Cooper, was vacant.
[7 & 8] John Murphy's Oriole Saloon occupied the seventh room. [another source reports operated by John Wool -WCT]. For many years was the site of Chamberlain's Tavern, 126 E 8th. An unnamed eating house was in the eighth room.The Rochester Independent newspaper temporarily occupied the last room at 128 E 8th., on the SW corner of 8th & Madison. More recently was occupied by Carl Thacker in the nickelodian business. Later was the site of Blue Products Co., owned by Earle A. Miller, who sold the business to Dee Fultz, who in turn sold to Garry Daniels. Don Brower had one room at the back which he used as a radio repair shop. The whole first floor is at present occupied by Brown & Brown, Attorneys.

Armory Hall, located second story above fifth and sixth rooms from the alley. Used for dances, entertainment, and basketball gymnasium. Ground floor presently occupied by Smith, Sawyer & Smith, Insurance.
Opera Hall, located in Dawson & Cooper's building in the Centennial Block. Vice Pres. Colfax to appear there April 23, 1878. The first commencement of Rochester High School, was held here on May 31, 1878. Room used for entertainment, lectures, plays, a church concert, etc.
[NOTE: Opera Hall was later renamed Armory Hall, and the Academy of Music was then called Opera Hall.--WCT]

ARMORY HALL IS DEMOLISHED BY SMALL CYCLONE
Within 18 hours after the Armory Hall on east Eighth street had been damaged to the extent of $1,000 by a miniature cyclone Monday evening at 4:40 o'clock, workmen were busy tearing down the damaged walls and clearing away the wreckage. The building belongs to Jonathan Dawson.
The storm was one of the most sudden and powerful ever experienced in the city. A few minutes previous, a strong wind set in from the southwest, following a downpour of rain. Then came the gust which struck the Armory hall. Archie Miller was standing in the rear of the postoffice looking out of the window and saw the twister when it struck. He said that it looked like one of the tornadoes described in the school books and seemed to drop a hundred feet just in front of the Armory hall, rising under the front part of the building, taking the roof into the air.
The tin covering was laid back for 40 feet, while the supporters under the roof were carried away, letting the ceiling fall into the hall. The brick wall in front for a distance of five feet down, fell into the street, while one of the big brick chimneys on the east wall was blown over onto the roof over Braman's furniture store, cutting a hole four feet square. Brick also fell on the glove factory roof breaking the ceiling.
In rebuilding the Armory, Jonathan Dawson expects to make some changes and will lower the roof in order to make the front wall more substantial. The building was not protected by cyclone insurance.
When the twister struck the hall, the covering over the second story of the glove factory, where more than 100 girls are employed, nearly gave way, twisting and bending, causing the lights to swing. This and the noise caused by the destruction of the roof over the Armory hall threw the girls into a panic. Many ran for the stairway and others used the fire escape at the rear. When the people on the streets saw the girls rushing out of the factory, many thought that the building was on fire and soon a crowd of several hundred people gathered. The fire department rushed over and roped off the sidewalk to prevent anyone from walking under the partly demolished wall, which was liable to fall at any time.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 7, 1916]

ARMORY HALL ONCE MORE TO BE BASKETBALL SCENE
The Armory Hall, which now is the American Legion home and which was the scene of the triumphs of the Rochester Athletic Association basketball team which held the independent championship of the state for many years, is again to be used as a basketball court. On Next Friday night the recently organized Rochester Independents will meet the McKinley Independents at the Armory. A small admission fee will be charged. The local independents are composed mainly of ex-Rochester High school players.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, February 10, 1925]

C. H. HASKETT BUYS MOORE BROS. BUILDING
A real estate transfer was reported today through the Fred Moore agency in which Carlton H. Haskett, local insurance representative becomes the owner of the Moore Building now occupied by The Chester White Record Association and The Barnhart Van Trump Co., publishers of The News-Sentinel.
Under the terms of the sale Haskett will take possession Jan. 1. James R. and Levi P. Moore, and Mrs. A. B. Shore held the title to the real estate as part of the estate of the late Frank F. Moore and the Moore Bros. Co.
The building, erected in 1876, was a part of the Centennial Block. The first tenants were Feder & Silberberg who came to Rochester from Cincinnati, and opened a clothing and merchant tailoring establishment , then one of the largest stores of its kind in this section of the state. Later The Big Store was opened in the building by the late George H. Wallace & Sons. A disastrous fire practically destroyed the store several years ago.
Following the fire Moore Bros. Co. purchased and remodeled the property to house their Chester White Journal and the record association, with The Van Trump Co., sharing the building in the printing and publishing business. In December, 1924, a consolidation of The Rochester Sentinel and The Daily News, brought into being the Barnhart-Van Trump Co., which, with the Record Association has since tenanted the property. The second floor of the building is divided into three modern apartments.
During the 70's, when the Centennial Block was Rochester's pride other tenants along the block included the Shepherd & Deniston hardware, where the Kepler Motor Sales are now located; Rochester Woolen Mills Office, where the Haskett & Jones office is now located; Chess Chamberlain grocery, where the Grove Hardware is now situated; Rochester Postoffice, under A. T. Bitters, postmaster, where the Thacker Music. Co. now operates.
Second floor of the block was Opera Hall, the city's first theatre, which following erection of the Academy of Music at Main and Fifth streets, became the Armory Hall. On the corner of Eighth and Madison was located the Kendrick Hotel.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, December 28, 1945]

THE CENTENNIAL BLOCK
A BUILDING FULL OF ROCHESTER HISTORY
Considered Comment
Jack K. Overmyer
We who own and manage The Sentinel have a strong emotional attachment to the building that we occupy on the north side of the Courthouse square. That affection has helped us conclude that the need for additional space in our operations best will be met by expanding here instead of constructing new quarters elsewhere.
This address of 116-118 East Eighth Street has been the home of our daily newspaper for 75 years. We would be loathe to leave it and the center of downtown, where three quarters of a century's presence has made us into a familiar and, we hope, a cherished institution. Thus, improvements already have begun inside and in 2000 will be climaxed outside with a redesigned facade.
During our business deliberations we were reminded that the entire half block of which we are a part is even more established in Rochester's traditions than is The Sentinel. These two-story buildings at 116-130 East Eighth Street, begin with The Sentinel at the alley on the west and end with Richard Brown's law office at Madison Street on the east.
They were constructed simultaneously in 1876 on 165 feet of frontage and together were referred to as the Centennial Block, in honor of America's 100th anniversary. When erected, there were eight business rooms and within them has occurred much of Rochester's commercial history and growth for 123 years. Here are their stories:
Nine investors financed the construction: Lou Feder, Max Silberberg, William H. Deniston, A.C. Shepherd, Jacob Van Trump, Jonathan Dawson, E.E. Cowgill, George Norris and David Cooper. The total cost has been lost to history, but one item will give you a hint of it: masons were paid $2,062.20 to lay the 589,220 bricks that were required.
The first two rooms on the west, now occupied by The Sentinel, were financed by Feder and Silberberg and housed. their retail clothing store many years. The Big Store clothing and notions followed, as did the Chester White Swine Record Association, Van Trump's printing business and two newspapers, the Fulton County Sun and the Daily News.
In 1924 The Sentinel joined The Daily News to form The News-Sentinel and moved from 727 Main Street into the building, The Sentinel's name reappearing in 1961. Sharing the space at times were the law office of William H. Deniston II and Hardesty Printing. The second floor was used nearly 50 years by local lodges - first the Woodmen, then the Redmen in 1905 and the Moose in 1917. Residential apartments followed for 25 years until The Sentinel occupied the rear half. The front half awaits further Sentinel expansion.
The third and fourth rooms, now occupied by Peterson and Waggoner law offices and Gottschalk Realty, opened in 1876 as a hardware store owned by investors Deniston nd Shepherd. Subsequent occupants of either or both rooms have included the Manitou vaudeville and silent movie house, various cigar-making establishments, automobile agencies of Orlen (Brick) Kepler and Arthur RinderKnecht, Pi-Rod television and towers, Doering television sales, Owner's Discount finance, Lee realty and insurance, Fulton County Credit Bureau and Warner's dress shop.
The upstairs is vacant today at the third and fourth rooms but in past times has housed boxing matches, basketball games and two factories, one of 100 women making gloves, another for the Joyner radio coil, assembly line. Smith Sawyer & Smith insurance agency holds forth in the fifth and sixth rooms today. Of the eight, they possess the most interesting history.
Dawson financed the fifth room and first rented it for a dry goods store. The sixth, owned by Cooper, was vacant when the building opened in 1876. Over the years, these rooms have been used variously for dry goods stores, by the Rochester Gas and Fuel Company, by a series of insurance offices preceding Smith-Sawyer-Smith, by the county auto license branch and by two hardware stores, first that of the Grove Brothers, Oliver and Archie, the last that of Lyman Baker.
For almost a half century after 1876, Rochester citizens assembled for their entertainment at the two-room space above today's Smith-Sawyer-Smith. It was the town's community center. Higher-roofed than its neighbors, the space first was called Opera Hall, then Armory Hall. The first RHS commencement in 1878 was held there, followed by many subsequent graduations. There also were lectures, plays, concerts, boxing matches and political meetings. Former Vice President Schuyler Colfax of South Bend spoke there in 1878.
It was at Armory Hall where Rochester's distinguished basketball history began with the state's 1907 independent championship. RHS games were played there until Whitmer Gym opened in 1922. For awhile in the 1920s, it was home for the American Legion Post.
The seventh room, as far as I can determine, has been a saloon or tavern for all 123 years, beginning with John Wool's Oriole refreshment parlor, followed by another operated by Jerry Clark. Many local folk remember it for decades as Chamberlain's tavern, to be succeeded by Stubby's and now Salty's.
There is an apartment upstairs.
In the eighth room at the Madison Street corner today is County Prosecutor Richard Brown's office that he first shared with his late father Jesse. Its previous occupants have included the Boston shoe store, the Independent weekly newspaper, Moore Brothers hog registry, Charles Wallace's law office, Carl Thacker's appliance store, Don Brower's radio repair, Larry Williams' furniture store and the Blue Products cleaning services. The second floor, once apartments, is vacant. Attorney Brown has discovered some evidence that hotel rooms may have been rented out there at one time.
On July 14 of 1876. The Rochester Union Spy, the county's Republican weekly newspaper, commented that "the Centennial building ... is the grandest improvement ever undertaken in Rochester and will add much to the appearance and business capacity of our enterprising town."
Its durability certainly is much to be admired, for it remains a valued Rochester institution still contributing to the city's economic vigor after almost a century and quarter.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, October 26, 1932]

BUILDINGS - CENTENNIAL TOWER 1876 [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Buildings - Odd Fellows Building.

BUILDINGS - CENTRAL BLOCK [Rochester, Indiana]
Located W side of Main Street, 724-726 Main.

BUILDINGS - CHAMBERLAIN'S BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
Millinery. Misses Miller & McClung would announce to the ladies of Rochester and vicinity, that they have opened a Millinery shop in Ed Chamberlain's building, north of Wallace's Block. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, April 12, 1866]

Removal. Mr. Miller, our worthy townsman and gunsmith, has moved his shop from the Chamberlain building to the first room South of the Post Office, on Main Street . . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, January 24, 1867]

BUILDINGS - CITIZENS BLOCK [Rochester, Indiana]
Located on SE corner of 9th & Main, and extending E to the alley.
Situated on the site of the Beeber block.

BUILDINGS - COMMERCIAL BLOCK [Rochester, Indiana]
Located SW corner 5th and Main and extending S to the alley.
[Numbered from the alley at the south to 5th street on the north. WCT]
[1 & 2] In 1879 Fred Fromm owned the first two buildings at the south end, which were three stories high, where he sold groceries and hardware.
[3 & 4] Next was The Poor Man's Friend clothing store. Allman & Co. dry goods store was next.
[5 & 6] Chris. Hoover sold boots and shoes. Perry Shore was in the next room with a grocery.
[7 & 8] The next room was vacant, and the last room was occupied by Chapin & Bro., as a dry goods store.
The two north buildings were also three stories high, the second and third stories comprising Davidson's Academy of Music.

BUILDINGS - CORNELIUS BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
Located NE corner 5th and Main Streets.

HENRY CORNELIUS' DEATH LEARNED BY FRIEND HERE
Henry CORNELIUS, bachelor contractor who was born in Rochester in 1870, died at 8 p.m. Monday at Indianapolis of apoplexy, according to word received here in a letter by Henry FROMM. Mr. Cornelius was widely known here. He was president of the West Side Improvement Association at Indianapolis. Mr. Cornelius' father, Henry CORONELIUS, once operated a business in the Cornelius building, northeast corner of Fifth and Main streets. The family has been gone from Rochester for more than 20 years.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Wednesday, February 4, 1925]

Enterprise. Mr. I. T. Van Duzer, with the services of a number of workmen, is busily engaged remodeling and fitting up his building commonly known as the "Mansion House," for the purpose of starting a hotel. With the prospects of our Railroads, and the central location of the house, we cannot see why the business could not be made a very profitable one. Rochester will then have three hotels, and three Flouring Mills; one (Wallace & Chapin) however, is not yet completed, but will be running in a few weeks. Fred Fromm, Sam Keeley and the Cornelius Bro's intend erecting new buildings this summer. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, April 4, 1867]

Christian Kamerer, Blacksmith and Manufacturer of Wagons, Carriages, &c. General repairing done to order on short notice. Particular attention paid to Horseshoeing, at the New Brick Blacksmith Shop, on Main Street, north of Cornelius' new building. Rochester, Ind.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, October 17, 1867]
Nicknamed Harmony Hall because the married couples living in the building were far from harmonious and made too much noise.
Built by Gus Cornelius prior to 1870.
Demolished in 1950, to make room for a new building for Overmyer Produce Co.

BUILDINGS - CREAMER & DAVISSON [Rochester, Indiana]
NEW GARAGE TO BE WONDER
A new garage and machine shop, which will be one of the finest in Indiana, will grace the lot north of the Arlington hotel, where the Creamer garage now stands, according to the plans of the firm of Creamer & Davisson, which has just been formed and which will be an incorporated company. The deal, whereby A. C. Davisson of this city acquired a half interest in the business, was made a couple of days ago and since that time the plans for the new building have been announced by Mr. Creamer and approved by Mr. Davisson. The work of tearing down the old building will start Monday and as soon as possible the new structure will be erected. The building, which will be of reinforced concrete or brown brick, yet to be decided upon, will be one story high and will be lighted by a series of skylights, which will cover almost the entire roofing space. The building will cover the entire lot -- 42x170 feet -- and will be divided off into every separate department. The idea of Mr. Creamer, who planned the building, is to have something different than other garages and the first step in this direction was taken when the plan calls for the machine shop to be located in the front. There all of the work will be done and a traveling crane, capable of picking up any sized car, will be used to transport the machines from one part of the shop to another. A driveway in the rear, where storage cars are to be kept, will run the entire length of the building on the north side. Six pits will be employed for the purpose of working under cars being repaired and every other convenience known will be put into practice. A turntable, upon which to turn storage cars, will be stationed in the center of the building and another feature will be the checking out of tools to the employees so that track of them can be accurately kept. Besides this the company will carry the largest line of accessories in this part of the state.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, October 10, 1912]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The plans for the new Creamer & Davisson garage building, as announced several days ago, have been changed so that the building will be two stories for the first twenty-five feet from the front. This additional room will be used for a vulcanizing department.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, October 12, 1912]

BUILDINGS - DILLON BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
BUILDING TO BE READY
The new building being erected by A. J. Dillon is nearing completion and it is now announced that it will be ready for occupancy by March 1. The work of plastering is finished with the exception of a small part on the second floor and the interior decorations will be a matter of small consideration. The big drawback has been the absence of the flooring and word has been received that that material is on the way from Michigan. At the same time the plate glass for the front windows will arrive and be installed at once.
The main floor will be taken over by Stoner & Black for their hardware stock and the display of automobiles. This firm will also use the third floor, where they will exhibit farm machinery and other hardware. The second floor will be partially occupied by the office of the Western Union Telegraph Company, and the remaining rooms will be rented to professional men. The basement will be turned over to Hartung's tailor shop and a barber shop, the latter proprietors not being named.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, January 10, 1912]

FINE NEW OFFICE SUITE
Drs. J. L. and Nellie Babcock have moved into their new office quarters in the A. J. Dillon building and they have as nicely appointed rooms as will be found anywhere in the city. The suite is on the second floor and is easily accessible from the stairway leading from the street. The front room, which is on the south half of the building faces Main street and will be used exclusively as a waiting room. The next room back will be the main office and still in the next room will be placed the work shop.
The Babcocks are both prominent dentists and have long been identified with the citizenship of Rochester. Their work is always satisfactory and is guaranteed, which goes a long ways toward gaining them the popular patronage they enjoy.
Everything is new about the place from the room decorations to the furnishings and it is a most inviting place to call, where all are always welcome.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 27, 1912]

NEWS OF THE DAY
Having moved into our up-to-date barber shop in the basement of the Dillon building, we cordially invite the public to give us a share of their barber work. We have two complete back rooms with shower. CHESNUT & FIELDS.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, April 5, 1912]

[Adv] Let KADER do your expert Watch, Jewelry and Clock repairing, all work guaranteed. Basement of Dillon's Bldg., with Hartung the Tailor.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, April 25, 1912]

[Adv] A. HOFFMAN has opened a new Tin Shop - with Stoner and Black in the new Dillon building and is prepared to give PROMPT attention to all kinds of Tin, Copper and Sheet Iron work. Furnace work and Heating a specialty. All work guaranteed.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, August 28, 1912]

BLACK & BAILEY TO OCCUPY DILLON BLDG.
The Black and Bailey Hardware Store and the Sportsman Store at 704 Main Street will move into the rooms vacated by the Stehle and Shively Hardware Company in the Dillon Building on Main street the owner announced Tuesday morning.
By the terms of the lease Black and Bailey will take possession of the first and second stories and the basement of the Dillon Building. The lessees will attempt to move into the new room by the first of October. Black and Bailey have announced that they will hold a gigantic sale next week a full announcement of which will be carried in the News-Sentinel next Tuesday.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, September 13, 1927]

BUILDINGS - DOWNEY BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
New Store. Mr. E. Peck has opened up a New Grocery Store, one door North of I. W. Holeman's in one of Mr. Downey's rooms . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, August 16, 1866]

City Clothing Store. . . . in Downey's Building (Peck's old stand). . . Lauer & Deichman. Rochester, Ind. Dec. 19, 1867.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, December 19, 1867]

BUILDINGS - DYSERT BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
WILL ERECT NEW BUILDING
Announcement was made today by J. F. DYSERT, proprietor of the Racket clothing house, that he would erect a modern business block this spring on his Main street lot, just north of the building now occupied by Stoner & Black. Details of the structure are not as yet worked out, but the work will probably soon be placed in the hands of a contractor.
It is said that the first floor room may be fitted out as an up-to-date motion picture show and it is also rumored that Mr. Dysert intends moving his clothing and shoe store into the new structure. He refused to confirm this last statement, saying that he did not know definitely who would occupy the first floor. The building will probably be built after the general plan of the Stoner & Black building.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, February 14, 1913]

DIG BASEMENT
Work is progressing swiftly on the Dysert building, a large hole having been dug for the celler.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, May 1, 1913]

DYSERT BUILDING SOLD
A deal has just been consumated whereby Oren Karn became the owner of the building now occupied by the Racket Clothing store, which had been erected and owned by J. F. Dysert. The consideration was not named. The building will continue to be occupied by the clothing store as no change is being contemplated at least for the present.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 12, 1921]

BUILDINGS - ENTSMINGER'S HALL [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv} Dance! Dance! at Entsminger's Hall, Friday Night After Basketball Game "Melody Syncopaters" 75 cents couple.
[Rochester, Sentinel, Wednesday, February 13, 1924]

BUILDINGS - FARMER'S BLOCK [Rochester, Indiana]
Dales & Lyon Hardware and Stove Store. First door south of F. B. Ernsperger's Store in Farmer's Block.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 2, 1864]

E. Kirtland has bought the "City Bakery" in Farmers Block . . . Rochester, May 4, 1864.?
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, May 4, 1865]
The City Bakery. Mr. Wm. Downey would announce to the citizens of Rochester and vicinity that he has purchased the above named establishment in the Farmer's Block, in Fred Fromm's Grocery Store. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, November 29, 1866]

BUILDINGS - FIESER BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
Located NW corner 7th & Main.
Brick building.
Kirkland's Drug Store previously located there in a frame building.
Remodeled by Karl Gast who started Gast Furniture Store, who sold to Cook Bros. Furniture Store.
__________

PORTION OF FIESER BLOCK
A deal was closed Saturday evening whereby New & Miller, the well-known, local harness making and implement dealers, became the owners of the two north rooms constituting the north half of the Fieser block, at the corner of Main and Seventh streets.
The new owners will take possession at once and will use the two rooms for the display of their harness stock at present. Later on the large stock of buggies and farm implements carried by this firm will be moved from their present location across the street to their new store rooms.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, February 7, 1910]

BUILDINGS - FREDONIA BLOCK [Rochester, Indiana]
MANY BUSINESS MOVES WILL BE MADE IN CITY
The News-Sentinel was reliably informed Wednesday afternoon of several changes in business houses which will move in this city within the next six weeks which will include the discontunuance of a store, the opening of another establishment and the changing of the location of two others.
The store which will be closed is the Styles Furnishing Store in the J. F. Dysert building operated for five years by Oren Karn and sold by him to M. Wile and Sons three weeks ago. Mr. Karn, who is the owner of the Coffee Shop and also the Dysert building, will move his popular cafe into the room vacated by the Styles Store.
The room which will be vacated in the Fredonia block by the Coffee Shop will be occupied by the Turner Sisters Millinery store which will be moved from their present location one door north of the room which they will occupy.
The room vacated by the Turner Sisters and the one which foromerly housed the postoffice will be the home of a new mercantile establishment which will feature popular priced ladies ready to wear, men's clothing, shoes, dry goods, and ladies and gents furnishings.
The owners of the new store the News-Sentinel is not at this time permitted to make public. This establishment will be opened about September 1 or just as soon as the store can be equipped and openings made between the two rooms.
Mr. Karn will move the Coffee Shop to its new location sometime within the next four weeks or just as soon as the room in the Dysert building has been altered so that it will be ready for occcupancy by the restaurant. Lyman Brackett, who is the owner of the Fredonia block will start on Friday morning to make the changes in the rooms wished by his tenants.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, July 21, 1926]
BUILDINGS - FROMM BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
Located in the Commercial Block.

Enterprise. Mr. I. T. Van Duzer, with the services of a number of workmen, is busily engaged remodeling and fitting up his building commonly known as the "Mansion House," for the purpose of starting a hotel. With the prospects of our Railroads, and the central location of the house, we cannot see why the business could not be made a very profitable one. Rochester will then have three hotels, and three Flouring Mills; one (Wallace & Chapin) however, is not yet completed, but will be running in a few weeks. Fred Fromm, Sam Keeley and the Cornelius Bro's intend erecting new buildings this summer. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, April 4, 1867]

Fred Fromm. Has moved into his new Store Room, South room of his new building. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, August 22, 1867]
Ellis Reed rented the building for a second-hand store, for a short time, when he moved to 619 Main Street, where he sold new furniture, until April 2, 1945.

BUILDINGS - GOOD BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
Located at 415 Main Street.
[Adv] Notice! We specialize in Upholstery Refinishing, Enameling, Designing and Piano Finishing, Hardwood Floors and Screens, Metal Weather Strip, Awnings, Flags and Auto Tops. We Call for and Deliver. Rochester Upholstery Co, 415 North Main Street. . .
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, May 7, 1923]

UPHOLSTERING SHOP MOVED
Richard E. Shearer, whose upholstering and general repair shop was located at 312 East Eighth street, has found it necessary on account of growing business to move his establishment into larger quarters. The new location is at 415 North Main street in the old Newton Good building. Shearer intends to install some modern machines for grinding, filing, etc., also a two needle sewing machine for stitching awnings and auto tops.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, May 8, 1923]

MUNSON SALES CO. MOVES TO BRACKETT BUILDING
The Munson Overland Sales Company which has been occupying the Good building on North Main street today announced that they had leased the Brackett building at the corner of Main and Fifth street which was vacated Monday by the Fulton County Motor Co. The Munson Overland Sales Company which has the Fulton county agency for the Willys-Kinght and Overland automobiles will operate a salesroom and service station in the Brackett building. The sales room will undergo extensive repairs.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Wednesday, November 9, 1927]

BUILDINGS - GOSS BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
Located E side of Main in the 500 block. At one time a lot, owned by A. Goethier, separated this building from the Brackett Building.
Located 515 Main Street.
[See Goss Ice Cream and Bottling; Rochester- Collins Ice Cream Co.]
BUILDINGS - HARMONY HALL [Rochester, Indiana]
Located NE corner 5th and Main Streets.
Cornelius building nicknamed Harmony Hall because the married couples living in the building were far from harmonious and made too much noise.
Built by Gus Cornelius prior to 1870.
Demolished in 1950 to make room for Overmyer Produce Co. new building.
See Cornelius Building.
__________

NEW USE FOR HARMONY HALL
Alderman Clay Sheets, who owns Harmony hall on north Main street, has rented the structure to Ira Enyart, who owns a restaurant on east Ninth street. Mr. Enyart will remodel and repair the place for a rooming house.
The people who live upstairs at the present time, have been ordered to move. There are 12 rooms in the building. Mr. Enyart intends to repair the stairway and clean the rooms thoroughly. Road laborers will probably patronize the place extensively.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, March 9, 1915]

BUILDINGS - HILL BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
The New Building. Doctor Hill has just completed his new business building. Himself and partner, Doctor C. L. White, have moved their Office into the North room of Hill's new building. . .
--- New Picture Gallery. John Wharton, formerly from Wabash, this State, has rented the new rooms up stairs in Doctor Hill's Building and is now ready to take Pictures. It must be recollected that Mr. Wharton received the Premium at the State Fair as the best artist in the state.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, December 19, 1867]

Drs. Hill & Hector, having formed a partnership in the practice of medicine and surgery . . . Office in Dr. Hill's new building. Wm. Hill, C. Hector.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, May 28, 1868]

BUILDINGS - HOLEMAN BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
Located NW corner 6th & Main.
I. W. Holeman has the foundation laid for a store building across the street from where he is now doing business. It is some 65 feet in length, and intended for a two story building, and when finished, will add materially to the business part of town. . .
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, June 4, 1859]

Change. The new store room of I. W. Holeman is completed. It is one of the neatest finished business houses in the place, and adds much to the appearance of our town. . . .
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, October 1, 1859]

BUILDINGS - HOLMAN & STEPHENSON BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
NEWS OF THE DAY
The large lintel for the Holman, Stevenson & Shields building arrived Wednesday. The lintel is of steel, weighs 8,000 lbs. and is 39 ft long and 2 ft thick.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, November 9, 1905]

NEW SAVINGS BANK
Rochester is to have a new business institution of much interest to the public. It is the Rochester Trust and Savings Co., with a paid up capital stock of $60,000 and its leading stockholders the strongest men, financially in Northern Indiana. The stock holders are Rome C. Stephenson, George W. Holman, J. E. Beyer, W. A. Banta, Fred Hoffman, Jr., Abner J. Barrett, Fred Agster, Peter Stingly, Kline W. Shore, Albert H. Skinner, Henry A. Barnhart, O. F. Montgomery, and Frank E. Bryant, of Rochester; W. I. Rannells, of Fulton; Jacob Woolverton, John M. Studebaker and Wm. J. Keller, of South Bend; Ed F. Michael and Emmett H. Scott, of LaPorte; and A. L. Stephenson, George T. Little and Thomas McNamee, of Wabash. Mr. Studebaker and Mr. Scott need no introduction as solid and reliable capitalists. Mr. Woolverton is president of the South Bend Savings and Trust Co and the other out of town stock holders are all capitalists and bankers who regard Rochester as a fine prospect for such an institution.
This bank, if such it may be called, will not compete for commercial banking business. It will receive and pay interest on time deposits, conduct a savings bank department for those who wqant to lay up a little money and get interest on it, and will loan money on good security on long or short time. It will be authorized by law to act as guardian, administrator, will executor, trustee in bankruptcy, and other fiduciary capacities. It will be organized under a state law authorizing the operation of trust and savings companies and will be subject to State inspection and State examination twice a year.
While the organization has not yet been made, it is understood that Mr. Studebaker, Mr. Beyer, Mr. Woolverton, R. C. Stephenson and Mr. Scott will be some of the directors and the institution will be under the management of Senator Stephenson who has been very successful at placing an extensive line of loans and he will be in close touch with South Bend Trust and Savings Co., which has three million dollars capital and has made a great success of the business.
Articles of incorporation will be obtained at once and it is the intention to be ready for business by May 15. The front part of the new Holman & Stephenson office will be equipped with counters, a new burglar proof safe will be put in the vault and it will be a fine location and a good thing for Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, May 11, 1906]

SAVING BANK OPEN
The newly organized Rochester Trust & Savings Co. opened for business Monday morning and it came in a most satisfactory way, the day's business running far up into the thousands of dollars.
The new institution is in the Holman and Stephenson building, north side of public square, and it is one of the most substantial banking and attractive building institutions in the city. The brass window screens, the massive oak marble and iron counter, and desks, and the great vault combine to make a striking picture of stability. Within the three ton steel door of the fire proof vault is a Mosler screw door, burglar proof safe the like of which has never yet been successfully burglarized. The vault is not only fire proof from without but is lined with heavy steel and there are safety deposit boxes in the vault which carry the double lock key system which requires that both the banker and the box owner be present before it can be opened, both of them carrying keys that must be manipulated in different locks at the same time in order to open any of the boxes.
The Rochester Trust and Savings Co will do a regular loan and savings bank business. It will loan money in large or small amounts, receive deposits and pay 3 per cent interest on them if left a given time, and act as administrator and guardian of estates and individuals. It is capitalized at $60,000, all paid in, officered by some of the most successful men in northern Indiana, and Senator Rome C. Stephenson as president and Frank Newcomer as book keeper and cashier will be behind the counter.
This is one of the most promising financial institutions of the country and will prove a good thing for the people in many ways.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 17, 1906]

WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH CO.
Harvey Waymire, local manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company, this morning announced that his company had leased the A. D. Robbins room at 717 Main street for a term of 10 years and would move the company's office from its present location at 110 East Eighth Street to the new location by December 1. The move is in line with the policy of the Western Union Company that of placing their offices on the principal streets of every city in which they engage in business. The new local office will be the finest telegraph office in this section of the state Mr. Waymire stated and will include a ladies rest room. The new furniture for the office has already arrived. The Western Union Company has occupied the room in the Holman and Stephenson building for the past 15 years. Only the front 40 feet of the Robbins room was leased. A partition will be built dividing the Robbins room.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Saturday, October 26, 1929]

BUILDINGS - HOLMAN ROOM [Rochester, Indiana]
Y.M.B.A. WILL RESUME ITS WEEKLY LUNCHEONS
The Young Men's Business Association at their meeting held Monday night in the basement of the First National Bank voted to again hold noon luncheons one day of each week, beginning with the first week in February. This plan was followed for several years but was abandoned three months ago. The American Legion Auxiliary will provide the luncheons which will be served in the Holman room at 704 Main street.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Tuesday, January 19, 1926]

BUILDINGS - HOLMES & MILLER BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
New Building. Messrs. Holmes and Miller are putting up a fine large two story building, opposite the Court House . . .
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, July 18, 1863]

Drs. Miller & Thompson . . . have commenced the practice of the medical profession . . . Office is one door South of Holmes & Millers new building.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, November 19, 1863]

A. J. Holmes & Co., South room Holmes & Miller new building, opposite Court House, drygoods, groceries, hardware & other general merchandise. A. J. Holmes, S. Keely, Peter Meredith.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, December 5, 1863]

H. Miller & Co., in the north part of Holmes & Miller Bldg. Hugh Miller, H. G. Miller and Chas. Caffyn, have opened a new store stock purchased at Cincinnati. " . . . you will find Gavin and Charley very pleasant, and you will occasionally find the Old Judge there to help give you bargains."
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 27, 1864]

A. J. Holmes & Co., South room of Holmes & Miller's new building opposite the court house. Drygoods, groceries, hardware Queensware, boots and shoes. Produce taken in exchange. Holmes, Keeley & Meredith.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday May 7, 1864]

Removal. The Sentinel office has been removed to the third story of Holmes & Miller's New Building.
-- Orange Meredith informs the public that he has just opened a new Grocery & Provision Store, two doors south of Holmes & Miller's new building.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday June 24, 1864]

Back Pay, Bounty and Pension Agency. Having purchased of E. L. Bennet, Esq., his License as a Claim Agent, (he having removed from the county) . . . please inquire either at the office of S. Keith, Esq. (County Clerk's office) or at the Chronicle office, in Holmes & Miller's Building, opposite the Court House. Corydon E. Fuller, Rochester, Ind., July 12, 1864.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, July 14, 1864]

Old Seventy-Six Grocery & Provision Store first door south of Holmes & Miller's new building. Fredrick Sturken. Oct. 18, 1864.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 2, 1864]

Hathaway & M'Kernan, Attorneys at Law . . . Office in Holmes & Miller's Block.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, November 16, 1865]

Dry Goods. We are happy to see Mr. I. W. Holeman formerly of this place, but late of LaPorte, with a huge stock of Dry Goods Groceries, &c., which he is arranging in the room recently occupied by H. Miller & Co. Mr. H. is an old citizen of this place and a veteran in the trade, which advantage his old customers have learned we bespeak for him a large "run," as he is "at home" it isnt necessary for us to say more. Remember the place, Holmes & Miller's Block West Side Public Square.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, December 14, 1865]

New Grocery Store. H. F. Landes is opening up a new Grocery Store South of Holmes & Millers building in the store room recently occupied by Cap. Shields. . . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, November 8, 1866]

Removal. Jamison & Foote Atty's at Law. . . have removed from their office over Cornelius & Bro's Store, to the South front room up stairs of Holmes and Millers building, immediately opposite the court house. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, November 8, 1866]

Attorneys at Law. Jamison & Holmes, H. B. Jamison, A. J. Holmes. Office up stairs, in Holmes & Millers Block, opposite the Court House.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, March 28, 1867]
Drs. W. J. Thompson & Son would respectfully inform the citizens of Fulton county that they have commenced the practice of the medical profession . . . Particular attention given to the diseases of women and children. Office two doors South of Holmes & Miller's new building.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, January 30, 1868]

Dr. C. Hector, Physician and Surgeon, office in Holmes and Miller's building, 2d floor, Rochester, Ind. . . at night at his residence on Madison street two doors south of Public Square . . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, February 20, 1868]

BUILDINGS - HOOVER BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
Located SW corner 6th & Main, site of the first Methodist Church.In 1935 the Rochester Bowling Alleys were located here.
Later Zimmerman Bros. had a furniture store there.
Still later, Dyche Motors, Ford Agency; Jennings Motors, Ford Agency; McClure Ford Sales.
[NOTE: This building could be incorrectly named, for James Zimmerman confirmed that Zimmerman Bros. Furniture Store was first located at 619 Main Street, later location of Eagles Lodge. From this building, they moved to SW corner 6th & Main, the site of the earlier Methodist church. -- WCT]__________

ZIMMERMAN BROS. STORE GUTTED BY FLAMES AND WATER
One of the heaviest losses to be caused by fire in the business district of this city in several years occurred at 9:45 o'clock Wednesday morning when flames enveloped a large section of the ZIMMERMAN BROS. furniture store, located in the HOOVER estate building [SW] corner of Main and 6th streets. A preliminary check-up made by local insurance agents and the proprietors of the store, places the damages at $9,000 which loss is partially covered by insurance.
The blaze was discovered by Roy HOCK, who resides the first house west of the Hoover building and at this time the flames were leaping through the roof of the frame rear section of the building. Upon being informed of the fire the Zimmerman brothers, Herbert [ZIMMERMAN] and Emerson [ZIMMERMAN], spread the alarm and immediately rushed upstairs where they attempted to cover and protect twenty caskets which were on the display floor.
So intense was the heat from the flames that the proprietors could do but little in the way of protecting the caskets and both of the men had a narrow escape from the upstairs room. Herbert barely had passed through the doorway leading into the brick structure of the building when a large section of the roof and plastering fell in. Emerson who still remained in the casket room, seeing that his avenue of escape had been cut off by the debris, rushed to a window and made his predicament known to the firegighters who shot a ladder up to the window by which the entrapped furniture man was able to make his escape.
By this time a large crowd of volunteer fire-fighters had arrived at the scene and assisted in removing a large portion of the furniture stock from the building. The fire which is believed to have originated from sparks on the roof spread toward the front stories of the brick building, burning directly between the ceiling and the metal roofing which greatly hampered the progress of the firemen and resulted in the thorough drenching of the rear end of the two floors in the main section of the building. The flames were making such headway in the old frame section that the fireman found it necessary to use the pumper engine to provide enough water to bring the blaze under control. The last burning ember being extinguished shortly before 11 o'clock.
Practically all of the contents of the rear part of the building consisting of caskets, stoves, linoleums, floor coverings, stored goods and other equipment, were destroyed, while the general stock of merchandise carried on the two floors of the brick building were removed with a minimum of damage from water or smoke.
The frame building at the rear is one of the land marks of the town and at one time formed a portion of the First Methodist church. The old church was later transferred into a frame furniture store building by the late Christian HOOVER. Several years ago the heirs of Christian Hoover erected the modern two story brick building and connected onto the rear of the farme building for use as storage and office rooms.
The proprietors stated today they would at once start remodeling the building and hold a fire sale, details of which will be announced at an early date. Loss on the building is estimated at $3,500 while that of the stock and aggregate close to $5,500.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Wednesday, October 22, 1930]

BUILDINGS - KEELEY BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
Enterprise. Mr. I. T. Van Duzer, with the services of a number of workmen, is busily engaged remodeling and fitting up his building commonly known as the "Mansion House," for the purpose of starting a hotel. With the prospects of our Railroads, and the central location of the house, we cannot see why the business could not be made a very profitable one. Rochester will then have three hotels, and three Flouring Mills; one (Wallace & Chapin) however, is not yet completed, but will be running in a few weeks. Fred Fromm, Sam Keeley and the Cornelius Bro's intend erecting new buildings this summer. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, April 4, 1867]

BUILDINGS - KNAPP BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Buildings - Odd Fellows Building.

BUILDINGS - LONG BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
Located 824-826 Main.
In 1891 a society of Progressive Thinkers was organized in Lyceum Hall, the principal promoters being Dr. S. S. Terry, Hon. Milo R. Smith, Editor Major Bitters, John M. Davis, Robert H. Henkle and a large number of ladies. The first minister was Prof. Charles W. Peters of Plymouth, England. In the fall of 1892 Temple Hall was constructed for the special use of the society on the second floor of the Long building, over what is now the Book Store and Walle's Jewelry store.

BUILDINGS - MAMMOTH BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
Located at 724 Main, site of the present building occupied by Ruh's Blue Drug Store; Dyche Drugs; Baxter Drugs; and now Webb's Family Pharmacy.
After occupying the Odd Fellows Hall for 11 years the Lodge was now to have its third meeting place. On Dec. 27, 1860, a contract was signed with David Lyon whereby the Lodge leased the upper story of a new building named by its owner "The Mammoth Building" for an annual reental of $35. This building was located on the present site of Baxter's Drug Store. A former occupant of a building on this site before the present occupant was, in the earlier part of the 1900's, the Blue Drug Store, operated by Alex Ruh & Son. The Masons occupied this meeting hall until 1870 wen they moved to a new building which they used until Sept. 6, 1977.
[Rochester Masonic Lodge, Fred C. McClurg, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

We call attention to the advertisement of D. W. Lyon & Co., of the Mammoth Building, in today's paper.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 7, 1860]

Special Notice! Removal! The Next Number of the Sentinel will be issued from the "Mammoth" Building, North Room, over Hoppe & Co's., where we may hereafter be found.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, December 15, 1860]
New Jewelry Store - - one door north of the Mammoth Building. . . . A. D. Hoppe, Rochester, April 24, 1862.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, April 24, 1862]

Picture Gallery opened by "our young friend" Norton E. Alexander, Mammoth Bldg., over Ernsperger & Keeley's store.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, April 18, 1863]

S. A. Nye Ice Cream Saloon, in room formerly occupied by M. M. Rex, Mammoth Bldg., Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, June 13, 1863]

New Building. Judge Miller and A. J. Holmes are laying the foundation of a new building, 40 by60 feet, on the lot south of the Mammoth Building.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, June 18, 1863]

One of our oldest and most popular merchants, D. W. Lyon, Esq., has again started in the Dry Goods, Grocery and general retail business at his old stand in the Mammoth Bldg. .
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, September 26, 1863]

Miller & Thompson, physicians & surgeons, Mammoth Bldg., upstairs over D. W. Lyon's Store
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, October 24, 1863]

Holmes & Keeley have just returned from purchasing merchandise at Cincinnati for their store, Mammoth Bldg., opposite the Court House.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, November 28, 1863]

Lyon & Kendrick, general merchandise. Store at Lyon's old stand, south door, Mammoth Bldg., Rochester. Drygoods, clothing, groceries, boots, shoes, hats, caps and gentlemen's apparel made to order.
--- A. J. Davidson, Harness & Saddle Shop, in room recently occupied by T. A. Bealle, nearly opposite the Mammoth Bldg. Cash for hides, furs and peltries.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday April 23, 1864]

The Old Saddle and Harness Shop is in full operation. Inhabitants of Fulton Co. are informed of the services and prices at this shop on the East side of Main Street, nearly opposite Mammoth Bldg. A. J. Davidson
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, October 7, 1864]

M. L. Essick, Esq., has established himself in his new Law Office, in Mammoth Building, up stairs, over the store of Lyon & Kendrick . . . We understand that he has been appointed Deputy Common Pleas Prosecutor for this county.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, November 31, 1864]

Excise Tax Notice! . . . duties and taxes, for the year 1865 . . . that the undersigned, or E. B. Chinn, his deputy for (Fulton) County, will attend at his office in the Mammoth Building . . . John F. Dodds, Collector of Internal Revnue, 9th Collection Dist of Ind., Logansport, Indiana, July 18, 1865.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, August 17, 1865]

Fresh Oysters Coming from Baltimore to Mehrling's Head Quarters, at his old Stand in Mammoth Building, second room over Lyons & Kendricks Store. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, December 7, 1865]

Jewell's Picture Gallery, in the Mammoth Building 2d door, over Lyon & Kendrick's store. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, February 1, 1866]

Oysters at William Chinn's Restaurant in Mammoth Building 2d floor.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, February 8, 1866

F. S. Crockett, Attorney at Law and Notary Public (Office in Mammoth Building) Rochester, Ind. . . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, May 24, 1866]

Messrs Bruette & Collins would respectfully inform their customers that they have removed their Barber shop to the large and spacious room in the Mammoth Building, over Lyon & Kendrick's Dry Goods Store . . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, February 7, 1867]

Frederick Troster, late of Logansport, has established a bakery in the north room of the Mammoth Building.
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, July 23 1868]

Stealing. The premises of J. Barber (a colored man) were entered Saturday night, and a pair of his pants, $10 in money, and an album abstracted. The family were absent on a visit, and Jerry was at his shop shaving the public. . . The affair occurred in the Mammoth building.
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, September 17, 1868]

Widner & Co. Proprietors of the Union Bakery & Eating Saloon, No. 1 Mammoth Building . . . Rochester, Oct. 7, 1868.
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, October 22, 1868]

Select School. The 4th Term of the school taught in the Mammoth building, will commence April 5th, and continue eleven weeks . . . J. E. Hilton, Teacher.
[Rochester Standard, Thursday, March 25, 1869]

Select School. . . . The Fifth term of the Select School taught in the Mammoth Building will commence August 30th, and continue eleven weeks. . . J. E. Hilton, Teacher. Rochester, August 19.
[Rochester Standard, Thursday, August 12, 1869]

BUILDINGS - MANN BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
Select School. Miss C. E. Buesing will open a Select School in Dr. Mann's Building (over Fromm's Store) . . . Rochester, Aug. 27, 1863.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, August 27, 1863]

Dr. Spohn, late of Warsaw, has recently located himself in Rochester, and is prepared to wait upon all who desire his services. Office in Mrs. Mann's building.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, May 14, 1868]

New Firm. Carpenter & Barnes have formed a copartnership in the furniture business, and are occupying Mrs. Mann's rooms, opposite D. S. Gould's Star Store and two doors north of the Post Office. . .
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, December 31, 1868]

BUILDINGS - MARTIN'S ROOM [Rochester, Indiana]
Change of Base. John P. Myers has removed his Harness Shop from Wallace's Block to D. R. Martin's room north of Wallace's store, and opposite Ernsperger's store. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, January 25, 1866]

BUILDINGS - MASONIC HALL BLOCK [Rochester, Indiana]
The entire building [two store rooms] at NW corner 8th & Main is called Masonic Hall Block, although only the 3rd floor was leased by Masonic Lodge.

The building now occupied by Mr. Truslow as a merchant tailor's store, is soon to be moved to the opposite side of South street, to make room for materials which will be used in the construction of two or three brick store rooms, next summer. The building contemplated will be occupied in the third story by the Masonic fraternity.
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, October 8, 1868]

. . . now materials are being collected for the first of the great enterprises of the future. A well-known dry-goods firm, Messrs. Lyon & Kendrick, have entered into articles of agreement with a joint stock company of Freemasons for the erection of a three-story structure on the corner diagonally opposite the north-west corner of the public square. The proposed building will be 42 x 80 feet, and the front, on Main street, will be of stone. No less than three hundred thousand brick will be required. . . The basement will be arranged for oyster saloons or barbrer shops. The ground floor will be divided into two store rooms, each 19 x 80 feet, and finished off in good style. A stairway, 3-1/2 feet in width, will lead to the second floor, which will be separated into five rooms, two on the north and three on the south side of the hall. The third floor will be occupied by the Masonic fraternity.
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, December 3, 1868]

OPENS STONE HE CLOSED IN 1869
A. T. Bitters, the man who spread the mortar over the corner stone of the present Masonic building in 1869, had the honor of opening the box which the corner stone contained at a called meeting of the Rochester lodge No. 79 F. & A. M. Tuesday evening.
The ceremony was witnessed by about 30 members of the lodge, as owing to the short notice many failed to attend. Tuesday afternoon the workmen who are remodeling the front of Sol Allman's store, were compelled to remove the corner stone of the Masonic building in order to install a new steel lintel. The box which the stone contained was carefully taken out and was not opened until in the evening when the lodge was in session.
To the disappointment of the Masons the papers in the box were in a very poor state of preservation owing to the manner in which the stone had been laid. The air and moisture during the 45 years had entered the box and caused the papers to become decomposed.
The box contained the consitution and by-laws of the lodge which was then known as Fulton lodge No. 79, a copy of the Masonic Advocate, a copy of the Rochester Union Spy, which is now the Republican, a copy of the Rochester Standard, which is now the Sentinel, and one coin, a five cent piece. The papers with the exception of the Advocate, fell apart when touched and could hardly be read. The date on the Union Spy was September 17, 1869 and the date on the Standard was September 15, 1869. The editor of the Spy at that time was William H. Mattingly.
The corner stone was laid in 1869 by the Masons who owned the upper story, Lyon & Kendrick owning the lower stories. The Sheriff later closed in on the Masons and took their part of the building and they did not get it back until a few years ago. A. T. Bitters and William Bitters were the brick masons who put up the building. The corner stone which was moved Tuesday, will be relaid by the Masons who will place new records in it. An effort will be made to make the box air tight. All of the Rochester papers and records of the Masonic and Eastern Star lodges will be placed in the box.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, September 1, 1914]

BUILDINGS - MILLER BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
Located W side of street at 626 Main.
Built by - - - Miller, who operated Miller's Hardware.
Calvin & Myers Hardware located there from 1937, owned by Vere S. Calvin and Paul C. Myers. Myers sold his interest in 1959. Calvin operated the business until head death in 1971.

BUILDINGS - MOORE BROS. [Rochester, Indiana]
$12,000 FIRE AT MOORE BROTHERS' BUILDING
A fire which threatened to destroy the entire Moore building, 116-118 East Eighth Street, in which is located The News-Sentinel newspaper and job printing plant, the office of the Chester White Journal and several apartments upstairs, brought damage approximately totalling $12,000, today noon. The flames confined to the upstairs where the fire started while all of the damage downstairs, where the offices were located, was caused by water. The loss is partially covered by insurance.
Miss Juanita Lloyd, grade school teacher, who with Miss Evelyn Jones, lived in the east apartment in the front of the upstairs, came home about 11:15 and on entering the hallway found them full of smoke. She opened the apartment door and at that moment the kitchen cabinet which was in flames fell over on the floor. Plastering was also falling. She ran down stairs and spread the alarm. It was thought that the fire started from a short circuit in the electric wiring in the kitchen but by the time the flames were put out the entire apartment was a mass of charred wrecage leaving no actual trace of the starting place of the fire.
Smoke Filled Rooms
Employees of The News-Sentinel ran upstairs with fire extinguishers but were unable to find the center of the flames due to the dense smoke. The fire department was delayed in getting into action by the breaking of the chemical hose after it had been run into the upstairs window. After water connections were made from the Main Street and Madison Street corners water was poured into the upstairs rooms rapidly but the flames were conquered only after considerable effort.
Meanwhile, the water started to pour into the downstairs offices and soon the offices of The News-Sentinel and of the Chester White Journal were flooded. Some of the furniture and all of the records were moved out of the newspaper office and taken to the press rooms. The water shortly began running through to the basement where several thousand dollars worth of paper stock is kept, and this was all moved rearward but not until much of the paper had been damaged. Fortunately none of the machinery was damaged it all being covered with canvas to prevent the water reaching it. The Moore offices were badly damaged by the water most of the furniture being left inside.
Salvage Some Furniture
The flames upstairs spread about the one apartment while smoke and steam filled the other rooms. In the west front apartment, occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Perschbacher, not a great deal of damage was done by the fire and they were able to move most of their furniture and belongings out. A rear apartment unoccupied was badly damaged as were all the walls and ceilings.
Miss Jones had all of her clothes destroyed including a fur coat and $40 in cash, which was in a dresser door. Miss Lloyd also lost all of her clothes and $10 in cash. All of the other possessions of the two young ladies and all of the furnishings in the rooms, the property of the F. F. Moore estate, were burned and charred.
Levi P. Moore, secretary of The Chester White Journal, said that the damage to the building and their offices would amount to $5,000 while it is estimated that The News-Sentinel will have an equal or greater loss.
Business Is Resumed
Upon the departure of the firemen from the building about 1:30 o'clock and with the water still streaming down in the front part of the building The News-Sentinel force started immediately to cover the fire story and get out the day's paper. The typewriters were set up in the press room and soon the copy was being turned out. The press room force cleared away the office furniture that was piled over the chases and stones and began assembling the type and advertising. The linotype machines started back in operation and the job department swing back into production. Others spent the afternoon making room in the aisles and by two o'clock almost normal operations had been resumed.
Repair Work To Begin
The entire front part of the Moore building upstairs and down will have to be refinished and new furniture installed and the old equipment repaired and refinished. The News-Sentinel office force will be found located somewhere in the building and advertisers, customers and others will find them somewhat handicapped but "doing business as usual."
Was Second Fire
Old timers who came in to view the damage done by the fire related that this was the sceond conflagration in the building, another taking place a good many years ago when the downstairs rooms were occupied by a clothing store.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, February 27, 1934]

BUILDINGS - NOFTSGER BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
NEWS OF THE DAY
The foundation for the new B. F. Noftsger office building on East Eighth street is now finished and work on the building will be started in a short time.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, July 2, 1912]

BUILDINGS - ODD FELLOWS BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
Located NW corner 9th & Main.
Built as a three-story brick or block building.

In the corner room of the Odd Fellows Building, Fred Wilson operated a hardware store and the location later housed the Earle Theatre, one of Rochester's earliest movie houses where you could see a "feature" for a five-cent piece. The Earle Theatre brought Rochester its first mechanical talking pictures. Adjoining the theatre, Al Fristoe operated Rochester's earliest "five and 10 cent" store in what is now the north half of the Kroger market.
[Earle A. Miller, The News-Sentinel, Monday, July 14, 1958]
Sold to Torchy Knapp, who remodeled, making it a four-story building. It was then called the Knapp Building.
James Zimmerman renamed it the Centennial Tower 1876 when he purchased it.
The Odd Fellows then moved to 217 E 8th.

Select School. Mr. L. D. Willard will open a Select School in this town at the Odd Fellows Hall on Monday, August 29, 1859.

Elder William S. Winfield, of the Christian Church, will commence a series of meetings in the lower room of the Odd Fellows Hall, on Wednesday evening, Feb 12, 1862.
[Rochester Mercury, Thursday, February 6, 1862]

Select School. . . Miss J. E. Hilton will re-open School August 29th, 1870, in Odd Fellows Hall. . .
[Rochester Union-Spy, Friday, August 19, 1870]

Select School. Miss J. E. Hilton will re-open a Select School, August 29th, 1870, in the Odd Fellows Hall. . .
[Rochester City Times, Thursday, August 27, 1870]

BUILDINGS - REECE BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
WORKMEN TEAR DOWN OLD LAND MARK OF ROCHESTER
Carpenters started Tuesday morning to tear down the old frame building on Main street between Sixth and Seventh streets, known as the Reece building. This structure was recently condemned by a deputy from the state fire marshal's office, and because of the order, the present owner, Mrs. Mary Stannard, of Amboy, Illinois, ordered the razing of the building.
The store room is a landmark of the city. It was built in 1867 by the Andrew Davidson, who is a brother of Turpie and Lee Davidson, of this county. He used it for sewing machine display room. Davidson sold the building to a Dr. Tolerton, who used it to manufacture proprietary medicines.
The doctor sold the room to the late William Reece, who is the father of Milton Reece, of this city. He in turn willed it to his wife and she gave it to Mrs. Mary Stannard. Since the Reece's owned the building it has been occupied by many different people. Among them were Billy True who ran a bakery and restaurant, and Mrs. William Parker, who ran a millinary store.
The passing of the Reece building makes the third store building in the business district of the city to pass this spring by reason of the deputy fire marshal's orders. The other two were the Mann building, which was built in 1860, and the Holzman building, in 1867. There are several other buildings within the business district which it said will be condemned by the state fire marshal when he makes his next regular inspection in this city.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, June 15, 1920]

BUILDINGS - ROBBINS BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
Midway Billiard Parlor

FINISH SHEPPARD WINDOW
Four expert glaziers and coppersmiths in the employ of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, of Chicago, today completed the work of installing the new glass front in the Dee Robbins' store room occupied by Sheppard Hardware Co. The new display window will be a decided improvement over the old one as it is equipped with a special ventilating feature which eliminates steaming and frosting.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, July 14, 1923]

BILLY DOVICHI NAMES NEW BILLIARD PARLOR
William Dovichi has named his new billiard parlor recently opened in the Robbins room at 717 Main street the "Midway Billiard Parlor." The proprietor has installed card tables, two pool and one 5 by 10 billiard table. The pool and billiard tables were built by the Brunswick Balke company, a representative of the concern installing them. To stimulate interest in billiards Mr. Dovichi is giving away 100 cigars each month to the man making the most billiards during that period. An exhaust fan has been erected which insures fresh air in the parlor at all times. A full line of candies, fruits, soft drinks and cigars are carried. A lunch counter is also operated.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Thursday, January 21, 1926]
WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH CO.
Harvey Waymire, local manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company, this morning announced that his company had leased the A. D. Robbins room at 717 Main street for a term of 10 years and would move the company's office from its present location at 110 East Eighth Street to the new location by December 1. The move is in line with the policy of the Western Union Company that of placing their offices on the principal streets of every city in which they engage in business. The new local office will be the finest telegraph office in this section of the state Mr. Waymire stated and will include a ladies rest room. The new furniture for the office has already arrived. The Western Union Company has occupied the room in the Holman and Stephenson building for the past 15 years. Only the front 40 feet of the Robbins room was leased. A partition will be built dividing the Robbins room.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Saturday, October 26, 1929]

BUILDINGS - ROMIG'S BARN [Rochester, Indiana]
SALE GOES WELL
The first public auction held by the Community Sales Co., Saturday afternoon, was very successful, despite the unfavorable weather. The sale was held in Romig's barn opposite the jail and the place was crowded all day. About $3,000 worth of goods were disposed of by the auctioneers.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, April 18, 1921]

BUILDINGS - SERGEANT BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
Improvements. . . . Two fine brick structures, both having stone fronts, are being erected on Main street, and are to be used for business purposes. The one nearest completion is on the corner north of th public square and is owned by Jesse Shields, Esq. The brick used in its construction was mader in this place . . .The other brick building is located nearly opposite and west of the Court House, and is owned by Mr. G. M. Sergeant. . .
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, August 20, 1868]

The bad weather has retarded the progress of Mr. G. lM. Sergent's brick building. . .
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, October 8, 1868]

BUILDINGS - SHIELDS BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
Located NE corner 8th & Main [729 Main]. Built by Jesse Shields for his general store. Masonry work by Tully (A. T.) Bitters, who was not only a newspaper man, but also a brick mason.
It was the first brick business building in Rochester.

__________

Improvements. . . . Two fine brick structures, both having stone fronts, are being erected on Main street, and are to be used for business purposes. The one nearest completion is on the corner north of th public square and is owned by Jesse Shields, Esq. The brick used in its construction was mader in this place . . .The other brick building is located nearly opposite and west of the Court House, and is owned by Mr. G. M. Sergeant. . .
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, August 20, 1868]

Workmen are finishing off the inside of the new brick storeroom erected by Hon. Jesse Shields this summer. . .
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, October 8, 1868]

Reeve & Sturgeon, Attorneys at Law, Rochester, Indiana. . . in their new office, on the second floor of Shields' new Brick Building . . . C. H. Reeve, E. Sturgeon.
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, November 5, 1868]

Removed. Mr. Enoch Sturgeon has removed his law office to a room in the second story of Jesse Shield's brick building.
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, November 5, 1868]

Drs. White & Spohn, Physicians & Surgeons . . . Office up stairs in Jesse Shields' new brick. Dr. White's residence east side South Main St., near the corporation limits. Dr. Spohn may be found at the office at all hours when not professionally absent.
[Rochester Union-Spy, Thursday, November 19, 1868]

Later housed Kroger store; still later Zimmerman's Pastries;
Finally, it was purchased by Farmers & Merchants Bank, which was located first door N, who rebuilt one building where both stood before
.
BUILDINGS - SHORE BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
LARGE NEW BUILDING TO BE ERECTED SOON
The building of a new two story modern business home for the A. B. Shore Clothing House, has been announced by A. B. Shore. The structure which will make a valuable and beautiful addition to the city business district will be erected on the west side of Main street on the site of the storeroom occupied by the John Downs Shoe Repair Shop, which recently was burned out.
Mr. Shore who has been in the clothing business for eleven years will move his establishment from the north end to the new location just as soon as the building is completed. His plans for the new location calls for a big business expansion and a most modern clothing store.
The building will be constructed of brick with a front of white terra cotta brick trimmed in orange. The structure will be 125 feet long and will consist of the main floor, second floor and basement, all of which will be occupied by the Shore concern. The show windows are to be built according to the very latest ideas in display construction and the vestibule will run 18 feet into the building and have show windows on each side with a large one in the center of the entrance and two separate doors.
The floor of the entrance will be of black and white tile while the base of the windows will be of Italian black and white marble. The show windows will be so built that the glass will not frost in the coldest weather.
The ground floor room is to have a hardwood floor and an ornamental ceiling while all of the merchandise will be enclosed in glass cases. At the rear will be the tailoring department. Fixtures will be especially constructed for the building.
An office and a large sample room where salesmen can display their goods, will occupy the upper story while in the basement will be a modern rest room for men and women, behind which will be found a large stock room.
Contracts on the building, accoring to Mr. Shore will be let within a few days and work will start immediately. He plans to move into the new building by September first.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, March 9, 1922]

SHORE BUILDING COMPLETED
The only strictly up-to-the-minute store and office building Rochester boasts is now completed and ready for occupancy. This is the new A. B. Shore building constructed by Ertle and Wolf, contractors, on the former site of the old red brick structure which was partially destroyed by fire a little more than a year ago.
The new building, which is a two-story structure, contains, besides the store room which occupies the entire first floor, seven suites of office rooms with every modern office convenience including lavatories with hot and cold running water and steam heat and each room is well lighted and ventilated.
The arrangement is such that the rooms will furnish very desirable quarters for professional men, realtors, etc.
The fixtures are now being installed in the store room and Mr. Shore expects to move his stock of clothing, a haberdashery, into the new quarters in the near future.
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, February 13, 1923]

MANDLECO STUDIO TO OCCUPY SHORE ROOM
James Mandleco, who now occupies an upper room in the Robbins building which his photography studios are located, will move his business to the center room in the main floor of the new Shore building just across the street, according to announcement made Thursday. This will be an excellent location for the business, which is the only one of its kind in the city. With the rental of this room by Mandleco all three of the rooms have been contracted, it is understood, one by Homer Pierce, jeweler, and the other by Felts Brothers pool room.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, July 31, 1924]

BUILDINGS - SHORE ESTATE BUILDING - [Rochester, Indiana]
See Wile and Shore Estate Buildings

BUILDINGS - STINSON BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
MODERN OFFICE BUILDING TO BE ERECTED IN CITY
Dr. A. E. Stinson and his son Dr. Dean Stinson announced today that they had several weeks ago purchased the two-story business room at 816 Main Street of Harry Wallace and that they would erect a modern office building on the site.
The contract for the erection of the new building has been let to Jay Waltz of this city. The plans for the structure were drawn by a Frankfort firm of architects. The razing of the old building has been started thus giving employment to a large number of workmen.
The plans show that the new building will extend forty-five feet west of Main street. The ground floor will contain a reception and eight office and treatment rooms. This floor will be occupied with the offices of the Drs. Stinson and of Dr. George Brower, optometrist, who has shared the office at 726 1/2 Main street with Dr. Stinson and his son.
The building is to be constructed of veri-colored tan brick. The second story of the structure will be four feet lower than the present building and will contain four office rooms. The equipment of the new building such as furniture and plumbing will be of the most modern type.
Dr. A. E. Stinson and Dr. Dean Stinson stated today that they planned to occupy the new building on or about October 15.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, August 7, 1935]

ENTER NEW OFFICES
On Tuesday morning the following professional men will be located in the new clinic building recently erected by the Drs. Stinson on the west side of the public square: Dr. George Brower, Dr. Dean K. Stinson and Dr. A. E. Stinson. The physicians are vacating the suites over the Howard jewelry store.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, December 2, 1935]

OPENS OFFICE
Prosecutor Dale Poenix is opening a law office in the Stinson building on the west side of the public square. The office of Attorney Poenix will be on the second floor of the building.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, December 4, 1935]

BUILDINGS - STRADLEY BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
Our enterprising postmaster, C. J. Stradley, is erecting a new building on the corner North of his store, into the lower story of which he will remove the Post Office, as soon as it is completed.
The second story will be occupied by Dr. M. M. Rex, as a Dentist's Office.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, March 26, 1863]

Building. Mr. C. J. Stradley is erecting a fine business room between his store and the Post Office, which, when completed, is to be occupied by Messrs. Henderson & Bro. Druggists, from Huntington. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, October 5, 1865]

BUILINGS - TROUTMAN BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
Located NW corner 5th & Main, [430 Main] which Rochester Townsend Club occupied for 10 years.

BUILDINGS - WALLACE'S BLOCK [Rochester, Indiana]
Stoves! Stoves! Largest Lot of Stoves ever brought to this town . . . George O'Harlan (successor to L. J. Brown & Co.) Tin Shop. . . Shop in the South Room of Wallace's New building. . . George O'Harlan, Rochester, March 27, 1858.
[Rochester Gazette, Thursday, December 9, 1858]

Pershing & Rannells, Dealers in Fancy and Staple Dry Goods, Hats, Caps and Ready-made Clothing, Groceries, Hardware, Queensware, &c. &c.
They also purchase Wheat, Corn, Hides, and all kinds of country produce at the Farmer's Store, in Wallace's Block, south east corner Main and Market Streets, Rochester, Ind.
[Rochester Mercury, Thursday, March 1, 1860]

G. Holzman, Dealer in Ready Made Clothing, and Gentlemen's Furnishing Goods. Store in Wallace's Building, next door South of Rannells & McMahan.
[Rochester Mercury, Thursday, May 9, 1861]

New Firm! . . . Saddles, Harness, Bridles, Halters . . . Shop in Wallace's Block, opposite Ernsperger's Store. . . Myers & Hanson. Rochester, Ind. Oct. 31st 1865.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, November 2, 1865]
Change of Base. John P. Myers has removed his Harness Shop from Wallace's Block to D. R. Martin's room north of Wallace's store, and opposite Ernsperger's store. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, January 25, 1866]
The Cincinnati Dry Goods Store. Just Opened, in the Wallace Building, the store occupied by G. Holzman, a large and well assorted stock of Dry Goods, Groceries, Boots and Shoes, Queensware &c., which will be sold at Cincinnati prices. Louis Feder. Remember the place, G. Holzman's Clothing Store.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, March 1, 1866

New Store. Mr. Grey formerly from Plymouth, has opened a very fine stock of Dry Goods and Groceries in second room south of Wallace and Chapins Store in Wallace's Block.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, March 8, 1866

Millinery. Misses Miller & McClung would announce to the ladies of Rochester and vicinity, that they have opened a Millinery shop in Ed Chamberlain's building, north of Wallace's Block. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, April 12, 1866]

Removal. The Rochester Post Office, Chester Chamberlain Postmaster, has been removed from the Wallace Block to the new building just erected by Angerman and fitted up for that purpose, north of A. C. Hickman's Dry Goods Store.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, March 7, 1867]

Something New in Town. Messrs Carter & Reid of Winchester, Ind. have opened a produce Store in Wallace's Block, where they are paying the highest market prices in cash for Poultry, eggs &c. . .
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, March 28, 1867]

Change. Mr. Wm. Downey has purchased the stock of groceries in Wallace's Block, formerly owned by John Shore. . . Mr. Downey is a young man worthy of the people's patronage.
[Rochester Chronicle, Thursday, September 19, 1867]

BUYS BUILDING
Isaac Onstott has purchased the Geo. Wallace business room, occupied by the Cy Davis Variety Store. The consideration was $6,000. The room is one of the oldest in the city.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, September 7, 1914]

BUILDINGS - WILE AND SHORE ESTATE BUILDINGS - [Rochester, Indiana]
LESS THAN FOUR WEEKS LEFT FOR DOOMED PROPERTY
Less than four weeks grace remain for the Ike Wile and Shore estate buildings on Main street now occupied by the Felts pool room, the Palm cafe, the Electric Wiring and Sales Co., and the Miser pop corn stand, according to word received here Wednesday from the offices of the state fire marshal. The official word received by Fire Chief Cook is to the effect that the buildings in question must be torn down by Saturday,April 14.
Last fall was the first time that action was taken on the buildings when Fire Inspector Cash M. Graham came to this city, and among other condemnations recommended by him included the Wile and Shore estate properties. But when the order resulting from his recommendation came through to the local officials it was found that while there was an order on the Wile building giving until November 29 for its destruction, nothing at all was said of the Shore estate buildings.
Graham was notified of this deficiency and as a result of his investigation a second order came from Indianapolis in which December 14 was given as the time limit on the Shore buildings. Wile then sought and received an extension of time to equal the date on the Shore building and then both parties were granted an extension of 120 days, which brought the final date to April 14.
Just recently it was understood that further extensions had been granted in both cases, but the latest word received by Fire Chief Cook dispells this illusion and some of Rochester's oldest landmarks will soon be a thing of the past.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 21, 1923]

FELTS POOL ROOM IS TO GO IN TWO WEEKS
The Felts pool room now located in the Wile building on Main between Seventh and Eighth streets, will soon be a thing of the past, according to announcement made Thursday by Charles Felts, who declared that the building would be vacated and the furniture and fixtures stored in the Dillon building after Saturday, April 14. This is the day set by the state fire marshal's office for the razing of the building, which was condemned some time ago.
The Shore estate buildings in the same block, now occupied by the Electric Wiring and Sales Company and the Palm Cafe also are to be vacated and torn down April 14. The Electric Wiring and Sales Company is to be moved into the rear of the building occupied by the Hoosier Shoe store, but Dora Johnson, owner of the Palm Cafe has not yet made definite arrangements as to what course he will pursue when he is forced to vacate his present quarters.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, March 29, 1923]

BUILDINGS - YOST BUILDING [Rochester, Indiana]
Volunteer Company. We learn that a recruiting office has been opened in this place for the enlistment of 100 men to serve three years or during the war.
M. L. Miner is the recruiting officer and he has twenty days to fill up his company. Men will receive $13 per month and a bounty of $100 in gold and 160 acres of land, and all the glory thrown in. The rendezvous is in J. Yost's building, three doors South of the Mansion House.
[Rochester Mercury, Thursday, July 18, 1861]

BULL DAY [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Prize Bull Day

BUMBERGER, JOHN [Rochester, Indiana]
BIOGRAPHY
John Bumberger, farmer, P.O. Rochester. This gentleman was born in Stark County, Ohio, December 25, 1850. He is the son of Joseph and Susanna (Ritter) Bumberger, the former a native of Switzerland, and the latter of Ohio. The subject of this sketch came with his parents to this county, and settled on the farm where he now resides in 1863. He was married, September 18, 1875, to Mary Werley, who was born in Butler County, Ohio, May 22, 1850. Her father, Joseph Werley, was a native of Germany. Her mother, Lucy A. (Sloppey) Werley, was born in Butler County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Bumberger have been blest with two children, viz.: Joseph W., born October 17, 1876; and Emma M., born December 22, 1877. Mr. Bumberger owns a well-improved farm of seventy acres in Section 33, on which he resides. He is an industrious and highly-respected citizen.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 28]

BUNK HOUSE [Rochester, Indiana]
BUNK HOUSE IS NOW A MEMORY; COUNCIL DECREE
The bunk house, which has been a popular place in Rochester with the tramps for several years, was abolished at the meeting of the city council Tuesday evening, the aldermen asserting that loafing would not be tolerated during war time. . . . . .
On the recommendation of Mayor Miller and Councilman Heath, who investigated the place, the aldermen voted to do away with the bunk house. The house will be locked. Alderman Heath reported that the house has been little used lately. The officers were ordered to see that hobos do not linger in the city.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, March 27, 1918]

HOBOS RETURN TO FIND THEIR LOCAL HOME FULL
Indications are that the city will soon have to take some action regarding its bunkhouse, at the rear of the water works station, inasmuch as tramps are again appearing in the city, after several year's absence due largely to the "work or fight" order, it would appear. Marshal Love has applications for lodging almost every night, nowadays, but the bunkhouse is full of city tools and supplies, and the "Willies" must seek other refuge. The first "tramp" printer to visit the city in several years, was in Rochester this week.
The "knights of the road" who recently sought refuge, have been placed in the jail, but this is rather expensive. The mayor and the chief of police are planning to solve the problem.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, January 29, 1919]

BUNN, HOWARD [Rochester, Indiana]
HOWARD BUNN OPENS DRY CLEANING ESTABLISHMENT
Howard Bunn, of this city, has recently opened up a modern dry cleaning and pressing establishment in the A. J. Barrett building, two doors south of the Arlington hotel. The interior of this business room has been attractively decorated as well as the exterior.
In connection with the above business Mr. Bunn's sister, Mrs. Mable Harter, has charge of the dress-making and alteration department.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, March 16, 1928]

CLYDE HICKMAN BUYS DRY CLEANING BUSINESS
The Manitou Dry Cleaning shop located at 707 Main Street, this city, was purchased Wednesday by Clyde HICKMAN from Howard BUNN. The new owner assumed the management of the establishment Thursday morning. Mr. Bunn, who started the business a little over a year ago has not as yet announced his future business plans.
Hickman, who is a local young man, has had several months experience in the business. He plans to operate the business along the same methods of efficiency and service as the former proprietor.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Thursday, March 7, 1929]

BUNNELL, Z. C. [Germany, Indiana]
[Adv[ We have one of the best cider presses in the state, and will run it Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays of each week commencing August 17. We get all the juice of the apple clean and pure. Price one cent per gallon. Satisfaction guaranteed. Z. C. BUNNELL, Germany Station.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, August 13, 1897]

BURCH, A. [Rochester, Indiana]
EAT AND LIVE
Man lives by eating and the place to get good things to eat is at the neat and clean meat market of A. Burch, first door south of Mercer's hardware. - - - -
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, January 27, 1883]

BURCH, LEVI [Henry Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Levi Burch, one of he most highly esteemed citizens of Henry Township was born in the city of Cincinnati, January 24, 1820, and is of English-German ancestry. In his early childhood, he removed to Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio, where his father, Arnold Burch, had a contract on the Cincinnati & Erie Canal, at that time being constructed through that locality. The family afterward located in Putnam County, Ohio, and from there they came to this county in about the year 1841. Mr. Burch's advantages at school were of necessity very limited, having spent his childhood, youth and early manhood on the frontier; yet by making use of the opportunities afforded him, he obtained a very good common education. Mr. Burch was united in marriage, February 3, 1842, to Miss Eliza Ann Hoover, who was born in Miami County, Ohio, March 7, 1825. Her father, Henry Hoover, was also a pioneer from childhood, and had the privilege of only three months of school, yet by his industry and diligence at home secured a very good education, which enabled him to successfully fill the posisiton of County Surveyor, being the first man elected to that position in this county. He was the man for whom Henry Township was named, and was one of its earliest white inhabitants, having located there in the spring of 1836 on the farm now owned by Mr. Burch. He was a native of Miami County, Ohio, where he spent his early life assisting in the duties of the pioneer farmer. Shortly after his marriage, Mr. B. located where he now resides, and by untiring energy soon succeeded in reducing the forest to valuable fields. In a few years, the primitive cabins gave way to commodious frame farm buildings. At the breaking-out of the civil war, he enlisted in Company K, Forty-sixth Indiana Infantry, and participated in all the engagements of that regiment until it arrived at Memphis, Tenn., where he was prostrated by disease, from which he received his discharge. In the smmer of 1864, he was drafted and served while the war lasted, in the Ninth Indiana Infantry. Returning home, he was elected Justice of the Peace, a position he had filled before the war, and has filled almost continuously ever since. The married life of Mr. and Mrs. Burch has been blessed with eight children, of whom six are living--Jerome H., Mary, Eizabeth B., Sarah, Arnold and John B., all of whom are married and respected citizens. Mr. and Mrs. B. have for many years been consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are living in hope of a blessed immortality hereafter.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 37]

BURCH, SAMUEL [Liberty Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Samuel Burch, of Liberty township, is one of the substantial pioneers of Fulton county. He was born in Allen county, Ohio, Jan. 10, 1836. Arnold Burch, his father, was born in New England. He came to Ohio early in the century, and resided for a time at Cincinnati. He secured a contract for the construction of a part of the Cincinnati & Erie canal and moved his family to Montgomery and later to Allen county. He descended the Ohio rever on a flatboat and went into Cincinnati when it contained only one blacksmith shop. He came to Fulton county in 1841, and died on the farm of S. Burch in 1863, aged over seventy. He was a successful farmer; was a whig and then a republican; was married to Mary Ewin, who became the mother of: Anna, widow of John Hoover, Chicago; Levi, this county; Sarah, deceased, married to John Patrick; William, deceased; Zora, widow of William Buck; Rhoda, deceased, married to C. R. Green; Elizabeth, married to B. Chapin, both deceased, and Samuel. The last named secured a limited district school education. He purchased the old homestead of the heirs and has enlarged its area until now he has one of the most desirable homes in Liberty township and conducts his farm on the most approved methods. He was married first in the fall of 1862 to Sarah, daughter of Enos Hoover. She died in 1869. Soon following after the death of his wife Mr. Burch went to Iowa and spent one summer, engaged in bridge building. The next year he drove from here through to Kansas and the Indian territory on a prospectingt tour and outing. May 7, 1871, after his return from the West, he married Amanda, daughter of Jacob Thompson. Their only child is Essie, wife of Albert Miller. Mr. burch is a radical republican; is one of the moulders of sentiment as to party management in his township, and has frequently been solicited to allow his name to be used as a candidate in connection with some county office, but has persistently declined.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 48-49]

BURCH, WILLIAM [Rochester, Indiana]
SOLD OUT
The undersigned has sold his meat market and everything pertaining thereto to Mr. Marshall Phillips and hereby notifies all persons who have unsettled accounts with me that the same must be closed up at once. Settlements may be made at my old meat market stand, south of Mercer's hardware store. WM. BURCH.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, January 28, 1882]

BURCH & CONNER [Rochester, Indiana]
NEW FIRM - OLD STAND
We wish to announce to the citizens of Rochester and Fulton county that we have purchased the Old Reliable meat market of Burch and Conner and we will keep in stock at all times the very best of fresh beef, pork and veal. We also have the finest smoked meats, dried beef, sausage, lard and everything usually found in a first class meat market. Buy your meats of us and you will be healthy and grow fat. CARTER & MUTCHLER.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 3, 1892]

BURCH'S MARKET [Rochester, Indiana]
At Burch's market you will find an all pork sausage, smoked, also nice fresh horseradish.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, January 22, 1904]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The McMahan brothers bought the Arnold Burch meat market and will move it and the Newman market in the rear end of their grocery. Mr. Burch will do the fancy cutting.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, June 16, 1904]

BURGLARS, THE GANG BAGGED [Fulton County]
BURGLARS
THE GANG BAGGED
Burglaries have been of frequent occurrence in Rochester for several months and all efforts to capture the thieves have been unavailing until this week. Several business houses and many private residences have been plundered, but so expert were the rascals that they escaped detection for a long time. Their depredations became very annoying to the citizens and effective measures were at last adopted for their capture. It was a prevailing opinion that the gang operating here were home artists, but no positive evidence could be obtained. Business men then combined and called to their aid a member of the PINKERTON detective force at Chicago. He came and played his card as best he could but he was not long in discovering that he was not the man to do the work required of him, so he returned to Chicago and sent another man. He came and was just the person to form the acquaintance of "Tuck" NEFF, Foster HAZLETT, John SCHOLDER and others who were suspected of belonging to the organized band of plunderers. By "standing in" with the boys, drinking with them and fighting their battles he was soon taken into full fellowship and firmly secured their confidence. He then laid his plans for their capture. He found that they were provided with all the necessary tools for doing a successful job of burglary. As an encouragement for them and to prove his sincerity in their welfare, this young detective assisted them enter several business houses where they secured small amounts of money. Having their full confidence, he next laid his plans for their capture. C. HOOVER's furniture store was the place chosen for a haul. Tuesday night was the time fixed to break into the store and crack the safe. In the meantime, Marshal REID with his trusted assistants were secreted in the store waiting for the coming of the gang. They did not have long to wait, for at 12 o'clock a rear window was pried open through which came Neff, Hazlett and the detective. Scholder was to have been with the party, but he was not. At the last moment he asked to be excused from joining them that night, and no persuasion could induce him to join them. He gave no excuse for not going and it is thought he got suspicious that all was not right. The detective was disappointed, for he hoped to get three of them at one haul. However, the three named entered the store as indicated. When they were about to begin operations on the safe, the Marshal and his assistants made known their presence. The burglars did not propose to surrender and then began the battle in the dark and the firing of revolvers and shot guns. By the time Marshal Reid was shot through the left hand and Tuck Neff through the abdomen, order was restored and the crooks surrendered. Reid's wound was painful but not serious. It was thought that Neff's wound would wind up his earthly career, but he yet lives with good hopes for his recovery. Hazlett was at once taken to jail and Neff was taken to the residence of his brother, Elijah NEFF, where his wound was dressed. The following morning he was in a condition to be taken to the jail where he is at present.
As soon as the two captured burglars were disposed of, Constable PLOUGH and a deputy went to find John Scholder. He was found at about 1 o'clock at the residence of J. S. CHAPIN. There were present in the room when the officers entered, Mr. and Mrs. Chapin and Miss (-----) RHENO, sister of Mrs. Chapin. Three revolvers, in the hands of the two women and Scholder, were pointed at the officers and the arrest of Scholder resisted. After parleying some time he surrendered and was taken to jail. On the following day Hazlett and Scholder were given preliminary examination before Esq. STEPHENSON. They were each found guilty and in default of $1,000 bond each, they were returned to jail. Neff not being in a condition for trial is continued in jail until a day in the future.
Mrs. Chapin and her sister were arrested Thursday for interference with the officers in the arrest of Scholder. Being found guilty they were fined $3 each and costs, amounting to about twenty dollars.
Thus after much labor and expense one of the worst gangs of burglars that ever infested Rochester is at last broken up and the doors of the penitentiary are open to the depredators. They will probably be tried next week or some time during the term of circuit court that begins next Monday.
__________

The night following the scenes related above, a horrible tragedy was enacted at Tiosa. On Wednesday, three ordinary looking tramps walked down the Wabash railroad from Plymouth to Argos. Near the latter place they entered a farmer's residence and helped themselves to whatever they would find to eat. They also picked up the farmer's revolver and carried it away with them and would probably have taken other articles if they had been in sight. When the farmer learned of his loss he followed down the track to Tiosa and put the citizens of that place on their guard. Jacob MILLER concluded that it would be wise to protect his property by placing guards in his large store room in which is also located the postoffice. Subsequent events prove that his precaution was not in vain. In the still night the three men came and forced an entrance into the building by boring the lock off the door. Before they had time to work upon the large safe, Dan HISEY, Mr. Miller's son and another gentleman hiding in the store, opened fire upon them. Hisey was armed with a double barreled shot gun, well charged with buckshot. On the first round all three burglars fell, but in the darkness the extent of the damage done could not be told. Some little time was consumed in getting a light. When it was procured, one man was found to have received a mortal wound from the effects of which he died in about four hours. Another had his leg terribly lacerated by a load of shot and the third man managed to escape and has not been caught. The man with the wounded leg says that the fellow who got away was also shot, but how seriously, he does not know. His statement is corroborated by those who followed his trail and discovered blood along his path. The man killed was buried by the Richland township authorities on Wednesday. The wounded man was brought to town and is now in jail. He says that his name is WILLIAMS and the man that was killed was named BROOKS. The third whose name is said to be POORMAN is supposed to be acquainted in this county and three years ago lived at Walnut, Marshall county. However that may be, a good week's work has been done in catching burglars in this county this week. The record shows one killed and two dangerously wounded, and two others in jail uninjured. A few more such hauls and those who live by their wits instead of honest labor, will give this county a wide berth.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, November 15, 1884]

BURKEL, JOHN J. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter from John J. Burkel]

BURKET, INDIANA [Kosciusko County]
BURKET BUSINESS BLOCK BURNED - LOSS $40,000
The town of Burket, about 10 miles southwest of Warsaw, was left almost without a business section Thursday night when fire swept the city.
The fire destroyed the telephone exchange, the postoffice, a grocery and several other stores.
The town was without any protection, whatever, as it does not possess a fire department. The Warsaw fire department was summoned but before it could get to the scene of the fire, it was already beyond control, and the only thing the fire department could do was to prevent the flames from spreading.
Telephone connections have not yet been reestablished in the town.
It is reported that $40,000 damage or over, was done by the fire, which was of unknown origin.
The blaze started in the L. B. Mendel general store. The postoffice, Hatfield's barber shop, J. L. Smith's restaurant, Jack Smith cream station and the Ellis Tucker restaurant were destroyed.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, February 13, 1926]

BURKET REBUILDING
Three new business buildings have been constructed, a fourth, a brick telephone office was started today and the fifth, a hardware store to occupy the site of the L. B. Mendel store, will be started next month at Burket. Almost the entire business district of Burket was destroyed a few months ago by a $50,000 fire. Orlando Meredith will build the hardware building.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, June 8, 1926]

BURKET VOTES 74 T9 38 TO INCORPORATE
Residents of the town of Burket voted 74 to 38 for incorporation at a special election held in the Bank of Seward Tuesday. That there was much interest in the question is shown by the fact that 112 votes were cast out of a possible 122.
The election was a quiet affair and only two voters were challenged. One of these was sworn in and allowed to vote while the other was denied the privilege. There were no mutilated ballots.
The next step necessary to incorporation will be the division of the town into wards and an election ordered for the purpose of selection of a town board and other officials. At this time it is not known when the election will be held.
The outcome of the voting was a surprise as the majority for incorporation was far greater than the most ardent supporters had hoped. Before the election a few were of the opinion that the proposition would be defeated by a 2 to 1 vote and late on the afternoon of the election members of the board expressed the opinion that it would carry by about 10 votes.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, July 31, 1930]

BURKETT, LYMAN [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Lyman Burkett)

BURNS, CHARLES A. [Rochester, Indiana]
CHARLES BURNS IS NAMED VICE-PRESIDENT OF BANK
Charles A. Burns, Chicago, former resident of this city, has been named vice-president of te Sears Community State Bank in Chicago, according to an announcement which was made today.
Mr. Burns was the cashier of the Indiana Bank and Trust Company for a number of years. Following is a clipping taken from a Chicago newspaper Monday about Mr. Burns' appointment.
"Charles A. Burns, with the First National Bank of Chicago since 1931, has been elected a vice president of the Sears Community State bank and will assume his new duties today, J. Louis Kohn, president of the bank, which is the banking affiliate of Sears, Roebuck & Co., announced last night.
"Burns has been in the banking field for thirty years, starting with the Indiana Bank and Trust company of Rochester,Ind., later going to the St. Joseph Loan and Trust company and the St. Joseph County Savings bank of South Bend, Ind. In 1918 he went to the St. Joseph Valley bank of Elkhart, Ind., and in 1921 became vice president of the Foreman National bank of Cicago. The appointment of Burns to the Sears post is in line with the expansion of the bank's commercial banking department, Kohn said."
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, March 15, 1937]

CHAS. A. BURNS NAMED TO HIGH TRACTION JOB
Charles A. Burns, a native of Rochester and for several years an assistant cashier of the United States Bank & Trust Co. of this city, has recently been appointed treasurer of the municipally-administered Chicago Surface Lines, according to word received here Saturday.
Burns, who graduated from the local high school to later become an officer in the First National bank of Elkhart, and still later a vice-president of the Foreman Bros. bank and the First National bank Chicago, has been controller of the Chicago Surface Lines for some time. As the new treasurer of the surface lines he will also act as controller of the Chicago Elevated Railways.
The new appointment, which came in recognition for his service as controller, was made by Judge Michael Igoe of the U. S. district court, Chicago.
Burns will take leave of absence from his duties as vice-president of the Chicago First National to accept treasurer control of the city rail transportation lines.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, January 15, 1945]

BURNS, "GILLY" [Rochester, Indiana]
"GILLY" BURNS
DOUBLE MURDER AND A SUICIDE
Two people murdered while eating supper and suicide of the murderer was the awful result of "Gilly" BURNS' dissipated life and jealousy of his wife.
Tuesday evening just before six o'clock, as the people in the Mrs. Hanna CRIPE family were sitting at the supper table, in the kitchen, at the farm residence, three miles south of town, someone outside th house shot twice through a window and instantly killed Joe CRIPE, an unmarried man 35 years old and Mrs. "Gilly" BURNS, aged 28, who had left her husband and was working in the Cripe household to earn a livelihood for herself and two little children, she recently having sent the two others of her four little ones to the Work Orphans' Home at Plymouth.
There were at the supper table Cripe, his mother, Miss Martha BRAMAN, aged 75 years, and Mrs. Burns and her eighteen months old baby. They had scarcely commenced eating when there was a shot and a crash of window glass and Mrs. Burns threw up her hands toward her head. Instantly Cripe jumped to his feet and another shot from outside dropped him to the floor dead. Mrs. Burns fell over on her chair, sideways, until her head almost touched the floor and the body lay in that condition until the arrival of the coroner an hour and a half later.
A shot gun had been used and one of the stray shots hit the aged Miss Braman just over the eye and produced a bloody but not necessarily dangerous wound, and another knocked out several of her front teeth.
Mrs. Cripe ran out and rang the dinner bell and then started screaming across the field toward a neighbors for help and she was heard by some carpenters boarding near and they ran to her assistance. One of them went hurriedly to the home of Kenneth DOWNS, nearby, who came to town and notified Sheriff BAILEY, who with Deputy MORRIS, went quickly to the Cripe home. Soon after they were gone a telephone message from Charley GOHN's place, four miles southwest of town, asked undertaker ZIMMERMAN to come, with Coroner BABCOCK and take charge of the remains of "Gilly" Burns who had shot his head off, in the yard at the home of his sister, Mrs. Sarah WERNER. As it had already been reported that Burns had threatened to murder his wife he was suspected as the murderer and his suicide was accepted as conclusive evidence of his guilt and the officers looked no further for the assassin except to make investigation of conditions which convinced them that Burns was the sole author of the horrible slaughter and the Coroner's verdict will corroborate this theory.
Burns had left the Werner home, where he occasionally stayed, about the middle of the afternoon taking his son's double barreled, breach loading shot gun and saying that he was going over to Mart WERNER's and might see a rabbit on the way. About half past six o'clock, Lee BURNS, a nephew of Gilly, saw him come into the barn lot and go toward the house. He approached near the front porch and, in the darkness, palced the muzzle of the gun in his mouth, the other end on the ground, and pulled the trigger by reaching down to it with his right hand. The discharge of the load of shot in his mouth tore away the entire top of his head from the lower part of his face from his mustach down. Of course he died without a struggle and when found by the family, who were attracted by the bang of the gun, he was lying straightened out as if he had lain down and the murderous gun lay across his breast where it had fallen with him.
When Sentinel reporters, Carl JESSEN and Glen ROUCH, reached the Cripe home soon after the neighbors and officerrs got there, a gruesome and sickening sight confronted them. The dead woman, half hanging on the chair with hands over her head and partly touching on the floor, stared with wide open eyes toward the door and the blood was running in a stream to a pool of the life liquid in a depression in the floor near by. Lying half under the supper table was the body of Cripe and in his open mouth could be seen the mouthful of victuals he was eating when shot. Blood was scattered over the table and standing in pools about Cripe's body, and Miss Braman, an invalid who had to be helped about the room lay on a lounge with her face all covered with blood and one eye badly swollen as the result of the stray shot wounds which struck her just above the eye brow. Mrs. Cripe was cool and resigned to the awful surroundings and the innocent baby of the dead woman sat in a woman's lap and looked shyly and inquiringly at the strangers in the room.
At the same time this horrible sight was sickening strong men at the Cripe home another of equal gruesomness was on at the Werner home three miles west. There the horribly mangled body of Burns lay out in the yard by the front parlor window. The blood ran down into the path into a pool that soon cooled in the night air and small fragments of the torn to pieces head lay about on the ground. The cap of the dead man was smeared inside with brains crushed by the explosion and it was a horrible sight.
All three of the bodies of the dead were brought to town in the Zimmerman dead wagon and Val and Leo ZIMMERMAN worked most of the night getting the bodies ready for presentable burial. and there were many curious people called at the cold morgue to see the remains. All three lay in a row on stretchers and all showed the brutality of the tragedy. The woman's left ear and temple, and the left side of her face showed numerous holes made by the buck shot. The head of Cripe was badly torn behind the ear and blue places on his face showed that the shot had come almost through. Burns' fragment of head was wrapped in white cloth and in this condition they will be put in shrouds and laid in coffins for burial. The funerals for Cripe and Mrs. Burns will be held at the Baptist church Thursday at 1:30 p.m. Rev. SWITZER officiating and burial will be made in Citizens cemetery.
"Gilly" Burns was born 52 years ago on the farm where his mutilated body was picked up by undertaker Zimmerman and Coroner Babcock. He had always been a laborer, and the most of his life followed ditching for a livelihood. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Matilda APT. They lived together for a number of years and had five children, two daughters married and living in Logansport, a son George [BURNS] who is an industrious and well respected carpenter, and two other boys.
On account of intemperate habits his wife secured a divorce, and about twelve years ago he married Lucinda SPROWL, the victim of his shot gun, who had one child and was the widow of his brother, James [BURNS].
Their family had since been increased by the addition of three children. For the past two or three years their married life has been anything but a happy one, and they have had numerous separations. At one time his wife applied for divorce and at another time she "swore her life against him," but both complaints were withdrawn before they reached a trial.
When sober Burns was not considered a bad citizen, but of late years almost all of his earnings have gone for drink, and he was drunk so frequently that his mind was never very clear.
The fine marksmanship displayed in committing the murders has astonished many, but it is no surprise to his neighbors. Since his boyhood he has been a champion wing shot, seldom missing anything that came in range of his gun. This ability was acquired by long and patient practice shooting swallows as they dipped about on their flight over the prairies.
Public opinion has it that there was no cause for Burns' murder of Cripe. It was not believed that he and Mrs. Burns held any intimate relations as she was merely working at the Cripe home as a hired girl to support herslef, and Burns' desperation in failing to get his wife to return and live with him led him to believe that she admired Cripe and he decided to kill both of them and then himself.
Mrs. Cripe, mother of the murdered man, is most pitiably left in the world. Joe was her only support, another son, Clark [CRIPE], being an epileptic and confined in Longcliff Hospital for the insane. The farm on which they lived was to have been theirs in consideration for their keeping Miss Braman as long as she lives, and now that Mrs. Cripe cannot do this she will have no home and is already quite old.
[Rochester Sentinal, Wednesday, December 7, 1904]

John A. BRAMAN, of Urbana, Illinois, saw the grapevine story in the city papers that Miss BRAMAN had died as the result of being shot by "Gilly" BURNS, and came all the way to attend the funeral only to find her alive and almost well.
__________

For the information of neighboring exchanges which have been misled by the "yellow" reports of certain "staff correspondents" of city papers, the Sentinel will say that the fourth victim of "Gilly" Burns' shotgun is not dead nor seriously injured. Cripe and Mrs. Burns were given respectful funeral at the First Baptist church in Rochester and burial in the Citizens cemetery and the body of Burns was buried in Citizens cemetery and followed to the grave by many of his relatives.
__________

Since the murder of Joe CRIPE and Mrs. "Gilly" BURNS, on the Cripe homestead, about three miles south of town, the story is told that the place has been hoodooed for more than half the last century, and some of the oldest residents vow that even hob goblins and witches have been seen about the place at frequent times during the last fifty years.
According to an old settler's story there has been, previous to the Burns affair, a suicide, a man choking to death and another found in a dying condition. The suicide was that of Mrs. Abraham CRIPE, Joe Cripe's grandmother, which occurred about fifty or more years ago. She committed the deed while her husband was in the fields working, first she saturated the bed clothing with coal oil and then cutting her throat with a butcher knife, set the bed on fire and got into the burning covering. Her twelve year old son was at home and dragged his mother and the bed clothing out of doors and there extinguished the flames. Mrs. Cripe was so intent upon suicide that she then went to the barn and setting it on fire, stood just on the inside of the door, watching to see if anyone was coming to take her out, and was burned to death, her bones being found in the ashes.
The twelve year old son so brooded over his mother's rash act that he became insane. During his insanity a mania for tobacco grew upon him and unless he had a "chew" in his mouth he was raving, and to procure tobacco he would often go to the neighboring houses and search them at night for the much desired weed. When he was twenty-six years old he wadded his mouth so full of tobacco that a part of it lodged in his throat and he choked to death.
About twenty or twenty-five years ago Elias CRIPE, father of Joe CRIPE, deceased, was found in an unconscious condition in the barn on the Cripe homestead. He never gained consciousness and by many people it has always been believed that he met with foul play.
In addition to this, Clark CRIPE, a brother of the murdered man, is an insane patient at Longcliff Hospital and so the Cripe house has been the rendezvous of much ill fortune.
And now it is reported that the old house will be torn down and destroyed and that Mrs. Cripe will move away from the place forever.
[Rochester, Sentinel, Saturday, December 10, 1904]
NEWS OF THE DAY
The work of tearing down the old Cripe house, where the double murder was recently committed, is about completed and a new one will be built on another part of the farm.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, December 21, 1904]

CRIPE HOUSE IS GONE
The Indianapolis Sunday Sentinel had a page write-up of the Cripe home south of Rochester which was elaborately illustrated with pictures of the place and incidents of the recent tragedy. In substance it goes like this:
The old Cripe house, four miles southeast of Rochester where Wilson Burns, the suicide killed his wife and Joseph Cripe, last November, has been torn down. It was the scene of three murders, three suicides, three accidental deaths and the home of four members of the Cripe family who have become insane, has at last been torn down and all trace of the old house in which so many tragedies have been enacted and which was declared haunted for the past forty years has been entirely destroyed. Thus the "old Cripe house of many tragedies" so often referred to by the people of that locality is no more. Next spring the lot will be converted into a cornfield.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, January 18, 1905]

BURNS, JAMES T. [Rochester/Kewanna, Indiana]
STATION IS SOLD
The Pure-Oil Filling Station at Kewanna, owned and operated by Roy Blosser for the past four years has been sold to James T. Burns who for many years was engaged in the meat business in this city
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, September 5, 1928]

BURNS, JESSE [Henry Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Jesse Burns. - The subject of this sketch is a son of Jacob and Hester Burns, and was born in Wayne County, Ind., August 25, 1825, and is of Scotch-Irish lineage. His parents were natives of South Carolina, and were pioneers in this State, locating in Wayne County as early as 1823 or 1824, and in this county in 1845, where hey located in the dense forest, to hew out a home for themselves. His father was not only a pioneer farmer, but also a pioneer Methodist preacher. He died at his home in 1872, having been preceded by his wife some seven months. Jesse was reared a farmer, and educated in the common schools. He then varied his occupation by farming in summers and teaching in winters for a number of years. February 22, 1852, Mr. Burns was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Shields, of French and German lineage, a native of St. Joseph County, Ind., born May 24, 1834. After marriage, Mr. B. located where he now resides, erecting a cabin in the forest. This was superseded by his present residence in 1869. He is the owner of 100 acres of good land, the greater part of which is under very good cultivation. His political friends have twice shosen him to the position of Township Assessor, which office he filled satisfactorily. The fruits of Mr. and Mrs. Burns' marriage were eight children--Mahlon P., Mary E., Robert W., James H., Hiram E., Martha L., Benjamin F. and Florence E. Of these, Mary, Robert and Jams are married. Mrs. B. has for many years been a member of he Methodist Episcopal Church at Burns' Chapel.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 37]
BURNS, JESSE [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Hotels - Arlington

BURNS, ROBERT E. [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Service Men, World War II, Letters (Letter From Robert E. Burns)

BURNS DRAY LINE [Rochester, Indiana]
SELLS DRAY LINE
Jesse Burns has sold his dray line to his competitor, Sheriff Clay Sheets. Mr. Burns has no plans for the immediate future, but expects before long to leave Rochester.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, November 21, 1918]

BURNS GENERAL STORE [Kewanna, Indiana]
SELLS GROCERY
Harry Chamberlain, proprietor of the grocery south of the court house, has sold his business to James Burns and Sard Robbins. Mr. Robbins has had experience in the business, as he formerly conducted a grocery in this city. Mr. Chamberlain is thinking of moving to another state.
[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, January 7, 1914]

GROCERY STORE IS SOLD
J. T. Burns closed a deal whereby Wm. Cornell, of Fulton, became the owner of the Burns grocery store on north Main st. Mr. Cornell has had years of experience in the business. Mr. Burns has not yet decided what he will do in the future.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, July 10, 1916

BOUGHT MEAT MARKET
Wednesday Bert Gillespie purchased the James T. Burns Meat Market and Grocery and was given immediate possession. Bert has had experience in the meat business before and needs no introduction the the public of Kewanna. Mr. Burns will devote his time in the future in the Harding general store which he recently purchased. We bespeak for both Mr. Gillespie and Mr. Burns, success in their new ventures. -- Kewanna Herald.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Saturday, July 10, 1926]

BURNS MEAT MARKET [Kewanna, Indiana]
[Adv] EXTRA GOOD BEEF, Fresh Fish, Home Made Sauer-Kraut. J. T. BURNS, 526 N. Main St.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, February 3, 1913]

BOUGHT MEAT MARKET
Wednesday Bert Gillespie purchased the James T. Burns Meat Market and Grocery and was given immediate possession. Bert has had experience in the meat business before and needs no introduction the the public of Kewanna. Mr. Burns will devote his time in the future in the Harding general store which he recently purchased. We bespeak for both Mr. Gillespie and Mr. Burns, success in their new ventures. -- Kewanna Herald.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Saturday, July 10, 1926]

BURR OAK, INDIANA [Marshall County, Indiana]
BURR OAK BURNS FRIDAY NIGHT
Fire Friday night at Burr Oak destroyed the whole business section of the town. The J. J. Cromley & Sons General store and the J. W. Currens general store burned to the ground with a loss of all of the stocks. Two residences abbutting the stores were also burned. The loss may amount to $50,000. The insurance was small and will not nearly cover the loss. The stocks in both stores were large. Only two buildings are left in the business square. The stores will start up immediately and have already ordered new goods.
[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 1, 1920]

BURROWS, BARNEY [Akron, Indiana]
See Davis & Burrows Ford Agency

BURROWS TAVERN & STAGECOACH INN [Fulton, Indiana]
Operated by James Burrows.
[Thoma Powell Family, Maxine Heckathorn et al, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard]

BURT, IRA [Rochester, Indiana]
91 YEAR OLD MAN OPERATES SAW MILL
Ira Burt, 91 year old Silver Lake man, has a remarkable record of activity. He commenced working in a saw mill in 1860 and is still sawing lumber at the mill in the east part of Silver Lake. He owned the mill until a few years ago when it was sold to Edward Quay. Later Quay sold the mill to Charles Pearson, and Mr. Burt again was called into service as sawyer.
During the years Mr. Burt owned the mill, millions of feet of choice lumber was sawed. He was active during the time when the hardoood forests of Indiana were cut down almost to depletion. During the period of greatest activity, the millyard was constantly piled high with stacks of lumber awaiting shipment. Mr. Burt also operated a cider mill in connection with the saw mill.
As Mr. Burt walks about the streets of Silver Lake, he seems more like a man of seventy. He is lithe and active, and is mentally alert. Not many men in Indiana have been active longer than Mr. Burt.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, March 1, 1940]

BURTON SCHOOL [Rochester Township]
BURTON GYM CONTRACT IS AWARDED TO BECKER & CO.
The contracts for the erection of the Burton school gymnasium and domestic science room were awarded Monday afternoon in the officers of Township Trustee, William Foster, this city. The engineer's estimates on the various contracts totaled $25,000 while the job was sold at considerably under this figure.
The general contract work was awarded to Becker & Co., of this city. Their bid being $17,063.00, while the estimate was $18,000.00 on this classification of the work. The Becker firm is composed of John Becker of Rochester and his brother who is engaged in general contracting work in Plymouth. Other bidders were Milo Cutshall, of Akron, and C. V. Kindig & Son, of Rochesetr.
The plumbing and heating contract which was estimated at $5,000 was awarded to the Burrell Plumbing Heating Co., of this city on a bid of $3,060. Competitors bids were filed by Karl Gast of Akron, William C. Whitehead & Son of Logansport, H. Gordon Miller and Guy E. Barger, of this city.
No bids were received on the lighting contract. This phase of the construction work will be awarded at a later date it was stated today.
Specifications embraced in the contracts stated that work is to bstart within ten days after the awarding of contracts and that the building shall be completed and ready for occupancy no later than October 1st of the present year.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, June 18, 1929]

TO DEDICATE NEW BURTON GYM THANKSGIVING NIGHT
Several hundred people are expected to attend the Dedication exercises of the new Burton School gymnasium which will be held in the new building on Thanksgiving evening, November 28th. The spacious brick building, which was completed but a little over two weeks ago, is one of the finest of its kind in Fulton county and is not only constructed for the purposes of a gymnasium but is arranged also for use in domestic science training and as a community building.
The program will start promptly at 7:30 o'clock tomorrow evening with Henry A. Barnhart and Rev. Daniel S. Perry, of this city, delivering the main addresses for the occasion. Music will be furnished by the Vern Family orchestra. Several special numbers will be given by the people of the school and a Playlet presented by a group of people of the Burton community will conclude the interesting program. A complete report of the exercises will be carried in Friday's issue of the News-Sentinel.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, November 27, 1929]

BURTON & MILLER [Rochester, Indiana]
START ON EXTENSIVE PLUMBING CONTRACTS
Bryce Burton and Robert Miller of the local firm of Burton & Miller, left today for Lafayette where they will begin work on a series of government housing contracts on plumbing installations at Lafayette, Kokomo, South Bend and Charlestown, this state.
They recently completed a 200-house contract in Grand Island, Neb., and will return there to install 400 more house units following completion of 1700 houses in the Indiana district.
[The News-Sentinel,Friday, February 16, 1945]

LAND BIG CONTRACT
Burton & Miller, local plumbing contractors, on Thursday announced they were the successful bidders on a contract awarded by the Federal Housing Administration for plumbing and heating installation in 650 houses now under construction at the Charleston, Ind., ordnance plant. The contract calls for completion by Aug. 24. They recently completed a similar contract at Grand Island, Neb.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, April 27, 1945]

RECEIVE GOVT. CONTRACT
The local plumbing firm of Burton & Miller were successful bidders on a government building contract at Charlestown, Indiana. They will install pluming and heating facilities in several new buildings now under construction. They are now completing a contract on 650 employee homes in the vicinity of the government plant.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, June 26, 1945]
LOCAL FIRM WILL BUILD PREFABRICATED HOUSES
Burton & Miller, local plumbing contractors, today started breaking ground for five homes to be erected in the city this autumn.
These will be five room, pre-fabricated buildings, built by a Lafayette firm, and used extensively during the war in the vicinity of war plants. Each home will be complete with full basement, heating unit and landscaped grounds.
One of the homes will be built on West 11th street, two on East Ninth street and two on West Sixth street. The fact that the homes are prefabricated, makes it possible to construct them in two weeks, when basements are ready to proceed with the building.
The local firm held plumbing and heating contracts during the war for this type of house near Kearney, Nebr., and Charlestown, Ind., where hundreds of such homes were built.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, September 20, 1945]

BUS LINES [Rochester, Indiana]
Also see Hiner Red Ball Bus Line
Also see Kern Transit Co.
__________
NEW BUS LINE
Rochester now has a new bus line between the city and Lake Manitou, according to the announcement of Thomas N. Carnell, of Indianapolis, driver and owner. Mr. Carnell who has a 19 passenger Reo Speed Wagon bus with seats facing forward and with side entrance doors, intends to run on scheduled time to all of the lake hotels and Long Beach. His charges will be low, he says.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, June 16, 1922]

BUSSES GIVE 41 DAILY WAYS OF TRAVEL HERE
With the addition Friday of two round trips a day to the Hiner Red Ball Bus Line schedule, which company operates busses from Rochester to South Bend and Indianapolis and intermediate points, travelers are provided with 41 ways daily of getting in or out of Rochester by regular motor bus service in addition to railroad services, 12 by Hiner, 8 by Indiana Motor Bus Co., between Peru and South Bend, 9 by "Dad" Cook to Akron, 4 by Charles Kepler to North Manchester and 6 by Powell and 2 by Gillespie to Logansport.
Another improvement in the service is that passengers no longer have to change busses in Logansport, each driver making a complete round trip between Indianapolis and South Bend each day. The tariffs remain the same.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, March 27, 1925]

BUS STATION [Rochester, Indiana]
See Bus Station Cafe & Hotel
__________

BUS STATION IS CHANGED, WILL ADD NIGHT SERVICE
The local bus station has been moved from the Sparks Cafe at the [NW] corner of Sixth and Main Streets where it has been for a number of years to the Barrett Hotel according to an announcement made by the officials of the Indiana Motor Bus Company of Plymouth. The station change was effective Sunday. The Indiana Motor Bus Company officials also made another announcement in which they stated that they had leased the bus franchise of the Indiana Railroad Company between Peru and Indianapolis over Federal Road 31 and that they would start operating of buses running local service over the road Tuesday. The Indiana Company has held the franchise from Rochester to Peru for a number of years and also owns the franchise from South Bend to Indianapolis, over the Michigan road. A new bus schedule is now being made and will be published in the News-Sentinel Tuesday. The new schedule calls for seven buses each way between Indianapolis and South Bend daily. Two of the buses each way will be operated at night.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, December 1, 1930]

BUS STATION CAFE & HOTEL [Rochester, Indiana]
BUS STATION CAFE IS SOLD TO GUY E. FREESE
The Bus Station, Cafe and Hotel at the corner of Main and Sixth Streets, has been sold by Russell See who has owned this establishment for the past seven months, to Guy R. FREESE of Leiters Ford. The purchaser is an experienced restaurant man. He for many years operated a restaurant in Leiters Ford. Mr. Freese has repainted the cafe and has refitted all of the rooms in the hotel making the rooms modern in every respect. An entire new kitchen crew has been employed headed by Mrs. Ella BACON JOHNSON as chef. Mr. See has no immediate plans for the future.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Friday, September 21, 1928]

BUS STATION CAFE SOLD TO SOUTH BEND COUPLE
The Bus Station Cafe, at the corner of Main and Sixth Streets, was sold today by Mr. and Mrs. Guy Freese, who have operated the cafe for the past two years, to Mr. and Mrs. A. Anderson of South Bend. A piece of property in South Bend owned by Mr. and Mrs. A. Anderson was taken in part payment for the cafe by Mr. and Mrs. Freese. The Freeses will move to South Bend. Possession of the cafe was given today. Mr. Freese was forced to retire from the business because of ill health. Mrs. Anderson is a daughter of Mrs. Susan Shontz.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, December 26, 1929]

BUS STATION CAFE SOLD TO SOUTH BEND COUPLE
The Bus Station Cafe at the corner of Main and Sixth streets was sold yesterday by Mr. and Mrs. Albert Anderson to Mr. and Mrs. Alex Sparks of South Bend. The now owners are experienced restaurant people having owned cafes in South Bend and Chicago for many years. Mr. Sparks sold his cafe in South Bend last week. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson the retiring owners have no immediate plans for the future.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, March 4, 1930]

[Adv] BUS STATION CAFE. Week day Dinners 35¢. Sunday Chicken Dinner 50¢. Chinese chop suey served at all hours. Give us a trial. A. SPARKS, Mgr.
[The News-Sentinel, Friday, May 9, 1930]

BUSENBERG & JEFFRIES [Rochester, Indiana]
NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION
Notice is hereby given that the co-partnership heretofore existing between B. A. Jeffries and David Busenberg has this day been dissolved by mutual consent. The business of the late firm will be conducted at Bigfoot in the future by David Busenberg. - - - DAVID BUSENBERG, B. A. JEFFRIES.
[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, February 17, 1883]

BUSENBURG GROCERIES, FRED [Rochester, Indiana]
See: Rochester, Indiana [Historical Review]

BUSENBURG, ISAAC [Newcastle Township]
BIOGRAPHY
Isaac Busenburg, one of the most progressive and substantial agriculturists of Newcastle township, has demonstrated by his well spent life that success is not a matter of genius, but the reward of earnest, persistent labor, guided by good management. It is these qualities that have made him one of the prosperous farmers of Fulton county. He was born in Knox county, Ohio, April 12, 1831, a son of Peter and Nancy (Wharton) Busenburg. His father was born in Knox county, Ohio, about 1802, and died there in 1852, while the mother passed away in Fulton county, in 1879, at the age of seventy-two. Their living children are Hugh, of Green county, Ind.; Mrs. Rebecca Henry, of Fulton county; David, of Knox county, Ohio; Isaac; John, of Marion county, Iowa; and Phoebe, wife of John Scott, of Marion county, Iowa. Isaac Busenburg early became inured to the hardships of pioneer life and to the practical work of the farm. On attaining his majority he was married, going in debt eleven dollars for his wedding garments. Working by the day, he was enabled to purchase a yoke of oxen and a horse, and renting land he then began farming, cutting his hay and grain with a scythe. Removing to Fulton county, Indiana, he had barely enough money to pay the expenses of the trip. In 1860 he purchased forty acres of heavily timbered land and built a log cabin on a small clearing, at the same time entring upon the career which has marked him as an industrious, successful and honorable farmer. As his financial resources increased, he added to his land until he had two hundred and eighty acres, but he has since given sixty acres to each of his sons, who reside near him. The yield of his fields in not excelled in the township, and all of the accessories of a model farm are found upon his place. His knowledge of the best methods of draining land led to his appointment in 1881 as ditch commissioner for four years. He put in a good system of ditches in every part of the county, and then resigned after three years' service. His expenditure of public funds was necessarily large, but very judicious, and won him the commendation of all concerned. On Dec. 17, 1855, Mr. Busenburg was married in Knox county, Ohio, to Rhoda, daughter of George Starkey. She died leaving a son, David. For his second wife our subject chose Nancy Dunlap, and they have one son, P. W. Mr. Busenburg is a democrat of the old school, and both he and his wife are consistent members of the Baptist church, and have many warm friends throughout the community.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 49-50]

BUSENBURG, PETER [Fulton County]
BIOGRAPHY
Peter Busenburg. - The subject of this sketch is of German lineage, born December 13, A.D. 1833. He received a limited education in Ohio, and on the 5th of February, 1857, was united in marriage to Lavina Meredith, in Newcastle Township, Coshocton Co., Ohio. She was born December 28, 1838. They came to this county in the autumn of 1863, and located where they now own a beautiful farm of 165 acres of choice land, and where they have surrounded themselves with the modern improvements necessary to make life comfortable and themselves happy. This union has been blessed with five children--Jonathan, Isaac M., Mary A., Mahala and David E. Jonathan was married to Mary L. Cates, in 1878; the others are yet at home. Mr. and Mrs. B. are active members of the Baptist Church, casting an influence for good wherever they go. Mr. B. is also a member of Green Hill Grange, No. 1,120, Patrons of Husbandry, of which he has been Master four terms and is now Lecturer. He is also Lecturer of Pomona Grange of the county. He is quite an active member of the Fulton County Agricultural Society, of which he has for two years been, and is yet, a Trustee. His father, David Busenburg, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in the year 1806. About the year 1832, he was united in marriage to Mary Dennis, who was born in 1811. In the year 1852, they immigrated to Marshall County, Ind., where he deceased in 1878, and where his lady yet resides.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 46]

BIOGRAPHY
Peter Busenburg, in his thirty-three years' rsidence in Fulton county has won a place among its prosperous farmers and most highly respected citizens, for his life has been such as to win him the public confidence and regard. He comes from that sturdy and valued German stock that settled in Pennsylvania during the latter part of the eighteenth century, and is a son of David Busenburg, who was born in Cumberland county, that state, in 1806. His mother bore the maiden name of Mary Dennis. She was born in 1811, and was married at the age of twenty-one. For many years the parents resided in Knox county, Ohio, and there Peter, their first child, was born Dec. 13, 1833. Their other children now living are Barbara, wife of Edward Hatfield, of Pulaski county, Kan.; Martha, wife of Hiram Messersmith, of Montgomery county, Ind.; Elizabeth, wife of E. Messersmith, of Pulaski county,Ind.; Eliza, wife of Aaron Kesler, of Marshall county, and Michael, who is living in Wilson county, Kan. The educational facilities which Peter Busenburg enjoyed were extremely limited, yet he made the most of his opportunities, and has supplemented the knowledge gained in school by reading and by that practical experience which life's lessons always bring, and which have made him a well informed man. He was married Feb. 1, 1857, in Coshocton county, Ohio, to Lavina Meredith, daughter of Isaac Meredith. She died Jan. 8, 1890, leaving five children: Jonathan and Isaac M., who are farmers of Fulton county; Tinsey, wife of L. T. Barkman,of Henry township; Mahala, wife of L. D. Pentecost, of Noble county, Ind., and D. E. principal of the schools of Dawson county, Montana. In November, 1891, Mr. Busenburg married Sarah Bybee, daughter of Pleasant Bybee, who came to Indiana from Fayette county, Ohio. Our subject became a resident of Fulton county in 1863, and purchased one hundred acres of timber land from Hiram Troutman. He immediately began the task of clearing a place on which to raise a crop of corn. In the third of a century, which has since passed, almost the entire forest has been cleared away, the marshes and swampy places have been drained, and where once were trees and unproductive land are now seen fields of grain that tell of abundant harvests. There are also commodious houses and barns replacing the cabin and private stable, and the substantial buildings stand as monuments to the enterprise of the owner. In politics Mr. Busenburg is a democrat, and in religious belief a Baptist.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, p. 50]

BUSENBURG & BARKMAN [Rochester, Indiana]
[Adv] SOLID COMFORT! The Wonder on Wheels. No bottom or side friction; weight of furrow, frame and plowman carried on three oiled spindles; draft reduced to lowest possible limit. Those desiring to purchase a Riding Plow will do themselves a favor by testing the SOLID COMFORT before purchasing.
The above Plows and Repairs will be kept at the following places: B. Noftsger, Rochester; S. Y. Grove, Bloomingsburg; L. T. Barkman, Hoover Station; F. Busenburg, Bigfoot, Indiana. BUSENBURG & BARKMAN, General Agents.
[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, April 14, 1893]

BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S CLUB [Rochester, Indiana]
LOCAL BUSINESS LADIES FORM NEW CIVIC CLUB
A group of Rochester business women have formed a civic work or business service club with an initial membership roll of twenty-two. The new organization will function along the same lines as the Kiwanis Club does for the business men of this community.
The installation of the new club which will be known as The Business and Professional Women's Club of Rochester, was conducted by a group of members from the Plymouth and state club officials. The organization work was conducted Tuesday evening, following a banquet which was held in the dining room of the Colonial Hotel. Over 50 ladies were in attendance.
The featured speakers of the evening, Mrs. Jeanette Bunnell, district director, of Plymouth and Miss Jennie May Hersch, state official, of Portland, Ind. were inroduced by Mrs. Ethel Snapp who presided as chairman for the meeting. Another meeting of the newly organized club will be held in the near future, it was stated.
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, April 7, 1937]

BUSSERT BROTHERS [Rochester, Indiana]
Located at 4th & Main.
[photo] Bussert Brothers, Bill and Palmer.
__________

BUSSERT BROTHERS LEASE SINCLAIR OIL STATION
Palmer and Bill Bussert announced this morning that they have leased the Sinclair Oil Company super-service station which was built during the past summer at a cost of $15,000 at the southeast intersection of Main and Fourth Streets. They now have the station open to the public. The station is one of the most complete ones in the city and is termed by the Sinclair Company as a "Greasatorium." The servicing department which is located at the south end of the station is glass enclosed. Rest rooms are provided for both men and women. A complete line of Sinclair Oil Company greases, gasoline and oil are carried in stock.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, November 24, 1930]

BUSSERT BROS. PURCHASE HARTMAN AUTO LAUNDRY
Through a business transaction made Saturday the Bussert Bros., operators of the Sinclair Filling Station Corner Main and Fourth Street, became owners of the Dale Hartman Auto Laundry which is located on South Franklin Ave.
The new proprietors assumed active control of the laundry immediately, however, within a few weeks they plan to remove the equipment to their North Main Street location. Mr. Hartman will soon leave for South Bend where he will be employed in an auto laundry service station.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, October 1, 1934]

TO OPEN NEW PLACE
The Bussert brothers, Palmer and Bill, whose pictures appear in this sketch are sons of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Bussert and were reared in Rochester.
Their active business life includes the past five years in charge of the Sinclair Oil station, Main at Fourth streets where by dint of hard work, courteous, friendly service, they have made many friends.
But their ambition is to build a business for themselves and in accordance with that goal in life, will open a new greasing, tire and simonizing service in their own building, one-half block east and one-half block south of their present location about december 15th.
Scores of fulton county motorists who have known palmer and bill at the old stand will find the same generous, friendly and efficient service at their new location, where every modern facility for greasing, washing and simonizing will be at hand, where new tires may be had in any size and repairing will be done quickly and properly and always at reasonable rates.
In addition to the services mentioned above they will handle phillips "66" high grade gas and oil.
They take this means of thanking old friends and inviting both old and new patrons to give them a trial in their new home-owned business.
[The News-Sentinel, Thursday, December 6, 1934, p. 15]

BUSSERT LIVERY [Rochester, Indiana]
Located 114 E 6th.
Operated by Salem Bussert.
__________

SELLS LIVERY BARN
Samuel Bussert sold his livery barn last evening to ed collins of warsaw. The new propeietor took possession immediately. Mr. Bussert has not decided what he will do at the present. Mr. Collins is contemplating enlarging the auto livery business in connection with the barn.
[Rochester Sentinel, saturday, august 29, 1914]

BUTCHERING IN THE 1930s
See: Depression of the 1930's

BUTLER, WILLIAM T. [Rochester, Indiana]
BIOGRAPHY
This estimable gentleman is a native of Miami County, Ind., born June 7, 1839. He came to Fulton County with his parents at the age of four years. He spent his youthful years tending the district schools and laboring on the farm and at the age of maturity possessed a good substantial business education. He was united in marriage December 29, 1859, to Catharine Phillips, a native of Augusta County, Va., born July 4, 1837. This union was blessed with the following named children: Nancy E., born October 16, 1860, deceased March 25, 1862; Franklin B., born January 16, 1862, and deceased April 5, 1862; Warren L., born April 19, 1863; Minor A., born September 9, 1865; Mar C., born September 4, 1868; Winona J., born February 29, 1871, and Rosa A., born March 31, 1878. His faher, William Butler, was a native of Georgia. He married Nancy E. Meeks, a native of Rockingham County, Fa. They were both of Irish descent, and after marriage settled in Henry County, Ind., and afterward in Miami County, then came to Fulton County in 1843. The subject of this sketch resembles his parents in the thrift and enterrise of life. He has been a farmer all his life, and at present is owner of a fine farm in Liberty Township. The apperrance of his farm reflects the industry and economy with which the owner is possessed, while his genial and social nature attracts many friends. He is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge, No. 79, and occupies a high standing among his brethren. In the election campaign of 1880, he was induced by the earnest solicitation of his many friends to become a candidate for Sheriff of the county, and in the ensuing election was elecrted to fill the position by a handsome majority. So well and faithfully did he perform the duties of his office that he was re-elected in 1882, and now occupies the position honestly won by his strict attention to business. He is a very plain appearing man, yet one can see the noble qualities of his nature by his many acts of kindness. And it may be said of him thus far in his official career, none stands his superior.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 21]

BIOGRAPHY
William T. Butler, ex-sheriff of Fulton county, and a leading and influential citizen of Rochester, is so well and favoably known throughout this section of the state that he needs no special introduction to our readers. A native of Indiana, he was born in Miami county, June 7, 1839, a son of William and Nancy E. (Meek) Butler, the former a native of Georgia, and the latter of Rockingham county, Va. They were descended from Irish stock, and after their marriage located in Indiana. They removed from Henry county to Miami county, and in 1843 became residents of Fulton county, where two years later the father died. The mother afterward married Minor Allen, and her death occured in Fulton, in 1862, when she had reached the age of forty-five years. The children were: W. T., John W., of Miami county, and Sarah, who died in childhood. William T. Butler spent his boyhood days upon his father's farm and acquired his education in a primitive log school house, such as is found on the frontier, where the school was conducted on the subscription plan. When a youth of fourteen he began learning the blacksmith's trade in Fulton, Ind., under the direction of Norman L. Sterns, and on completing his apprenticeship went to Middletown, Henry county, where he carried on business on his own account. While there residing he was married, Dec. 28, 1859, to Catherine Phillips, who was born in Augusta county, Va., July 4, 1837, a daughter of David and Nancy (Weeks) Phillips, of the Old Dominion. Mr. and Mrs. Butler's living children are: Warren J., who for fourteen years was deputy sheriff of Fulton county and is now in Toledo, Ohio; Minor A., also of Toledo; Mary, wife of George Black, of Rochester; Winona, wife of John Hoover, of Rochester; and Nellie. In 1871 Mr. Butler engaged in farming in Liberty township, and profitably and uninterruptedly continued that pursuit until 1880, when his fellow-citizens, appreciating his worth and ability, called him from private life to public office. Against seven competitors he rceived the nomination for sheriff, and in November was elected to that office, despite the opposition of the saloon element of his own party and the presence of two other candidates in the field. His administration of the affairs of the office was most commendable. The evil doer expected no mercy at his hands and he filled the jail with criminals of all classes who had hitherto infested the county, bringing to punishment as many as seven hundred during his term. So faithfully did he discharge his duties that he was re-elected by a larger majority than was given him in 1880. He retired from office as he had entered it, with the good will, respect and confidence of all law-abiding citizens. Before retiring from office Mr. Butler became interested in the hardware business as a partner of Mr. Stockberger, but he is now devoing his attention to business in connection with his farms. He is the possessor of considerable property acquired through his own efforts and is accounted one of the subsstantial citizens of the community. He is a valued member of the Masonic order and its auxiliary, the Eastern Star; is in good standing in all branches of Odd Fellowship, including the Rebekah lodge, and has membership with the order of Red Men of the Tribe of Pocahontas. His own life is exemplary in the fidelity with which he has discharged every duty, either public or private, and no man in Fulton county is held in more genuine esteem than William T. Butler.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, pp. 51-52]

BUTLER & STOCKBERGER [rochester, indiana]
[adv] - - - new hardware store! - - - In the citizens' block, south of the court house square. - - - Stoves and tinware is complete - - - - wm. T. Butler, joel stockberger.
[Rochester sentinel, saturday, september 13, 1884]

BUTT, HENRY K. [Perry Township, Miami County]
BIOGRAPHY
Henry K. Butt, brother of the subject of the above sketch [Richard W. Butt], was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, October 14, 1839, the second of a family of seven. He always made his home with his parents until their death, acquiring a common education. September, 1861, he enlisted to aid his country in the suppression of the rebellion, becoming a member of Company B, 40th Indiana Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, where he served until December, 1864. He participated in the following important engagements: Shiloh, Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga, the battles incident to Sherman's March to Atlanta, and Franklin, Tennessee. Soon after his return from the army, February 26, 1865, Mary P. Fites became his wife. He has always made farming his vocation, in which he has been successful. He is the proprietor of a fine little farm of sixty-two acres. He and wife belong to the M.E. Church. Politically he is a Republican.
[History of Miami County, Indiana, 1887, Brant & Fuller p. 727]

BUTT, RICHARD W. [Perry Township, Miami County]
BIOGRAPHY

Richard W. Butt, a prominent citizen of Perry Township, is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, where he was born November 20, 1837, being the oldest child in a family of seven children born to Rignal and Phoebe {Kinsey) Butt, who were natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. They emigrated to Indiana and Miami County, October, 1845, made their first permanent settlement in Jefferson Township, where they lived for six years, then moved to Perry Township, and lived there until their deaths. Our subject was reared on the farm, remaining at home and assisting his parents until he attained the age of twenty-two years. He received a common education, such as the facilities of his day afforded. January 26, 1860, his marriage with Margaret D. Cover was solemnized, and to their union eight children have been born, of whom these six are now living: Phoebe L., wife of Aaron Plank; Viola E., Nettie A., Marietta, Sarah M., Ira E. The two deceased are Martha J. and John W. Mrs. Butt was a daughter of William and Lucinda (Hiney) Cover, who were natives of Frederick County, Maryland, and came to Miami County in October, 1845. Mr. Butt always made farming his principal occupation, in connection with which he has worked at the carpenter and joiner trades, and he has been very successful. He now owns 80 acres of well improved land, which he has accumulated by his own industry and economy. March 28, 1865, he enlisted in the cause of his country in Company K, 155th Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, and served until August of the same year, when he was discharged on account of the close of the war. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church. In politics he is a Republican, and has been honored with an election to the office of Township Trustee.
[History of Miami County, Indiana, 1887, Brant & Fuller. pp. 726-727]

BYBEE, HAL P. [Rochester, indiana]
Hal P. Bybee written up in oil magazine
In the February issue of the National Petroleum News, a journal which is devoted to the interest of oil men and their operations, is combined a story of the accomplishments of dr. Hal P. Bybee of San Angelo, Texas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawson Bybee who live on a farm in newcastle township.
Hal, as he is well known by many of the older residents of this city, graduated from the Rochester Normal University before taking up special work at the university of Indiana. Bybee, while a student at the local school, won an enviable reputation as a basketball player and a track star.
Following is the story taken from the national petroleum news about Mr. Bybee which follows his picture.
Dr. Hal P. Bybee of the Dixie Oil Co., Inc., recently elected president of the West Texas Geological Society at San Angelo, was for years connected with the University of Texas and associated Bureau of Economic Geology at Austin. He left the position of associate professor of geology at the University of Texas to join the geological staff of the Dixie about two years ago.
Among dr. Bybee's publications he was co-author with C. A. Malott of "The Flood of 1913 in the Lower White River Region of Indiana," included in Indiana University Studies, Vol. XII, No. 11, October, 1914, and he was author of University of Texas Bulletin No. 66 on "The Thrall Oil Field," 1916.
Born in Rochester, Ind., in 1888, Dr. Bybee received common school education in Fulton County. He received the B.A. Degree from Indiana University at Bloomington in 1912, his M.A. in 1913 and his Ph.D in 1915. From 1914-1916 he was an instructor in geology at the Univerisy of Texas; 1916-1920, adjunct professor; 1920-1925, associate professor.
Dr. Bybee is affiliated with the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and is a member of the Sigma Xi fraternity. He was married September 1, 1924 to Miss Ruth Woolery, B.A., University of indiana, 1912. They have four children, Henry, Halbert, Bob and Bill.
[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, February 19, 1927]

HAL BYBEE APPOINTED AS HEAD
TEXAS GEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT
Dr. H. P. Bybee, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawson Bybee, of Newcastle township, is well known to the residents of Rochester and Fulton County. Hal, who was a student in the old Rochester Normal College, was quite active in athletics and during the days of independent basketball games in this city, played in the position of backguard. Dr. Bybee is also a graduate of Indiana University.
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A geological and mineralogical office for University of tTxas lands, provided by the forty-first legislature last january is to be established in San Angelo, in charge of Dr. H. P. Bybee, with the geological department of the Dixie Oil Co., Inc., here for the last four years and a paleontologist for the entire company and district geologist since March, 1927.
The office will be opened Monday at 211 Rust Building. It also will be the headquarters of Frank F. Friend of this city, former Ozonan, Crockett County Surveyor and a state surveyor, who recently has been awarded the work of surveying university lands, under provision of the legislature's act.
The work which the university office will do is being outlined by Dr. E. H. Sellards of Austin, associate director of the Bureau of Economic Geology of the university, and Dr. Bybee. These men and the Board for Lease of University Lands, which was created by the legislature in January, selected San Angelo as the place for the university's newest department. The staff here eventually will comprise a subsurface geologist, who will be an assistant to Dr. Bybee and probably two field geologists. - - - - Lengthy article- - - - - - .
[The news-sentinel, wednesday, june 26, 1929]

BYBEE ROAD [Fulton County]
see: Carvey & Crouder/Crowder

BYRER, ORLANDO [Rochester, Indiana]
JERRY BYRER'S BROTHER GIVEN UP FOR DEAD OR LOST
RETURNS AFTER THIRTY-SIX YEARS
Monday evening Jerry Byrer, former county assessor, heard a knock at his door. He went and opened it and there stood his brother, Orlando, whom he nor any other member of his family had seen in 36 years nor heard of for over 18 years. However, the local resident says that he recognized him at once and told him to come in and give an account of himself. This the visiting relative has been doing for the last three days.
In 1889 the Byrer family lived at Leesburg north of Warsaw. The father and mother died, Jerry married and lived nearby when Orlando, who was three years younger, suddenly disappeared. The call for adventure and the desire to find gold in the West struck him so he hiked for Colorado and took up his residence at Cripple Creek. While there he wrote the members of the family a few times but finally no word came and as the years sped by they gave him up for lost or dead. But Orlando had again followed the trail of gold north and west and struck for British Columbia into the wilds where he had connection with civilization about three times a year and that at a trading post of two stores. At one time he traveled to Nome, Alaska, but after a year there returned to the Canadian Territory which he knew.
He located in a section of the wild mountainous country, 150 miles from the trading post called Telegraph Creek. This post was another 150 miles by river transportation to a railroad. Summer here lasted only three months while in December the sun shone only six hours and at times the temperature went down to 72 degrees below zero. In the warm months Orlando spent his time at prospecting for gold but when the white mantle of snow returned he took to trapping. About every four months he would find it necessary to drive his dogs with his sleds over the trail 150 miles to Telegraph Creek to get supplies and food. That was the only time he would see another human being, he said. In the winter there were only 35 trappers who came from the post at times and there were only three white women there while the rest of the settlement was made up of Indians and half-breeds. He said he found no time or interest to write the folks back home during these eighteen years in the lonesome wilds.
His dogs were his only companions but he said he did not get lonesome as he kept busy catching animals by day and preparing their hides by night. When the temperature got so low he was forced to stay in his cabin and keep his little fire going but he said the dogs did not seem to mind it as they would spend their days and nights on top of the shelter huts he built for them. Orlando had several cabins scattered about his territory which he had built himself out of logs and filled the cracks with moss.
Once when he was to meet a fellow worker at the latter's cabin when he came up to the door he saw that it was opened and supposed his friend was inside. He yelled and as he did so a gigantic grizzly bear came to the entrance. As the animal reared the trapper shot him through the head. But he said bear skins bring so little up there that he did not bother about skinning him.
Orlando says he intends to visit with his brothers and sisters, all six of whom are still living, for a year, and then will probably go back to the life of solitude which he has learned to love.
[The News-Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, Thursday, September 10, 1925]