BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HUFFMAN. A member of one of the oldest families of Southern Indiana, Benjamin Franklin Huffman, manager of the Waterworks Company at Rockport, is a man of versatile accomplishments. He was trained for the law, which he practiced with much success during his earlier years, but more recently has used his knowledge hereof only in the proper handling of large and complicated business affairs. His career has been an active one, in which he has never neglected the duties of citizenship.

Mr. Huffman was born March 16, 1874, at Huffman, Spencer County, Indiana, and is a son of Lemuel Q. and Amanda (Chewning) Huffman. His father was born June 21, 1850, in the same locality, which, named after the great-grandfather of Mr. Huffman, had been the home of the family for many years. Lemuel Q. Huffman, like his father and grandfather, was brought up to the pursuits of agriculture, which he followed throughout the active period of his life, but is now living in retirement at Tell City. He married Amanda Chewning, a native of the same community, and they became the parents of four sons: Dr. Logan, born in 1872, a successful practicing physician and surgeon of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, who is unmarried; Benjamin Franklin, of this review; John M., born in 1876, a druggist of El Paso, Texas, who married Grace Connor, daughter of Sam Connor, of Troy, Indiana, and had two sons, Harrison, born in 1909, a high school graduate, and John, born in 1915 who is attending high school; and Lemuel Q., Jr., born in 1878, a farmer in Arkansas, who is married.

Benjamin Franklin Huffman attended the district school at Huffman, Indiana, and spent two years in the public school at Troy, following which he pursued a teacher's course at the Danville (Indiana) Normal School. For the next three years he was engaged in teaching school, but finally entered the law department of the University of Indiana, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, as a member of the class of June, 1897. Immediately thereafter he took up his residence at Rockport, which has since been his home, and began the practice of his profession. He soon attracted a good clientage and became known as a lawyer of sound and practical ability, which led to his election to the office of prosecuting attorney in 1904. At the expiration of his term of office he returned to private practice and continued therein until July, 1917, when he retired therefrom to take over the management of the Rockport Water Company, which furnishes power, light and heat to Rockport and the surrounding communities. He is the directing head of the concern, of which he is the principal stock holder and a member of the board of directors. In addition thereto he is the owner of valuable real estate and has other financial interests. Mr. Huffman is an active member in the local councils of the Republican party and in the state Republican central committee, and for two terms, or seven years, represented the board of commissioner of Spencer County in the capacity of attorney. He still takes a keen and helpful interest in all civic affairs, are there are few movements promulgated that he is not consulted upon. His religious connection is with the Christian Church, of which he has been a generous supporter, and as a fraternalist he is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, a Shriner of Hadi Temple Evansville, and a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He still maintains membership in the Spencer County Bar Association, the Indiana State Bar Association and the American Bar Association, among the members of which he has numerous friends. His well-appointed offices are situated on Main Street.

On June 28, 1906, at Rockport, Mr. Huffman was united in marriage with Miss Alberta M. Kennedy, who was born here, a daughter of Prof. A. H. and Emma (Tennant) Kennedy, of Rockport, where Professor Kennedy is a well known educator. Mr. and Mrs. Huffman have no children.

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 5
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931


WESLEY W. KELLAMS. Among the veteran newspaper men of Indiana, and particularly those who have conducted publications in the smaller cities, probably none is better known or more greatly esteemed and respected than Wesley W. Kellams, former publisher and editor of the Rockport Democrat. Mr. Kellams became one of the owners of this newspaper in 1893, and was its sole proprietor from 1898 to 1929, having developed it to important proportions both as a party organ and a moulder of public opinion. During his career he has also been the incumbent of numerous public offices, including a seat in the Indiana State Legislature, and his record therein is one of loyal, constructive and conscientious service.

Mr. Kellams was born December 9, 1857, on a farm in Spencer County, Indiana, and is a son of Col. Gideon R. and Maria (Egnew) Kellams. Col. Gideon R. Kellams received a good educational training in his youth and for a period practiced law, but was more interested in farming, in which he spent the greater part of his life, although he was a capable attorney and could have had a large practice had it been his wish. During the war between the states he enlisted in the Forty-second Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and through meritorious service rose to the rank of colonel. After the war he returned to farming and his law practice, in which he continued to be engaged until his death at Gentryville, Indiana, in 1902, at the age of about seventy-three. He married Maria Egnew, a native of Spencer County, Indiana, and they became the parents of eleven children: One who died at the age of three years; one who died at the age of sixteen years; Francis A., born in 1849, who spent his active years as an agriculturist and is now serving as an attendant at the State Hospital at Evansville; Henry L., born in 1851, who is engaged in the lumber business at Evansville; James C., born in 1853, a farmer, and died about 1925, at the age of seventy-two years; John S., born in 1855, during his active career was a timberman but is now retired in Arkansas; Wesley W., of this review; Elizabeth, who died at Louisville, Kentucky, April 1, 1925, at the age of sixty years, was the wife of Jacob Lacer, a chiropractor, also deceased; Kate, born in 1864, is the widow of Herbert Rundell, a painting contractor in Newton, Kansas; Fronia, born in 1869, is the wife of J. Monroe Adams, a farmer near Aurora, Indiana; and Martha, born in 1871, is unmarried and a trained nurse.

The early education of Wesley W. Kellams was acquired in the public schools of Spencer County, following which he pursued a course at the State Normal School, a training which equipped him for the profession of teaching. This he followed for some years or until he was elected county surveyor, in which office he served for four years, this being followed by four years as county auditor. In 1893 Mr. Kellams became one of a company of eight men who bought the Rockport Democrat newspaper. Subsequently, with Robert W. May, he bought the interests of the others, but after one year Mr. May sold out to Ralph E. Roberts, a well-known Rockport attorney, who after one year disposed of his holdings to Hiram B. Wilson. In 1898 Mr. Kellams bought Mr. Wilson's interest, and from that time until 1929 was sole owner, publisher and editor of the Democrat, which prospered greatly under his management. It circulates throughout Spencer County and the adjacent countryside and is a well-edited, well-printed and interesting publication, sound in its views and practical in its policy. Mr. Kellams is widely known in journalistic circles, and belongs to the leading organizations of his profession. He is a staunch Democrat in his political views, and in addition to serving as county surveyor and county auditor, accomplished much as a member of the City Council for a number of years and in 1912 was elected representative from Spencer County to the Indiana Legislature, where he worked hard and effectively for his constituency and state. He is a Lutheran in his religious faith, and fraternally is alliliated with Rockport Lodge N. 112, A. F. and A. M., and the Royal Arch Chapter of Masonry.

On ctober 2, 1887, Mr. Kellams was united in marriage, in Spencer County, Indiana, with Miss Josie Burkhart, daughter of Benjamin F. and Laura (Powell) Burkhart, natives of Spencer County, where Mr. Burkhart was engaged in farming for many years. To Mr. and Mrs. Kellams there have been born five children: Wayne, born in 1888, an electrical engineer in Saint Louis, who married Mary Wandel, of Grand View, and has two children, Sue, born in 1917, and Sarah, born in 1920; Ruple D., who died at the age of eight years; Mary Guard, who married Arnett Richards, an oil operator of Rockport, and she attend the University of Indiana, taking a course in journalism, after which she actively assisted her father in editing and managing the Democrat; George Robert, who died at the age of twenty-four, leaving a widow, Madge (Allen) Kellams, and one child, Mary Jo, born in 1924; and Jo, who is a graduate of the University of Indiana and was a teacher in the public schools of Rockport, and later married Dr. Harry H. Alexander, Jr., of Princeton, Indiana.

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 5
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931


ENNO J. ULMER. Among the old-established and reliable business establishments of Fort Wayne, one that has gained public confidence is the undertaking and funeral directing business at 1449 East Lewis Street, which is now conducted by Enno J. Ulmer. Founded in 1905, for a quarter of a century it has rendered faithful, considerate and conscientious service to the people of Fort Wayne, who have found consolation during the dark days of their bereavement through the kindliness, sympathy and tact of its members. The present proprietor, sone of the founder of the business, is one of Fort Wayne's highly-respected citizens, and a veteran of the World war, in which he received three wounds during overseas duty.

Enno J. Ulmer was born at Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana, December 20, 1897, and is the son of Christian J. and Elise (Scherer) Ulmer. His father was born at New Haven, Allen County, where he received a public school education, and in young manhood settled at Fort Wayne, where he learned the undertaking business and in 1905 founded an establishment of his own, which he conducted under his name until his death in 1921. He was a man of high character and personal probity and was held in esteem by those who came into contact with him. His widow, also born in Allen County, is now a resident of Fort Wayne, and of their six children four survive.

The third in order of birth of his parents' children, Enno J. Ulmer attended the public schools of Fort Wayne, and after graduating from high school commenced to learn the undertaking business under the able preceptorship of his father. In order further to prepare himself for his calling he pursued a course at the Worsham Training School of Embalming, at Chicago, and for a time was associated with his father. Later he took an advanced course in embalming at Indianapolis, and then again became associated with his father, at whose death, in 1921, he succeeded to the ownership of the business. Mr. Ulmer has a beautiful funeral home at 1449 East Lewis Street, and his equipment, all motorized, includes everything necessary for the proper and reverent care of the dead. He stands high in his calling and belongs to a number of its organizations, is secretary and treasurer of the Fort Wayne Walther League, and an active member and vice commander of Fort Wayne Post, No. 47, America Legion.

During the World War Mr. Ulmer enlisted in the United States army, and after intensive training in various camps in this country went overseas as a member of the Fifty-sixth Heavy Field Artillery, a part of the First Division. The Fifty-sixth experienced some of the hardest fighting of the war, in which it won undying glory for valor and unfailing effectiveness. Mr. Ulmer participated in the battles of the Cantigny sector, was in the Aisne-Marne offensive, on the St. Mihiel front and took part in the stupendous engagement of the Argonne-Meuse, where the Fifty-sixth was engaged in one of the most hotly-contested parts of the battlefield in this sector, Mr. Ulmer receiving three flesh wounds. He remained with his regiment and following the signing of the armistice went with his command to Coblenz, Germany, with the Army of Occupation. In 1919 he returned to the United States, received his honorable discharge, and again took up the duties and responsibilities of a civilian.

On August 8, 1925, Mr. Ulmer was united in marriage with Miss Mildred Hildebrand, who was born at Fort Wayne, April 6, 1900, a daughter of Charles H. and Lena Hildebrand. Mr. and Mrs. Ulmer have one daughter, Lois Elie, born February 10, 1930.

Click here for a photo of Enno and here for a photo of Chrisitan.

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 5
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931


EARL WILBUR JOHNS, manager and owner of the Johns Equipment Company of Fort Wayne, was born in that city and represents the third generation of the Johns family there. His grandfather was one of the earliest settlers, locating in Fort Wayne more than ninety years ago.

Mr. Johns was born in Fort Wayne June 12, 1895, son of Alfred L. and Kate (Orr) Johns and grandson of Alfred S. and Malvina (Thompson) Johns, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Indiana. Alfred S. Johns was born in 1812 and moved to Fort Wayne in 1837. He cleared the brush and trees from the land on which the Plymouth Congregational Church now stands and the first building he put up on that site was a log cabin home. It was in that log cabin, at the southwest corner of Fairfield and Berry streets, that his son Alfred L. was born, April 20, 1850. Alfred S. Johns was a saddler by trade and he carried on the business for many years in Fort Wayne. In the early days much of his equipment came from Cincinnati by pack horse. He also owned a farm in Allen County, and his last years were spent at 1220 West Washington Street, where he died in 1901. His wife passed away in 1860. Alfred S. Johns was one of the organizers of the Methodist Church in Fort Wayne.

His son, Alfred L. Johns, was educated in public schools and attended the Fort Wayne Methodist College, and after completing his education joined his father in the saddlery business. Later he took over the establishment and conducted it as the A. L. Johns & Company. He continued active in business until 1911, when he retired, and now lives at 3940 Indiana Avenue. His father was a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Alfred L. Johns is a Republican, member of the Masonic Lodge and the First Presbyterian Church.

He married Kate Orr, who was born in Chicago, August 14, 1862, daughter of John William and Ellen (Carlisle) Orr, natives of Ohio and early settlers of Fort Wayne. John William Orr spent many years in the service of the Wabash Railway and later in life was secretary of the Mayflower Mills. He is a Knight Templar and thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason. He died in 1907, at the age of eighty-two, and his wife passed away in 1898, aged sixty-two.

Alfred L. Johns by his marriage to Miss Orr, who died June 17, 1926, had three children: Miss Gladys; Alfred Lee, in the insurance business at Fort Wayne; and Earl W. By a previous marriage Alfred L. Johns had one son, Roy, who now lives at Miami, Florida.

Mrs. Kate (Orr) Johns was long prominent in civic and social affairs at Fort Wayne and at one time was president of the Federation of Women's Clubs of that city and during the World war had charge of the woman's work and the Red Cross for the Twelfth Congressional District. She was also a leader in church.

Her son Earl W. Johns was educated in public schools at Fort Wayne, attended the Central High School and he also attended the International Business College of Fort Wayne. In May, 1923, he organized the Johns Equipment Company, Inc., distributors of water supply systems and contractors' equipment. It is one of the growing and prosperous organizations of Fort Wayne, with headquarters in the First and Tri State Building. Mr. Johns is president and treasurer of the corporation. He is affiliated with Summit City Lodge No. 170, A. F. and A. M., is a thirty- second degree Scottish Rite Mason, member of Club, is a member of Mizpah Temple of the Mystic Shrine, belongs to the 100 Per Cent Club, the Orchard Ridge Country Club, Chamber of Commerce and the Men's Club of the First Presbyterian Church. He is also affiliated with Lodge NO. 155, B. P. O. Elks. Mr. Johns is unmarried and resides at 3940 Indiana Avenue.

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 3
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931


HARRY MORTON ALLEN is a member of one of the oldest organizations of undertakers and funeral directors in Miami County, the firm of Fetter-Allen, at Peru. This business was started in 1879, more than half a century ago, by James H. Fetter. It has been the Fetter-Allen Company since 1912. In the course of half a century the business has adapted itself to every progressive change in technic, custom, etc., and today offers a complete mortuary service. The physical plant includes a handsomely equipped chapel, office, service room, with incidental service involving complete motorized equipment of hearses and ambulances.

Mr. Allen, now owner and active head of the business, was born in Pulaski County, Indiana, June 18, 1888, son of William and Virginia Allen. His grandfather, Jeremiah Allen, was born in Darke County, Ohio, and came to Indiana in 1854. The Allens were a Vermont family and tradition links them with those famous Vermonters who played such a conspicuous part in the Revolutionary war. William Allen was born at Monterey, Indiana, in 1854. He was distinguished by his versatility. He was a thorough business man, played the church organ at Monterey, was principal of schools there and also acted as postmaster and carried on a business as furniture dealer and undertaker. His father was a pioneer Methodist minister. William Allen afterwards moved to Bunker Hill, Indiana, and was postmaster there for eight years. He died in 1912.

Harry M. Allen was the only child of his parents. He was five years of age when the family moved to Bunker Hill, where he grew up and attended public schools and after graduating from high school had some training in the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis, completed a course in the Metropolitan School at Indianapolis and the Central Business College and is a graduate of the Barnes University of Applied Science with the class of 1909. After graduating he returned to Bunker Hill and took active charge of his father's furniture and undertaking business. With the death of his father in 1912 he sold out and in the same year acquired a half interest in the business of James H. Fetter at Peru. Since 1918 he has been sole owner of the business.

Mr. Allen has some of those qualifications which made his father the supremely useful citizen as well as a good business man. He served several terms as a director of the Chamber of Commerce and was elected to president in 1929. He is a charter member and was the third president of the Rotary Club, is a member of the Peru Credit Exchange, the Indiana Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, National Selected Morticians and for four years, 1921-25, he was a member of the Indiana State Board of Embalmers. He was president of the Indiana Funeral Directors Association in 1925. He has been a director of the Peru Building & Loan Association since 1914 and is vice president of the Mount Hope Cemetery Association.

Mr. Allen is affiliated with Peru Lodge, No. 67, A. F. and A. M., the Royal Arch Chapter, Council and Knights Templar Commandery, Mizpah Temple of the Mystic Shrine and is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, Fraternal of Eagles, the Columbia Club of Indianapolis and the Mississinewa Country Club.

During the World war he helped in all the loan and Red Cross drives. He is director of the Miami County Tuberculosis Society, the Miami County Historical Society, and for fifteen years has been a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church and for seventeen years acted as church organist. In politics he is a Republican.

Mr. Allen first married Mayme Reed, a native of Miami County, who died in 1923. Subsequently he married Wanda Spengler, of New York City. By his first marriage he has a daughter, Jean Reed Allen, a student in the Peru High School.

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 3
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931


HENRY J. DOSWELL. To provide with reverent respect for the remains of the dead has been a characteristic of all civilized nations from the earliest times, and many of the honored burial places of this country compare favorably in respect of location and adornment with the finest and most noted of those in the old world. In the early days of Fort Wayne, there was but faint indication and little anticipation of the city's coming growth and development, no particular spot was set apart for burial places, each interment being at or near the place of residence of the deceased. However, as the city progressed and grew it was found both necessary and just that special places be set aside for this purpose, and one of these is Lindenwood Cemetery, the largest and most beautiful of Fort Wayne, which is under the able care of Henry J. Doswell, superintendent.

Mr. Doswell was born December 23, 1864, at Fort Wayne, and is a son of John H. and Catherine (Humphries) Doswell. His father was born in the city of London, England, in 1827, and there married Miss Humphries, who was also a native of that country, born in 1825. In 1855 the parents came to the United States, and first took up their residence in Portage County, Wisconsin, but four years later came to Fort Wayne, where Mr. Doswell became the first superintendent of Lindenwood Cemetery, a position which he retained until his death, October 16,1900. His widow survived him until July, 1902. They were faithful members of the Episcopal Church and parents of a large family of children, of whom seven still survive.

Henry J. Doswell attended the public schools of Fort Wayne and the old Methodist College, and in 1883 became associated with his father in the care of Lindenwood Cemetery. In 1900, at the time of the older man's death, he succeeded to the position of superintendent, and under his supervision and direction this is one of the most beautiful resting places for the dead in the state. The best landscape effects possible have been produced by the arrangement of avenues and the planting of trees, foliage plants and flowers. The last resting places of not a few of Fort Wayne's eminent men of the past may be found here, while of many others it may be said that although their names are not inscribed on costly monuments, their busy lives and sterling worth will also be remembered, even after tombs shall have crumbled back to dust. Under Mr. Doswell's supervision are about thirty men, who are constantly employed in keeping the grounds and roads in the finest of condition. Mr. Doswell is a thirty-second degree Scottish and York Rite Mason and a member of Mizpah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He belongs also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, and was reared in the faith of the Episcopal Church. He takes an active, helpful and constructive interest in civic affairs, and is known as a man of civic pride and public spirit.

Mr. Doswell was married at Fort Wayne to Miss Mary Taylor; who was born at Fort Wayne, and to this union there have been born the following children: Harold H., a graduate of Central High School, is senior member of the firm of Doswell & Kover, manufacturers of burial vaults. He belongs to the Knights Templar of Masonry and Mizpah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married Miss Hannah Styles, of Fort Wayne, and has four children, Mary, Helen, John and Jerry, Helen, a graduate of Central High School, married A. E. Kover, junior member of the firm of Doswell & Kover, and has one daughter, Nancy.

Click here for photo.

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 3
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931


RAULEN FRANKLIN MOFFET is one of the prominent representatives of important phases of the automotive business in the fine little City of Auburn, judicial center of DeKalb County, where he has a well equipped garage that gives effective service in all departments, including the operation of taxicabs and motor busses.

Mr. Moffet was born in Jackson Township, DeKalb County, May 9, 1870, and is a son of Benjamin F. and Rebecca (Maurer) Moffet, the former of whom was born in Ashland County, Ohio, December 25, 1840, and the latter of whom was born in Pennsylvania, March 22, 1842. The parents were long numbered among the honored citizens of DeKalb County, Indiana, and here they continued to maintain their home until their death, their mortal bodies finding resting place in Woodlawn Cemetery in Auburn. Emma D., eldest of the children, is the wife of Al Ervin, who is a farmer near Auburn, and they have three children, Rollo, Nellie and Mabel. Raulen F., of this review, was the next in order of birth. Walter and his wife reside at Auburn, where he is in the employ of the Dilgart Furniture Company, and their one child is a daughter, Ruth. Minnie is the wife of George Reed, who is engaged in farm enterprise near Auburn, and their three children are Helen, Pauline and Naomi. The late Benjamin F. Moffet gave virtually his entire active life to productive farm industry and was a citizen who ever commanded high place in popular confidence and esteem.

Raulen F. Moffet was reared on the old home farm that was the place of his birth, his early educational advantages were those of the public schools of his native county, and he continued his active association with farm enterprise until his removal to Auburn, where he has resided fully thirty years and where he has been actively identified with business affairs during all these years. He is a valued member of the local Chamber of Commerce, his political support is given to the Democratic party, he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, and he and his wife have membership in the Presbyterian Church.

December 30, 1894, marked the marriage of Mr. Moffet to Miss Euta Baltz, who likewise was born and reared in DeKalb County and who is a daughter of the late Jacob F. Baltz, Mr. Baltz having been eighty-one years of age at the time of his death, in 1928, and his wife, whose maiden name was Emma Sechler, having been born in this county and her death having here occurred January 5,1928. Mr. and Mrs. Moffet have two children: Pauline, the wife of Ray L. Rhodefer, of Auburn, and Jessie, the wife of Paul H. Adams, of Fort Wayne.

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 3
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931


Deb Murray