This promising locality is as far different today from it's condition fifteen years ago, in 1886, as night is from day. Persons having formed the impression that Losantville is not a good town with peaceful citizens, should spare a day's time for a visit to this busy little place. It is located near the southwest corner of Randolph County about eighteen miles distant from Winchester or Muncie, and but a short ways from New Castle, Henry County. The Peoria division of the Big Four was its first railroad, and the early Losantville that was laid out 1/4 mile to the west was changed to the immediate neighborhood of the railroad. Recently the C.R. & M. railroad has entered the town and it now seems as though great things are to be expected from the new Losantville. The schools and churches, the manufacturing spirit, the profession and business thrift of the town require no apologies or demerit. You simply cannot excel it. The early history is unnecessary to illustrate its conditions and prospects of today. It's business life is represented as follows:
S.V. Templin was the first businessman in the new town of Losantville when the Big 4 railroad first made its entrance below the old town at the cross roads. It was a general store conducted by I.T. Lake & Co., and Mr. Templin was the company man. The stock was a small one but the business integrity in command was to cause it to prosper and increase. The Journal newspaperman last week, visited this store, which is now the property of Mr. Templin and his son F. Clyde Templin, and which is a monumental credit to its energetic management. This store occupies two floors, has 5,000 feet of floor space in all and is abundantly provided with patent medicines, groceries, dry goods, hats, caps, boys clothing, overalls, men's trousers, boots, shoes and notions on the first floor and furniture, sewing machines, etc. on the second floor. It is the only store in the town that sells furniture. Mr. S.V. Templin, the senior member of the firm is an honorable Mason and Odd Fellow. Mr. F. Clyde Templin is also an Odd Fellow. Associated with these gentlemen in handling their tremendous trade is Mr. P.L. Holladay, an experienced clerk who has been with the house for years. Mr. Holladay is a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow and is Chief Patriarch of Encampment No. 288.
The profession is represented in Losantville by Drs. Franks and Wiggins, physicians and surgeons. Dr. H.P. Franks was born in Harden County, Ohio in 1849, and he received his early schooling there and attended the Ohio Medical College. In 1870 he was married to Miss L.A. McKinnon. In 1871 Dr. Franks came to Randolph County and practiced medicine for three years at Goodview. In 1874 he came to Losantville and has continued here since pursuing his practice with several physicians since gone from here. In 1880 Dr. Franks took a course in the Kentucky school of medicine of Louisville. In 1882 he was graduated from Indiana Medical and in 1887 and 1888 he took a course in the medical department of the New York City University receiving a diploma from that institution. Dr. Franks is a member of Odd Fellows and the Knights Of Pythias orders. He is aside from a well read physician an agreeable gentleman and a reader of the Winchester Journal.Dr. D.S. Wiggins was born in old Losantville in 1874, and passed his boyhood and school days at Richmond. In 1894 he began the study of medicine at the Indiana Medical college as a student of the eminent Dr. J.W. Marsee, and was graduated in the spring of 1897. He immediately began practice with Dr. Franks and has thus formed a decidedly strong partnership of competent professional men. On last Christmas he was married to Miss Gertrude Koontz of Henry County. He is a member of the Odd Fellows.
The only drug store in the town is that of Messrs, Eden & Co. and it is a model one at that. In it we found all kinds of drugs and druggist's sundries, paints, oils, school books and school supplies, also window glasses in all sizes, and a fine line of jewelry and articles too numerous to mention. the largest line of cigars and tobacco in town are to be found in this store. In a spacious room adjoining this drug store, Mr. Eden is opening a gents' furnishing store that means much for the town, keeping as it will many dollars at home that are weekly spent in the larger towns for up-to-date wearing apparel. Jas. E.L. Eden was born in Fleming County, Kentucky in 1867. In 1874, he came to this county with his father and settled on the farm, acquiring his education here. He entered the post office here under President Cleveland's first administration as deputy postmaster. This he filled creditably for ten months, then he started in the dry goods business in old Losantville. He sold out and in 1889 began the drug business, which he has since followed with the exception of short intervals he was engaged in the business elsewhere. Mr. Eden is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Pythians and is a member of the Indiana Pharmaceutical Association and a registered pharmacist. He is a staunch and public spirited citizen in addition to his being a business success.
George W. Lamb is a congenial merchant of Losantville. Mr. Lamb was born in Henry County in 1849, and was schooled and raised in Wayne County. Fifteen years ago he began the mercantile business at Dalton, but had spent fourteen years before that time as the village blacksmith there. Mr. Lamb twice married, his second wife formerly Miss Dora Mills yet survives, as does five of the siz children that blessed this union, and a son by his first wife. He came here two years ago and started the business he is now engaged in. He conducts a first class meat market and grocery store, handling fresh bread and cakes. Aside from his store he is landlord of the Home Hotel, a popular and pleasant place to stop. He also has the management of the Home Telephone exchange, which line he built here and has under his care attained a good patronage. He has built two lines for this company and his services would be indispensable in Losantville. Mr. Lamb is serving his second term as town councilman in the second ward. He is a hale fellow well met. His son Cal C. Lamb is his able assistant at all times.
H.H. Wiggins is the blacksmith of Losantville and is a good one too. He is another of the mechanics who knows how to prevent interfering, stumbling and forging in horses and he knows how to repair a wagon, carriage or buggy. He can repair any kind of a bicycle, but horse shoeing is his main forte and he is surely adept at it judging from his patronage and the good words spoken of him by his neighbors. He has worked at his trade for but five years, starting without a dollar, and he has persevered to the extent that he now owns his home and shop. Mr. Wiggins is 32 years of age, and he has twice been married. His present wife was formerly Miss Stella McCollum, of Losantville. Mr. Wiggins is the father of four children who are all living. He is an Odd Fellow and a member of the O.U.A.M.
The manufacturing industry of the town is the sawmill. William Gephart, of New Castle, who has been in the timber business for 39 years, is it's owner and manager. This is a large circle saw mill with a capacity of 15,000 feet daily, and the only one so large in this county: in fact it is the largest on the Big 4 railroad between Springfield, Ohio and Indianapolis. Seven years ago Mr. Gephart purchased the mill of James Williams and has since made good money at the business. He employs from 10 to 20 hands, pays cash for his labor and all purchases and with his splendid business ability combined he has made this mill what it is now and this points to a good market for logs. He is among the oldest men engaged in this business being 65 years of age and yet active, but would be willing to retire from his labors if a willing buyer could be found.
The only exclusive meat market in Losantville is owned by Mr. J. Parker, who commenced this business the 13th of last December, reopening the old Lumpkin stand. Mr. Parker sells all kinds of fresh and cured meats, vegetables, fresh bread, cakes etc. It is noted that he exhibits a pride as to cleanliness and is a very courteous merchant besides. He was born in Wayne County in 1863 and was raised on a farm. Early in life he took an especial interest in butchering and now has become most proficient at it. Ten years ago Mr. Parker was re-married to Mrs. Joseph Thompson, his first wife having died sometime prior. Mr. Parker holds license as a local minister in the Methodist church and is active in Sabbath school work. He is one of the much needed examples in business life-a Christian man.
Losantville's most attractive store is the hardware stock owned by Mr. E.C. Priddy. It is located in the new opera house building in a clean room 80 feet deep and 20 feet wide with a smooth oiled floor and about 1600 feet of display space. A pleasant feature of the store is it's arrangement of stock. Upon entering it the eye is attracted by a beautiful line of stoves-heating stoves, ranges and cook stoves, and on either side is a brilliant display of tinware and hardware. The showcases contain assortments of fine cutlery, locks, tools etc. Harness and horse clothing are made most conspicuous towards the rear and on all hands there is indication that this is a hardware store worthy of it's name even in a city many times the size of Losantville. Mr. Priddy opened his business here just last Jube and in so short a time has already secured an enviable business, drawing trade from the nearby to wns and county seats as well. Mr. Priddy is impressed with Losantville and the county in general and the people are certainly impressed with him in return.
The Leeka Hotel has been operated most successfully for the past eight years by Mrs. H.J. Hiatt, who was in the business for ten years previous at Trenton. The hotel is most convenient to the depots. It is reputed for clean beds and good table service. The rates are $1.00 per day.
This ends our pleasant trip to Losantville and a hearty welcome will be extended to all readers of the Journal who may come to this "booming" town.
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