The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-23
HGED INDIANA PIONEERS.
THE CAREERS OF DIR. HIBBERD AND
COL. DENNIS, OF RICHMOND.
Worst Fire in the History of Browns
town Destroys "a Number of Busi-
ness BIOcks-state News.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
RICHMOND, Ind, Nov. 22.-Two pioneer
residents of Indiana with careers of more
than local interest are Dr. James F. Hib-
berd and Col William T. Dennis. both of
this city, who are now each aged eighty
two. DR.. Hibberd is known as Richmond's
grand old man." He was born near New
Market, Frederick county, Maryland, Nov.
A. 1875 In 1S39-40 he began attending lee
lures in the medical department of Yale
College, and in 1910 he commenced prac-
ticing at Salem, o. In 1S4S he entered the
College of Physicians and Surgeons New
York, from which he graduated the follow
ing year. He was Immediately appointed
surgeon of the steamship Senator, which
made trip to the Amazon river, Rio
Janeiro, st. GATHERINGS, Patagonia and Chile
and the Pacific coast of South and Central
America, thence to San Francisco, the voy-
age consuming seven and a half months
DR.. Hibberd remained in the last named
city until 1856, practicing medicine and deal
ing in real estate. He then spent a year
in New York reviewing his medical informal
ton. In 1856 he opened an office in Dayton
o., but shortly afterward moved here Dur
ing the season of 1S60-6i he filled the chair
or physiology and general pathology in the
Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati
DIR. Hibberd has been a member of the
CITY, county. District State, Tri-state
ROCKY Mountain and American medical as
sociauonS, and has been the president of
each, the last named association having
conferred that honor on him at Milwaukee
In 1893. lie has written number of medical
essays and within the past few years has
reviewed large number of medical books
for a prominent journal. Outside of his
medical work he spent the years 1869-70 in
European travel, served in the Ohio State
legislature two years, served in the local
City Council two years, served one term
mayor OF the city, was a member of the
Ohio Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows, and
served as high priest in the encampment
at Dayton, o. He is still giving his atten-
ton to his practice, making daily calls. For
nineteen years he has been county health
officer, from which position he will retire
ance he much resembles the late William e.
Gladstone, which is one reason for his title
OF grand old man."
Colonel Dennis was born in Cayuga coun-
ty, New York, June H. 1876 His life up
to the time that he came to Cincinnati, in
1874, was that of salesman and store keep
ef. soon after he commenced the publica-
ton of the Sunday News, which he sold the
following year. In 1916 he settled on
where he introduced the Empire plow and
constructed the first center-draft and sub
soil pow. In 1S4S he became a resident of
this city, and was superintendent of the
manufacture of the famous Empire plow.
He introduced a screw press for bending
steel moldboards, together with a trip
steam The engine had a steam whistle. the
first ever heard in Richmond. In 1851, in
, company with the late d. p. Holloway, he
set about getting up a county fair, which
was a success, and in after years became
famous under his management, and led to
his being made general manager and super
intendent of the first Indiana state fair. held
in October, 1862. He took an active part in
the organization of the Indiana State Board
of Agriculture in January. 1852. In 1853 he
and Mr. Holloway began the publication of
the Indiana Farmer, the beginning of the
present Journal Of that name. Colonel Den
mis- afterward succeeded John b. Dillon as
secretary of the State Board of Agriculture
and originated many improvements in the
conduct Of state fairs. In 1861 he was ap-
pointed chief clerk of the agricultural di-
vision of the United States Patent Office
but shortly afterward Governor Morton APP
pointed him military state agent, with the
rank of colonel.
Among other important services to the
State and the community Colonel Dennis in
troduced the first self-raking reaper, the
first moving machine. the first imported
Shorthorn bull, the first Morgan stallion
and distributed the first sorghum seed and
gladiolus bulbs in the State He brought
the first steam fire engine to Richmond He
served several years in the City Council and
was assistant marshal under General Ben
jamin Barrisons father at the cattle show
of the United States Agricultural Depart
ment, held at Springfield, o.. in 1855. and
was superintendent of the horse department
of the United States Agricultural Societys
fair, held at Cincinnati. From 1889 to 1893
he served as Indiana fish commissioner,
having been appointed by Governor HOVey.
In his boyhood DAVIS Henry Mosler, the now
world famous artist. lived in Richmond, and
he received his first encouragement from
Colonel Dennis. One of the first things he
painted was a banner for the old volunteer
fire company of which Mr.. Dennis was
president and a little later he painted a
picture of Mr.. Dennis's dog. IT has only
been a short time since Mr.. MoSler ex-
changed q late picture for the one of Mr..