Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 October 1904 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat

SI.OO Per Year.

OUR TOWN AND COUNTY.

Rensselaer, the Judicial Seat of Jasper County.

# ITS GREAT RESOURCES AND POSSIBILITIES.

A Comprehensive Review of Its History,flDevelopment and Progress of the City, Its Commercial and Professional Interests, Schools, Churches, Societies and Prominent Citizens.

nAN’S first and greatest care should be the comfort and happiness of his family, and in looking for a business location he should take into consideration the advantage presented as a place of residence as well as business. Surely no more pleasant town than Rensselaer can be found in which to make a home. Then if you seek not only a beautiful and healthy location, but a place also where your children can enjoy the privileges of the best educational advantages, Rensselaer has no superiors in the west. Christian people will find here a home agreeable to their tastes, and one in which they may enjoy to the fullest extent the church privileges so dear to them. Then again, people in search of a location should choose a growing town. Not one that is finished and fenced in.

Rensselaer is justly noted as a city of beautiful homes and her 2,500 happy and thrifty citizens are widely known as generous, hospitable and enterprising. It is a town where the majority of the people own the homes they occupy, and this fact above all others accounts for the substantial and prosperous growth of Rensselaer.

Rensselaer is located 73 miles southeast from Chicago, on the Monon railroad. The city has always been the county seat of Jasper county and boasts of a splendid and commodious court house, costing $175,000. This is one of the finest temples of justice in the state of Indiana. There is also now in course of construction a $15,000 Carnegie Library. Telephone connection is furnished with all points in this and adjoining states as well as local lines connecting with the near-by towns. A magnificent water works and electric lighting system, owned and operated by the city, supplies the town with the best of water and lights, while some of the streets are paved with brick and are smooth and well kept. Rensselaer has more miles of improved streets than any town of its size in America. A perfectly equipped fire department and abundant water pressure has brought very low insurance rates. The town organization has uniformly been economical and satisfactory. The town is the center of a fruitful farming country. We have the county seat, four flourishing and substantial banks, prosperous merchants, beautiful and well attended churches, good hotels, splendid schools, two tile works, grain elevators, three newspapers, a large Catholic college and 2,500 public-spirited, enterprising and progressive citizens. The religious sentiment, the home, the intelligence and the integrity of the financial interests together with the increasing value of reality are the principal acquisitions of strength to oar city. The social life of Rensselaer is of the highest order and its growth in population has always been in keeping with the ability of its business interests to meet the demands of its people.

[COMPILED BY E. L. MSULTY. OF CHICAGO.]

This county was not open to settlement as part of the North West Territory until 1882, when William Donahue settled in Gillam township. Other settlers soon followed, and after the law allowed the purchase of land the population of the country rapidly grew. The draining done in the last ten years has so improved the land that to-day Jasper county is one of the garden 6pots of Indiana, and one is foolish who thinks he can go to the Dakotas or anywhere else and get any better land for the money. The county is well supplied with school houses and the people are prosperous and happy, and the farms are well stocked with the best grades of pedigreed cattle, hogs and horses.

CHICAGO BARGAIN STORE. Now the New Department Store, B. Forsythe, Proprietor. In all cities, large or small, there are certain houses which are leaders and whose influence in ail departments of trade is such as to command the respect and admiration of their comteraporaries. In Rensselaer this distinction is accorded to Mr. Forsythe’s extensive emporium of trade. It is often said that nothing succeeds like success, but the prime glory of all success is to have acquired it through the force and industry of genius, untiring energy, keeping pace with the times and in straight-forward dealing with the public. To such reasons must be ascribed the development and expansion of Mr. Forsythe’s extensive mercantile establishment.

This concern occupies the first and second floor and basement of a building 50x120 feet in dimensions. The dry goods and dress goods department contain fabrics of the latest and most fashionable styles and designs, from the celebrated looms of both Europe and America, while the carpet and clothing departments are unexcelled in quality and finish of the goods carried. An exceptional fine line of boots, shoes, hats, caps, groceries, trunks, hardware, notions, etc., are carried, each and every department being complete in every detail. The prices charged for goods at this store are such that they defy competition, and as a consequence the people come from all over this and adjoining counties to do their trading at this store.

This business has been established for fifteen years; sixteen clerks are employed to attend to the wants of the many customers. Under the guidance of Mr. Forsythe the affairs of this extensive business are conducted with perfect system and accuracy, and to the entire satisfaction of those having dealings with him. Its circle of customers is constantly growing larger, the result of bringing to the business practical knowledge combined with reliable methods, and it is with pleasure that The Democrat in its review of the substantial growth of Rensselaer and Jasper county gives special mention to so worthy a representative of the business growth of the city.

RENSSELAER BANK. This prominent and reliable bank enjoys the distinction of being one of the strongest financial institutions in this part of the state. It Iras had a most successful career from its inception and it has weathered all the Btormff of financial depression without a

Rensselaer, Jasper County, Indiana, Saturday, October i, 1904.

tremor and has never failed to raise its curtains and open its doors to the public on every banking day since it was founded. The Rensselaer Bank transacts a general banking business, pays interest on time deposits. Interest bearing certificates of deposit are '’issued on time, exchange fought and sold on principal cities in the United States, Canada and Europe. Notes are discounted at current rates. Farm Loans are made at 5 per cent and favor is shown their customers in every way not inconsistent with prudent principles of safe and sound banking. The bank is fitted up with all the latest known devices for safety from fires and theft, such as fire proof vault, time lock, etc. This bank is fully prepared at all times to meet its obligations and is as solid as the “rock of ages.' Its aim has always been to aid and assist commerce, thereby promoting the bank's interest as well as the general prosperity, and has been a valuable factor in the healthy development and progress of this vicinity. The officers of the Rensselaer Bank and employes are pleasant and obliging in their intercourse with patrons. Their ability as financiers is demonstrated by the successful manner in which they have conducted the affairs qf the bank. The officers of the bank are H. O. Harris, Pres.; E. T. Hafris, Vice Pres., and C. H. Mills Cashier. This bank is a successful institution and The Democrat is pleased to note that fact in its review of the business interests of Rensselaer.

ROWLES & PARKER. Dry Goods, Ladies’ Suits, Cloaks, Shoes, Etc. To the visitor of Rensselaer the fact becomes apparent that this thriving city possesses many responsible and reliable concerns whose able management, enterprising efforts and extensive business operations impart a feeling of confidence and security in its commercial life. Pre-eminent among the stores of this kind The Democrat takes pleasure in mentioning the progressive firm of Rowles & Parker, which occupies a modern store in the Odd Fellows Building, opposite the Court House. Here is to be found one of the most complete stocks of high claso dry goods,’dress goods, notions, ladies’ furnishings and shoes in Jasper county. The stock is wonderfully complete in all lines and has evidently been arranged and displayed by a

Jasper County Court House, Completed In 1898 at Cost of $175,000.

i ' master hand at the art of interior decoration. At every turn of the eye some new pleasure is met, and nothing seems to have been left undone that would add to the beauty or interior decoration of the store. This firm is composed of W. O. Rowles and O. F. Parker, men who have won for themselves a legion of friends and have gained an eminence in the world of trade, only achieved by strict integrity and honorable dealing. All goods sold by this house are guaranteed to be just as represented, and the prices charged are lower and more reasonable than in any similar establishment. When in need of anything in the above lines yon will consult your own interests by patronizing Rowles & Parker at their fine store in the Odd Fellow’s building, opposite the court house.

JESSE E. WILSON. In a review of the leading business and professional men of Jasper county special notice should be given to Mr. Jessie E. Wilson. Mr. Wilson has been lo r cated here for the past nine years, having been admitted to the bar in Bloomington, Ind., before coming here. Graduated in the class of 1895, Indiana University. Since locating here he has shown that he made no mistake in his choice of a profession. He has been more than ordinarilly successful in all cases he has undertaken, and in his law practice and collection business hhs earned the confidence of the people. His office in the Forsythe building is handsomely furnished and conveniently arranged. Mr. Wilson is numbered among the energetic, public spirited citizens of our city and is always indentified with any movement that has for its object the upbuilding of Rensselaer or of Jasper county, and The Democrat is pleased to give him special mention in its review of the men of affaire in this county.

JOHN MAKEEVER. Banker and Capitalist. In a review of the men of affairs who have been instrumental in building up Rensselaer we are pleased to mention Mr. John Makeever, one of the old and respected pioneers of this section of the state. For years Mr. Makeever has been a prominent capitalist and banker of Jasper county. He is one of the largest owners of land and city property in the county and has always been for-

most in developing the resources and improving lands in this section of the state. He has always maintained that Jasper county would become one of the best counties in Indiana, and his faith in the land and" people of this locality has been justly amplified. The J. Makeever Bank was organized by Mr. Makeever in 1880. The bank from its inception has always been conducted upon a sound financial policy and has been a credit to Rensselaer. Mr. Makeever has retired from active banking business and now devotes his attention to lotting money and looking after his large real estate interests. He is one of Rensselaer’s most honored and respected citizens and during his long and successful business career has won the confidence and esteem of the community, and The Democrat is pleased in its review of Rensselaer to give special mention to one who has been so long and prominently identified with the development of the town and county.

BABCOCK & HOPKINS. Shippers of Corn, Oats, Rye and Hay. Conspicuously identified wdth the enterprising business men of Rensselaer The Democrat takes pleasure in mentioning the reliable and reputable firm of Babcock & Hopkins, composed of W. C. Babcock and A. R. Hopkins. These gentlemen are numbered among the heaviest buyers and shippers of corn, oats, rye and hay in this part of the state. They pay the highest market price for grain and have been the means of distributing thousands of dollars in cash throughout this section, which has been one of the greatest factors in making Rensselaer the great trade center it is to-day. This firm has warehouses at Parr, Fair Oaks and Rose Lawn, Ind., and conduct grain stations .at Lee, McCoysburg, Pleasant Ridge, Surrey and Thayer. The firm of Babcock A Hopkins have excellent facilities and convenient arrangements for the handling of grain. The members of the firm are energetic and enterprising and never, fail to give their support to any enterprise that has for its object the advancement of Rensselaer and Jasper county, and The Democrat in its review of the men of affaire in this section takes pleasure in giving prominent 'mention to so worthy and enterprising a firm as Babcock & Hopkins.

Vol. VII. No. 26

WILLIAM H. EGER. Hardware, Stoves and Plumbing. A striking example of what enterprise and well directed energy can do is shown by the career of William H. Eger. Few men engaged jn the hardware business have acquired a better reputation or have built up a larger trade than has this genial and popular dealer in all kinds of hardware, stoves, cutlery, mechanic’s tools, plumbing, tinware, graniteware, etc. The store occupied is 20x95 feet in diminsions. The salesroom is neat and attractive in every detail. The proprietor is assisted by his son Cleve and an experienced tinner and plumber in looking after the wants of the patrons and a large and ever increasing trade is enjoyed. Mr. Eger is one of the progressive business men of Rensselaer. He believes in the future growth of the town and has done much in making it the popular trading point it is. It is a pleasure for The Democrat in its present trade review of Rensselaer and Jasper county to mention so worthy and successful a business man.

IRWIN <fc IRWIN. Law, Loans, Real Estate and Insurance. Rensselaer and Jasper county are in a prosperous condition and offer opportunities for profitable investments that can not be excelled. In The Democrat’s review of Jasper county it is entirely appropriate to refer to the men who have been instrumental in bridging this state of affairs around. In so doing we are pleased to give prominent mention to Irwin <fc Irwin, one of the leading law, loan, real estate, abstract and insurance firms in Rensselaer. This firm was established in 1901, as successor to Warren & Irwin, and is composed of J. F.* Irwin and S. C. Irwin, father and son. They do a general law, loan, abstract and real estate business, and write insurance in the best known companies. Their business is large and constantly increasing. They are familiar with real estate values throughout this section of the state and are prepared to furnish abstracts to any piece of land on short notice. They do a large loan business and are exclusive loan agents for the Aetna Insurance Co., for this county. They make a speciality of farm loans on long time and at lowest rates. Their office in the I. O. O. F. building is headquarters for all farmers desiring to borrow money at the lowest market rate, and on the best possible terms.

MURRAY’S CASH STORE. Pry Goods, Clothing, Hats. Boots and Shoes. Wholesale and Retail. The steady growth of Rensselaer as a trade center has in no way been affected by the financial flurries of the past spring. This is due in a great measure to its location, but when to this is added the men of energy, enterprise and business sagacity that comprise her merchants, it will at once account for her substantial growth and solid financial condition. The city is surrounded by a rich agricultural region and it has remained for the merchants of Rensselaer to provide facilities for trading, and no one has done more in this respect than Mr. George E. Murray. Mr. Murray is one of Rensselaer’s old, substantial and enterprising citizens. He has been identified with the business circles of Rensselaer for the past quarter of a century, and in that time has made hosts of friends and built up a large business by his fair and square business methods and the genial and pleasing manner in which he treats all those who have business dealings with him. He employs seven clerks and occupies a large double store which is filled with a modern and up-to-date stock of dry goods, dress goods, notions, clothing, ladies and gents furnishings, carpets and ladies fine shoes. The stock in the different departments has been selected with due regard to style, quality and finish, and the low prices at which the goods are sold cause feelings of unrest among his competitors and consequent joy- among his

Continued on Pice Three,