People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 27-25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1896 — Page 14

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GEORGE O. PUMPHREY.

George O. Pumphrey was born in Connersville, Fayette county, Indiana, June 18, 1843. Spent his early life on farms in Fayette, Marshall and Newton counties. At 18 he volunteered under Capt. Moore, Co. E, 99tb Indiana volunteer infantry, and served in General Logan’s fifteenth corps three years. Was

GEORGE O, PUMPHREY.

in all the engage merits and marches of his regiment from Vicksburg to Missionary Ridge, also in the Atlanta campaign. Thence with General Sherman to the sea; north by the way of Beauford and Columbia, S. C.* Raleigh, N. C., Petersburg, Richmond, Old Fredrichsburg, Va., to Washington, D. C., at the grand review the 23d and 24th of May, 1865, where his regiment was mustered out. Then he came to Indianapolis and was discharged, June 15th, 1865, never having been absent from his company during his enlistment. Mr. Pumphrey left a father, mother and only sister, who now lives in Boise city, Idaho. His mother died in his absence and his father in a few weeks after his return. After traveling some and working at different occupations he married Miss Isabel Morris of Rushville, Indiana, and Went to farming and stock raising in Newton county, Ihdiana, where he lived until two years ago when he moved to Rensselaer and occupys suburban property in the north-western part of the city, where he has built some very good improvements and is planting quite an extensive fruit and berry tract at the corner of Jefferson and Merritt streets. His family consists of wife and two sons, Bruce and Newton, both teachers of good repute, one a teacher in the graded schools at Brook, Ind. They are also agents for some of the largest publishing houses in Chicago and other cities, for teachers helps and school libraries, and the People’s New Encyclopedia. These young men deserve great credit for being hard workers in the public schools of Newton county, and introducing libraries into the schools there and elsewhere. They also take a great interest in any thing they can do for superintendent Pfrimmer, “Kankakee Poet”, in his educational exhibits.

CHURCH OF CHRIST.

The congregation of the Church of Christ was permanently organized April 16, 1887, by Elder E. O. Sharpe with for ty-four charter members, of whom eighteen still remain identified with the congregation. Benjamin E. Utz was the first pastor. His pastorate was from 1891 to September, 1893. He was succeeded by Jesse L. Brady, October, 1893, whose pastorate closed with the year 1895. The house of worship was dedicated the first Lord s day in January, 1891. The officers of the congregation have been as follows: Elders -W. H. Jl. Graham, 1877 to 1893; George H. Brdwn Sr., 1887: I. B. Washbujii, 1887; J. H. Cox, 1892. J Deacons—l. C. Ruebelt, 1887 to 1893; Lewis Day 1887, to 1890; R. F. Priest, 1887 to 1889; Charles W. Coen, 1892; T. F. Clarke, 1892; W. H. Coover, 1895; Charles E. Hershman, 1895; George S. Day. 1892 to 1893. Deaconesses —Julia A. Healey; Belle Kerr. The present membership is two hundred. and eleven. One hundred and one were added during Mr. Brady’s pastorate. The Bible School was organized April 19,1887, and Dr. I. B. Washburn has been superintendent continuously. The present enrollment is 143. The first Y. P. S. C. E. was organized in May, 1892, George H. Healey, president. Clyde Reeve is the present president. The Junior Endeavor was organized in April, 1893. Mr. Charles W. Coen is the superintendent.

The Creamery.

The Rensselaer Creamery was built in the fall of 1890, by the Seperated Butter Company of Rensselaer, Ind. The board of directors have changed some what since the first organization, A. McCoy, however, has been continuously on the board. The original plant cost $4,500.

LUTHER L. PONSLER.

The above illustration is of the comfortable home of L. L. Ponsler on his farm of 225 acres situated two miles north of Rensselaer. Mr. Ponsler is one of the thoroughly active and modern farmers of this county; was born in Newton county 38 years ago and has been a resident of this county for fifteen years. He is doing a general farming business, keeping fully abreast

FARM RESIDENCE OF JAMES YEOMAN, SEE SKETCH, PAGE EIGHT.

HOME OF C, E. MILLS, SKETCH, PAGE SEVEN.

This amount was divided into 150 shares. There has been added to the building a cheese room and the necessary fixtures, and a cold storage building, making a complete outfit for manufacturing milk products. The amount of business done at the creamery has varied somewhat with the seasons; the first year the supply ran up to over twenty thousand pounds. One of the drawbacks the first year was the lack of necessary capacity to handle the milk. Two skimming stations have been establised, one at Marlboro and one at the 3. F. Irwin farm in Jordan township. These stations were established to accommodate outlying districts. Jasper county is well adapted to dairying and if the people are rightly educated it will make one of the best in the state.

FARM RESIDENCE OF REV. M. R. PARDIS, SEE SKETCH, PAGE TEN.

THE PEOPLE’S PILOT, RENSSELAER, IND.. THURSDAY ,JAN. 2, 1896

RESIDENCE OF L. PONSLER.

with improved methods and new ide%s. Mr. Ponsler was married in 1881 to Miss Mary Robinson of Marion township, and their union has been blessed with three children. He has never “run for office” and never expects to; he has never had a case in court, and never been before the grand jury. Politically he is a rock rooted populist, being chairman of the county central committee. He was originally a republican.

Jasper county’s poor farm, one mile west of Rensselaer on the gravel road, consists of 320 acres of fine prarie land valued at S6O per acre. The buildings are spacious, comfortable and convenient, being of modern pattern, the principal one having built only six years ago. Tne improvements on the farm have been made at a cost of about SIO,OOO, Considerable personal property has accumulated on the farm and each year finds the land growing in fertility and advancing in value. The poor farm is a credit to the county, for it is a beautiful and comfortable home where our unfortunates can be properly cared for. Found-.- A pair of gold spectacles. Owner can have same by paying for this notice.

THE POOR FARM.

FARM RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH A. ROBINSON.

JOSEPH A. ROBINSON.

This thoroughly live farmer has just sold a part of the fine farm upon which the above substantial dwelling is located, the same being three miles north-east of Rensselaer. He still retains one hundred and sixty acres, selling two hundred and forty acres. It is regretted he contemplates removing to Kansas for he has no peer as a progressive agriculturist and general business man, and his will

HOME OF DAVID B. NOWELS, SKETCH, PAGE NINE.

Burget & Penn.

This firm is doing much for the substantial benefit of Jasper county by bringing here from their old homes in Illinois and elsewhere, men with means, who purchase and improve the only partially developed rich lands of this locality. The members of the firm are J. W. Burget and

J. W. BURGET.

This gentleman came from Douglas county, Illinois. March 15, 1895; he is forty- two years old and has been a farmer all his life; has had no other official preferment than that of supervisor of his township for a period of four years. He has had extensive experience both in farming and stock raising. He owns a farm of 120 acres in Illinois, and also 240 acres in Barkley township this county, purchased of Robert Randle.

HOME OF DAVID NOWELS, SKETCH, PAGE EIGHT.

be keenly felt by his host of friends. Mr. Robinson was ''raised” in Jasper county, being born of fanner parents about forty-five years ago. His wife was Miss Lettie Burroughs of this county, and the happy event occured about the year 1878. Their family consists of three children. Mr. Robinson is of republican extraction politically but has thrown his fortunes with the people’s party and became one of its leading spirits in Jasper county.

jJ. T. Penn, both experienced [farmers and practical business men, who have the confidence of all who know them. Their real estate office is situated in the Leopold block over the Star and Crescent store, where they will accord all parties interested in real estate deals the utmost courtesy.

J. T. PENN.

Mr. Penn is a native of Illinois, having been born in Coles county 1858. His boyhood was spent in West Virginia, Indiana and Kentucky. At nineteen he began life for himself and- went to Douglas county, 111., where he worked upon a farm for seven years, when he married. Since then he has been farming for himself and engaged in the livery business until he came to Rensselaer in 1894, now being a partner in the real estate firm of Burget & Penn.

B. F. Fendig.

B. P. Fendig, proprietor of Fendig’s City drug store, was born in the city of Chicago, in 1868, but removed with his parents to Rensselaer when quite young and has resided here ever since. He is a graduate of Rensselaer high shool and attended the Chicago College of Pharmacy. In 1889 he launched out into the

B. F. FENDIG.

drug business for himself and has enjoyed a good share of the patronage from the start. His line includes a good line of drugs and patent medicines; a large line of books, stationery, and fancy goods; a nice new stock of wall paper and window shades. Besides these articles you will find everything kept in all first class drug stores.

I. O. O. F. AAD THEIR TEMPLE.

The handsome three story structure which appears in this number is the finest business block in Rensselder, It is located directly opposite the northwest front of the court house and, excepting some corner sites, * probably occupies the most valuable lots in town. Iroquois Lodge, No. 143, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, purchased this lot thirty years ago for what was equivalent to S2OO, about 5 per cent of its present valuation. Last spring the lodge concluded to build upon it, and the contract was let for the construction of the present fine edifice about the first of May, and was completed for dedication on the 16th of October. The total cost including cement sidewalk, architect’s plans, supervision, shelving of storerooms, etc., exceeds $9,000, and it is as handsome a block as there is in many counties. It is the only building in Jasper county owned by a lodge organization. It is 44x84. Two excellent store rooms comprise the ground floor, offices and a hall for the G. A. R. have the second floor, while the top floor, is the magnificent home of the Odd Fellows’ lodge, as fine as that of any fraternal organization in the state. The main lodge hall is 46£ feet by 42 feet arched by a ceiling 18 feet high at the crown. There is also a banquet hall, (25x31,) kitchen, (10x15,) property room, (10x10,) ante room, (10x13,) cloak and preparation room. The nicest of furniture and carpets have been procured and no expense spared to make the lodgo Quarters delightful. HISTORICAL REVIEW OF LODGE. The lodge was organized June 9, 1854, and the charter members were John McCarthy, Jacob M. Troxell, Randolph Brearly, David P. Spears, A. T. Reed, Jacob Markle, Geo. W. Spitler, John Hunter, Thomas N. Springer. Harvey Phillips, John Phillips! Cyrus W. Henkle and Dr. Cornelius A. Loghn, none of whom are now members of the lodge, and Mr. Troxell is the only one living in Jasper county. The lodge has had a great number of homes, moving from place to place as the order grew in numbers and the town improved and better rooms were obtainable. From the small beginning of 1854 it has steadily augmented its membership roll until now it numbers nearly 200. Rensselaer Lodge, Daughters of Rebecca, No. 346, was instituted Jan. 2, 1891, and now has a membership of 106, being one of the most popular organizations in the county. As an auxillery to the great plan of the noble order of Odd Fellowship they occupy a most important place. Rensselaer Encampment, No. 201, was organized Feo. 10, 1892, and now a membership of about sixty. The present officers of Iroquois lodge are L. L. Ponsler, N. G.; Elven Overton, V. G.; J. F. Antrim, Sec.; Geo. Goff, Treas.

JASPER COUNTY'S JAIL.

Jasper county’s jail is a good substantial brick building, erected in 1882 at a .cost of 112,752. This building affords ample accommodations for all its inmates, and will serve the purposes for which it was built many, many years to come, without requiring any expense from the county in repairs or improvements.