People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 27-25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1896 — Page 9

SIMON P. THOMPSON.

Simon P. Thompson, since September Ist, 1862, has been a resident of Jasper county, and taken an active part in educational. political and industrial affairs. Normal methods were advocated by him as teacher and school examiner. The republican party has had no more faithful servant and committeeman in its campaigns He has held the elective offices of prosecuting attorney and state senator. Public improvements, such as railroads, highways, ditches, gravel roads and public buildings have been favored and aided by his time,

SIMON P. THOMPSON.

talent and money. He took a leading part in removing the mill dams and . thus benefiting public health. He has bought of non-residents and sold to actual settlers many improved lands. A large tract in Union township once covered by water has been reclaimed by fifteen miles of ditches, and has been divided into twelve farms, with good im provements bearing names as follows: “Parr,” occupied by Davis Bros.; “Home,” by Mr. Babcock; “Fountain,” by Mr. Bragston; “Brook,” by Mr. Garrett; “Forest.” by Mr. Strasser; “Lynngrove,” by Mr. Doty; “Fairview,” bv Mr. Steele; ‘Willow Dell,” by Best Bros.: “Sara toga,” by Mr. Treatenbey; “Prairie,” by Reed and Son, “Woodlawn,” by Wood and Goodpasture, and “Oakdale” by Mr. Smith. These farms will soon be connected by telephone. They are all for sale on such easy payments that any one can become a land owner by calling upon Mr. Thompson. The firm of Thompson &Bro., of which he is the senior member, has for twenty -five years occupied the same office, and is one of the fixtures of Rensselaer.

A NATURAL SITE.

As a town site, Rensselaer stands unsurpassed by any city. The land is level or slightly rolling, somewhat higher than the adjacent county, giving ample fall for drainage into the Iro quois. The territory immediately contiguous to it embraces the finest plantations in the county, and nearly all of the land is well adapted to the raising of such products as are consumed by a populous city. The oiiginal town was not laid out “square with the world,'-’ but was given such a deviation from the cardinal point as to compel the sun to rise regularly in the southeast. However all the additions have been platted with reference to section lines, and the larger part of the city presents a very pleasing appearance.

JOHN HEALY.

John Healy, one of the city cobblers, was born in Massachu setts, but came to Rensselaer with his father when only two years of age. He served his ap prenticeship as a shoe-maker with his father and learned his trade well. Two years ago he opened up a shop for himself, next door to the Pilot office, and he is doing splendid repair and manufacture shoe work. Gents’ half-soleing, 60 cents, ladies’ half-soling, 45 cents, all other work proportionately low. Patching and half-soling rubber boots and the. sale of cements, blackings. etc., constitute part of his work. Besides being a firstclass shoe-maker, Mr. Healy is a musician of superior ability, having devoted much time and spent much money toward making himself proficient. For several years he has been leader of the Citizens’ Cornet Band and an instructor on the cornet, clarionet, violin, and other instruments. John’s ability is appreciated’ to such an extent that Rensselaer could hardly get along without him, for in addition to his ability is his friendly sociability and his willingness to assist in every public enterprise. I

NOWEL'S HOUSE BLOCK, C. D. NOWEES, PROPRIETOR.

C. D. NOWELS.

The subject of this sketch was born in Jasper county in Novein ber, 1847, and has lived in the county continuously ever since. Mr.. Nowels therefore is one among our old settlers. He is a son of David Nowels, now about the oldest settler living in the county, he having helped build the first house (in the form of a log cabin) on the ground where Rensselaer now stands. This son, C. D. Nowels, was reared on a farm, and as a farmer’s son had only the priveliges of the common district schools, until he was about 18 years old, when he attended higher grade schools at Battle Ground, and Onarga, 111., after which he taught for a few terms in the schools of Jasper county, in

which he was very successful. He was married in 1870 and settled on a farm near where lie was born. He followed farm life for about twelve years, ati which time his wife's health failed and he moved to Rensselaer, where he has since lived. He first engaged in the lumberbusiness being successful in that calling for some years; then he engaged in the coal and sewer pipe trad,e, and from that into the furniture business, running that line for three years. Selling this he embarked in the lumber business again. He continued in this fbr nearly two years, selling out again. He is now engaged in the dry goods and general merchandising business, in his building, the Nowels’ block, as shown in the above cut. Mr. Nowels is a man ofgeneral business ability and is thoroughly well known as of great moral worth, one who esteems his word as good as his bond, and thoroughly respected by all who know him. Mr. Nowels has great faith in the future of Rensselaer and Jasper county.

MEN OF MEANS

It would be an oversight to omit from this recital the conspicuous fact that Rensselaer is perhaps the wealthiest town of equal population in Indiana. There are scores of men who may be counted in the list of ■rich men. It would be indelicate ] to publish a list of their names, but the aggregate reputed wealth represented by those who live in the town reaches into the millions. It has in nearly all cases been acquired in a single lifetime in this county. And the pleasing feature of it all is that these men of means are using their money in enterprises for the development of their growing city and county. The list of actually “retired” men is very

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

small. They have been industrious all through life, many having commenced life with absolutely nothing, and it is impossible for them now to remain idle. Al 1 have builtgood homes, in harmony with their modest tastes, attractive but not extravagant in design, though many are costly structures, the equal in architecture with those in any other city of 2,500 people. The children of these wealthier people are being taught the frugal habits that established character for their parents and brought success to their efforts. With all classes the matter of education is paramount to all other considerations, and at all times there are many studeqts from Rensselaer attending the leading colleges of this and other

C. D. NOWELS.

stales. Equipped with a good education and the practical lessons of prudent parents, the boys and girls of Jasper county enter the vocations of life well qualified to win both fame and fortune, Perhaps it is the softening experiences of the still vividly remembered pioneer d a y s > that maintains a warm fraternal feeling among all the people, but certain it is that the class lines are as lightly drawn here as in any community that cdp be found. The family in affluence yet sees no impropriety in associating with their- less fortunate neighbors. The true American spirit is manifest in all social intercourse, the aristocracy of our Anglosized cities being regarded as inimicable to American traditions.

Dr. Charles Mendenhall.

Correspondence to Chicago Journal: DECEMBER 28, 1803. Some months since we alluded to the remarkable record of this eminent practitioner and as a result many readers were led to seek a cure when all other hope was vain. We have never investigated a physician whose ability was more marked—whose skill more forcibly demonstrated itself, or who could show a prouder record of permanent cures. Neither in this case, nor the former, has the Journal received one dollar from this physician, and solely in the interest oJ suffering humanity w r e again call attention to skill and ability which borders upon the miraculous—power which baffles disease when lesser power utterly failed. Dr. Mendenhall will be at the Makeever House again January 11.

All kinds of Oak lumber at miU. Pierce farm 2$- miles south of Rensselaer. J. W. Pierce.

For Sale--Lumber.

INTERIOR OF THE PEOPLE’S PILOT OFFICE.

A. L. WILLIS.

A. L, Willis, who for the past eighteen years has been a resi dent of Rensselaer, is a type of good citizenship who deserves worthy mention. Mr. Willis was born in Massachusetts, but removed to Illinois when quite young and there enlisted during the war as a volunteer soldier, serving iu the 134th Illinois regiment. On Dec, 5, 1877, he was married to Miss Mary Dewey, and shortly afterward he located in Rensselaer, engaging in work as a gun smith and general workman. Since the advent of the safety bicycle he has pro pared himself with all the tools necessai'y for repair work, and he carries in stock* tires,cements, lubricators, etc., devoting his time largely to this branch of

REV. R. D. UTTER. PASTOR METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

trade. Saw gumming, iron and wood lathe work, etc., are branches of his work, and he de sires patronage in all these branches. Mr. Willis owns town property recently improved and he is among the class of good citizens- contribute toward making a town better from both a business and moral standpoint.

HEALTH GIVING FLUID.

The rock formation underlying all of Rensselaer has out to be tapped to afford a bountiful supply of the most salubrious water. So cheaply can the wells be drilled that every house owner has his own supply. In places the water is too highly charged with mineral flavor to be agreeable upon first acquaintance, but that is only a fancy that disappears with familiarity, though most of the wells produce as pure and crystal fluid as anywhere flows from mother earth. These waters a>e celebrated for their medicinal qualities, and it may be largely the cause of the low death rate of Jasper county, which enjoys the distinction of having the smallest mortality per centage of any county in Indiana. The only available sourceof supply for waterworks would be the subterranean streams, the abundance of whose water could be easily obtained by the sinking of proper wells.

LEE & CO.

Among the hustling real (state firms of Rensselaer, should bepnentioned that of Lee & Co. They have only been located here about four months, but having been engaged in this business elsewhere for the past three years, the experience they have gained during that time, well fits them for work in their chosen line." So far they have met with liatte&ing success here, which augurs well for the future of the firm. Formerly having been farmers, they are judges of realty. While it is often remarked, and sometimes per

h:ip.-s with truth, that land awaits are tricky, those gentlemen are building a reput dion that m ist place them above suspicion of unfair dealing. They are positively not of that class of agents that cry up the merits of the country to customers and build nothing on it themselves, but they are confident show as desirable homes in every respect in the way of town property in this beautit id little city, and as good farms in this and adjoining counties as can be found in the world. They are the only firm in Rensselaer handling no other business in connection with real estate, and are therefore enabled to find the best bargains for their clients. While comparatively young in years they are old in experience. If square dealing is the principal feature in successful business, they are sure to remain at the front. You will find them upstairs over the telegraph office, opposite court house.

The Primitive Baptist Church.

The Primitive Baptist Church of lionsseliter, Ind., was constituted May 20. 1877, with a mendbership of only seven. Elders Samuel IJ. Benjamin of Warsaw, Ind., William Jackson of Atwood and Ed ward J. Taylor of Wabash county, Indiana, assisting at its constitution. Elder William Jackson was chosen as its first pastor and served acceptably'for four years. During his ministry the membership increased to twenty-three. On account of his age and the distance from his home, he declined to serve the church-longer, and Elder W. R. Nowels, who was ordained to the ministry May 14. 1881. was called to the pastoral care of..- the eh ui ch. Elder Nowels has served the church continuously in this capacity ever since. The former meeting place, five miles distant north-west of Rensselaer, was abandoned in 188 J and arrangements made for holding the meetings, first in the Missionary Baptist Church house in this place, where meetings were held for two years, and afterwards in' the Free Will Baptist house, where meetings were held for about a year longer. In 1892 the church erected the comfortable house it now occupies at a ebst of $2,200. Its membership is now about forty,» and though weak in numbers, it is steadfast in its peculiar faith and moves on in its quaint and quiet way to perform its mission in the world.

Electric Bitters.

Electric Bitters is a medicine suited for any season, but perhaps more generally needed, when the languid exhausted feeling prevails, when the liver is torpid and sluggish and the need of a tonic and alteratiye is felt. A prompt use of this medicine has often averted long and perhaps fatal bilious fevers. No medicine will act more surely in counteracting and freeing the system from the malarial poison. Headache, Indigestion, Constipation, Dizziness yield to Electric Bitters. 50c. and 1.00 per bottle at Frank B. "Meyer's Drug Store.

CHARLES E. MILLS.

□ Charles E. Mills, the subject of this sketch is a Hoosier by adoption only, the accident of birth having overtaken him near the city of Ottawa, La Salle county, Illinois, August 7, 1856. He is of English descent, but is wholly American in all of his views and actions. He was married oh the 6th day of March, 1879, at Marseilles, Illinois, his wife, (Anna Smith,) being also a native of State. In 188,*) they came to Jasper county. Indiana. which has since been their home, and they own and occupy a pleasant home on the corner of Webster and Cedar streets, in Rensselaer. In 1888 Mr. Mills was admitted to the bar of Jasper county, and is actively engaged in the practice of his profession, having an of-

CHAS. E. MILLS.

fice in a suite of rooms in the Now Odd Fellows’ Temple. He makes a specialty of real estate, law and abstracts, and is receiving a liberal share of the general practice in his circuit. He wus chosen attorney for Rensselaer in 1894, which position he now holds. Mr. Mills is one of our public spirited citizens and has great faith in the future prospects of Rensselaer and Jasper county, and is an earnest advocate of anything that inures to the growth of the county or adds to the prosperity of the town.

RAILROAD FACILITIES.

The Monon is the only road that reaches Rensselaer, though several other lines cross the county and intersecting roads form Junctions with this great trunk Jine but a few miles distant, north and south, making good connections for all points. It, is but seventy-three miles to Chicago, and four trains daily each way make it very convenient, to travel. Business men by leaving here at 4:45 a. m. can reach Chicago by 7:20 and have until 8:20 p. rn. in thecity, reaching home again at 6:34 p. m. The depot is situated about ten blocks from the* business center. Good busses are run to all trains at reasonable fares, and as the sidewalks are good it is but little effort, for those who so choose, to walk. The depot is not in keeping with the progressive pace of the town, ard, though similar to those of other towns of equal population, it is believed that the Monon people will not long delay the construction of a new and creditable structure. The company has reason to feel very kindly toward Rensselaer, and in truth their administration of this station is admirable, lor it is the point on their whole system in proportion to the cost of operation. A most accommodating agent is Mr. W. H. Beam, who has been located here for several years.

JOHN W. PAXTON.

John W. Paxton, of the firm of J. W Paxton & Co., the enterprising lumberman, is one of the successful business men of Rensselaer. He embarked in the lumber business in the spring of 1891 and by his promptness and careful attention to all the details, has been rewarded by seeing his business increase with each succeeding year. He buys direct from the pineries, and has an enviably credit among mill men, both north and south. This enables him to compete successfully with all competitors, local and foreign. He keeps a complete stock of lumber, lath, shingles, sash and doors. He is always to be found at the old stand and glad to accommodate all customers. -

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