Clodfelter - Noah
Source: Montgomery County, Indiana Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana (Chapman Brothers, 1893) p 558
Noah J. Clodfelter, poet.
"Blessings be with them
and eternal praise,
who gave us nobler loves
and nobler cares;
The poets, who on earth have made us heirs,
of truth and pure delight by heavenly lays."
It is with the utmost satisfaction that the biographer places before the reader of this record a brief notice of the talented gentleman whose name appears at the opening of this article. In these practical days the poetic fire with the gentle, dreamy temperament belonging to it, comes too seldom to the notice of the world. When among us is born one of the gifted, the life of this individual holds superior interest, as the existence of a different kind of being. The subject of the present sketch was born in Alamo, Indiana Dec. 14, 1853 and he has been affectionately and proudly named, "The Wabash Poet." He is scarcely conscious of the time when his thoughts did not run in rhythm, some of his published poems having been the emanations from the pen of a lad of only 17. Perhaps the best known and most ambitious booKnights of Pythiasoems is the one entitled, "Early Vanitas." This is to be found in most of the larger libraries, and although it has received slashes from the critics, Mr. Clodfelter can point even now to the critics of Shakespeare. Our subject has not confined his pen to poetry, his novel, Snatched from the Poor House, having been kindly received, and having had a sale of 4000 copies. His first publication took place in 1866, since which time he has contributed to the papers and periodicals over the country. His residence is at "Knoll Cottage," a beautiful home erected at a cost of over $20,000. Probably more will be heard from this western poet in the future. Inspiring themes are not lacking and the valley of the Wabash has many spots beautiful enough to encourage the poetic flame. 1880 - Noah J. Clodfelter of Alamo originates the use of electric currents on railroads for interurban service. -- typed by kbz
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Source: Montgomery County, Indiana Waveland Independent ? 1899
Noah Clodfelter It is reported that Noah J. Clodfelter, who, a year or so ago, attained considerable noteriety by his promotion of electric railway enterprises in central Indiana is now at the home of his brother, ME Clodfelter in Crawfordsville and he is in a lamentable condition. His mind is a wreck and his physical health is not much better. He fancies that certain parties are hastening to Crawfordsville from the far West to present him with a million dollars, and scatters this suppositious wealth with a lavish hand. A few years ago, Clodfelter organized a mutual life insurance company in Crawfordsville and for a while it was a great success. It finally fell into disrepute and its officers were made defendants in several law suits. Clodfelter's elegant home in Crawfordsville, "Knoll Cottage," was lost to him in the crash and he left Crawfordsville in disgust, denouncing nearly everybody in town. He had previously written considerable so-called poetry and after he left Crawfordsville he published a book - a lengthy, wandering poem - abusive of the town and many of its best citizens and organizations. He hurled the wildest kind of invective upon those who had incured his displeasure and even cast reflections upon those who had been steadfast friends. Many looked upon this book as an evidence that he had failed mentally, as in former times he had been regarded as an easy going man, with no malice in his disposition. His electric railway schemes were regarded by the people of Crawfordsville as the vagaries of a diseased mind and but little surprise was manifested when he was brought there the wreck he is now.
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Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Review 29 Oct 1887
Mr. Clodfelter, the author, has sent on to the publishers the manuscript for his new work of fiction, "Snatched from the Poor House." The book will contain 360 pages will be issued about Dec 15. The publishers are T. Peterson & Bro, Philadelphia. 10,000 copies will constitute the first installment for which Mr. C. receives $1,000.
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Source: Weekly Argus News May 30, 1896 p 3
A special from Anderson announces that Noah J. Clodfelter, the orginator of the scheme to connect all of the Indiana gas belt cities by an electric railroad, says that he now is ready to put the road through and that work will begin on it between June 1 and 7 and that it will be completed and in operation by Oct 1 with cars running between Anderson and Marion. He has paper which show that he now has associated with him one of the oldest and best known railway men in the nation and a man of unlimited means. Only the main line bween Anderson and Marion will be built this year, but it is the intention to not only connect all of the gas belt cities, next year, but make one of the terminals at Indianapolis . He has his right of way between Anderson and Marion and part of the material has already arrived.
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Source: Saturday Press Attica, Ind -- 5-4-1901
Noah J. CLODFELTER of Crawfordsville died at the Central Hospital for the insane at Indianapolis mo nday night aged about 48. He had been an inmate of the hospital for almost two years. Mr. Clodfelter lived in Jackson Twp this county for a good many years and taught school until his removal to Crawfordsville where he practiced law and wrote a number of popular novels and poems.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana (Chapman Brothers, 1893) p 558 -- Noah J. Clodfelter -- poet. "Blessings be with them and eternal praise, who gave us nobler loves and nobl er cares; The poets, who on earth have made us heirs, of truth and pure de ight by heavenly lays." It is with the utmost satisfaction that the biographer places before the reader of this record a brief notice of the talented gentleman whose name appears at the opening of this article. In the se practical days the poetic fire with the gentle, dreamy temperament belonging to it, comes too seldom to the notice of the world. When am ng us is born one of the gifted, the life of this individual holds superior interest, as the existence of a different kind of being. The subject of the present sketch was born in Alamo, Indiana Dec. 14, 1853 and he has been affectionally and proudly named, "The Wabash Poet." He is scarce y conscious of the time when his thoughts did not run in rhythm, some of his published poems having been the emanations from the pen of a l ad of only 17. Perhaps the best known and most ambitious book of poe ms is the one entitled, "Early Vanitas." This is to be found in most of t he larger libraries, and although it has received slashes from the critic s, Mr. Clodfelter can point even now to the critics of Shakespeare. Our subject has not confined his pen to poetry, his novel, Snatched from the Po or House, having been kindly received, and having had a sale of 4000 copies. His first publication took place in 1866, since which time he has cont ributed to the papers and periodicals over the country. His residence is at "Knoll Cottage," a beautiful home erected at a cost of over $20,0 00. Probably more will be heard from this western poet in the future. In spring themes are not lacking and the valley of the Wabash has many spots beautiful enough to encourage the poetic flame.
Source: Waveland Independent, Friday, May 3, 1901
N.J. Clodfelter, formerly an Alamo poet, but latterly a financier and railroad promoter died in the insane hospital at Indianapolis Monday night.
Source: "Lines to N.J. Clodfelter, after Partaking of His Hospitality" from Dr. Joseph Russell
Kind, sir within my memory's stored
A picture of your home and heart
And day by day it is encored
In justice to your noble worth
Its site rests on the city's crest
Long lines of view are amplified,
Your mansion oneo f art the best,
Aloft it stands - is dignified.
Two little cherubs light your way,
And wing your soul with raptures sweet
By prattle of their little tongues
And patter of their tiny feet
Between the threshold and the gate,
A gushing fountain pure and free,
Where fishes in their lithe estate
Glide through its waters leisurely
Here too are dragons, just a pair,
Their coiling tails are intertwined
Inanimate - but eyes aglare
Their savageness is well defined
On thes old Neptune proudly stands
And blows the waters into spray,
His limbs well set and lifted hands
Proclaim him sovereign night and day
Like him persistent let us be;
Continuous effort wins the prize/
To one whose work is masterly
An open door forever lies
May fortune kindly bless your store,
And amplify your good estate
If my good-will could give thee more
'Twould rank thee with the good and great."
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 21 Jan 1888 p 1
“Snatched from the Poor House” – Upon our desk lies a small volume of near 300 pages – a novel, with the above fantastic title. It is the work of our fellow townsman, NJ Clodfelter, who is now known for and wide as the author of Early Vanities, a volume of poems which had a most remarkable sale. The volume is dedicated to his wife and two little daughters, “who sat by my side and watched the growth of little Gracie, sharing in her joys and sorrows alike.” The story is pleasingly told and is practical in its teachings, pointing out vividly the benefits of life insurance and the salvation of a family from pauperism and crime. The heroine, Grace Westbrook is a collier’s daughter and the hero, her champion in the unequal fight against the wolf of poverty is one of the poorest of the poor men digging black diamonds for a Pennsylvania corporation. Little Gracie, as baby, maiden, woman will enlist the sympathies of every reader and the story of her sacrifices and those of Joe Billings, will bring tears to the eyes of the most strong hearted. The author’s power of description is set forth in the work and shows him to be an excellent and skillful word painter. The death of little Benny, ravings of the conscience stricken Lebo and other portions show great descriptive power. It also stabs the conduct of many charitable institutions of these modern days and is particularly applicable to Indiana in the light of the recent investigations at the Hospital for the insane at Indianapolis. There is an element of love running through it all, and after all a novel without love, a life without its loves tory would be as barren and desolate, as a world without a flower and children. You will in this story fall in love with the pluck and energy of Gracie, the honesty of Joe Billings a diamond in the rough but still a diamond brighter than any ever blazing on the tiara of green. You will kindle to wrath when reading of the cruelties of the poor house keepers, shed tears over the coffing lid of little Benny and rejoice over the final emergency from gloom poverty’s night into the brightness of the living day. Purchase the book, read it and you will agree that Mr. Clodfelter has done his work well and will accord him his just need of praise.
A good Send Off – NJ Clodfelter this morning received the following letter from a Philadelphia gentleman well known in the world of letters, in reference to his book just published by the Peterson’s
Philadelphia, PA Jan 16, 1888 – Dear Mr. Clodfelter – I have just finished reading “Snatched from the Poor House.” I must acknowledge to its author that never in my life have I read a story that affected me so much as the reading of this novel. We read it aloud in the family circle, during which time there was not a dry eye present, and it was yet funny to look around to see us all the time trying to brace up and laugh even in our tears. I doubt whether anyone will be able to read it through without shedding tear unless he is tear proof. The most effecting scenes (which Dickens never surpassed) are Gracie’s appear to the Trustee, Joe’s Visit to the Poor House, Gracie’s Meeting with Dr. Goodrich, Her visit to Joe’s Miserable Home, Little Bennie’s Death, Gracie’s appearance at Commencement at Thalia College, Her meeting with her old Grandfather and the climax of the story which surprises the reader so much that he will stop dumfounded. We read it tonight to a large audience of our friends. My family joins me in thanking your for this story. Ever yours, WR Cisna, MA