USA > Indiana > Greene County > Biographical memoirs of Greene County, Ind. : with reminiscences of pioneer days, Volume II > Part 12
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Otis G. Fields attended school at Owensburg, where he spent his youthful days in close application to his books
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for five years. Then he went to work in a store for Noah Brown, where he worked for seven years, giving entire satisfaction as a clerk. After this he farmed for several years. On May 18, 1895, he began work as a section hand; later he was promoted to foreman, which position he now holds, being considered by the company for which he works one of the best in their employ.
The subject was married March 21, 1889, to Attha Hennon, who was born and raised in Owensburg, where she received a common school education. The date of her birth was March 21, 1873. Her parents were old settlers in that vicinity. Seven children have been born to this union, who have survived infancy, namely: Ida Fay, deceased; Estella, Nola, Pansy, Mildred, Velma, James and Clayton, all living at home. The subject and wife are members of the Church of Christ, and the for- mer is a Republican in political belief, but takes no ac- tive part in politics. Mr. Fields is a great lodge man and his many friends say his daily life is clearly indicative that he lives up to the doctrines embodied in the laws governing the lodges with which he is affiliated. He joined the Masonic lodge at Hobbieville, No. 567, in 1902. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having been noble grand six times and twice a representative at the grand lodge. He has been through all the chairs of the Red Men's lodge, which he also represented at the grand lodge. He is a charter member of the Rebekah Lodge, No. 563. Mrs. Fields is also a member of the Rebekahs, having been past grand master.
Mr. and Mrs. Fields own a comfortable home in Owensburg, where they number their friends by the scores.
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WILLIAM A. CRAIG.
This enterprising business man and representative citizen is a native of Greene county, born in Stockton township on November 26, 1867, his family being among the earliest settlers in this part of the state, and for many years actively identified with the growth and development of Stockton township, where his father, Thomas Alexan- der Craig, a well-to-do farmer and a man of substantial worth departed this life in 1873. Jane McClaren, wife of Thomas A. Craig, and like him, a representative of one of the pioneer families of the above township, died in the year 1874, having borne her husband eleven children, of whom four are living, namely: Isaac F., a farmer residing near Fredonia, Kansas; Amanda A., wife of C. D. Hixson, of Linton ; Sarah E. who married Rev. E. Coffin, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, stationed at Anderson, this state, and William A., who is the youngest of the family.
John Craig, a brother of the subject, was killed in the army during the Civil war, five of the children dying in infancy; Mary E., who married H. M. Sherwood, died in 1908.
The father was also a soldier during the war between the North and the South, serving in an Indiana regiment from the beginning to the end of the struggle.
William A. Craig received his preliminary educa- tional training in the public schools of Greene county, and in the town of Spencer, and later fitted himself for a business career by completing a full course in Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College at Indianapolis. In the
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meantime he worked for a limited period in a furniture factory at Mound City, Illinois, and after finishing his business course returned to the same place where, during the ensuing two years he was employed as clerk in a grocery house. Severing his connection with that line of trade he engaged with a mercantile company at Knightsville and Brazil, Indiana, but after a year at those places went to Cairo, Illinois and accepted a posi- tion with the New York Dry Goods Company, a wholesale and retail house, which he represented for a part of the time as traveling salesman, and a part of the time in the wholesale department, remaining with the company about two years. At the expiration of the time indicated he entered the employ of the Andrew Lohn Bottling Company, in the city of Cairo, but after a year with that concern took service with the Backrow & Block Drapery Company, of St. Louis, where he remained three years, the meanwhile becoming familiar with the details of the business by a practical experience such as falls to the lot of few within so short a time.
In 1893 Mr. Craig engaged in business at Linton, Indiana, opening a grocery and feed store in connection with a bakery, this being his first venture as an independ- ent factor in the business world. After four years as proprietor of the establishment he became a member of the firm of Craig & Bryant, general merchants, and dur- ing the nine months this partnership lasted these gentle- men laid out an addition to Linton known by their names, this being the first important boom in the history of the place. Disposing of his interest in the business to his part- ner, Mr. Craig turned his attention to real estate and in-
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surance, in both of which he has built up an extensive and lucrative patronage, doing the largest business of the kind in the city, and in magnitude and importance second to no other man or firm in the county similarly engaged. In the matter of insurance his agency includes all the principal companies operating in the state and the business has grown steadily until it takes a very wide range represent- ing many thousand dollars annually with every prospect of still greater increase with each succeeding year. In the real estate he has in connection with the general business handled several additions to the town, and met with most gratifying success, the best evidence of his continuous prosperity being various material improvements which he has made to the town, notably, the substantial building in which the Linton Trust Company is located, the fine stone front in which he has his office, the beautiful modern brick dwelling on A street, Northeast, and others in dif- ferent parts of the town.
Mr. Craig was instrumental in organizing the Home Loan and Savings Association, of which he was secretary from 1902 to 1907, and was also the leading spirit in organizing the First National Bank of Linton, the Union Lumber Company, the Linton Opera House Company, the First National Bank of Jasonville, and the Linton Trust Company, of which he has been president since it was established in 1905.
At this time he is president of the New Union Lum- ber Company, organized in 1904, director of the Linton and Jasonville banks, sustains the same relation to the Home Loan and Savings Association, besides being sec- retary and treasurer of the Linton Opera House Com- pany.
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From the foregoing it can be easily seen that Mr. Craig is a man of wide and varied business experience and as the various interests with which his name is so intimately associated have fully met the high expectations of their founders and proven successful in all the term implies it is a compliment worthily bestowed to class him among those men of mature judgment, wise discretion, rare foresight and discriminating sagacity to whom the pub- lic naturally look for leadership in large and important enterprises.
Mr. Craig, as already indicated, is first of all a busi- ness man and has had little time or inclination to devote to political matters, having never aspired to public honors or sought official position at the hands of his fellow citi- zens. Nevertheless, he keeps in touch with the trend of affairs, is deeply interested in the success of the Republic- an party, which he has supported ever since old enough to wield the elective franchise and is consciencious in the discharge of all the duties devolving upon him as a man and citizen.
He has a beautiful and refined home in Linton, the presiding spirit of which is the intelligent and estimable lady to whom he was united in the bonds of wedlock December 4,1898, and who, prior to that time, bore the name of Grace M. Freeman. Mr. and Mrs. Craig have one daughter who answers to the name of Martha Gray Craig, born May 22, 1900.
Fraternally Mr. Craig is identified with the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks and the Pythian Brother- hood, belonging to the uniform rank of the latter organ- ization.
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THOMAS SHARPLES.
Thomas Sharples, who lives in Taylor township, is among the many foreigners who have come to this state, and, finding conditions so favorable for making an hon- est living, have preferred to remain here rather than re- turn to their native land. He was born in Lancashire, England. January 7, 1820. Although he went to school only one month, the subject is fairly well educated, having applied himself during spare moments throughout his life. He was compelled to work hard when a boy, coming with his parents to West Virginia when he was ten years old and remained with them until he was twenty, then moved to Ohio, but went back to West Virginia for a short time. Later he returned to Ohio, and in 1842 came to Greene county, Indiana, and in 1844 he entered eighty acres of land in Martin county. He married Catherine Nichols, a native of Lawrence county, Indiana, in 1843. She died in Taylor township in November, 1894, and he married Sarah Porter, widow of John Porter and a daughter of John Waggoner and Charity ( Baily) Wag- goner, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter a native of Tennessee. They located in Martin county. In- diana, where he lived by farming and where they both died. The subject had no child by either wife. His sec- ond wife had six children by her first husband, John Porter, namely: Charity, William, Christopher, de- ceased; Alma, Ida, Mary, deceased.
Thomas Sharples lived in Martin county, Indiana, until 1898, when he moved to Scotland, Indiana, and re- tired. He has four hundred and eighty acres of well im-
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proved land. After selling his farm in Martin county he bought two hundred acres in Washington township, Greene county. Later he purchased twelve acres near Scotland. He is a Democrat politically. His wife is a member of the Baptist church.
Thomas Sharples is the son of David and Alice (Waller) Sharples. The former was a farmer who came to America in 1830 and located in Wellsburg, West Vir- ginia. His wife and five children joined him the follow- ing year. He worked in the glass works as a mixer for two years, then he rented a farm and worked it for three years. He went to Coshocton county, Ohio, where he lived on a farm for ten years. Then he came to Greene county, Indiana, locating in Taylor township on a farm. Later he went to Monroe county, this state. His first wife died in Ohio. His second wife, who was Jane Mc- Kane, a native of Ireland, died in Monroe county. He was a Democrat and an Episcopalian. He had nine chil- dren by his first wife, namely: Ellen, John died in in- fancy, James, Mary, Thomas, David, William, Sarah and John. He had two children by his second wife, Robert and Andrew. He died in Monroe county, Indiana.
ABRAHAM SWANGO.
Among those in Greene county whose labors have profited alike themselves and the community in which they live is the gentleman whose name appears at the head
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of this sketch. Although Mr. Swango is not a leader in politics or a plunger in great industrial enterprises, he is regarded as a farmer who possesses sound judgment and great energy, the two qualities that go to make the successful man more than any other.
Abraham Swango was born in Kentucky, August 28, 1844, his birth occurring after his father's death. He was brought up on the old homestead, and being busily engaged in farming, had scarcely any time to at- tend school, consequently he has never been able to write, which fact he greatly regrets. However, he has suc- ceeded remarkably well for one being thus handicapped. He remained with his mother, helping support her after she moved from Kentucky to Dearborn county, Indiana, and his love and care for her was one of the noblest traits shown by our subject.
Although not yet seventeen years old when the dark clouds of rebellion gathered over this country, Mr. Swan- go left mother and friends, responding to President Lin- coln's call for loyal citizens to save the Union, and en- listed in Company D, Third Indiana Cavalry, and took part in all the engagements in which this regiment was involved while a part of the Army of the Potomac, the most notable engagements being the battles of Gettys- burg. Fredericksburg and the cavalry raid sent against Richmond. He passed through all this and was never wounded or in the hospital. He was regarded as a brave and efficient soldier, always ready to go into the hottest part of the battle if he was ordered to do so. After the war Mr. Swango returned to Dearborn county, Indiana, and resumed farming. In 1868 he was married to Per-
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villa Dill and to them was born one son, Forest A., a resident of Limsetone, Indiana. After they had been married less than two years the hand of death was laid upon the young wife and he was left with this son. His second marriage was to Kate Buhrlage, who also died in eighteen months from the date of her marriage. The subject's third marriage was to Julia Jackson, who also died early. His last marriage was to Rachel A. Rose, with whom he is now living. They were married July 30, 1877. She was born and reared in Greene county, her natal day falling on May 23, 1853. Her parents were natives of Kentucky, her father dying before she was born, leaving her mother with a family. School ad- vantages were denied the wife of the subject.
Nine children were born to this union, namely : Alta, the wife of Ernest Lehman, residents of Owens- burg; Dick, who also resides in Owensburg; Sallie, wife of Fred Rush; Bitha, wife of George Porter; Ella, wife of Delmer Foddrill; Grace and Maggie. All these chil- dren received a fairly good common school education.
Mr. and Mrs. Swango have numerous friends in the neighborhood where they reside, being regarded among the most honest as well as hard-working citizens of Jack- son township, and their children are all honored and well spoken of by their neighbors.
W. A. PORTER.
Among the energetic farmers of Greene county is the gentleman whose name appears above. The state- ment that improvements on Mr. Porter's farm are equal
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to any place in this part of the county is sufficiently in- dicative of the fact that he is progressive in the broadest sense of the term, all the external features of his property being in his favor. He is decidedly a public-spirited man. always being ready to lend his time and advice to any movement that looks to the betterment of his community in any way.
Mr. Porter is a native of Jackson township, Greene county, where he still resides, having believed from the first that better opportunities for him were to be found right at his door than in any other locality. The date of his birth occurred on December 18, 1839. He is the son of John T. and Elizabeth (Work) Porter. Members of the Porter family were originally from Germany, who settled in Maryland after they came to America. The father of the subject came to Virginia where he died, and his wife moved to Indiana, settling in Jackson township. where she resided until her death. When she first came to this county she had only eleven hundred dollars with which to invest in land, but being a woman of rare thrift she soon had a comfortable living. The Work family originated in Ireland.
M. A. Porter was married October 10, 1861, to Catherine Pugh, the wedding occurring in Pennsylvania. The subject and wife have six children, all married and doing well from a financial standpoint. They are John, Sarah, Mary, Joseph, Emma, Charles. While Mr. Porter had only a limited text-book education, yet he has educat- ed himself by general reading and study and by coming in contact with the world. He first learned the black- smith's trade, which he worked at in connection with
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his farm for a period of twenty-eight years. He was con- sidered one of the best blacksmiths of the township. He now owns two hundred and twenty-one acres of land which is kept in first-class condition. He finds time to raise excellent stock, being a breeder of Polled Angus cattle, having recently purchased some very fine speci- mens of this well known stock. He has always been a lover of horses and keeps a number of good ones about the place all the time. His judgment on horses and mules is regarded by his neighbors as being unexcelled by that of any man in the county.
Mr. Porter takes an active part in the political af- fairs of his county and he is a well known figure at local conventions, being a strong Democrat. In 1874 he was elected trustee of Jackson township by a vote of one hundred and seventy majority. The township was Republican by twenty votes. His official career lasted four years and was a success in every respect. In 1900 he was re-elected by a majority of thirty-nine votes, when the township went one hundred and eight Republican. This remarkable showing certainly speaks well for his standing in the township. He was the nominee of his party in the spring of 1908 for commissioner of the first district, and his nomination for this important position was generally regarded as a most fortunate one. Mr. Porter is a Royal Arch Mason.
Although his life has been a busy one, he has found time to travel some. He is a man regarded by everyone who knows him as being broad-minded and far-seeing, as well as thoroughly trustworthy.
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GEORGE FRANCIS MYERS.
George Francis Myers, one of the most highly skilled woodworkmen that ever labored in Greene county, who is just now closing a long career in this profession and entering upon the quiet life of a farmer, was born in. Bloomfield August 30, 1869. He attended the common schools of that city up to the seventh grade. From 1886 to 1890 he was on a farm. Then he learned the carpen- ter's trade under his father, which he made his life work. He was employed in L. H. Jones' planing mill at Bloom- field from 1892 until 1902. He worked for a time in the employ of Nordyke & Marmon as a millwright. In 1903 he left this company and took charge of a planing mill at Jasonville, Indiana, which he operated for eighteen months, when the mill was moved to Linton. He then went to Martinsville, Indiana, where he worked for the Southern Indiana Lumber Company for eighteen months. The company sent him to Benton Harbor. Michigan, where he remained a short time. He returned to Greene county and later went to Shelbyville. Indiana, where he worked in McClaren's lumber mills. But his health be- gan to fail and he gave up his work, moving back to Bloomfield in 1907. working at his trade until the spring of 1908. when he traded for thirty acres of land near that city and moved thereto in April, 1908. He is now en- gaged in farming in connection with his trade.
The subject was married December 24, 1891, to Georgia E. Catt, a native of Knox county, Indiana, and the daughter of George W. and Lidia (Glass) Catt, both natives of Knox county, who came to Greene county and
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purchased the flour mills at Bloomfield. In 1902 they moved to Oklahoma, where they now live on a farm. They are the parents of the following children: George, Granger, Royal, Laura, Nora, Bertha and Georgia, wife of Mr. Myers, our subject. Hiram Glass, grandfather of the subject's wife, was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion and died in Knoxville, Tennessee, of smallpox. Jacob P. Catt, the paternal grandfather of the wife of our subject, spent his entire life in Knox county, having been an extensive land owner and stock raiser, where he died in 1902, having been eighty-two years old.
George F. Myers is the son of William Henry and Susanna ( Plummer) Myers, the former having been born in Pennsylvania in 1845. He came with his father, Wil- liam D. Myers, to Greene county, Indiana, in 1856, set- tling in Washington township, where the grandfather of the subject died in 1874. There the father of the subject grew to manhood, where he learned the carpenter's trade with his father, which he followed until five years before his death. His disabilities resulting from his services in the army from 1861 until 1865 finally caused him to abandon his trade and he moved to a farm inherited by his wife, which is located in Washington township. When the first call for troops was made to suppress the rebellion Mr. Myers made an effort to get to the front, but he was too young and was rejected. He later applied and was assigned to Company C, First Indiana Heavy Artillery. He was wounded at Fort Spanish, Alabama. After the war he returned to Greene county and followed his trade, marrying in 1868 Susanna Plummer. Seven children were born to this union, all of whom are living and all
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being educated. They are: George F., the subject of this sketch; John W., Ora H., Laura G., Ralph W., William T. and Rena E. They are all married.
Two children have been born to George F. Myers, our subject, and wife. They are Mabel B. and Laura G., each living at home and attending the public schools. The former is studying music. Both the subject and his wife are active members of the Presbyterian church. The for- mer is a Democrat but he does not take a very active part in politics. Fraternally he is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Bloomfield, having first united with this lodge at Lyons. He has served all the stations in the lodge and has twice been representative in the grand lodge. He is a member of the Sons of Veterans. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen.
Mr. Myers lives up to his church and lodge beliefs, as any one who is acquainted with his daily life will tes- tify. Consequently he has justly gained the high esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
ROBERT SMITH.
The subject of this review is one of the strong char- acters who has contributed largely to the material wel- fare of the township in which he resides, being a lumber dealer and saw-mill man, and, as a citizen, public-spirited and progressive in all that these terms imply. For a number of years he has been prominently identified with
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the lumbering interests of Greene county, and as an im- portant factor in promoting its progress along social and moral lines as well as industrial his name well deserves a place in the record of its representative citizens.
Robert Smith is a native of Floyd county, Indiana, his natal day being September 30, 1866, the son of John and Mary Smith, both of whom died when he was four- teen years old, and he was thrown upon his own re- sources. He went "from pillar to post" and never had a chance to gratify his ambition and thirst for knowledge, but Mr. Smith had strong innate qualities that made up for his lack of text-book training and he went to work on a farm, later doing railroad work. So quickly did he be- come acquainted with the details of roadbed work that he soon became a contractor on his own account and fur- nished ties for the company constructing the road. He thus became familiar with the timber business, having been a keen observer and always looking out to better his condition. He located at Owensburg about 1874, having made and saved money enough to operate a saw-mill. So successfully did he manage this business that it has stead- ily grown until he now has four saw-mills in operation, and from a start with no capital whatever he has accu- mulated at least twenty thousand dollars, all of which he has made unaided. Mr. Smith is the owner of a fine home with every necessary convenience, pleasantly lo- cated in the best residential district of Owensburg.
The subject of this sketch was happily married March 15, 1888, to Minnie Eaton, who was born and reared in Greene county, where she attended school, re- ceiving a fairly good education. Three interesting chil-
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dren have been born into this home to add to its sun- shine. They are Curtis, Jessie and Juanita.
Fraternally Mr. Smith is an active member of the Red Men, having passed all the chairs of the lodge at Owensburg. While he is a loyal Republican and stands for clean politics, he seldom takes much interest in po- litical affairs.
The subject is admired by all who know him, be- cause he is a man of pleasing address and commendable traits, having mastered the details of his business him- self, learning it by careful observation and experience. and he is regarded by the people of the beautiful little village of Owensburg as being one of its most valued and best citizens in every respect.
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