People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 27-25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1896 — Page 4

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"The People’s Pilot. BY F. D. CRAIG, (Lessee.) PIM)T PUBLISHING GO., (Limited,) Proprietors. Qavid H. Yeoman, President. Wm. Washborn, Vice President. Lee E. Glazebrook, Sec’y. .T. A. McFarland Treas The People’s Pilot is the official organ o{ the Jasper and Newton County Alliances,and .8 published every Thursday at ONE DOLLAR PER ANNUM. Sntered as second class matter at the post office in Uensselaer. Ind.

It is indeed with a thankful heart that at last, after nearly two months of the harderst work we ever did, the task of publishing this souvenir edition is nearly done. 'As this is being written the last lines are being set. It

is late, very late, but there have been delays for which we were not responsible, and there was much of miscalculation on our part. But it is completed, a paper of thirty-two pages, containing many more illustrations than at first anticipated. There were many things omitted, absolutely because we could do no more. We thank all those who have so generously aided with their patronage and other assistance. We have endeavored to make it a representative exposition of this great county and progressive city. Happy we are to say that jn the work, we have not been hampered by political bias; all have appreciated the magnitude of the undertaking and nobly laid aside party prejudice and accepted our effort in the nonpartisan spirit in which it was made. Thanking you all most sincerely, we are Faithfully yours, F. D. Craig and Associates.

ELLIS OPERA HOUSE.

On another page is the illustration of this really line building, owned and managed by J. 11. S. Ellis. It was built in 1878 and has the most solid fire proof walls, and is probably the most substantial block in town. This building is forty-eight feet wide by eighty feet long, and has a seating capacity of five hundred. Mr. Ellis contemplates thoroughly remodeling and enlarging the building next spring. He will build on twenty feet to the rear, widen the stage to twentyfour feet, put in dressing rooms, jy,nl orchestra rooms beneath, and thoroughly refit the stage with new scenery fixtures. A horseshoe balcony will be put in and the main floor raised and supplied with opera chairs, and the seating capacity increased to seven hundred and fifty or more. The front will be converted into office rooms, as that part of the big room is too far from the stage. Mr. Ellis will find his improvements greatly appreciated.

LUCIOUS STRONG.

For many years Ms. Strong was a foremost farmer of Newton township, where his tine farm of 320 acres is located. (See illustration of residence on page ten.) Ohio is his native state, though about thirty of his sixty years have been spent in Jasper county. He has now been living in Rensselaer for five years, where he has a very comfortable home. As a democrat Mr. Strong served his township as trustee for a dozen years or more, though since the formation of the people's party he has been one of its ardent supporters. He is an active worker in the movement for a better understanding of scientific farming and takes great interest in the farmers' institutes, of which he is the president. His wife was Miss Clara Ponsler, and their wedded life began about twenty-five years ago. They have one daughter, Ada. (Mrs. D. M. Yeoman.)

Valentine Seib.

On page ten is an illustration of the very cozy real estate and loan office of this energetic and popular citizen, who » will be thirty-five years old next March; is a native of Mentz. Germany, and has been in America since lii's seventeenth year. Has been a bank employe' most of his life, and was recently cashier of the Citizens State Bank of Renssselaor. He has a .most agreeable wife and charming daughter of tender years. Mrs. Seib was Miss Rosa Eaker prior to March 3, 1885.

Delos Thompson.

An illustration of Mr. Thompson’s modern built home is given on page 28. It is one that the owner undoubtedly feels a pardonable pride in, for there are few more attractive places in town. Mr. Thompson is too retiring a disposition to court personal publicity, but it is only justice to say that no man in Rensselaer has accomplished more in the few years of his business career than he, andnoonehas a brighter future opening before himHis several enterprises are familiar to all our citizens and are spoken of elsewhere in this . paper. tv; I

A. McCoy & Co.’s Bank.

There is no business firm in Rensselaer, whose individual members of the present and the past, command more of the confidence of the public than dees the banking firm of A. McCoy & Co., and probably no firm writeup in the special issue of the People’s Pilot will be read with greater interest than this historical sketch of that institution. The bank was started in by A. McCoy, the senior member of the present firm. With him was associated his father. Thomas McCoy, and the bank was conducted under the name of A. McCoy &Co.. the present style of the firm. j A 'few. years later the banking firm was c hanged to A. McCoy & A. Thompson, the junior member of the firm bein g Alfred Thompson, a biographical sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this issue of the paper. The next change in the firm occurred when Thomas Thompson purchased the inteVcsl of his brother, Alfred Thomp son, and the bank firm was changed to A. McCoy & T. Thompson, and it so continued until 1888, when the firm changed to A. McCoy & Co., the junior member of the firm being that popular, friendly and genial gen tleman, "Tom,” a “true son of his father,” and a fine business man, as well as a social favori:e, Alfred McCoy was born in Co lumbiana county, Ohio, in 1,832. At an early age he developed a knowledge’ of business Tar be yond his years, and he was a wholesale grocery merchant before he had attained his maj >r ityIn 1852 he bought a section of land in Hanging Grove township and moved to Rensselaer. To the older citizens of Rensselaer his life here is a familiar book of many bright pages, and he is known far and near as a man of honest dealing and sentiment, whose generosity has brought happiness to many an unhappy home, and whose thrift and industry lias inspired many men to higher aims and better purposes. In addition to the good qualities that form the innerlining of his life. Mr. McCoy is a shrewd and careful business man, and during the forty-three years of his citizenship in this county he has amassed a considerable fortune, and he is considered one the wealthiest men in Jasper county. Mr. McCoy is a staunch republican, a man of honest beliefs and has a fearless method of expressing them. He is not a republican because he inherited the belief, but because he is a staunch advocate of the principles of the party and believes that the greatest good will come to the greatest number through that party. No selfish desire is manifested in his advocacy of this political belief, for Mr. McCoy has never asked for, neither would he accept, any office within the power of his party, but he has assisted many times in carrying the Jasper county republicans victoriously through the heat of the campaign, and no longer ago than the last campaign did he stump the county in the interest of the state, county, and municipal ticket. On the stump, as in his business life, Mr. McCoy is plain, practical and interesting, and he could draw a crowd, keep them in good humor and make converts when more famous orators could not have received a respectful hearing. Since Rensselaer’s earliest history and Mr. McCoy’s residence here, he has assisted in its upbuilding. Has encouraged such improvements, as he thought would not inflict an unjust taxa tion upon property owners, and has been liberal with both time and money toward “pushing the small town of a few years* ago, to the thriving and hustling young city, that we find at the beginning of the year 1896. In addition to about five thousand acres of farm land, all in Jasper county, Mr. McCoy also owns considerable city property, among the latter being- an elegant brick residence on McCoy avenue, Mr, McCoy was recently complimented by the people of Marlboro, when that town, ir. his honor, changed its name from Marlboro to McCoysburg, and if the town grows proportionately, as should an obedient namesake, to the business growth of Mr. McCoy, it will some day become a very thriving and busy place. Mr. McCoy's popularity is not confined to Rensselaer and Jasper county, but he is known for faany miles around, and when he time shall come for him to be removed, there will be lamenta-

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

lions of sorrow go up from many counties. It will be said of him, “It is too bad, the good must evfir die.” The special issue of The People’s Pilot can think of no name more deserving of credit or more conspicuous in the history of the community than Alfred McCoy. * T. J. McCoy, whose familiarity has allowed every man in the Tenth Indiana Congressional District to call “Tom,” was ooin in Rensselaer, April 13, 1856. He received his early education here, and passed safely through the doubtful age of young manhood without contracting ruinous habits. Tom was one of the mischievous boys, whose habits are as easily broken as formed, and he has grown up in the sight of Rensselaer people to a magnificent manhood, to a manhood of honesty and careful business propensities, and he is to-day, perhaps, the most influential republican in Rensselaer.

»The business of the bank is almost altogether his to care for, and that the business is successfully managed is evident to the most careful observers. Back of the bank of A. McCoy & Co. there is 5,000 acres of unincumbered real estate which at a conservative valuation is worth not less than $200,000, as a reference to the county records will show. For three terms Mr. McCoy has been a member of the school board, and he is now the very efficient president of that body. He was instrumental in having the elegant new school building of 1892 built, and is one of the most progressive and thorough men of this period of the nineteenth century. Mr. McCoy is now a candidate for the chairmanship of the tenth cangressional district committee of the republican party. He is

BANK OF A. McCOY & CO.

RESIDENCE OF ALFRED McCOY, PRESIDENT OF A. M’COY & CO.’S BANK.

RESIDENCE OF THOMAS J. McCOY, CASHIER OF A. M’COY & CO.’S BANK.

at present chair man of the county centarl committee, and the success with which his efforts in that position has been crowned, and the fact that he is a favored candidate in many counties, makes it appear that he will be given the chairmanship, and will fill the office to the entire satisfaction of the party enthusiasts. A good many years of useful life lie before Mr. McCoy, and The Pilot is glad that they will probably be spent in Rensselaer, where he has exerted most influence before, and where he will undoubtedly continue in the future. A. R. Hopkins (Bert), a young man born, educated and grown to manhood in Rensselaer, is assistant cashier of the bank. He has been with the bank for eight years, and has proven to the management by his faithfulness and attentiveness to business that he is deserving of confidence, and to the public by his courteous manner of business, that he is both appreciative and willing to serve them to the best of his ability, as assistant cashier of the bank.

For a somewhat longer time than one year. Miss Mattie Robinson has been a va I ued em ploye of the bank. Miss Robinson has a legion of .close friends in Rensselaer, who are pleased that she is connected with so execellent a firm, and who appreciate the fact that she is an energetic and careful worker. Miss Robinson is also one of the favorite social belies of the city, and very popular with all

The building now occupied by the bank was built in 186fe, but has since been remodeled. It is a large, two-story building at the southwest corner of Washington and Van Rensselaer streets, and was constructed for the bank, being made both convenient and secure. ■ v

The bank is old and perfectly reliable, and The Pilot bespeaks for it the confidence of the entire community. Of its proprietors The Pilot can only say in addition to the short sketches above, that they are deserving and trustworthy men. who have always been identified with the best interests of Rensselaer, Mr. T. J. McCoy has rebuilt! his home during the year just! closed, and it is now one of the! most pretentious and modern] houses, in Jasper county. The housekd Mr. Alfred Me- i Coy is a stately brick, very commodious and built to slat d for generations, and i>> surrounded by a lawn of great natural beauty, handsomely adorned and well kept. T. J. McCoy, Delos Thompson and W. A. Rinehart are the own ers of the Rensselaer StockFarm, the home of “Rensselaer Wilkes,” whose record qf the I past year has made him famous from sea to sea, and advertised I the town for which he is named more than all its illustrious statesmen and soldiers have done in the past. This farm is a model stock-breed ing institution, j and is of the greatest importance to the county-. No expense has j been spared to produce the best, bred trotters and pacers in the | country.

JAMES W. DOUTHITT.

The above able attorney and highly respected citizen, who is j serving this judicial district in the capacity of prosecutor, has j been long a resident of Rensse laer. He is making an enviable reputation for himself in the field of his present official labors. Mr. Douthitt has been an uncompromising democrat all his life, and is an earnest worker in behalf of his party. He enjoys a lucrative practice; was recently married, and is now happily situated in a comfortable home on Cullen street. His portrait appears on page nine.

J. H DEXTER.

We desire to call*attention to the illustration of the fine new grocery that the above well known citizen has installed in the’Odd Fellows’ Temple, which appears on page ten. It is one of the very nicest in Rensselaer, the building being new, the room newly fitted and the goods new and of the finest quality. Mr. Dexter is building up an excellent trade.

G. P. KAHLER.

On page twenty-one will be found and illustration of the blacksmithing establishment of G. P. Kahler, located on Main street at the depot. Mr. Kahler began work for himself about one year ago, and being known as a tirst-elass smith, especially in the line of difficult repairing of machinery, he has established a good business, and has all he can do. He does all kinds of repairing and horseshoeing. The Pilot testifies as to his skill in the repairing line machinery, from having had the benefit of some very difficult work on a printing press.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

For a volunteer company there are few towns that can boast of one of greater efficiency than that of Rensselaer, and it is with regret that this issue goes to press without a write-up and illustration of the company in uniform. A new and attractive sixty-foot bell tower has just been put up, that the hi arm may be more readily heard by the members living at a distance.

HARDWARE STORE OF N. WARNER & SONS. N. WARNER & SONS.

Norman Warner, the senior member of this firm, is a native of Rush county, Indiana, and is now nearly sixty-three years old. He was a carriage maker and for run a thriving blacksmith shop in Rensselaer, to which place he came Feb. 24, 1857. He was a “49er” but remained only a short time in California. He is undoubtedly the joliiest individual in Rensselaer, and certainly no one could be more accommodating in business matters. He is a member of she Church of God. Associated with him in the hai’dware and implement business are his son§, Grant (D. G.) and Hale, (N. H.) who are thorough business men, and most agreeable gentlemen. They have established a very large and successful trade.

William B Austin.

William B. Austin was born in Rensselaer.—lndiana, April 21. 1860, and is now thirty-five years of age. In 1882 at the age of twenty-two he married Louie, eldest daughterof Judge E. P. Hammond, and is the father of one child, Virginia, now twelve years old. He entered Wabash college in 1877 and graduated in 1881 with the degree of B. S. In 1883 the degree of A. M. was conferred upon hiii!-by his Alina Mater for meritorious work. Mr. Austin entered the law office of Hon. Simon P. . Thompson when but eignt years of age, as office boy. and was there continuously, except when in college. until 1887. a period of nineteen years.

WILLIAM B. AUSTIN.

In 1881 he became a member of the firm of Thompson & Brother and remained such until 1887 when he formed a partnership with Hon. E. P. Hammond, which Tasted until Judge Hammond went upon the circuit bench. Mr. Austin has just retired from being the senior member of the firm of Austin, Hollingsworth & Co., one of the largest law and loan firms in north-west Indiana. He has always been wrapt up in his business, in which he has been phenomenally successful. He started in life, financially, with comparatively nothing and has by industry and perseverance accumulated a fortune, and is now recognized as one of the solid men of the county, indeed among the younger generation he is probably in the lead in this respect. He is public spirited and always at the font in enterprises involving the public welfare, a stalwart republican and a Presbyterian.

for Sale- I’osts. 2,000, burr oak and white oak, for sale at 6c each, 3 % miles west and one mile south of Rensselaer, by Carr Rros. PUBLIC^ALE. OX WEDNESDAY, JANUARY. 22, 1 §D6.

On farm three miles northeast of Rensselaer. Two loads of good feeding steers, coming three and four years ‘old. Two good milk cows, one high-grade * Jersey and one high-grade Holstein; one team of matched drivers; eight head of draft-bred horses; stallion "Pierrie,” locally known as the “Moody horse.” Five hundred bushels of good seed oats, (white); nice bunch of stock hogs; wagons, buggies, harness, farming implements fora large farm; household and kitcher furniture. Sale begins at 10 o’clock sharp. Terms: Nine months time given, without interest on §5.00 or over, on approved security. 9 per cent off for cash. v - Gus Grant will be on hand with hot coffee and lunch to feed a multitude. Simon Phillips, auctioneer. » Add Robinson.

Texas Land For Sale or Trade.

I have 1,920 acres of bottom land in the Pan Handle district which will sell at a bargain or trade for property nearer this locality. For information address Anson Stewart, of Rensselaer.