Blackford County Biography Ref. Page

FORNEY O. STEWART. Long and effective identification with the great basic industry of agriculture has given to Mr. Stewart the privilege of living virtually retired in his native county, where he commands secure place in popular esteem and has a pleasant home at 612 North Cherry street in Hartford City, the judicial center of Blackford county. His is a scion of a family whose name has been worthily linked with the history of this county since the pioneer days, and the place of his nativity was the parental farmstead, in Licking township, where he was born on the 21st of June, 1857. His is a son of Adam and Louise (Wilson) Stewart, the former of whom was born in Virginia and the latter in Indiana, their marriage having been solemnized in Blackford county. They continued to reside on their farm, in Licking township, until the close of their lives, the mother having passed away in 1865 and the father in 1870, and the latter having reclaimed his land to effective cultivation, so that he had become one of the prosperous agriculturists of the county, even as he was a citizen who had the sterling personal attributes that ever beget popular confidence and good will, his political allegiance having been given to the democratic party, and his wife having been earnest and consistent in her Christian faith and practice. Robert Stewart, grandfather of him whose name initiates this review, was born in Virginia, of Scotch ancestry, and the family was early founded in the historic Old Dominion State, which gave many sterling pioneers to Indiana. Robert Stewart came from Virginia to Blackford county in the early period of Indiana history and obtained a tract of government land in the midst of the primitive wilds of Licking township, where he and his wife passed the residue of their lives, their names meriting place on the roster of the honored pioneers of this favored section of the State, where they contributed their quota to social and industrial progress. Adam and Louise (Wilson) Stewart became the parents of ten children, of whom only four are now living,—three of the number continuing their residence in Blackford county and the other being a resident of Nebraska.

Before he had attained to adult age both the father and mother of Forney O. Stewart had passed to the life eternal, and he was reared on the old homestead farm, his share of which he eventually sold to the other heirs of the estate. He had in the meanwhile attended the local school and laid adequate foundation for the substantial superstructure of knowledge that he later was to gain in the school of practical experience. After selling his interest in the old homestead he purchased a tract of forty acres in Section 25, Licking township, and on this place he made excellent improvements, the buildings being of substantial and attractive order. He remained on the farm five years and then sold, later buying 50 acres, which he soon sold. He has maintained his residence in Hartford City since 1888. For five years he had the supervision of the court house and he is now the head janitor of the fine Interurban Building, the Carnegie Public Library, and the Citizens Bank, so that he finds ample demands upon his time and attention, the while he is known as one of the prosperous retired farmers of his native county. Mr. Stewart is a staunch supporter of the cause of the Democratic party, is affiliated with the Improved Order of Red Men, and his wife is a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

In Licking township, on May 30, 1888, Mr. Stewart wedded Miss Martha Williams, who was born in that township in March, 1867, and who is a daughter of Edwin and Sarah (Lewis) Williams, both natives of Cardiff, Wales, where they were reared and educated, and where their marriage was solemnized. Upon their immigration to America they resided for a few years in the mining districts, principally in Pennsylvania. They then established themselves on a farm in Ohio, from which State they came to Blackford county, Indiana, and purchased a small farm in Licking township, where they reared their children. They finally removed to Hartford City, and here Mr. Williams died after he had attained to the psalmist's span of three score years and ten, his wife later died while on a visit to Wells county, at an advanced age, both she and her husband having been consistent adherents of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have two children,—Nora T., who is the wife of Harry Love, of Hartford City, their only child being a son, Robert; and Hazel, whose husband, John Turner, is an employee in the office of the Hartford City Evening News.

Blackford and Grant Counties, Indiana A Chronicle of their People Past and Present with Family Lineage and Personal Memoirs Compiled Under the Editorial Supervision of Benjamin G. Shinn
Volume I Illustrated
The Lewis Publishing Company Chicago and New York 1914
Submitted by Peggy Karol

MAYER M. WEILER. It is a full half century since the house of Kirshbaum & Weiler was established in Hartford City as a mercantile enterprise with a general stock which was gradually evolved into departments, giving the community its first department store. Only the older residents recall the Kirshbaum store, for many years ago it was succeeded by the Weiler interests and the Weiler department store has long stood pre-eminent in the estimation of the shopping public of Blackford county.

It was in 1864 that the Kirshbaum store was established in Hartford City. In 1866 Mr. David May became a partner, and in 1876 Mr. Abe Weiler succeeded Mr. May. Mr. A. R. Weiler bought an interest in 1887, and in 1888 there came into the firm Mr. M. M. Weiler, who succeeded to the interests of Mr. Kirshbaum. At that time the business was organized under the name of A. Weiler & Brothers, and that has ever since continued the business designation of this large store, though some changes have occurred in the personnel. In 1897 was erected the splendid large store at the northeast corner of the public square, on a foundation 100 x 120 feet, three stories high, and all the floor space is occupied by the extensive stock, which is divided into departments, including clothing, millinery, carpets, furniture, men's and women's apparel and all goods required both for city and country trade. The Weiler store has always represented progressive enterprise has dealt in reliable goods, has used methods for stimulating trade, and the reputation of the house has been behind every article sold over the counters.

In 1911 Mr. A. Weiler, who had been head of the firm, died, but the name is still kept. The sole proprietors at present are Mr. Adolph Weiler and M. M. Weiler. The Hartford City store is one of a chain of stores, and this modern principle of merchandising has been carried out with great success by Weiler Brothers. Other stores are located at Portland and Farmland, Indiana, and at Fort Recovery, Ohio. The Hartford City store is under the personal management of Mr. M .M. Weiler. In the busy season eighty people are employed in that large emporium, and taking all the stores together they furnish employment to about two hundred people. Since the Weilers came into the business they have developed it beyond all comparison with its earlier stages, and its capital and volume of trade aggregate four or five times what they did twenty or twenty-five years ago. Each store has its separate buyer and is under separate management.

Mayer M. Weiler, head of the Hartford City store, was born in Bavaria, Germany, of a fine Hebrew family, and is an educated gentleman not only a successful merchant but a public spirited and leading citizen. He was born fifty-three years ago, was reared and educated in his native country and in 1882 came to the United States, locating at Farmland, Indiana. It was there that he sold his first goods, and then in 1887 came to Hartford City and in the following year became associated with his present business. He was at that time twenty-six years of age, and has long been one of the foremost merchants of Blackford county.

In all local matters Mr. Weiler takes an active part, and is popular with all classes of citizens and has membership in various fraternal orders. He is affiliated with both the Knights of Pythias and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, has served in the different chairs of those lodges is a member of the Encampment at Winchester, and belongs to the Blackford Club. Mr. Weiler was married at Peru, Indiana, to Nellie Levi, who was born at Peru, and educated in the public schools there. Her father, William Levi, a native of Germany, and for many years identified with merchandising at Peru and now one of that city's bankers. He is sixty-nine years of age, and he married Frances Falk, who was the first white child born on what is known as the Indian Reservation in Miami county, Indiana. She is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Weiler have one son, Adolph R., now attending the city schools. Mr. Weiler is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Hebrew Temple on Delaware street in Hartford City.

ARTHUR M. SHANNON. Among the native sons of Blackford county who have worthily succeeded to the responsibilities and usefulness of earlier generations is Arthur M. Shannon, who has long had the reputation of a man who does things in a thorough and successful manner, and his farming activities in Harrison township have given him a substantial degree of material prosperity.

Arthur M. Shannon was born on the farm where he now lives in Harrison township, May 17, 1865. His parents, Andrew J. and Margaret (Teach) Shannon, were both natives of the state of Ohio, and came from there to Indiana, establishing a home in Blackford county many years ago. The father died in 1902 and the mother is still living. Of their nine children, four still living are: John, a farmer in Harrison township; Dennis F., a teacher in Blackford county; Arthur M.; and Andrew A., a Michigan farmer.

While growing up to young manhood in Harrison township Arthur M. Shannon attended the district schools and was given a thorough discipline in his life work by the duties of the home farm. Some years after attaining his majority he was married in May, 1889, to Lucy Jackson, who was born in Wells county, Indiana. Their five children, comprising a happy family of boys and girls who are being trained to lives of usefulness, are Carl, Forest, Flora, Fay and Avilda. Politically Mr. Shannon is a Republican, but has found little time for mingling in politics and has done his best work for the community through his regular vocation.

The Shannon home comprises a hundred acres of fine land, located two miles east and two miles south of Montpelier. While the general crops and staples of Blackford county have claimed his chief attention, Mr. Shannon is also recognized as a successful breeder of the English Berkshire hogs. At the head of his herd is "Hoosier Wonder," a splendid animal whose regular weight is four hundred pounds. All the stock on the Shannon farm is graded up and kept in the finest condition, and he makes profits whether sending his stock to the regular market or in the sale of breeding animals.

THOMAS C. NEAL. It is uniformly conceded by those best entitled to express an authoritative opinion that there is in Blackford county no citizen who exemplifies in so high and worthy a degree the spirit of progressiveness and unselfish civic loyalty in so eminent a degree as does Thomas C. Neal, the present mayor of the beautiful little city of Montpelier. He has been a resident of the county for somewhat more than forty years, and there are few lines of productive enterprise in this section of the State that he has not touched in such a way as to give to them clearer demarcation in the realm of constructive and progressive advancement. In him the qualities of initiative energy and distinct foresight are shown in strong relief, and he has not only made things move to his own benefit but has also prompted constructive action on the part of others He is one of the honored and influential citizens of the county, and rather to express in this introductory paragraph an estimate of the man and his achievement it were better to permit the following brief record of his career tell its own story.

Further interest attaches to the peculiarly successful and somewhat spectacular career of Mr. Neal by reason of the fact that he is a native of Indiana and was reared in that section of the State that is still the field of his manifold and prolific operations in various and important phases of industrial, manufacturing and commercial activity. Mr. Neal was born at Marion, the judicial center of Grant county, Indiana, on the 12th of February, 1852, and his lineage is traced back to the staunchest of Scotch origin. He is a son of Charles W. and Nancy (Roberts) Neal, the former of whom was born in West Virginia and the latter in the State of New York, their marriage having been solemnized at Marion, Indiana, where the father followed his trade of carpenter for a number of years and where he later engaged in mercantile pursuits. He finally resumed, in 1858, the work of his trade, and thereafter he continued for many years as one of the leading contractors and builders at Marion, where he continued to reside until his death, at the age of seventy years. He was a man of positive character, inflexible integrity and marked business acumen, and he commanded the implicit confidence and high regard of his fellow men. His devoted wife preceded him to eternal rest by several years and was but thirty-four years of age at the time of her demise. She was a devout member of the New Light church, a branch of the Christian or Disciples' denomination, and her life was gentle and kindly, she having been a member of one of the well known pioneer families of Grant county. Charles W. Neal was originally a whig and later a democrat in politics, and he was an influential figure in public affairs in Grant county for many years. Of the two children Thomas C., of this review, is the elder, and John C., who died at Montpelier, Blackford county, in 1894, at the age of thirty-six years, wedded Miss Mary Gavin, who survives him, as do also their three children,—Hugh, Jessie and Ella.

Thomas C. Neal is indebted to the public schools of Marion, his native place, for his early educational discipline, which was supplemented by a commercial course in a business college at Bloomington, this State. For five years he was employed as representative of the firm of Switzer & Turner, of Marion, engaged in the grain business, and later he was in the employ of J. A. Gause, of the State of Delaware, in whose interest he came to Montpelier, Blackford county, in 1871. He was so favorably impressed with the attractions and bright outlook of the town, which was then a mere village, that he determined to establish his permanent home in Blackford county and in this place. Early in 1872 he engaged in the grain and live-stock business at Montpelier, and through energy and good management he soon developed a substantial and prosperous enterprise in the buying and shipping of grain and stock. Mr. Neal early identified himself with the agricultural and live-stock industries in a more independent way, and he has at the present time one of the fine landed estates of Blackford county. He became a breeder of standard-bred horses and also introduced the first pure-blood Jersey cattle into Blackford county. This fine farm, devoted to diversified agriculture, engrossed much of Mr. Neal's time and attention from 1872 until 1899, when he sold the property, in order to meet the exigent demands placed upon him by his other important capitalistic and business interests. Later, however, he purchased another valuable and well improved landed estate in Harrison township, and to this he gave the name of the West Side Stock Farm. He has made many improvements on this place, and its value is greatly enhanced by reason that on the same are oil wells that yield from eighteen to twenty barrels per day, and natural gas wells that give an appreciable and available supply of gas for general and industrious purposes. Mr. Neal is the owner also of a splendid farm of 200 acres in Jackson township, and his political proclivities are measurably indicated when it is stated that to this place he has given the title of the Bull Moose Stock and Fruit Farm. This is known as one of the finest farms in the entire State of Indiana, and here is found a tract of forty acres devoted to fruit orchards, besides which the place has one of the best gravel pits in this section of the State. Eleven oil wells have been drilled on this farm and they are in the control of the Standard Oil Company. The succinct and pertinent statements that appear on the business envelopes used by Mr. Neal in connection with his various operations are well worthy of reproduction. They are as follows: "If it's live-stock to buy or sell, we are always in the market: if it's high-grade gravel for good road, we have it: if it's fruit, we have it in season: if it's ice to cool, we have it." The Bull Moose Stock and Fruit Farm is eligibly situated five miles northwest of Montpelier, and the place is a source of much and well merited pride to its progressive owner.

Mr. Neal is general manager of the National Castings Company, of Montpelier, and this represents one of the most important industrial enterprises in this part of the State. The erection of the company's plant was initiated in 1896, but before it was completed the business, as originally projected, went into the hands of a receiver. A failure is something that Mr. Neal ever contemplates with great disfavor, and in this instance he promptly came to the rescue of the budding enterprise that was thus summarily nipped. He became associated with others in the purchase of the plant, at the receiver's sale, and by energy and determined purpose he and his associates succeeded in placing the enterprise upon a substantial basis. He was president and general manager of the company from the latter part of 1897 until 1901, when he severed his executive connection with the company. In 1902, however, he again assumed the office of general manager, of which position he has continued the incumbent, the business having been signally prospered under his able, and progressive supervision and direction. The output of the well equipped and thoroughly modern plant includes all kinds of heavy and light castings, and the products are sold in the most diverse sections of the Union. The corps of employees varies from 150 and 250 men and the output is now averaging fully 500 tons per annum. G. Max Hoffman, of Fort Wayne, is now president of the company; James O'Donnell, of Montpelier, vice-president; D. F. Bash, of Indianapolis, secretary; and Mr. Neal general manager. The board of directors has seven members and Messrs. O'Donnell and Neal are the resident members of the board.

In politics Mr. Neal was aligned with the democratic party until the national campaign of 1912, when he vigorously cast in his lot with the newly organized progressive party, under the leadership of Colonel Roosevelt, of whom he is a great admirer. Mr. Neal served 1884 to 1887 as a member of the board of county commissioners of Blackford county, and later he was employed to fill out two years of an unexpired term in the same office. The aggressiveness and liberality of Mr. Neal have not been shown entirely in his business and political activities, but he has been a leader in the furtherance of measures and enterprises projected for the general good of the community. He was elected mayor of Montpelier in November, 1913, and it may well be understood that his administration is proving characteristically vigorous and progressive, his dispensation as head of the municipal government of his home city being such as to insure due conservatism in the handling of the city's finances and yet such as not to curb proper expenditures for public improvements and incidental contingencies. Mr. Neal was the first citizens of Montpelier to have a telephone installed in his residence, at a time when the telephone business was still comparatively in its infancy in this section of the State; and he was also the first in Montpelier to utilize natural gas for illuminating and domestic purposes. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers' Deposit Bank of Montpelier, and he assisted also in the organization of the First National Bank of Montpelier, of which he is a director and also vice-president. He is affiliated with the Knight of Pythias, as a charter member of the lodge at Montpelier. He attends and gives liberal support to the Baptist church, of which his wife is a zealous member.

In November, 1872, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Neal to Miss Susan Angeline Spalding, who was born in Wells county, this state, in 1853, and who was but one year old at the time of her parents' removal to Blackford county, where she was reared and educated and where her circle of friends is limited only by that of her acquaintances. Her father, Franklin B. Spaulding, was numbered among the extensive and representative farmers of Blackford county, his old homestead, one and one-half miles northwest of Montpelier, being still in the possession of the family. On this homestead both he and wife died, and he survived her by a number of years, both having been consistent members of the Baptist church. Mr. Spaudling was one of the sterling pioneers of this section of Indiana and he wielded in earlier years not a little influence in public affairs of a local order, his support having been given to the Whig party until the organization of the Republican party, when he transferred his allegiance to the latter, to remain thereafter a stalwart advocate of its principles. Mr. and Mrs. Neal have one sons, Charles Mitchell Neal, who was born in 1873 and who was afforded the advantages of the public schools of Montpelier, and those of the institution now known as the Valparaiso University, at Valparaiso, this State. He now resides upon and has the general supervision of his father's West Side Stock Farm, of which mention has been made in a preceding paragraph and he is one of the popular and enterprising citizens of his native county. He married Miss Emma Degler, and they have two children,—Eleanor and Thomas Mitchel, the former being thirteen and the latter eleven years of age at the time of this writing.

JAMES B. FEAR. One of the most useful members of Blackford county's citizenship is Dr. James B. Fear, whose activity in several different lines has brought him individual success and has been the means of serving a large community. Dr. Fear is a veterinary surgeon, has practiced in Blackford county for twenty-six years, and almost every stock raiser in Harrison and adjoining townships has at some time or other availed himself of the services of this capable veterinary. Dr. Fear has a practical interest in farming and the stock business, and for the past sixteen years has maintained breeding stables and has had a line of fine horses whose stock is now found in many parts of the state. The Elm Grove Stock Farm, of which Dr. Fear is proprietor, is situated four miles west of Pennville, and is one of the most valuable estates in Harrison township.

James B. Fear was born in Decatur county, Indiana, November 21, 1856, a son of Henry N. and Mary A. (Updike) Fear. Both parents now live in Blackford county. Dr. Fear, who was the oldest of the family, grew up on a farm in Decatur county, and acquired his education from the district schools. After his marriage, having always been interested in stock, he took up the study of veterinary surgery, and several years later was awarded a license to practice by the State Board of Examiners.

On April 18, 1878, Mr. Fear married Mary Hackey. They became the parents of seven children: Rosanna, the wife of Ben Tolbert; Newton W., who married Florence Huson; Eva B., wife of John L. Price; Edward, who married Rebecca Gaskill; Ora H., who married Iva Hornbaker; Ida E., unmarried; Ollie M., the wife of DeWitt Stroud.

Dr. Fear is a past master of his Masonic lodge, and was honored ten years with this office in Priam Lodge at Trenton. Politically he is a democrat.

In his stable at the Elm Grove Stock Farm Dr. Fear has two stallions, one being Pal No. 17,983; and the other Huber, No. 25, 296. He also keeps one fine jack, Gabriel, 6,494. The Elm Grove Stock Farm comprises one hundred and thirty-five acres, all in Blackford county, and in its improvements is classed as one of the high-grade farms of this section.

JAMES M. CORTRIGHT. Since 1908 the administration of the schools and other fiscal affairs of Jackson township have been in the capable hands of James M. Cortright, the trustee. This township takes special pride in its school system and other improvements, and it is only due to the energy and efficiency of Mr. Cortright to say that this condition of affairs has been greatly improved under his official management. Mr. Cortright is one of the substantial men of Blackford county, and yet twenty years ago he was on the bottom round of the ladder of life, and his prosperity is the direct result of his honorable activities and capable industry.

A native of Blackford county, born on a farm in Jackson township, half a mile west of Trenton, January 12, 1869, James M. Cortright is a son of Hiram and Sarah (Shull) Cortright. His father was born in Ohio and his mother in Indiana, and the latter is now living at the age of seventy-four. The father by his first marriage had one son, Morris, deceased, and the children by his marriage to Sarah Shull are : Rettie, wife of Ben Constable of Utica, Ohio; James M.; Charles, of Jackson township; Amanda, wife of J. H. Wright of Jay county, Indiana; Nellie, wife of Charles Saunders of Montpelier.

James M. Cortright was reared on a farm in Jackson township, attended the common schools, later the Eastern Indiana Normal College at Portland, and for two terms was a teacher of country schools in this county. His life was spent in the quiet environment of the old home until twenty-one, and for a time he was employed as a clerk in a hardware establishment at Hartford City.

On January 7, 1893, Mr. Cortright married Miss Calista M. Wingate, who was born in Jackson township and educated in the local schools. After their marriage they had to begin without capital, and found their first opportunities as renters on a farm in this county. Mr. Cortright applied himself energetically to the cultivation of his acres, while his loyal wife aided him in the management of the household, and in a few years they had some surplus, and after making their first purchase of land have been steadily progressive. Mr. Cortright is now the owner of a fine farm of seventy-four acres a mile and three-quarters west of Trenton.

To their marriage have been born two sons: Herbert, born in August, 1895, and Clayton. The older son is a graduate of the common schools and of the Hartford City high school, has taught school, and is now a student in the Munsey Normal College. The younger son finished the common school course and is now interested in farming.

Mr. Cortright has affiliations with the Improved Order of Red Men at Mill Grove and is a junior in the order. Politically a democrat, it was on his party's ticket that he was elected trustee of the township in 1908. In his party and throughout the community he stands high and is known as a man who can be trusted to discharge efficiently all public duties imposed upon him.

Deb Murray