GEORGE LOWE

Few men of Henry County were as widely and favorably known as the late George Lowe, of New Castle. He was one of the strong and influential citizens whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section of the state and for years his name was synonymous for all that constituted honorable and upright manhood. Tireless energy, keen perception and honesty of purpose, combined with everyday common sense, were among his chief characteristics and while advancing individual success he also largely promoted the moral and material welfare of his community. George Lowe was born in Limerick, Ireland, on the 25th of September 1812, and was the son of David and Elizabeth Lowe. In early childhood he accompanied his parents upon their emigration to America. They located in Monongalia County, Virginia, and there he was reared. In the fall of 1834 he came to New Castle in company with George Waters and here learned the carpenter's trade with Jacob Elliott, after which he entered actively into the work of contracting. He was a good workman and a careful and painstaking overseer of all contracts, which he undertook, so that he soon earned an enviable reputation as a successful contractor. Along about 1852 the subject erected a residence near where the Lake Erie railroad water tank now stands and which was at that time a dark and wooded ravine. He was away some distance from his nearest neighbors and many times he had to leave the house early in the evening while at work on its construction because of the wolves in that locality. He remembered New Castle when there was but one brick building in the town, that being where the Jennings store now stands. He was long an active factor in the city's progress and development and continued the business of contracting until prevented from doing so by the loss of his eyesight. He always made this city his home, excepting one period of four years, which he spent upon a farm in Cass County, this state. As soon as he was able he bought land here and upon it erected a number of houses, the plot of ground being located east of the Jennings mill. He erected nearly all the houses in that part of the town and also several in the central part of the city. He platted four different additions to the city of New Castle, known as additions Nos.1, 2, 3 and 4, amounting in all to about ten or twelve acres. Upon his death his estate was left entirely to his wife, with full responsibility. This property she has since continued to manage, having sold off many of the lots, and she is now dividing the property. Mr. Lowe died on the 28th of September 1898, at the advanced age of eighty-six years and three days. His death was a sad loss to this community and many were the expressions of profound regret at his decease. Mrs. Lowe still maintains her residence in the comfortable home, which Mr. Lowe built shortly after his return from Cass County. At the age of twenty-four years Mr. Lowe was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ellen Roach, who was then nineteen years old. She was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, and at the age of two years was brought by her parents to this county. She remained here, though her parents subsequently removed to Wayne County, thence to Brown County, this state. Their marriage took place in New Castle, at the home of Henry Schroyer. To them were born eleven children, of whom those now living are briefly mentioned as follows: William is a wealthy contractor residing at Warrensburg, Missouri; Charles and John are also contractors residing at the same place; George is a brick contractor and resides in Muncie, this state; Henry lives on the farm at New Castle. Another son, David, died and left to the care of the subject's wife two small children, who both died, so that she has had altogether the care of thirteen children: The only surviving daughter, Virginia, is the wife of Henry Hurleman. Mrs. Lowe also has seventeen grandchildren and two great grand children. A noteworthy fact is that the subject and his wife owned the first cook stove ever used in New Castle and also the first heating stove. The latter was for many years in use in the office of the county clerk, but is now stored in a barn loft. Mr. Lowe started the first Sunday school in New Castle, having seven small boys as the first pupils. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and at one time when the church had communion with closed doors, as was then sometimes customary, he with his wife attempted to enter, but were refused admission by the door keeper, which caused Mr. Lowe to make some decidedly pointed remarks. He always maintained a deep interest in his church and Sunday school and was an active worker in the latter as long as able to attend. He was a faithful attendant upon the old camp meetings, which were then held on the site of the present Springer residence on the hill on North Main Street, and which was then considered out of town. Mr. Lowe served for many years in the capacity of class-leader. Mrs. Lowe is now a remarkably well-preserved lady and retains to a notable degree her physical and mental faculties. She was prior to and for a time after her marriage a poor girl, but she and her husband wisely resolved to live strictly with in their means, going without many luxuries and oftentimes even without necessities. She has in recent years made several handsome bedspreads, stand covers, portieres, etc., of silk scraps, and which evidence her remarkable skill as a needlewoman She is a kind neighbor, a warm-hearted lady, a congenial friend, and a consecrated Christian woman whose friends are numbered by the score. Henry S. Lowe, sort of the late George Lowe was born on the 28th of May 1861, in New Castle in the house in which his mother now resides. He was reared at home and received the benefit of a good education in the city schools, passing all the grades. Upon leaving school he commenced working with his father at the carpenter's trade, but the greater part of his life was devoted to the care of his father's farm, on which he still resides. He was married September 23, 1882, to Miss Emma Councellor, she being seventeen years old at the time of their marriage. They commenced housekeeping on the farm of sixty acres, which adjoins the city of New Castle. He is executor of his father's estate, valued at about ten thousand dollars. He rents other land and carries on general farming, being quite successful in his operations. He is the father of four children, as follows: Eva has finished the grades in the city schools and is very accomplished in music; Ella has also finished her school work; Georgia and William are promising youths, full of life and sunshine. Mr. Lowe is a Republican and is an earnest worker in the party ranks. Religiously he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church arid active workers in the Sunday school. Fraternally he is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, holding membership in Iroquois Tribe.

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


LEWIS H.JUDGE

The science of agriculture, for it is a science as well as an art, finds an able demonstrator as well as successful practitioner in the person of the gentleman whose name introduces this brief biography. Lewis H. Judge was born in Harrison Township, Henry County, Indiana, on the 13th of April, 1850, and thus for over a half century has he lived in the community in which he now resides. He is the son of John and Sarah A.(Jones) Judge. The paternal grandfather of the subject was a native of  Pennsylvania and was of German extraction. He moved front his native state to  Knox County, Ohio, and from there to Iowa, where he met his death by drowning in the Des Moines River. His son, the father of the subject, then came to Henry County, Indiana, and located in Harrison Township.  The latter was deprived of the advantages of an education, as he had to commence at an early age to earn his own living. He married Sarah A. Jones, the daughter of William Jones, a native of Ohio who settled in an early day in Indiana. John Judge started in life a poor man, but was energetic and ambitious and by hard work and the exercise of sound judgment and wise economy became quite wealthy, being worth at the time of his death about sixty thousand dollars. He was quiet indisposition, but had splendid natural business qualifications and made many friends. To him and his wife were born nine children, of whom Lewis H., the subject, was the second in the order of birth.  Lewis H. Judge remained upon the parental homestead until he had attained his majority and received the benefit of a fair education. Upon leaving the parental roof he rented land for some time, but in 1883 was enabled to purchase a home of his own, consisting of fifty acres of land. He has added to this from time to time as he was able and now owns seventy acres at the homeplace and thirty-five acres near Kennard. He has not confined himself to any one line of farming, but has been diversified in his operations. In conjunction with farming, he has also given considerable attention to the raising of livestock, giving especial attention to Poland Chinahogs, which business he has found very profitable. His well-kept property and highly cultivated fields indicate to even the casual observer the supervision of a painstaking and up-to-date husbandman.

On the 8th of January 1874, Mr. Judge was united in marriage with Miss Ella Maggart, the daughter of David and Delilah (Hogue) Maggart. Her birth took place in Henry County, this state, June 18, 1854, and in her youth she was given a fair common-school education. Her parents were both natives of Ohio, but moved to Indiana where they were married. They resided in Hancock County until 1887, when they removed to Missouri. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a Republican in politics. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom Mrs. Judge is the second in order of birth. To the subject and his wife have been born ten children, of whom but two are now living, as follows: Jessie R., born July 8, 1881, is the wife of Walter Maple, a resident of Greensboro Township; Gertrude A., born August 9, 1884, received a good common school education and still resides at home.  Politically Mr. Judge is a Democrat and has always taken a keen interest in the success of his party, though he has never been  an aspirant for public office. To those acquainted with the subject and his family it is entirely unnecessary to refer to the excellent traits which have characterized them and which have enabled them to achieve the enviable standing in the community which they now enjoy, Religiously, morally and socially they have ever done all in their power for the elevation of those with whom they are associated, and for the advancement of the best interests of the community.

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


NATHAN H. STARR

Nathan Hollingsworth Starr, a scion of the old ante-Revolutionary family of Pennsylvania, was born December 29, 1835, on the homestead of his parents in Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana, and was named in honor of Nathan Hollingsworth, of that city, whose son, born on the same day, was named Charles West Hollingsworth as a return compliment, which will be better understood by the reader when this biographical notice shall have been further perused.  The parents of Nathan H. Starr were Charles West and Elizabeth (Wilson) Starr, the former of whom was born in Philadelphia February 28, 1793, and as a boy played with his mates tinder the elm tree made famous by William Penn as the site of his treaty with the Indians when he made his purchase of the state. Elizabeth (Wilson) Starr was born near Wilmington, Delaware, February 14, 1798,was married at the East Nottingham meeting house, in Cecil County. Maryland, November 4 1819, both families being members of the Society of Friends. Charles Starr was a son of John and Mary (West) Starr, the mother being a daughter of John and Catherine Wilson West, it will be remembered, was the family name of John. Lord De La Ware, after whom the state, bay and river Delaware were named as well as West Point, New York, the site of the United States Military Academy on the Hudson River.  In 1825 Charles and Elizabeth Starr came to Indiana and settled in Wayne County on a farm, which is now, buta square south of the railroad depot at Richmond. Here the father died May 1, 1858, and the mother July 10, 1884. Their remains were interred in Ridge cemetery, three miles east of the city. The original Starr homestead in Wayne county is now overlapped by the city, and this growth made Charles and his family wealthy. The homestead comprised three hundred acres and was bounded on the south by Main Street, by Nineteenth Street on the east and on the north and west by the river. In the early days Mr. Starr was the proprietor of the Starr hotel on Main Street, but later devoted his time to the promotion of the growth of the city; a portion of his old homestead still remains unsold.  To Charles and Elizabeth Starr were born ten children, of whom two sons and one daughter still survive, viz: Benjamin, a piano manufacturer at Richmond; Joseph W., a farmer in Nebraska, and Hannah A. Leeds, of New York City, her sons being at the head of the American Tin Plate Company. When their son Nathan H. was but nine years of age he was sent to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to be educated, but grew homesick, ran away from school and returned to his home and received a whipping from his father. Hethen entered the Gaar, Scott& Company factory and was employed eight years, during which period he learned all the details in the manufacture of threshing machines and even of steam engines. He next went to work as fireman on the Chicago & Great Eastern railroad (new the Panhandle) and later became its wood-buying agent on the Cincinnati route. While thus engaged he visited Middletown, Indiana, in 1860 and purchased the land which is still the homestead of his widow. At the time he located on this land it was covered by a thick growth of timber, but he cleared off ten acres, sold the wood to the railroad company, there being only a log cabin on the land, and in 1866 erected a comfortable modern dwelling. September 1868, Mr. Starr married Miss Clara Gustin, a most amiable young lady and a daughter of Amos and Margaret (Eyer) Gustin, both of whom were natives of Warren County, Ohio, and came to Indiana in 1839 where they were at once classed among the best people of Madison County, in which they made their home.  Mrs. Clara Starr was then an infant of, two years, having been born in Warren County, Ohio, March 1, 1837. Mr. Starr was a birth-right member of the Society of Friends and at his marriage was cited to appear before a meeting of the elders of the class to which he belonged and was reprimanded for marrying outside of the pale, but he was willing to bear there reprimand and more for the sake of the sweet society of his chosen bride.  When Mr. Starr first settled down to farming he bought one hundred and sixty acres of woodland, to which he added from time to time, until he owned three hundred and seventy-seven acres in one body, of which he placed two hundred and seventy seven under cultivation. The land was submerged by water each spring and a great deal of drainage had to be done. A company was therefore formed, known as the Rhoberta Franklin Ditch Company, which laid many miles of eighteen-inch tile, thousands of rods being sunk under the surface of the Starr land at a cost of five thousand  dollars, but the fields in the neighborhood are now well drained and are remarkably productive. Mr. Starr was also a member of the company that constructed the pike to Middletown. As a farmer he grew the general crops of the latitude and also bred high-grade stock for his own use and fattened cattle and swine for marketing. Mr. Starr was called from earth July 21, 1896, by a stroke of apoplexy. He had been in poor health for about a year, but although confined to the house the winter prior to his death, had been able to superintend and direct the affairs of his farm. He was a kind and loving husband and an indulgent father and his departure was deeply mourned by his hundreds of friends among whom he had so long lived and whom he had benefited in a hundred ways through his public spirit, good advice and charitable acts, while his widow and surviving children were prostrated with grief. He had long been a member of the Masonic fraternity  and his body was borne by Masonic bearers.  In politics he was a Republican, but, though he never aspired to public office, his influence was widespread and effective in behalf of the party.  To Nathan H. and Clara (Gustin) Starr were born three children, namely: Benjamin, who died at the age of three years, eight months and twenty-nine days; Amos  Charles who was born July 13, 1872, graduated from Perdue University in the dairy department, after reaching his twentieth year, was employed in a butter and cheese factory in Middletown and then returned to the home farm, which he managed until his father's death and which still stands in the mother's name; Margaret C., born September 30, 1877, was educated in the common schools and December 18, 1901, married Joseph F. McCormack. The latter is an agriculturist, is a graduate of Middle town high school, and now resides on the Stover homestead. Mrs. Starr is a devout member of the Christian (New Light)church, which Mr. Starr had also attended and to the support of which he was a most liberal contributor financially and in the teachings of which he had implicit faith. Mrs. Starr has in her possession an old parchment sheepskin deed dated October 15, 1825, and bearing the signature of President Andrew Jackson.

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


The subject of this sketch is a successful farmer and stock raiser of Henry county, as well as an enterprising citizen and a leading man of affairs, He was born in Highland county, Ohio, July 24, 1845, and is the son of John and Jane Woolard,the father of German and the mother of French descent. The Woolard family in this county appears to have had its origin in Virginia, from which state the subject's ancestors moved to Ohio in an early day, settling in the county of Highland. The maiden name of John Woolard's wife was Jane Gravatt whose ancestors moved to the Buckeye state from New Jersey. John Woolard was reared a farmer and during his youth and early manhood experienced many hardships and privations, having been poor in this worlds goods with nobody to give him a start in the world. His father came into possession of a body of land in Ohio, but after his death the family lost it all, and John had to start out in the world a poor boy.  Aaron Woolard spent his childhood and youth under the parental roof and before arriving at his majority began working by the month as a farm hand, generously turning over his wages to the family. He was working in this capacity when the county became excited over the struggle between the North and the South, young Woolard taking an active interest in the trend of affairs. When the war finally broke out he was one of the youngest of the brave boys of his country to tender their services to the government, enlisting in Company B One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio Infantry. Soon after entering the service Mr. Woolard's regiment was sent to Tennessee on general duty, after which it took part in the operations against the Confederate forces under Generals Hood and Forrest. Subsequently the One Hundred and Eightieth as reorganized and attached to Schofield's command, which formed part of the splendid army commanded by Gen. W.T. Sherman in the Carolinas. Georgia, Tennessee and other states. The subject saw considerable active service, took part in a number of engagements and at the close of the war was mustered out with an honorable record, his discharge bearing the date of July 1865.  Returning to his home on leaving the army, Mr. Woolard attended school for some time thereafter, by faithful study acquiringa good education, especially in studies, in which he early displayed much more than average ability.  In the year 1871 was joined in the bonds of wedlock to Miss Hannah Werking a native of Pennsylvania, but at the time of her marriage a resident of Henry County, Indiana, whither Mr. Woolard had come in 1869. After his marriage the subject rented land and engaged in agricultural pursuits, but a little later found himself well enough situated to purchase a farm of his own, investing his means in an eighty-acre tract in Wayne county, where he resided about thirteen years, then settled on the farm on which he now lives. This was the nucleus of the large estate that Mr. Woolardhas since acquired, an estate consisting of five hundred and fourteen acres of valuable land, conservatively estimated to be worth twenty-five thousand dollars. Mr. Woolard has always been a hard worker, a close calculator, laying well his plans and invariably carrying them to successful consummation. For some years he was obliged to practice a very careful economy, but after becoming better situated and no longer under such necessity, his liberality became a marked characteristic and of late he has been one of the foremost men of his township in supporting by both influence and financial aid all enterprises and measures having for their object the material improvement of the country.  Mr. Woolard is also a successful stock raiser, and it is from this source that much of his wealth has been derived. As a breeder and raiser of fine hogs he is perhaps without a rival in the township of Liberty and as an agriculturist he has long been recognized as being in the front rank of the county's most enterprising and successful men. He owns a beautiful home, has spared no reasonable expense in surrounding his family with conveniences and comforts and is certainly well situated to enjoy the many blessings of life. Mr. Woolard owes not a little of his success to the promptness with which he has always met his obligations, and also in never incurring an indebtedness of which he had any doubt of paying at the proper time. His reputation in these respects has become almost proverbial and when he needs a favor, which is now not often, he has not far to go to get the accommodation. Politically he is a Republican, but has never had the time nor inclination to become an active party worker, preferring to devote all of his energies to his large business interests and to be known simply as a private citizen. He is not a member of any church or benevolent organization but is a friend of such institutions and supports  them liberally when the case requires. Mrs. Woolard belongs to the German Baptist church and is numbered among the active members of the congregation with which she is connected.  Mr. and Mrs. Woolard have had twelve children, namely: Clinton, David, John, Jane, Catherine, Eva, Charles, Edith, Harry, Alvin, Stella, and one that died in infancy. Of the nine now living all have grown to maturity and are doing for themselves. They are well-educated young men and women, being graduates of the Hagerstown schools.

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


JOSEPH CRAMER. The subject of this sketch is a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and the son of Philip and Elizabeth Cramer, both parents born in Germany. The father grew to mature years in the fatherland and there married, his wife's maiden name being Elizabeth Daum. They kept a hotel in their native town and carried on the business with varied success for a number of years, finally disposing of their house for the purpose of raising funds to immigrate to America. On coming to the United States Philip Cramer purchased land in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He continued this vocation until his death, which occurred a few years after the family's arrival in the above state. Philip and Elizabeth Cramer were the parents of fifteen children, only four of whom are living at the present time, the majority having died in infancy; Lynn, Charles, John and Joseph are the surviving members of this once large family. Joseph, the youngest of the children, was born on the 2nd day of September, 1858, and until twelve years of age attended the public schools of his native county. By reason of his father's death he was early thrown upon his own resources and in his thirteenth year began earning his own living by working in the iron mines of Pennsylvania. He was thus engaged for a period of five years, at the end of which time he accompanied his mother and brother to Henry County, Indiana, settling on an eighty-acre farm in Liberty township opposite to the place where he now lives. With such assistance as her two Sons could render, Mrs. Cramer bought the farm, paying a part of the purchase price down and going in debt for the balance. The place cost four thousand dollars and Joseph remained with his mother managing the work and looking after her interests until every dollar of indebtedness was paid. In October, 1880, Mr. Cramer was happily married to Miss Margaret E. Pressel, whose birth occurred in Liberty Township, this county, on the 9th day of February 1860. Her parents. Eli and Alzana (Crull) Pressel were well known residents of Henry county, moving here a number of years ago from Pennsylvania, of which state they were natives. After marriage Mr. Cramer took charge of his mother's farm until her death, when the property was sold. He then rented land in Liberty Township for three years, then purchased a part of the same farm on which he now resides, going in debt to the amount of twenty-five hundred dollars. By industry and thrift he succeeded in meeting his payments as they became due and in the course of a few years found his place free of all incumbrance. He added to his possessions until his farm now contains one hundred and ten acres of fine land, representing a value of ten thousand dollars, nearly all of which was earned by his own labor and successful management. As a farmer and raiser of good livestock no one stands higher than Mr. Cramer and as a neighbor and citizen he has long been noted for his honorable, straightforward course, his influence always being on the side of right. His farm is highly improved and his home, comfortable and convenient in all of its appointments, is the abode of a generous hospitality only too rare in the present rapid age of selfishness and personal aggrandizement. Nine children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cramer, namely, Ona M., Ivan C., Lena B., Maude A., Elsie E., Jessie H. Edna P. Eunice D. and Margaret .J., all living and remarkably strong and healthy specimens of American youth and vitality. Mr. Cramer is a Democrat in politics and as such was elected in November 1900, assessor of his township, the duties of which office he has since discharged in an able and praiseworthy manner. He belongs to the: Knights of Pythias at Hagerstown and for some years had been an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at the present time holding the position of the treasurer in his local lodge. His oldest daughter, Ona M., is a leading worker in the Rathbone Sisters and also belongs to the Daughters of Rebekah. Such in brief are the salient facts in the life of one of Liberty Township's successful farmers and representative citizens. With his well-known reputation for integrity and energy, he has acquired by well-directed labor and honorable dealings an ample competence and can with propriety be safely classed with the foremost men of the community in which he has long claimed a residence. He is the embodiment of geniality and good fellowship, has made many warm friends and few if any enjoy a greater degree of popularity.

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


Deb Murray