USA > Indiana > Clark County > Baird's history of Clark County, Indiana > Part 4
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Mr. Gienger is essentially a business man and as such ranks among the most enterprising and successful of the city in which he lives. He has so man- aged and prosecuted his affairs as to acquire a liberal share of this world's goods, a third interest in two successful canning factories in Jeffersonville and is also interested in a similar enterprise in the town of Henryville, besides holding considerable valuable real estate in both city and country and a large amount of personal property to say nothing of private investments which add very materially to his income.
Mr. Gienger's domestic life dates from 1885, on November 5th of which year he was united in marriage with Catherine Mosser, whose birth occurred in Kentucky, but who for some time prior to the date mentioned lived with her parents in the city of Jeffersonville. This union has been blessed with one child, a daughter by the name of Amelia, who is now a young lady, the pride of her parents and popular in the social circles of the city. The Gien- ger family is highly esteemed socially and religiously and the name is closely identified with charitable work and benevolent enterprises through which the deserving poor and unfortunate receive assistance.
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OSCAR THEODORE JOHNSON.
The family of which Mr. Johnson is a representative has been identified with the history of Clark county since the pioneer period, his grandfather, Stephen Johnson, having been among the early ministers of this part of the state and one of the first to preach the doctrines of Methodism to the few scattered settlers who subscribed to the faith of that church. Stephen John- son was a man of good mind and sound practical sense, a devout Christian and an influential minister who hesitated not to declare the whole counsel of God as he understood it, and for a number of years his labors in this and other fields throughout Southern Indiana were greatly blessed. He not only visited the scattered pioneers in the wilderness and preached and otherwise instructed them in their humble cabin homes, but frequently conducted public worship in the towns, and to him belongs the credit of organizing a number of societies in a field which even at this date feel the effect of his teaching and the influence of his consecrated and God-fearing life.
John R. Johnson, son of Stephen and father of Oscar Theodore, was born in Clark county and grew to maturity in Oregon township, where he lived until about the year 1883, when he removed to his present place of residence in the village of Utica. In his young manhood he married Susan Fields, also a native of Oregon township, and in due time became the father of three children, two sons and one daughter, namely, Dr. J. W. Johnson, practicing physician of Utica; Oscar T., whose name introduces this sketch, and Stella, who married William Martin, of Louisville, Kentucky, and resides in that city.
Oscar Theodore Johnson, whose birth occurred on the 3d day of Decem- ber. 1873, spent his early life in Oregon township and received his education in the public schools of Utica. While a mere lad he entered his father's barber shop in that town and under the latter's instruction soon became proficient in the trade, which he followed with gratifying success until the year 1898, when he accepted employment as guard of the Indiana Reformatory. After filling that position to the satisfaction of the management of the institution for a period of five and a half years, he resigned to become special officer in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, the duties of which he dis- charged in a creditable manner for fourteen months, during which he devoted his attention closely to the interests of the corporation, proving faithful to the important trust reposed in him, and rising high in the esteem and confidence of his superiors. Severing his connection with the road at the expiration of the time indicated Mr. Johnson joined the police force of Jeffersonville and for a period of two years bore his full share in maintaining the peace and quietude ot the city.
Resigning from the force at the expiration of two years Mr. Johnson was
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nominated by the Republican party for the office of Sheriff. being opposed by a popular candidate backed by a normal Democratic majority of four hundred. Notwithstanding the formidable strength of the opposition and his apparent hopeless outlook he entered boklly into the campaign and with his accustomed vigor and energy conducted a canvass which extended to every part of the county, resulting in triumph at the polls, defeating his competitor by 186 votes. running far ahead of his ticket and being the only Republican candidate elected that year. Mr. Johnson's nomination by acclamation and signal vic- tory in a reliably Democratic county were complimentary to his sterling worth and personal popularity with the people irrespective of political allignment. and since taking charge of his office on January 1. 1908, his able and judicious course has fully justified the wisdom of his election.
Mr. Johnson on June 22. 1898, was married to Mollie Conlen, daugh- terof James and Winnie Conlen, of Jeffersonville, the father deceased, the mother still living in Clark county. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have a pleasant and attractive home in Jeffersonville and move in the best social circles of the city, having many warm friends and admirers among those with whom they mingle and a popularity extending to the limits of their acquaintance.
Fraternally Mr. Johnson belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, and the Union Fraternal League. in all of which organi- zations he is active and influential, besides holding various positions of honor and trust. Mrs. Johnson is identified with the Women's Relief Corps and belongs to the Catholic church.
HENRY F. DILGER.
Mr. Dilger. a prominent local attorney, is a native of Perry county. In- diana, where his birth occurred on the 26th day of February, 1865. being the son of Joseph and Rosina (Brugger) Dilger. These parents came from Baden. Germany, a number of years ago, and were married about the year 1858 in Perry county, Indiana, where the father followed agricultural pur- suits for a livelihood. Subsequently they removed to Michigan, thence to Spencer county, Indiana, where they spent the remainder of their days, the mother dying in 1884, the father in 1891. Their family consisted of three children. namely: John W., who lives in Missouri: Benjamin, a resident of Jeffersonville, engaged in the river trade, and Henry F .. whose name appear: above. By a previous marriage Mrs. Dilger had two sons and a daughter. whose names are as follows: Theodore H. Dilger, a farmer and miller of Spencer county. Indiana, and a large land holder in Alabama: Robert W. Dilger. a mechanic of Louisiana, Missouri, and Freda, who married Peter Weidner, a grocer of Jeffersonville.
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Henry F. Dilger was educated in the schools of Michigan and Spencer county. Indiana, and spent his early life in close touch with nature on the farm. At the age of fourteen he began working for himself as a farm hand and later was employed for some time in a mill. the meanwhile husbanding his earnings with the greatest care for the purpose of adding to his scholastic knowledge. At the expiration of five years he was enabled to carry out a desire of long standing by entering the Crawford county Normal School, which he attended until completing the prescribed course, thus fitting him- self for teaching, a work to which he had long been favorably inclined. After teaching two years in the district schools of Crawford county he went to Ken- tucky, where he devoted one year to educational work but at the expiration of that time returned to Indiana and spent the ensuing two years in Jefferson- ville, township schools, the meanwhile earning an honorable reputation as a capable and painstaking instructor.
Not caring to make teaching his permanent work Mr. Dilger in 1893 took up the study of law at Aurora, Indiana, in the office of McMullen & McMullen and later entered the law department of the Central Normal School at Danville, where he made substantial progress in the profession be- sides attaining a high standard as a close and diligent student. Returning to Jeffersonville he continued his legal studies under the directon of George HI. Voigt, in whose office he remained until his admission to the bar in 1897. after which he devoted the greater part of the ensuing three years to educa- tional work, not beginning the practice of his profession until 1901. In the latter year Mr. Dilger opened an office in Jeffersonville and in due time gained his proportionate share of legal patronage. With a spirit born of a determina- tion to succeed Mr. Dilger persisted in the course upon which he set out and by ably and faithfully attending to such business as came to his office, he soon gained the reputation of a capable and thoroughly honorable attorney. with the result that in due time he succeeded in securing quite a number of patrons and building a safe and fairly lucrative business. Since the year 1901 his legal career has compared favorably with that of the majority of the members of the Jeffersonville Bar, and at the present time he has a large and lucrative practice in the courts of Clark county, being esteemed a safe and reliable counsellor, a judicious practitioner who spares no reasonable efforts in behalf of his clients and whose ability before judges and juries seldom fail . In win verdicts for the causes he represents.
While devoted to his profession he is also interested in public matters and political affairs, being one of the influential Democrats of Jeffersonville and a leader of his party in both city and county. He has served several years as Treasurer of the County Central Committee and as a campaigner lis services have been especially valuable, being a judicious adviser and ag- gressive worker. In May, 1904. he was made City Attorney of Jeffersonville
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and discharged the duties of the position with credit and ability until Sep- tember of the year 1906. this being the only public office he has ever held or to which he has ever aspired.
Mr. Dilger is a member of the Tell Lodge. No. 272, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Jeffersonville. in which he holds the title of past grand and in the general deliberations of which he takes an active and influential part. having served one term of three years as trustee and recently re-elected to that office. His domestic experience dates from the 28th day of December. I898. at which time he was united in marriage with Annie L. Meyer. of Jeffer- sonville, daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth Meyer, natives of Germany and Indiana respectively. the union resulting in the birth of one son. Frank H., who first saw the light of day December 6th of the year 1899.
JOHN R. JOHNSON.
Now in the sixty-second year of his age Mr. Johnson can review with pride an unblemished business career, and a war record so meritorious that it won for him recognition from the great commonwealth of Indiana in the way of a medal of honor. Despite the crude educational facilities of his boy- hood days he is regarded as one of the leading literary lights of the town in which he lives, Utica, Indiana. being a man of wide knowledge of the world.
John R. Johnson's native heath is Scott county. Indiana. having been born there August 14. 1846, the son of Stephen and Lavina (Williams) John- son. Scott county was also the place of nativity of the parents, and they spent the greater portion of their lives there. The father, a farmer, and a Methodist preacher, died at the age of sixty-three years, his wife surviving · him eleven years. They reared a family of four sons and four daughters. Sarah became the wife of John McClure, of Clark county ; William spent four years as a soldier in the Civil war, being adjutant of his regiment, and he is now engaged in the manufacture of brick in Illinois: John R. and David are twins, and the latter has for the last thirty years been in the concrete bus :- ness in Illinois : James is employed in the interurban service at Indianapolis: . Caroline is the wife of Samuel Ferguson. of Kansas: Martha is the widow of John Smith, and also resides in Kansas: Mary is the wife of William Owens and lives on the old home farm in Scott county.
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John R. was educated in a typical log school-house of the pioneer days. but as the result of a lifetime of study and investigation he is the possess" of a thorough education, few men with his limited opportunities being so well equipped intellectually. In May, 1864, he enlisted in the army as a mem- ber of Company K. One Hundred Thirty-seventh Indiana, and served one
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year. As stated in the introductory of this sketch he was presented a medal of honor by the state of Indiana as a recognition of his gallantry and valor on the field of battle. This medal is regarded as a sacred heirloom in the family. Returning from the army he engaged in business, and some time thereafter married Maria Susan Fields, a daughter of Milford and Samantha (Carroll) Fields, early pioneers of Clark county. The first home of the sub- ject and his wife was at Marysville, Clark county, where they lived for about six years. In the year 1886 they moved to Utica, Clark county, and built their present pleasant and comfortable dwelling. Three children have been born to them: Dr. William Francis is practicing medicine in Utica with great success : Oscar Theodore is the present Sheriff of Clark county . Estella is the wife of William Martin, chief clerk of a large mercantile establish- ment in Louisville. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson attend the Methodist Episcopal church, and they are counted as among its most faithful members. Po- litically Mr. Johnson is a Republican, having been identified with that party all of his life. He is always to be found in the councils of his party, and is known as one of its leaders locally. He never sought but one political office, however, and that was during the Harrison administration when he applied for the postmastership of Utica and was appointed to the position. He had the hearty endorsement of the people of the community generally, without regard to their political affiliations and he discharged the duties of the office in a highly satisfactory manner. Mr. Johnson is very much interested in local literary work, and particularly in lyceums and debating clubs.
WALTER G. SHADDAY.
The Shadday family in this country lived originally in North Carolina and from that state migrated to Indiana in an early day, and located in Swit- zerland county, of which they were among the first pioneers. George Shad- day, the grandfather of Walter G., was born in Switzerland county, but moved to the county of Ripley when a young man and there married and spent the remainder of his life. He served during the Civil war in the Forty-fifth In- diana Cavalry, participated in a number of campaigns and bloody battles and earned an honorable record as a brave and gallant soldier.
Walter G. Shadday, one of the leading real estate dealers of Clark county, also at the head of a thriving investment and insurance business, is a native of Indiana, born in the county of Ripley on the 3d day of December, 1882. His father, John H. Shadday, a well known contractor and builder of Jef- fersonville, was for many years a resident of Ripley county and a man of much more than ordinary standing and influence in the community honored
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by his citizenship. John H. Shadday has devoted the greater part of his life to the business which he now successfully follows. first in Ripley county. later in Jeffersonville, to which city he moved when his son, Walter, was a child and in which, since 1903, he has been the successor of Henry Pollock, for many years one of the largest contractors and builders in the southern part of the state. The maiden naire of the subject's mother was Arminta Spears ; she became the wife of Mr. Shadday in Ripley county and bore him one child while living there, to-wit: Walter G., whose name introduces this re- view. In addition to his long and successful business career John H. Shad- day has a military record of which he feels justly proud, having served five years in the regular army as an officer of Company A. Seventh United States Cavalry, during which time he experienced much active service in various parts of the country and earned honorable distinction by reason of duty ably and faithfully performed. Since retiring from the army he has devoted his · attention exclusively to his business affairs, though always interested in civic matters and taking an active part in politics, being a pronounced Democrat. but not ą partisan in the sense of seeking office or aspiring to leadership.
As already indicated Walter G. Shadday was a child when his parents transferred their residence to Jeffersonville and since three years of age his life has been closely identified with the city and its interests. After receiving a good education in the public schools he acquired a knowledge of practical affairs under his father's direction and in due time turned his attention to the lines of business in which he has since been engaged and in which he has achieved such marked financial success, namely. real estate, insurance and various kinds of investments, building up a large and lucrative patronage in Jeffersonville and vicinity. besides dealing extensively in real estate in Clark and other counties and states, all of which business resulted in liberal pro- fits and gained for him an honorable reputation as a safe and reliable business man. His investments both in his own name and for others have invariably proven satisfactory and profitable, and in the matter of loans he has also been successful. placing a large amount of money on real estate and other first class security, his operations in this department alone representing many thou- sands of dollars, annually, and yickling a large share of his income. He is the local agent for a number of the largest and most reliable insurance com- panies in the United States and foreign countries and his very extensive husi- ness in this line is steadily growing in magnitude and importance, comparing favorably with that transacted by any other man or firm in the city similarly engaged.
. He is a member of the Jefferson Social Club, and a prominent participant in its meetings and deliberations and his name is also found on the records of Lodge, No. 340. Free and Accepted Masons, in which ancient and bonorabic brotherhood he has risen to high standing, besides being honored at differen:
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times with important official positions. Although reared a Democrat his reading and investigations led him into the opposite political belief and ever since old enough to exercise the right of citizenship he has been an uncon- promising Republican, believing the principles and policies of the party to be for the best interests of the American Republic and having faith that in the future as in the past the party will continue to fulfill the grand mission which its founders had in view. An active worker in the ranks and a judicious ad- viser in party councils he has never entered the political arena as an office seeker, but contents himself with voting for his favorite candidates. He is married and still an inmate of the parental home. to the maintenance of which he is a liberal contributor and to the attractiveness of which he adds greatly.
THOMAS J. BROCK.
The career of Mr. Brock, who, though a young man with but limited ex- perience has made his example an inspiration to those who shall come after him and his presence a permanent benefit to those with whom he mingles. Thomas J. Brock, attorney-at-law, and one of the rising members of the Jef- fersonville Bar, was born on a farm near Borden, Clark county, Indiana. July 9. 1876. being one of three children whose parents. Francis M. and Abigail I. Brock, were natives of Washington and Clark county, respectively. Francis M. Brock was born near Martinsburg. Indiana, on the 22d day of July. 1849. and his wife first saw the light of day on the family homestead near Borden. November 7th of the year 1854. The family of this estimable couple consisted of three children, the oldest of whom, a daughter by the name of Cora May, died when six years of age. Thomas J., of this review, being the second in order of birth and John B., the youngest.
The early life of Thomas J. Brock, in close touch with nature on the farm, was conducive to well rounded physical development and accustomed to habits of industry from childhood he grew up with well defined ideas of life. its duties and responsibilities. After acquiring an elementary education in the public schools he entered the Borden Institute, where he made commend- alle progress in the higher branch of learning and earned an honorable record as a student. graduating in the Teachers Scientific and Academic courses in the year 1892. During the six years following his graduation Mr. Brock taught in the public schools of Clark county and gained worthy prestige as a capable and enterprising instructor, popular alike with pupils and patrons as is indicated by his long period of service in but few places of labor. Frem 1806 to 1807 inclusive he was principal of the town school of Borden, and while holding this position he took up the study of law which he subsequently
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prosecuted in the Borden Institute, his progress being such that he was duly admitted to the bar in IS98, since which year he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in Jeffersonville.
In September, 1900, Mr. Brock was appointed City Attorney of Jeffer- sonville, and held the office to the satisfaction of all concerned until May. 1904. proving an able and judicious public servant who spared no pains in looking after the interests of the people. Since retiring from office he has devoted his attention very closely to his profession and at the present time has a large and lucrative practice, standing in the front rank of the successful members of the local bar and being held in high esteem by his professional brethren as well as by the public at large. In connection with his profession :. ' duties Mr. Brock is also largely interested in religious work, being a zealous member of the Christian church, and since February, 1892, an ordained evangelist of the same. He is an able and forceful speaker. He occupies no small place in public favor and enjoying the confidence and esteem of the people of his city, and with a promising outlook before him there is ever" reason to believe that the past is but an earnest of the higher honors which shall come to him by reason of duty ably and faithfully performed.
Mr. Brock is a member of four fraternal organizations and an active and influential worker in each, namely, the Free and Accepted Masons, Modern Woodmen of America, Knights of Pythias and Order of Eastern Star, and in politics he is stanchly and uncompromisingly Democratic.
On December 3d of the year 1894. Mr. Brock and Ada A. Littell, daugh- ter of Milburn and Rachael Littell, were united in the holy bonds of wedlock. the union being blessed with two children, H. Curtis and Byron J .. aged twelve and ten years, respectively.
CAPT. EDMONDS J. HOWARD.
Captain Edmonds J. Howard: president of the Howard Ship Yards Com- pany, was born at Madison, Indiana, March 14, 1840. His father was the late Captain James Howard, the founder of the famous Howard yards, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. His mother was Rebecca Barmore. a native of Hamilton county, Ohio.
The family located permanently at Jeffersonville in 1848. where the father was engaged in boat building, and here the son grew to manhood. He re- ceived his education in the public and private schools of Louisville, and after- wards attended the Kentucky Military Institute at Frankfort, Kentucky.
Before he had become of age he had entered business life, and following his father's example had turned to the river. In 1860 he went to the South
RESIDENCE OF CAPTAIN E. J. HOWARD, PORT FULTON.
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and served as clerk on a steamboat running up Ouchita river. Here the break- ing out of the War of the Rebellion found him, and realizing the need of his presence at home he severed his connection with the boat and started North. Reaching Jeffersonville after many difficulties he entered the employ of the United States government as a clerk in the Ordnance Department, but re- mained there but a short while, leaving to become connected with his father's yards. His career in the boat building business has not been one of easy suc- cess, but rather a fight to master the business from the first to the last detail. He began as an apprentice and learned every department of boat building by actual contact with the work. In 1865 the firm of James Howard became Ymes Howard & Company. by the addition of John C. Howard, a brother. and Edmonds J. Howard. In 1876, upon the death of his father, he bought all of his father's interest in the company and several years later also that of his uncle John C. The firm was then known as the E. J. Howard, and as such has turned out a vast fleet of magnificent steamers, as well as a large number of smaller water craft for the Mississippi Valley and the Gulf coast rivers. Boats have been built at his yards for the waters of Central America, and the first large steamers to ply the Yukon river in Alaska were contsructed by him, shipped to Dutch Harbor and put together there. For beauty, speed and con- struction the boats from the Howard yards at Jeffersonville stand as the peer of any on the rivers of the West, and all show the result of the experience and skill at the head of the business. Captain Howard's business ability is not limited to the plant at Jeffersonville, for in 1905 he acquired the Marine Ways at Cincinnati, Madison, Paducah, Kentucky; and Mound City, Illinois, all operated under separate organizations except the plants at Madison and Jeffersonville. At present this business, known as the Howard Shipyards Company, is the most extensive inland ship building industry in the United States. It has been in continuous operation since 1848 with the exception of a short period in 1860. At times the ship yard at Jeffersonville has employed as many as four hundred men, and it is considered one of the most successful businesses of the kind in the United States.
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