Howard County, Indiana
Biographies
C.
H. FORTNER, M. D., has long
enjoyed a well- earned reputation and position in the medical
profession at Coffeyville. He entered practice with a thorough and
comprehensive training and his fine talent soon attracted to him a
patronage that has grown steadily in volume and importance, while his
participation in progressive movements has made him one of the
community's most valuable and valued citizens.
Doctor Fortner represents an old
Indiana family. His ancestry goes back through several generations to.
some Fortners who came from Germany, and the family has lived in this
country since colonial times. His
grandfather, Aaron Fortner, was born in Indiana in 1831. His people
located in Howard County of that state at an early date and he grew up
there, followed the trade of wagon maker, and was also a farmer.
Politically he was first a whig and later a republican. Aaron Fortner
died in Howard County, Indiana, in 1911. His children were.: E. L.
Fortner, faher of Doctor Fortner; Emma, who lives in Howard County,
Indiana, widow of James Roby, who was a farmer; Mattie, who died in
Howard County, and her husband, William Myers, a farmer, is also
deceased; Dora, lives in Los Angeles, California, the wife of Albert
MeReynolds; William R. is a mechanic living at Indianapolis; Lillie
Washington lives at Alto, Indiana; Grant is also a resident
of Indiana.
It was at Kokomo in Howard County,
Indiana, that Doctor Fortner was born July 16, 1872. His father, E. L.
Fortner, who now resides in Victoria, Texas, was born in Howard County,
Indiana, in 1850, and was reared and married there. He grew up as a
farmer, and subsequently became an active minister of the Seventh Day
Adventist Church. In that capacity he came to Kansas in 1886, locating
at Sterling in Rice County. As a minister his services took him from
place to place over the state, and in 1898 the Foreign Missionary Board
sent him to South America, where he spent two years in evangelical
labors. Returning to Kansas he continued active in the ministry in that
state and in Missouri, but finally resumed farming in Montgomery County
for about two years, and in 1911, largely on account of his wife 's
health, went to Texas and 'is now farming and stock raising near
Victoria. Rev. Mr. Fortner is a republican. He married Nannie B.
Edwards, who was born in Howard County, Indiana, in 1851. Their
children are: Doctor Fortner; Otho, who is now living at Cape Town,
South Africa, representing American manufacturers in their efforts to
establish a market for their goods in South Africa; Rose is the wife of
W. E. Dixon, a furniture dealer at Wichita, Kansas; Roy L. is a farmer
and stock raiser at Victoria, Texas
Doctor Fortner spent the first
fourteen years of his life in Indiana, attending the public schools in
the meanwhile, and after his parents moved to Kansas he was in the high
school at Sterling. He gained a sturdy constitution during the twenty
years he spent on his father's farm and when the family moved to Kansas
City he entered the Medico-Chirurgical School, an institution
subsequently merged with the Kansas University. He attended medical
college three years, graduating M. D. March 31, 1899. For the first two
years Doctor Fortner practiced out in Western Kansas in Norton County,
following which he was in practice at Kansas City, Missouri,. two
years. He then took post-graduate studies for a year in the University
Medical College, during 1904, and at the end of his term moved to
Coffeyville, where his ability soon won him rank as a skillful
physician and surgeon. He now carries on a general practice with
offices at 127 1/2 West Ninth Street and home at 605 Elm Street. He is
an active member of the County and State Medical Societies and the
American Medical Association.
Doctor Fortner has been very
successful as a business man and now owns and controls a large amount
of property, principally farm lands. He owns a farm of 240 acres three
miles northeast of Coffeyville, another place of 150 acres in Seward
County, a farm of 100 acres in Nowata County, Oklahoma, and a farm of
260 acres in Victoria County, Texas. His holdings also include
residence property at 215 West Seventh Street in Coffeyville, and two
houses at the corner of First and Maple streets.
Though reared a republican, Doctor
Fortner has always voted the democratic ticket. For a time he served as
city physician at Coffeyville. In Masonry he is a member of Amsterdam
Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Fort Scott Consistory No. 4 of
the thirty-second degree Scottish Rite, and Abdallah Temple of the
Mystic Shrine at Leaven- worth. He also belongs to Coffeyville Lodge
No. 775, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and to the Commercial
Club of that city.
In 1902 at Amsterdam, Missouri,
Doctor Fortner married Miss Jessie Wintermute, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
A. C. Wintermute, who live at Grand View, Missouri. Her father is a
general merchant.
Source: A Standard History of Kansas
and Kansans By William Elsey Connelley
J.
F. NUNER. The educational problems
that always must be among the important subjects to be considered at
all times and in every community are engaging the serious and
conscientious attention of experienced educators in Indiana, which
state, consequently, stands high among the others in its average of
general scholarship. One of these educators is found in John Franklin
Nuner, who is superintendent of the city schools of South Bend,
Indiana. He is a native of Indiana, born in Howard County, April 27,
1873. His parents were William H. and Margaret Eleanor (McClellan)
Nuner.
The Nuner family came originally from
Germany and settled in Pennsylvania, and for generations has been
American. William H. Nuner, father of Professor Nuner, was born in
Franklin County, Pennsylvania, in October, 1823, and died in Howard
County, Indiana, in 1892. His father, James Nuner, was born in Franklin
County, Pennsylvania, spent his life there as a general farmer and died
in that county in 1836. During his earlier business life William H.
Nuner was a carpenter and contractor in Franklin County, and from there
came to Madison County, Indiana, in 1855, and ten years later settled
permanently on a farm in Howard County. He became a man of importance
in his neighborhood and naturally so because of his sterling character,
practical ideas and good citizenship. A staunch republican, he was
chosen for public office on numerous occasions and served as township
trustee and as a justice of the peace, in which latter office he was
highly regarded because of his common sense understanding of the cases
brought into his court and his impartial rulings on the same. He was a
member of the Christian Church and a liberal contributor to its
support.
William H. Nuner was married twice,
his wives being sisters. Of his first marriage but one child survives,
Sarah, the widow of Benjamin F. Rogers, who died on his farm in
Michigan, situated in Midland County, where she lives. Mr. Nuner was
married, second, to Miss Margaret Eleanor McClellan, who was born in
Franklin County, Pennsylvania, in 1833, and died in Howard County,
Indiana, in 1912. To this marriage seven children were born, three of
whom died young. The others were: Anna Mary, who married A. E. Julow,
who is a farmer in Howard County. Indiana, where she died in 1897:
Robert, who was a farmer, died in Howard County in 1892 ; James M., who
owns and resides on the home farm in Howard County; and John Franklin,
of South Bend.
John F. Nuner passed his early school
period in the country schools near his father's farm but later attended
the Greentown schools and in 1892 was graduated from the Greentown High
School. One year of study in the Indiana State Normal School at Terre
Haute followed, and then came a year of teaching in Howard County and
subsequently two years more of study in the normal school, from which
he was creditably graduated in 1896.
It was no accident or matter of
expediency that turned Mr. Nuner into the educational field, but a
deliberate choice of profession, for which he thoroughly prepared
himself. He became an instructor in the Montpelier High School and
continued to teach there through four school year terms, in the
meanwhile, however, during the summers taking work in the Indiana
University. Later he spent a year in the University of Chicago and some
years later took additional summer-termwork in this great university,
from which he was graduated in 1912, with the degree of B. S. He
continues post-graduate work along various lines during his summer
vacations, acquiring knowledge easily because of his love of it and
broadening his vision so that he may be more helpful to those who look
to him for guidance in intellectual things.
In 1902 Mr. Nuner became assistant
principal of the Mishawaka High School in Saint Joseph County, and in
1903 was elected superintendent of schools in that city and remained in
that relation until 1916, when he became superintendent at South Bend,
where his useful services continue. He has a large field here, which
includes nineteen schools, 360 teachers and 9,500 pupils, and the
supervision of these occupy his time fully during working hours. He is
identified with many educational organizations and is a valued member
of the State Teachers', the Northern Indiana Teachers' and the National
Educational Associations.
Mr. Nuner was married at Mishawaka in
1902 to Miss Kate Rebecca Bingham, who died in that city December 1,
1910. She was a daughter of E. V. and Harriet (Grimes) Bingham, the
former of whom is an attorney. She was the devoted mother of three
children : William, who died when aged four months; John Franklin, who
was born May 27, 1906; and James Bingham, who was born July 19, 1908.
Mr. Nuner was married, second, onAugust 7, 1916, at Macatawa Park,
Michigan to Miss Ann DuShane, who is a daughter of James and Emma
(Chapin) DuShane. The father of Mrs. Nuner, who died in the spring of
1916, was a lawyer by profession and a former superintendent of the
South Bend schools. The mother of Mrs. Nuner resides at South Bend. Mr.
and Mrs. Nuner have one child, Robert DuShane, who was born July 17,
1917. Their handsome residence and hospitable home is situated on
Riverside Drive, South Bend.
In his political views Professor
Nnner is an independent republican. He is a Council Mason, his
membership being in Mishawaka Lodge No. 130, Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons; Mishawaka Chapter No. 83, Royal Arch Masons; Mishawaka
Commandery Knights Templar; and Mishawaka Council, Royal and Select
Masters. He has membership also in various social bodies at South Bend,
finding pleasant companionship and relaxation in such organizations as
the Round Table, the Knife and Fork Club and the Rotary Club. Public
affairs and local improvements of importance all claim his interest,
and as far as his means permit he gives freely in the cause' of
charity, benevolence and patriotism. He is a member of the Presbyterian
Church.
Source: Indiana and Indianans By
Jacob Piatt Dunn, General William Harrison Kemper
SILAS J.
SPROAL That enterprise
and good management are well rewarded in the country life of Miami
county, needs no better illustration than the career of Silas Sproal,
whose fine homestead lies in Harrison township. About thirty years ago,
soon after his marriage, he located on part of his present farm, and in
the beginning had practically nothing but the laud. Combining the
cultivation of mixed crops with the raising of high-grade stock, he has
developed a business that of itself would be considered valuable
without reference to its capital investments. Under his supervision his
farm has been cleared, has been improved with modern barns, and other
equipment, and his estate will now compare favorably with that of any
in Miami county. Soon after the removal of the Indians from Miami
county, a number of families from Holmes county, Ohio, came to Indiana,
and established themselves on land vacated by the Redmen. Among those
who came in 1848 was Nobertus Sproal. He was born in Germany, November
3, 1830, was brought to America during his sixth year, and was reared
in Holmes county, Ohio. His father was Walburg Sproal. The grandmother
died in Holmes county. Nobertus Sproal was married in Howard county,
Indiana, to Miss Catherine Schrock, a daughter of Jacob Schrock. She
was born May 9, 1828, and died in Howard county, November 28, 1905, at
the age of seventy-seven years, six months and seventeen days,
immediately after his marriage Nobertus Sproal settled on a farm in
Harrison township in Miami county, and in this locality he passed the
rest of his life. He died in the adjoining county of Howard in 1895 at
a ripe old age.
It was on his father's farm, January 14, 1858, that
Silas J. Sproal was born. That farm which was his birthplace lies
adjacent to the one now owned by Silas in Harrison township, and is a
part of the same section. Here his boyhood days were passed, not unlike
those of the sons of other farmers, of northern Indiana. He worked in
the clearing and grubbing of the land, followed the plow, and wielded
an ax, occasionally got an opportunity to play, but more often he
worked, and his education was exceedingly practical and included a
meager knowledge of books. The winter terms of school he attended were
held at McCoy, one mile from the Buckeye school and the Buckeye school
house was on the line between Harrison township and Howard county, that
being the first school house in that community.
On March 4, 1884, Silas married Miss Anna A. Murphy,
a daughter of Israel and Elizabeth (Larrison) Murphy. In their early
married life Mr. and Mrs. Sproal moved about and lived at several
localities within the same general neighborhood. However, they soon
settled on their present farm, which lies within sight of the place
where Silas Sproal was born. When they located there, they found land
with practically no improvement of a substantial nature, the only
building of which it could boast being an old log cabin that had been
put up by John Vin- edge, who was the pioneer settler there and had
occupied the rude structure until his death. This log house was
afterwards torn down. Mr. Sproal built his barn in 1902, and the other
buildings were erected about 1885. Eighty acres of his land had been
cleared when he took possession and he himself has worked industriously
with his own hands, or has supervised the clearing of the other eighty.
For many years his crops have been up to the standard of Miami county
agriculture, and he has contrived to prosper year in and year out.
Mr. and Mrs. Sproal were the parents of four
children, but two twins, died in infancy. The remaining two are Grover
C. and Lester D. Grover was born November 15, 1889, married Miss Bessie
Kelley, a daughter of Joseph Kelley, and they have one child, Beulah
Lucile, born July 3, 1912. .The son Lester, who was born August 23,
1896, is still attending school in McCoy school. Mrs. Sproal is a
native of Howard county, Indiana, born January 19, 1864. She was the
eldest of ten children, six sons and four daughters, born to her
parents, Israel and Elizabeth (Larrison) Murphy.
Eight of the children are living at present time
1913 and all are residents of Indiana but her brother John, who is a
resident of Hope, Michigan, and sister, Martha, who is the wife of John
Schafer, a resident of Hope, Michigan, and an agriculturist. Mr. Murphy
was a native of Ohio and was a boy when his parents came to Howard
county, Indiana. He was an agriculturist and educated only in the
common schools. Politically he was a Prohibitionist and was a strong
advocate of temperance. Both he and wife were ardent members of the
"Wesleyan Methodist church. Mrs. Murphy is a native of Ohio and was
educated in the common schools. She now resides in Howard county, aged
sixty- seven. Mr. Murphy is interred in North Grove Cemetery. When Mr.
and Mrs. Sproal began their married life they were $1,100 in debt, but
by persistency, industry and a determination to win, they accomplished
the herculean task and today, in 1913, they have one of the valuable
estates of the county. Mrs. Sproal has nobly filled her part as wife
and mother. The homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Sproal is known as "Belle
View Lodge."
The politics of Mr. Sproal is Democratic, and his
church is the Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal.
History of Miami County, Indiana By Arthur Lawrence Bodurtha, H P
Loveland
