JAMES M. WYATT. It is not difficult to conjecture what manner of man Mr. Wyatt is. In a republican country, where merit must win, we can tell much of his life. Wealth may secure a start, but it cannot maintain one in a position where brains and executive ability are required. Mr. Wyatt did not have wealth to aid him in beginning his career. His reliance has been placed in the more substantial qualities of perseverance, untiring enterprise, resolute purpose and commendable zeal, and withal his actions have been guided by an honesty of purpose that none have questioned. He is a true type of American honesty and enterprise. His intellectual energy, prudent business methods and reliable sagacity have all combined to make him one of the ablest business men in Henry county. James M. Wyatt was born about five miles north of Liberty, Union county, Indiana, July 28, 1830. He is the son of Joseph and Nancy (Esteb) Wyatt. The father was a native of Tennessee, but moved to Union county, where he was married and in 1835 went to Laporte county, where he remained for three years or up to the time of his death. His wife and their only daughter also died in that county. At the time of the death of his parents the subject was but eight years of age. In 1847 his two brothers. Isaac and Thomas, went to Oregon, leaving him to rely entirely upon his own resources. The brothers later went to California and Thomas was drowned in that state in 1850. About the time of the commencement of the Civil war Isaac wrote to the subject saying that if he voted the Republican ticket he would disown him. The subject voted the forbidden ticket, however, and was not only disowned, but also lost a thousand dollars which Isaac owed him. Isaac afterward enlisted in the Confederate army and was killed at the battle of Wilson's Creek. By his will all his property was bequeathed to Jefferson Davis, and his successors. The uncles of the subject placed him while a small boy with an old man by the name of Jacob Lybrook, who reared him until he was twenty-one years old. At that time, when the subject left him, the old man gave him two hundred and seventy-five dollars, which was the only material assistance he has ever had. About 1855 Mr. Wyatt came to Liberty township, Henry county, and made that his home for nineteen years. He then removed to Wayne county, this state, remaining there about two and a half years, after which he located in the southeast corner of Blue River township. this county, and remained there for twenty-three years. In the spring of 1901 he moved into the town of Moreland. He is the owner of two hundred and five acres of valuable farming land, all acquired by his own indefatigable efforts, and is also the owner of the residence in which he now lives, besides other real estate in Moreland. He erected a hotel in Moreland, which was completed in July, 1902, something that the village has long needed, and he has also erected a livery stable, which is now in operation. The hotel is up-to-date and strictly modern in all its appointments. He owns a one-third interest in the Hagerstown Bank and also an interest in the New Castle National Bank. The high reputation which Mr. Wyatt has enjoyed in the community in which he has lived is attested by the fact that he has been appointed to settle a number of estates, one of which required a bond on his part of one hundred and forty thousand dollars. For thirty years he has in one way or another been identified with the public improvements of Henry county and for some years has been a member of the advisory board and has been influential in having a number of school houses erected. Though only the salient features of his life career have been touched upon, enough has been said to show to even the most casual reader that he occupies an unique position in his county. Starting practically alone and without wealth or influential friends,he has by the sheer force of his nature risen to a position of prominence and usefulness in his community that many a man favored with better opportunities might well envy. Mr. Wyatt has been twice married, His first wife, whom he married March 22. 1855, was Miss Elizabeth Moss, the daughter of Abram and Nancy Moss. By this union there were born three children, one of whom is deceased, as follows: Nancy J.married Emmet Moore, the biography of whom appears elsewhere in this volume; Mary E. is the wife of Jasper McClain and they now live on the farm of our subject; Martha F. is deceased. Mrs. Elizabeth Wyatt died March 24, 1870, and for his second wife the subject married, on February 22, 1871, Mrs. Nancy Lewis, the daughter of Daniel and Susan Zook, and the widow of Nathaniel Lewis. By her former marriage she was the mother of three children, two of whom are yet living, as follows: Isaac, a resident of Liberty township, and N. E., who has charge of rural mail route No.1, at Mooreton, and is also superintendent of the Rural Telephone Company. By his present union the subject is the father of one child, Olive E., married to Lewis Ulrich and now deceased. In political matters the subject has supported the Republican party ever since its organization and has taken an active part in all campaigns, local and national. Religiously the subject and his family are all members of the German Baptist church and for eighteen years Mr. Wyatt has served as a trustee of the German Baptist orphan's home of Henry county, being now the only one of the original board of trustees living. Not only is he an accomplished business man, fully alive to the interests of the concerns,with which he is connected, but as a neighbor and citizen few stand as high in the esteem and regard of the people. In short, Mr. Wyatt is a progressive business man, an exemplary citizen, interested in whatever benefits the public and his influence has been exerted for the county's good.
Click here for photo.

Submitted by: Lora
Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920


ALBERT D. OGBORN.

Rising above the head of the masses are many men of sterling worth and value, who by sheer perseverance and pluck have conquered fortune and by their persistent and indefatigable efforts have risen from the ranks of the commonplace to positions of eminence in the business, professional and political world, and at the same time have commanded the trust and respect of those with whom they have in any way been thrown in contact. Among the earnest men whose depth of character and strict adherence to principle excite the admiration of his contemporaries Mr. Ogborn is prominent. He not only has attained to a leading place at the Henry county bar, but has also been publicly recognized by the people of the county in his election as state senator, representing the district composed of Henry, Fayette and Union counties. Albert D. Ogborn was born on a farm in Wayne County, Indiana, on the 25th of September 1864, the son of Edwin F. and Jane (Bradbury) Ogborn, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter) of Wayne County, this state. The subject's maternal grandmother was an Elliott and was a sister of Mrs. Judge M. L. Bundy. Her father was a native of New Jersey and her mother of North Carolina. Edwin F. Ogborn was a blacksmith all his active life, but carried on the pursuit of farming in connection therewith. His blacksmith shop was a station on the famous "underground railroad" and many slaves were concealed in the loft of his shop until a favorable opportunity could be found for proceeding safely on their way to freedom. He came to New Castle in January 1883, and made this city his home until his death, July 4, 1895, at the age of seventy-nine years. His wife had passed away in Wayne county September 10, 1882. His was a positive character and in his community he for years exerted a profound influence for right living and high purposes. A member of the United Brethren church, when that body split he went with the radical branch. His old society, the church at Sugar Grove, Clay Township, Wayne County, Indiana, was the bone of contention and church ownership was the question at issue. Each branch of the United Brethren denomination now has a building on the site of the former structure, it having been destroyed by fire. He held very pronounced views on the slavery question, being in favor of the preservation of the union at any cost. He sent a son and a stepson to the front to assist in quelling the southern insurrection, the former enlisting in the Nineteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry and the latter in the Thirty-sixth Indiana Regiment, and both lost their lives in the service. The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm and received his education in the common schools of his neighborhood. He remained at home until the death of his mother, when he came to New Castle and engaged in the agricultural implement business. After working at this for one year he clerked in a shoe store for two years and later went to Arcanum, Ohio, and clerked there in a store for one year. He studied stenography and in 1887 he secured the position of storekeeper for the Northern Indiana Hospital for the Insane, at Logansport. In April 1889, he resigned that position and accepted the position of court reporter, under appointment by Judge E. H. Bundy, a position, which he occupied until the summer of 1902. During his spare moments he had assiduously given his attention to the study of the law, and made such progress that in 1894 he was admitted to the bar and at once entered upon the practice. In June 1898, upon the call for troops, Mr. Ogborn enlisted in a company raised at New Castle and upon its organization was elected its captain. This company became Company G, One Hundred and Sixty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under command of W. T. Durbin, now governor of the state. They were mustered into the United States service July 12, 1898, and after some time spent in the southern states embarked for Cuba December 13, 1898, being a part of the army of occupation. The regiment was stationed at Marianao under the command of General Lee, and were on the island about three and a half months. At the end of that time they were ordered to Savannah, Georgia, and on the 3oth of April 1899, were mustered out. At the time of enlistment this company consisted of one hundred and fifteen men and all returned to their homes. The majority of the men had had no previous military experience, but the subject, as a member of the Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias, was well versed in military tactics and was thus eminently qualified to command the company. During his service he served upon two general courts martial and in the absence of his superior officers several times had command of the battalion. Upon his return to civil life Mr. Ogborn at once resumed the practice of law and his former work as reporter of the court. He owns the only complete set of abstracts in the county, they having been compiled by two former county officials. The public was prompt to recognize his abilities and he has enjoyed a liberal share of the business in his line. He has ever been an ardent and enthusiastic Republican and has done much hard work in the interest of his party. During the presidential campaign of 1900 he was employed at Chicago as confidential secretary to the executive committee of the Republican national committee and in this capacity did much effective work. During his absence from home he was nominated and elected to represent this district in the state senate. In that body he was highly honored by appointment on some of the leading committees, the list being as follows: Chairman of the committee on military affairs and of that on enrolled bills, member of the committees on insurance, public health, benevolent institutions, roads and congressional apportionment. He was the author of the bill giving the state militia the same organization as the United States army, this being the only state in the union, which conforms to that standard. The congressional apportionment bill as passed was substantially the same as the bill introduced by him. He was also the author of a bill amending the common school law regulating the loaning of school funds. During his membership of the senate he was active in the discussions, which came up in that body and on both the floor and in committee work his influence was marked and salutary. Fraternally Mr. Ogborn is a member of the Masonic order, having attained to the Knight Templar degree. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias in all of its branches. For five years he was colonel of the Third Regiment of Indiana, Uniform Rank, and is at present chief of staff to the brigadier general of the Uniform Rank in this state. Socially he holds membership with the Columbia Club of Indianapolis. As a diversion from the ordinary affairs of everyday life the subject gives some attention to the study of electricity and has been interested in the promotion of several electric railroads, and the building of the first line into Henry County, the line along the National road, which is to be extended from Dunreith to New Castle, is largely due to his efforts. He takes great pride in the material prosperity of his city and county and is public spirited in the most liberal sense of the term. He is a most affable gentleman, easily approachable, and possesses a pleasing personality, which, with other amiable qualities and characteristics, has won him the confidence and respect of the community. Just in the prime of early manhood and in the possession of a vigorous and active constitution, he may with reason look forward to many years of activity and usefulness.

Submitted by: Lora
Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920


MRS. IZORA HASKETT.

It is with a high degree of pleasure that the biographer essays the task of presenting the salient points in the life record of the well known and highly respected lady whose name forms the caption hereof. She now holds the responsible position of postmistress of Straughn, Dudley Township, Henry County, Indiana, and by the thoroughly efficient and painstaking manner in which she has discharged the duties of that position has won the highest esteem and regard of all the patrons of the office. Her methods are systematic and business-like and she evinces her capacity to handle any business, which comes to her in the line of her duties. She is the daughter of Josiah M. and Anna M. (Hawley) Haskett, and was born in the township in which she now lives, on the 12th of March 1866. The paternal grandparents of the subject were natives of North Carolina, but moved to Henry County, Indiana, where they spent the rest of their lives. They were farmers and the father of the subject was reared to the life of a farmer. He attended the common schools and received a fair education. The subject's maternal ancestors were from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, though her mother's immediate family was from Virginia. They came from that state to Henry County and settled down to the life of farming, and their Anna M. Hawley was reared to maturity, receiving in the meantime a good common school education. After her marriage to Josiah M. Haskett they located on a farm in Dudley Township, this county. Their union was blessed by the birth of seven children, briefly mentioned as follows: Izora, the subject: Alvin C. married Effie Daubenspeck and lives at Griffin Station, Indiana, where he has a general store and is employed on a railroad; C. E. married Esther Pigeon and conducts a general store at Lewisville. Indiana; Clarence, a farmer, married Verna Thomas and lives in Spiceland Township; Clessie, a farmer who lives in Dudley township, married Blanche Hall; Chauncey D. and Borgie, who make their home with Mrs. Haskett and their brother Clarence. Izora Haskett was reared on the home farm and is indebted to the common schools for her education. On the 18th of December 1884, she was led to the marriage altar by John W. Haskett (no relation, though of the same name). He was a native of Henry County and was born June 28, 1859. He was also reared on a farm and received a good education, completing it at the State Normal School. He took up the profession of teaching and for a number of years was a teacher in the schools of Henry County. After their marriage they located on a farm, which he operated during the summers, teaching school during the winter months. In 1891 he received the appointment as postmaster at Straughn and in connection established a general store. In the spring of 1893 he moved to Spiceland, but in the following autumn returned to Straughn, remaining there until his death, which occurred September 3, 1894. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias and was well known and highly respected by all who knew him. After his death Mrs. Haskett continued the management of the store and in May 1901, she received the appointment of postmistress of the office at Straughn. She is the mother of one child, John Chesleigh, born September 27, 1887. He attended the common schools, was a leader in his classes and is now in his second year in the high school. Mrs.Haskett and her son are members of the United Brethren church and are active in the performance of their religious duties. By her uniform courtesy, amiable disposition and genuine worth she has won for herself a warm place in the hearts of the citizens of Dudley Township.

Submitted by: Lora
Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920


E. R. COLBURN.

Fulfilling all of life's requirements according to his highest ideal of right, aiding the spirit of enterprise and improvement, and using his influence for what benefits humanity and builds up the community, it may be truly said of the worthy subject of this review, he has made the world better by living in it. He is one of the old residents of Dudley Township for a number of years has been identified with the commercial interests of the thriving town of Straughn, though now living a somewhat retired life in the enjoyment of the fruits of his labor. Mr. Colburn is a native of New England, born in Vermont on the 2nd day of May 1827. His parents, Giles and Sylvia (Sherman) Colburn, were also natives of the Green Mountain state and descendants of Scotch and Irish ancestors. The subject of this sketch was reared in Fairfield, Vermont, and enjoyed the advantages of a good education in its public schools. When a young man he went to Ohio and after a few years there came to Indiana in 1865, locating at Monticello, White county, where he began working at the trade of wagon and carriage making. On the 23d of July of the same year he was united in marriage to Miss Francese E. Coombs, the daughter of Charles and Emeline (Stanton) Coombs, of New York. The Coombs family is of French descent: the original ancestors of the Stanton's came from England and were early settlers of York state. The family is wel1 known in American history, having produced a number of noted men and women, among whom was the distinguished states-man, Edwin M. Stanton, secretary of war during President Lincoln's administration. The father of Mrs.Colburn was a wealthy farmer and stock raiser, making a specialty of fine Morgan horses, in which he met with marked success: he also dealt in lumber quite extensively and became one of the wealthy men of his county, having accumulated an estate valued at seventy-five thousand dollars. He was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, a leading Democrat and took an active interest in public and political affairs. He died in 1862, his wife preceding him to the grave by some years Mrs. Colburn was born July 27, 1847, and acquired a good education in the common school and high school of her native place, being a graduate from both. She taught two terms of school in New York and later came to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she first met the gentleman who afterwards became her husband. In 1883 Mr. and Mrs. Colburn took up their residence in the village of Straughn, where they opened a general store, which proved a very successful venture. The business has been carried on with satisfactory financial results for over nineteen years and is still the leading establishment the kind in the place and one of the best local business houses in the county outside of the larger towns. Mrs. Coburn gave personal attention to the store for a number of years, but at the present time her son is the manager and as such has greatly increased the trade, building up a large and lucrative business. This son, Stanton S. by name, born on the 18th of August, 1879, was graduated from the common schools, also from the Dublin high school, and is a bright young man of excel lent habits and superior business qualifications. Mr. Colburn has been a life-long active member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities and with his wife belongs to the Methodist church. He is a man of good mind, which has been strengthened by much reading, and he keeps himself well informed on the leading questions of the day. He has a wide acquaintance with history, politics, economics and kindred subjects, while his knowledge of the world's best literature is by no means limited. He is a gentleman of varied attainments, highly esteemed by the people of his town and nothing in the form of criticism has ever been made against his integrity or personal honor. His character has always been above reproach and the rectitude of his intentions has never been questioned. He has pursued the even tenor of his way, quietly and unobtrusively discharging the duties of citizenship as becomes a loyal American and doing all within his power to promote the material and moral good of the community. Mrs. Colburn is noted as an energetic and untiring church worker, epically in the Sunday school where her abilities have long been recognized and appreciated. From the time of moving to Straughn until about two years ago she was one of the school's most popular and efficient teachers. Intellectually she is well qualified for leadership in religious work, possessing tact and executive ability, which, with her beautiful Christian character, make her not only valuable in her church but also a potent factor for good in the community at large.

Submitted by: Lora
Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920


GEORGE W BURKE, M. D

The readers of this volume will peruse with pleasure the following brief sketch of the life career of one who for many years was held high in the esteem of the entire community in which he resided. A physician of marked ability, a surgeon of rare skill, a citizen who always had the best interests of the public at heart and a man whose personal life was commendable, his removal by death was the occasion of general regret and his memory is cherished by many who had become deeply attached to him. George W. Burke was born February 22. 1841, in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and was educated at the Chambersburg Academy in his native county. He commenced the study of medicine under Dr. J. C. Richards, of Chambersburg, and later took a course of lectures at the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. Soon afterward he entered the army as assistant surgeon of the Forty-sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, his command being assigned to the Army of the Potomac. In the fall of 1863 he was transferred to the Twentieth Army Corps under the command of General Hooker. He served his country in its military services three and a half years and was a gallant soldier as well as an expert surgeon. He received an honorable discharge at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in July 1865, and immediately returned to the medical college for the purpose of completing his medical education, and was graduated from that institution in 1866. The following year he came to Indiana, locating in New Castle, this county, but shortly afterward located in Sulphur Springs. He was actively engaged there in the practice of his profession until 1870 and then returned to New Castle. He soon demonstrated the fact that he was a thorough master of his profession and having readily won the public confidence, soon built up an extensive practice. While he gave his attention to the general practice, he paid especial attention to surgery, in which he was probably the peer of any physician in this county. Aside from his professional duties Dr. Burke also took a keen interest in the public welfare and was induced to accept the offices of town trustee and school director, serving in the former office two terms and one term in the latter. On the 1st of March 1898, Dr. Burke was nominated for the office of clerk of the Henry circuit court, was elected, and assumed the duties of that office October 29, I900. He entered upon the duties of the office with a light heart and buoyant spirits, although to many of his close friends it was known that he had misgivings about being spared to serve his term of office. It came sooner than anyone expected, as only a few weeks elapsed until he was stricken and left the clerk's office, never more to return. His death occurred October 17, 1901, at the home of Dr. S. Ferris, where he had engaged rooms a short time before his sickness. The funeral occurred the following Sunday at the Christian church and was attended by a large number of people. The Grand Army of the Republic and Independent Order of Red Men had charge of the services and at the cemetery both orders observed their burial ceremonies. The services at the church were conducted by the pastor, Rev. Ewing, assisted by Revs. King and Dungan. Dr. Burke was an active member of the Henry County Medical Society, the Grand Army of the Republic, the Historical Society and the American Medical Society. He was also physician for the Panhandle and Lake Erie & Western railroads. Following is a complete copy of the will of Dr. Burke: November 22, 1899. This is my last will, and I, being of sound mind, do bequeath as follows: First "That all my just debts be paid. Second "That all notes, accounts, judgments, etc., be collected. Third "That the proceeds of my estate, real and personal, be equally divided between Jerome B. Burke, Mary E. Burke, Ellen J. Durfrees, all of Washington, D. C., and J. W. Burke, of Austin, Texas, being my brothers and sisters. Fourth "I desire that my library, books, instruments and whatever may be in my office or in my room or stairway of said room, together with harness and buggy with Ed. Peed, be sold at public auction or any part at private sale satisfactory to the best interest of my estate. Fifth "I appoint my good friends, Thos. B. Millikan and Mark E. Forkner, my executors with right and power to dispose of keepsakes of any kind which they may find in my possession, to my known friends, and to execute my will in their good judgments, they to destroy all, accounts, books and papers of no value after settlement is complete, and I bequeath to my good aunt and noble woman, Elizabeth Alsbaugh, my iron bed stead. GEORGE W. BURKE.
M. O. Waters and J. A. Greenstreet, witnesses.

Submitted by: Lora
Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920


Deb Murray