He was born in Columbus Township, Bartholomew County, January 28, 1869, a grandson of Joseph Hunter and of Arthur Vanwye. Arthur Vanwye was a soldier in the War of the Revolution. The Hunter family came from Ireland to America after the Revolution and settled in Ohio. Mr. Hunter’s father, Jesse Hunter, was a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, and came to Indiana in February, 1844. He married Catherine Vanwye, of Washington County, Pennsylvania.
Charles G. Hunter was the youngest in a large family of twelve children. He was seven years old when his father died, and after attending the grade schools took up regular duties on the home farm and has owned farming interests for many years. He is a past worthy patron of the Columbus Grange. Mr. Hunter in 1889 moved to Columbus and in March, 1900, he helped organize and incorporate the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company and has been active in that organization for thirty years and is still secretary. In 1918 he was elected county clerk, on the Republican ticket, serving four years. He was appointed postmaster in March, 1927, and is a member of the Tri-State Postmasters Association. Mr. Hunter is also president of the Bartholomew County Farm Loan Association, affiliated with the Federal Land Bank of Louisville.
He married Miss Emma Walker, who was born in Johnson County and came to Bartholomew County with her parents in the early ‘80s. They have one son, Abner Jesse, who is a graduate of Purdue University and was a second lieutenant of cavalry during the World war, stationed at Camp Taylor. He now has charge of his father’s farm. Abner Jesse Hunter married Ruth Newson, a niece of Vida Newson, and they are the parents of a daughter, Dorothea Jean.
Charles G. Hunter is affiliated with Elizabethtown Lodge No. 249, A. F. and A. M., is a member of the Royal Arch Chapter, the council degrees, is affiliated with Raleigh Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He is a past master of the Masonic Lodge. He has been very active in the Republican party and, for fifteen years was precinct committeeman and for two years county chairman.
INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 3
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931
RALPH ENOCK ROWLEY, chief civil engineer in charge of construction of the Illinois Steel Company, may well be known as the "Father of Gary," for it was he who, in 1906, brought the first party of engineers to this site to map out the present city and plant. At that time Gary was practically a wilderness in the midst of sand dunes, and it has been Mr. Rowley's fortune and pleasure to watch the great growth and development of this remarkable industrial community with the eye of a proprietor.
Mr. Rowley was born at Racine, Wisconsin, August 26, 1871, and is a son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Bufton) Rowley. His father, a native of Coventry, England, immigrated to the United States at the age of nineteen years and settled at Racine, where he first followed the trade of butcher and later became the proprietor of a meat business of his own. In 1885 he moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he engaged in the rolling mill business, with which he was identified until his death in 1909, burial being made in Mount Greenwood Cemetery, Chicago. He was a man of high character and integrity, a devout Episcopalian, and for many years a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Rowley married Miss Elizabeth Bufton, who was born at Bryn Mawr, Wales, and educated in the public schools there, and was brought to America at the age of eighteen years by her parents, who settled at Racine. She was active in the work of the Congregational Church and the Windsor Park Woman's Club, and died in June, 1925, being laid to rest beside her husband. There were four children in the family: Randall, a resident of Chicago; Ralph E., of this review; Frederick, who died in infancy; and Lillian, now Mrs. Patrick McCauley, of Chicago.
Ralph E. Rowley attended the public schools of Racine, Wisconsin, following which he took a position with the Mason-Davis Stove Factory, at Chicago, as a helper in the mechanical department, remaining with that concern for three years. In the fall of 1889 he became water boy and sample clerk at the South Chicago works of the Illinois Steel Company, known then as the North Chicago Rolling Mill; and in 1890 was transferred to the engineering department. Realizing the necessity of further education, Mr. Rowley began a course in engineering with the International Correspondence School, which he completed. That school, located at Scranton, Pennsylvania, was then in its infancy, but the course of study prescribed for Mr. Rowley helped him materially, and from chairman he worked his way steadily upward through the various branches until he was made, chief civil engineer of the South Chicago works, in 1902. He remained in that capacity until March 12, 1906, when he was promoted to the Gary plant as chief civil engineer in charge of construction of the mill site and the townsite of Gary, and has since continued in that capacity. It was in 1906 that Mr. Rowley brought to Gary the first party of engineers who mapped out the site of Gary and the Illinois Steel Company plant, at a time when Gary was a wilderness. In addition to Mr. Rowley there were three others, Thomas Cutler, engineer, Frank E. Morris and Howard Reed, assistants. These men were followed later by Col. A. P. Melton and others. Mr. Rowley had made a previous visit with G. G. Thorp, vice president of the Illinois Steel Company, and a party of other officials, via the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad and the Indiana Harbor Belt line, which had then been completed as far as the trestle at the Calumet River. After looking over the ground they returned to the South Works and Mr. Rowley proceeded with his plans, purchasing equipment and organizing an engineering force, which was completed by the following Saturday. His first work had been in the fall of 1905, assisting M. John Kirk in preparing preliminary plans and a report for a proposed railroad yards, which is now known as the Kirk yard. The dunes were leveled, the plants erected and the first ore boat arrived at Gary for the celebration which took place July 23, 1908. Government boats fired a salute, several hundred Gary citizens boarded the boat at South Chicago, and after the arrival, there was held a parade, led by William P. Gleason, present general superintendent, Mr. Rowley and others, in which the sailors and guests joined.
When the town of Gary was incorporated, in 1906, it was governed by a board of trustees, but in 1909 it was included in the cities of the fifth class of Indiana. In November, 1909, Mr. Rowley was elected councilman of the Second Ward. and has held that office continuously to the present. He was also president of the first council and served ten years in that capacity, and at various times has been a member of the finance and other important committees. Fraternally Mr. Rowley is a Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner; and belongs to Roosevelt Lodge, A. F. and A. M. of Gary; Gary Chapter, R. A. M.; Gary Commandery, K. T.; and Medinah Temple, A. A; O. N. M. S., of Chicago: and also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Commercial Club and Chamber of Commerce, politically is a Republican, and attended the Congregational Church, at Chicago, although the family attend the Presbyterian Church.
At Chicago, Illinois, April 30, 1900, Mr. Rowley was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Agnes Gunther, daughter of George Gunter, a native of Germany, who came to the United States in 1855 and for a time resided at New Orleans, Louisiana. Later he came up the Mississippi River by boat and took up his residence at Chicago, where he was married, his wife being a native of Baden, Germany. For a time he was engaged in truck farming, but subsequently turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, in which he was occupied until his retirement. He died in April, 1907', and was buried in Oakwoods Cemetery, Chicago, as was his wife, who survived him until June, 1912. Mrs. Rowley was educated in the public schools of Chicago and has been active in charitable work and in the Woman's Club. During the World war both she and Mr. Rowley were active in the various drives which assisted in the success of American arms. Mr. and Mrs. Rowley have two daughters: Rezia Marie and Evelyn May. Miss Rezia M. Rowley graduated from Faukner High School at Chicago, and attended Emerson High School, Gary, and Mount Holyoke, Massachusetts, in addition to which she did special work at Yale University and two semesters of post-graduate work at the University of Chicago. She is now the capable librarian of the Tolliston School, Gary. Miss Evelyn M. Rowley is a graduate of Emerson High School, Gary, and Rockford (Illinois) College, and is now a grade teacher at the Horace Mann Public School, Gary. Both young women are highly accomplished and are very popular in the younger social set.
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INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 3
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931
HULBERT M. FERGUSON, operator of the Ferguson and Clinton Coal Companies, has been one of the most progressive and useful citizens of Clinton during the years he has lived there. Mr. Ferguson inherits many of the characteristics of his sturdy Scotch ancestry. The family have been in Indiana for a great many years and have extensive holdings in the coal industry of the Wabash Valley.
Mr. Ferguson was born in Putnam County, Indiana, October 3, 1869. His father, Charles J. Ferguson, was born September 16, 1841, and for fifty years or more was an active farmer in Putnam County. He is now, at the age of eighty-eight, living retired at Terre Haute. Charles J. Ferguson married Mary Thompson, daughter of John Thompson, of Putnam County. They had a family of three children: Hulbert M.; E. L. Moore, of Terre Haute; and Arthur Ferguson. Arthur Ferguson, who is superintendent of the Ferguson mines, lives at Terre Haute, and by his marriage to Grace McClain has a son, Charles W.
Hulbert M. Ferguson while a boy on the farm attended local schools in Putnam County. Afterwards he graduated from the Terre Haute High School and for one year was a student in the Rose Polytechnic Institute there. Since leaving school his time and interests have been the coal business, at first as a retail coal merchant at Terre Haute and Clinton.
Mr. Ferguson is a generous type of citizen, willing to get out and work in any movement that means some form of public good to all the community. His popularity as a business man and citizen was demonstrated when he was the first Democratic candidate ever chosen to the office of mayor of Clinton. He has also been president of the library board of Clinton County, president of the Vermilion County Hospital building fund, and he is credited with a large measure of the success of the hospital drive. Through his efforts persons of wealth and means contributed a $50,000 oversubscription to the hospital, increasing by one-half the amount originally asked. Mr. Ferguson is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Clinton.
He married, June 13, 1.894, Miss Leora Agnes Campbell, daughter of John Campbell, of Lagro, Wabash County. Her grandfather, Samuel A. Campbell; was a pioneer settler of Marion, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have one daughter, Louise M., who is a graduate of the Rockford College for Women and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and has shown much ability as a practical business woman in assisting her father in the management of his interests.
INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 3
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931
OSCAR FRANK MOORE was an Indiana citizen who lived his life in Monroe County, where he became known as a very substantial farmer, a citizen of influence, whose personal integrity made him admired by many friends and associates.
He was born August 15, 1860, and was in his sixty-ninth year when called by death on March 29, 1929. His parents were George B. and Mary (Steffy) Moore. His grandfather, John Moore, came from North Carolina, and acquired a large farm in Monroe County. George B. Moore was for many years a merchant at Ellettsville and was one of the upright and honored leaders of that community. Oscar Frank Moore was educated in the common schools at Ellettsville. As a boy he worked in his father's store, but most of his active years were devoted to farming. After owning one place for several years he sold it and then bought the farm known as Beechwood, a highly improved place of 139 acres, a mile west of Ellettsville, on Highway 46. This farm in its value and improvements testify to the able way in which Mr. Moore did his business as a farmer.
He was always interested in politics, and was holding the office of township trustee when he died. He was a deacon in the Baptist Church, but is buried in the Methodist Cemetery at Ellettsville.
Mr. Moore married in 1879 Miss Eva B. Francisco, whose parents, David and Ellen (Braxton) Francisco, lived neat Paoli, Indiana. Her father was a farmer. Mrs. Moore after the death of her husband courageously took over the management of the farm and she was also appointed by the county commissioners township trustee and has carried on the administration of that office in a way to reflect honor upon herself. Mrs. Moore is the mother of three children. Her daughter Persis is the wife of B. B. Harris and they have two children, Catherine W., and Tilton. Mrs. Moore's granddaughter, Catherine, married George Williams, and their son, William Peter, is a great-grandson of Mrs. Moore. Lillian G. Moore was twice married, her first husband being Grant Sparks, and she is now the wife of J. L. Guinn. By her first marriage she has two children, Frankie L., wife of Sam Harris, and Julian. Lucile Moore, the third daughter, is a graduate of high school, is the wife of A. L. Ruff and lives with her mother.
INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 3
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931
JACK WILLIAM STONE. The mercantile and brokerage interests of Gary have an able and reliable representative in the person of Jack W. Stone, who, like a number of other successful Gary merchants, came to this city from Chicago. While he is still a young man, Mr. Stone has already made his mark in the business world, and the manner in which he has conducted his activities has served to gain him confidence and esteem.
Mr. Stone was born at Chicago, Illinois, September 22, 1897, and is a son of William and Annie (Goodman) Stone. His father, who belonged to one of the pioneer families of Chicago, was born, reared and educated in that city, where for a number of years he was engaged in the jewelry business, but died when his only son and child, Jack W., was still young. His widow subsequently married Phillip Sachs, of Chicago, who had been in business in Vancouver, British Columbia, for over twenty years, but who came to Gary in 1927 and is now in the mercantile business, owning and conducting the Bell Clothiers, at 1118 Broadway. Annie (Goodman) Stone was born in Russia and came to the United States as a small child with her parents, Daniel and Sarah Goodman, who settled at Chicago and retired. She is active in Beth El Temple and the Woman's Club and in social and charitable work. Two of her brothers, Louis and Charles D. Goodman, are prominent merchants and influential citizens of Gary. Charles D. Goodman is the owner of the Globe Clothiers, and he and his brother, Louis, have been very important factors in the upbuilding and development of Gary.
Jack W. Stone attended the public schools of Chicago and after his graduation from high school became associated with his uncle, Charles D. Goodman, in the Globe Clothiers, at Gary, in which concern he is still interested. He is accounted one of the capable and energetic young business men of Gary, and for the past several years has been developing a brokerage business which is beginning to assume large proportions. His principal activities in this line consist in the buying and selling of listed securities on the Chicago and New York Stock Exchanges. Known as a man of high character and integrity, he has won the full confidence of his associates.
Mr. Stone belongs to Gary Lodge No. 677, A. F. and A. M., and Evansville Lodge, B. P. O. Elks, in both of which he has numerous friends. Politically he is a Republican, but has never had the time nor inclination to mix in politics, although a supporter of good measures. He is a great admirer of football and baseball and is in frequent attendance at games. Mr. Stone is unmarried.
INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 3
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931
FRANKFORT PUBLIC LIBRARY. Clinton County was organized in 1830. Under a state law enforced at this time, ten per cent of the sale of lots in the new county seat of Frankfort was reserved for a public library. In November, 1830, the county commissioners set aside $60.17 out of the proceeds of the first sale of lots, and trustees were appointed to take charge of the use of this first library fund. There is no record how the money was applied. In 1854, under the provisions of a law sponsored by Robert Dale Owen, township libraries were organized by the state. The first public library in Clinton County was the Jackson Township Library, organized under this law. When, in 1872, Center Township was set off from Jackson Township and organized the Jackson Township Library was divided, a portion of the books, then almost worn out, being assigned to the new township. Some of these books are still preserved at the Frankfort Library. They are bound in sheepskin and "Indiana Township Library” is stamped into the leather of the front cover. The oldest of these books is Celestial Scenery or, The Wonders of the Planetary System Displayed, Illustrating the Perfection of Deity and a Plurality of Worlds, a book that was published in 1849. Some other early books came from the "Indiana School Library." Robert Maclure, of New Harmony, in his will provided for the inauguration of a system of libraries, directing that from the fund created by his will five hundred dollars should be donated to any club or society of laborers who might establish a reading or lecture room with a library of at least a hundred volumes. The Maclure heirs did not carry out this trust, and it was due to the exertions of A. P. Hovey, afterwards governor of Indiana, that the case was fought through the Supreme Court, which finally established the trust and made Hovey its administrator. When the distribution of the Maclure funds began, in 1855, Frankfort was named as one of the towns to receive benefit, and some of the old books now in the Frankfort Public Library were probably acquired through this fund.
The next library organization was the Frankfort Library Association, organized about 1876. It was a joint stock company, which bought books and circulated them among the members of the company. In 1884 the City Council accepted the donation of the library from the stock company, and the books were removed to the Council Chamber of the City Building, the city clerk acting as librarian ex officio. The two city clerks who served as librarians were Charles Morris and H. C. Sheridan. From 1887 to 1890 Jeannette Dunlap was librarian, and was succeeded by Miss Kate Gordon, who served until May, 1892. From January, 1891, until February, 1893, the library occupied a room in the basement of the Courthouse, and at the latter date was removed to a room in the new high school. At that time Miss Belle Sheridan was librarian. She served from May 6, 1892, until 1894. On the removal of the books to the high school Mrs. Virginia Stein, of Lafayette Public Library, reorganized and classified the books, and at that time a reference department was started and subscriptions for six magazines were ordered. The succeeding librarian was Miss Anna Hubbard, who served from December 7, 1894, until 1897. Miss Cora Cooper was librarian until 1903, and was succeeded by Miss Ethel Brumbaugh, who was the librarian for ten years, and during her administration the present Carnegie building was completed and occupied.
As a result of negotiations in 1903 the city transferred the library in trust to the school corporation, and since then the school corporation has had the management and direction of the library, though the official ownership is still vested in the city. This contract, approved February 19, 1903, provided that the title should be "The Frankfort Public Library," administered for the use of all citizens of Frankfort. The library remained in the high school building for five years. It outgrew its quarters, and in 1905 the first steps were taken toward securing funds from Mr. Andrew Carnegie for a building dedicated completely to the library service. The answer to the request to Mr. Carnegie was the offer of $17,500 for the erection of a building, subject to the condition that the city would provide a site and maintain the library at an annual expenditure of not less than $1,750. This offer was accepted, a site was purchased at the northwest corner of Clinton and Columbia streets, at a cost of $8,800. Mr. Carnegie in 1906 added $5,000 to his first gift, making it possible to complete an adequate and suitable structure, the contract price of which was $20,800. The library building is constructed of Bedford stone and measures sixty by seventy feet, and is two stories in height. The edifice is one in which the citizens take a just pride. The cornerstone was laid November 28, 1906, and the formal opening of the new building occurred February 14, 1908.
Under the inspiration of the new building came a rapid expansion of library service. In 1905 the library contained 3,000 volumes and had a thousand registered patrons. During Miss Ethel Brumbaugh's administration a complete new system of loaning and cataloging was installed. On October 1, 1911, she inaugurated the Children's Department, with the feature which has been continued under subsequent librarians of a children's story hour each Saturday morning. On January 1, 1913, Miss Brumbaugh, who resigned to marry Mr. Charles Cooper, of Lafayette, was succeeded by Miss Kate Huber, who had previously served as first assistant. Miss Huber was librarian until September 15, 1913, and was succeeded by Miss Olive Brumbaugh, who had been the first assistant. In May, 1923, after almost ten years of labor at the Frankfort Library, Miss Olive Brambaugh went to Orlando, Florida, to take charge of the public library there. Miss Maude Hatmon was librarian until August 1, 1924, when Miss Edith Thompson, who had been in the Purdue University Library, took the post, which she has so ably filled to the present time.
Under Miss Thompson was inaugurated the Vacation Reading Club for boys and girls, conducted by the library staff during the summer of 1928 and each succeeding summer. In the first summer 146 children entered the contest and fifty-five were awarded certificates for having read ten books during the vacation months. Of the 240 children who participated in 1929, 120 were awarded certificates. In 1930,150 certificates were awarded.
At the time of the laying of the cornerstone the library contained 4,074 books and received thirty-seven periodicals. The total number of borrowers was 1,847, and the average daily loan was sixty-five volumes. The annual report for 1930 shows there were 24,078 volumes in the library at the end of the year, 16,943 adult. books and 7,135 juvenile books; pamphlets to the number of 760, prints numbering 1,862, and 135 magazines and newspapers received. The circulation of books per year was 96,784, making a per capita circulation of 7.46. The average daily circulation was 314.2. The library was open 308 days during the year for twelve hours daily. The number of patrons registered according to the latest report is 7,803. Comparative statistics show a gain of 491 per cent in book stock and a gain of 383.3 per cent in circulation of books since the library building was erected. During 1930 the library had stations at each of the four grade school buildings, and a station is also maintained in the County Hospital. The library serves several townships as well as the city. The library staff at the present time includes: Miss Edith Thompson, librarian; Miss Ruth Brown, first assistant; Miss Rosalie Irwin, junior assistant; Miss Helen Knorr, substitute.
INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 3
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931
WILLIAM PERRIN CARMICHAEL. While he has made his home at Winona Lake, Kosciusko County, for a number of years, and is a native of the Hoosier State, the operations of William Perrin Carmichael as an official and directing head of large enterprises engaged in construction and other lines of work have covered such an extensive area that no one constricted area can justly call him for its own. Throughout a long, active and result-achieving life he has been identified with many of the most important projects that have been promulgated in Indiana, but his operations have extended into other states and countries, where he has become widely and intimately known for his achievements.
William Perrin Carmichael was born in Warren County, Indiana, April 14, 1858, and is a son of Ralph Erskine and Rebecca (Kent) Carmichael. His great-grandfather on the paternal side was John Carmichael, who was born in Scotland and came to America in 1758. In 1759 he was with the forces of Gen. John Wolfe in the great battle of Quebec, which decided the fate of Canada, and in which both of the leading generals, Wolfe, of England, and Montcalm, of France, were killed. John Carmichael is said to have been the third man to reach the Plains of Abraham in this memorable battle. He survived and later was a soldier in a New Jersey regiment during the Revolutionary war. Duncan Carmichael, the grandfather of William P. Carmichael, was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, whence he moved to Rush County, Indiana, and there passed the remainder of his life. Ralph Erskine Carmichael was born in Rush County, Indiana, where he received his education, and as a young man took up farming, a vocation which he later following in Warren County, this state. He married Rebecca Kent, a daughter of Perrin Kent, and a granddaughter of John and Sarah (Perrin) Kent, of English extraction. Perrin Kent was born at Oldtown, Maryland, and participated in the War of 1812 and the Blackhawk war.
After attending the public and high schools William Perrin Carmichael took a preparatory course at Wabash, entering the freshman class of 1873, and graduating from that institution in 1879, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In 1886 the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him. For a time he was engaged as a chemist at Indianapolis, and during 1886 was employed by an engineering firm. In 1887 he was appointed county surveyor and engineer, and held that position until 1893, in which year he organized the Williamsport Stone Company, of which he was general manager for six years, then purchasing the company and engaging in engineering and construction work, in which he has continued to be occupied to the present. In 1909 Mr. Carmichael became vice president and general manager of the Unit Construction Company of Saint Louis, Missouri, with branches in various cities of this country and at Montreal, Canada, and Mexico City, Mexico, and continued in that capacity until 1915 when he organized the Carmichael Gravel Company, operating gravel and ballast plants in Indiana, and the Carmichael-Cryder Company, engineers and constructors, of Saint Louis, with which concerns he still is identified. In 1907 Mr. Carmichael was chosen a member of the board of directors of Winona, which he assisted in organizing, and in 1918 resigned his position as vice president, W. J. Brin being chosen as his successor. Mr. Carmichael has been engaged in many important engineering and construction projects in all parts of the country, and is nationally known in his profession. He is an independent Republican in his political views, but has not had much to do with politics during his busy life. Since boyhood he has been a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is now a member and elder of the West Presbyterian Church of Saint Louis.
On March 2, 1887, Mr. Carmichael was united in marriage with Miss Alice Norris, of Kansas, and to this union there has been born one daughter: Katherine, an accomplished and talented musician and church organist, who is unmarried and resides with her parents.
INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 3
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931
