USA > Indiana > Greene County > Biographical memoirs of Greene County, Ind. : with reminiscences of pioneer days, Volume II > Part 15
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1899, his wife preceding him to the grave January 3, 1878. The following are the names of the children born to this estimable couple : Catherine, whose birth occurred in 1851, and who is now living in Lincoln, Nebraska ; Elmer, born 1853, is a farmer and business man residing in Missouri; Simpson B., born 1854, is an attorney-at- law, practicing his profession at Bedford, Indiana ; John R., born 1856, lives in Newton, Kansas, where he prac- tices dentistry; Henrietta, wife of E. E. Foster, of Worthington, was born in 1858: Edward, born in 1861, lives on the old homestead in Lawrence county ; William, born 1863, died in Kansas ; Luther, born 1866, resides on the home farm, and Arthur, the subject of this review, whose birth occurred August 13, 1869.
Arthur Lowe spent his early life on the family home- stead near Harrisburg and attended at intervals the public and high schools of the vicinity. The training thus re- ceived was afterwards supplemented by a course in a commercial college at Terre Haute, where he prepared himself for a business career. After finishing his educa- tion in the latter institution, he spent two years with a grocery house in Worthington, at the expiration of which time he affected a co-partnership with J. M. Foster in the furniture and undertaking business at the same place, the firm thus constituted being afterwards dissolved, Mr. Lowe taking charge of the undertaking department and his associate the other line of trade.
During the three years following Mr. Lowe devoted his attention exclusively to undertaking, and built up quite a lucrative patronage which, in company with A. L. Milam, he still controls, this establishment being thor-
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oughly equipped with every convenience, and the only one of the kind in Worthington at the present time. At the expiration of the period indicated he accepted the position of bookkeeper in the Exchange Bank, and after discharg- ing the duties of the same in an able and creditable man- ner for about seven years, was promoted assistant cashier of the institution, which place he still holds.
Mr. Lowe's business career presents, a series of con- tinued advancements, and by a steady application, wise foresight and sound judgment he has pushed steadily forward, until he now occupies a conspicuous place among the enterprising men of the town and county. He is an able and accomplished accountant, familiar with all the details of banking, and, by reason of faithfulness and efficiency in the discharge of his duties, has the implicit confidence of his employers, besides enjoying to a marked degree the esteem of his fellow citizens.
Mr. Lowe is a Republican, and as such wields a strong influence for his party, having served as a mem- ber of the municipal board and at this time holds the office of town treasurer. He also manifests an abiding interest in public affairs, is untiring in his efforts to promote the advancement of Worthington along material and other lines, and is justly regarded as one of the enterprising men of the place and a leader in movements having for their object the general good.
Mr. Lowe was happily married on the eighth of June, 1893, to May L. Short, of Worthington, daughter of Dodderidge and Loraine ( Kelsey) Short. Fraternally the subject belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and reli- giously is identified with the Christian church. Mrs. Lowe is a Methodist.
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ELMER R. CRAVENS, A. M., M. D.
Devoted to the noble and humane work of alleviat- ing the suffering and bringing sunshine and happiness to the home of the sorrowing and afflicted, the subject of this sketch has achieved distinction in his chosen sphere of endeavor, and among his professional brethren as well as by the general public, he is recognized as a leading physician and surgeon in a field long noted for the high order of its medical talent. A lofty purpose, diligent study and devotion to duty are some of the means by which he has made himself successful.
The Cravens family in this country is traceable to the Penn Colony, in Pennsylvania, where the Amer- ican branch was founded by Low Cravens, a mem- ber of the Society of Friends, and a man of high charac- ter and strong personality. His immediate descendants were among the substantial settlers of Philadelphia, in the heart of which city they secured possession of five acres of land, which long remained in the family name. In the course of time representatives moved to other parts of the country and became indentified with the settlement and growth of various other states, others remaining in the commonwealth where the founder of the family originally located. John C. Cravens, the Doctor's father, was born in Pennsylvania in 1808, came to Indiana when young and settled near Bethlehem, Clark county, at which place, he met and married Nancy Menneaugh, whose birth oc- curred in Virginia in 1816. Subsequently he entered land in Jefferson county, which he cleared and improved and which is still in posession of his descendants. He
E. R. Ceravens
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followed agriculture for a livelihood, was successful in the accumulation of worldly wealth, and departed this life near Hanover, this state, in 1886, his wife dying the following year. Of their large family of twelve children eleven are living, namely: Adeline, James, Angeline, John, Elizabeth, Thomas, Louisa, William, Robert, Mil- ton and Elmer R .; the only one deceased being a son by the name of Samuel C., M. D., of Bloomfield (a sketch of whom is elsewhere in this volume).
Elmer R. Cravens was born February 1, 1862, in Jefferson county, Indiana, and spent the early part of his life amid the healthful airs and rugged discipline of the farm. After a preliminary training in the public schools of his native place he entered Hanover College, where, in due time, he was graduated, as were also three of his brothers, who were students at the same time, all acquitting themselves with honor and becoming distinguished in the calling to which their talents are devoted, four entering the medical profession and one becoming a minister of the Gospel. Finishing his literary education, the Doctor took up the study of medicine, and in 1888 was graduated from the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville, immediately after which, in July of the same year, he opened an office at Marco, Greene county, where he practiced continuously for twelve years, meeting with signal success the meantime, and achieving honorable repute in his profession. At the expiration of the period indicated he found a larger field for the exer- cise of his talents in Linton, to which city he removed in September, 1900, and in which he has steadily advanced in the line of his calling until he now ranks, as before stated. not only among the leading men of his prefession in
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Greene county, but also enjoys worthy prestige among the most distinguished physicians and surgeons of the state.
Dr. Cravens has a large and lucrative practice and in addition to his general practice he is local examiner for several fraternal organizations and life insurance com- panies, besides being a leading member of the Greene County Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Asso- ciation and the American Medical Association, with each of which he keeps in close touch and in the deliberations of which he is a frequent and influential participant. From the beginning of his professional career to the present time Dr. Cravens' advancement has been rapid and per- manent. The result of constant research has made him an authority among his professional brethren of Linton and vicinity. In the prime of vigorous mental and physical manhood, with a professional reputation second to none of his compeers and possessing the confidence and esteem of the public he bids fair to achieve still greater distinc- tion as the years go by, and win a place high on the roster of Indiana's eminent medical men. The Doctor holds membership with the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, the Ben-Hur and Modern Woodmen of America : and in religion is a Methodist, in politics a supporter of the Democratic party.
He was married on the 28th of August, 1888, to Nettie Jackson, of Jefferson county, Indiana, the union being blessed with three children, Hugh, Elmer and James, all students of the Linton schools. He owns one hundred and fifty acres of land in Greene county, Indiana, and is a stockholder in several of the leading business industries of Linton and is the owner of considerable business and residence property in Linton.
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HON. WILBER A. HAYS.
One of the best known men in Greene county in public and political affairs, Hon. Wilber A. Hays, has not only won a commanding place among his fellow citizens locally, but in important official trusts has made his pres- ence felt in shaping and directing matters in which the people of the state at large have an abiding interest, having: stamped his individuality upon the community in measures for the common good.
Wilber A. Hays is a native of Jefferson county, Indiana, and dates his birth from December 30, 1847. His father, Alfred Hays, was a Kentuckian, and by occupation was a farmer. In early life he moved to Scott county, Indiana, where he resided a number of years, later changing his abode to Greencastle, where his death occurred in 1869. Permelia Reed, who became the wife of Alfred Hays, was born here and spent her entire life in this state, dying in 1878 while on a visit to her son, the subject of this sketch. Seven children consti- tuted the family of Alfred and Permelia Hays, namely : Edwin, deceased; Francis A., retired merchant and ex- soldier of the Civil war: Wilber A., subject of this review; Silas, a lawyer of Greencastle and ex-state senator ; Mary O., deceased, who married John C. Brown- ing, and two children that died in infancy.
The youthful life of Wilber A. Hayes was similar in many respects to that of the majority of country lads. having spent his boyhood amid the bracing airs and active scenes of the farm, with the rugged duties of which he early became familiar. During the spring and summer sea-
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sons he labored in the fields, and after the harvests were garnered he attended the public schools of the neighbor- hood, where he laid the foundation of the higher order of intellectual discipline which he subsequently received in Asbury, now De Pauw University, at Greencastle. After prosecuting his studies at that institution. during the greater part of four years he engaged in the general mercantile trade in Greencastle with his brother; the firm thus constituted lasted three years, meeting with success the meanwhile. At the expiration of the period indicated, Mr. Hays disposed of his mercantile interests and moved to Greene county, where he purchased a farm and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, to which vocation his energies have since been largely devoted, owning at this time a tract of three hundred acres on which are some of the best improvements in the county. and which is now under the supervision of his son.
Mr. Hays has been a Republican ever since the organization of the party, and for many years his position as a leader has been duly recognized and appreciated. As a safe and judicious advisor in party councils, his services have contributed to the success of the ticket in several hotly-contested campaigns, and as a standard bearer his efforts and efficient leadership have won him more than local repute as a political worker. He held the position of town trustee of Worthington two years, served three years as trustee of his township, and for a period held the important position of county commissioner, discharg- ing the duties devolving upon him in this connection in a most satisfactory manner. In the year 1898 Mr. Hays was nominated and elected to represent Greene county
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in the general assembly, and, owing to the good record he made as a law-maker, in 1906 he was again returned to the body, his services, both in committee and on the floor of the house, being such as to win for him the unqualified endorsement of his constituents. He has proven an able and discreet legislator, and his name is identified with a number of important measures and laws that occupied the attention of the house during his incumbency.
Religiously Mr. Hayes' family have long been mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, the interests of which they have been active in promoting.
Mary C. Senseney, who became the wife of the sub- ject on the third day of October, 1872, is a native of Harrison county, Indiana, and the daughter of Harrison and Margaret (Wimple) Senseney, to which union ten children have been born, namely: Myrtle C., wife of John Owens, of Worthington; Maude is residing in California; Ethel married L. M. Barker, and is also a resident of that state; Margaret is unmarried and still a member of the home circle, being at the present time a student at De Pauw University; Wilber S. is married and one of the representative farmers of Greene county ; Mary Blanche is a teacher in the public schools ; Silas R. lives on the home farm and assists in the running of the same; Edith is a high school pupil; Francis Edward is deceased, and an infant died unnamed.
Mr. Hays has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since he was twenty-one years old. having passed all the chairs, and he served as trustee for ten years.
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WILLIAM PERRY BALLARD.
This representative business man and honored res- ident of Worthington is a native of Greene county and the second of two children, whose parents were J. F. and Mahulda ( Danely) Ballard. The father of J. F. Ballard moved from Kentucky to Indiana a number of years ago, settled in Greene county, where he became a wel-to-do farmer, and here spent the remainder of his days, dying in the prime of life and usefulness. The sub- ject's father was reared to agricultural pursuits and fol- lowed that honorable calling for a livelihood and de- parted this life in the year 1880, leaving three sons, as already indicated, the older of whom, Christopher C. Ballard, served two terms as treasurer of Greene county and one term as representative in the general assembly. Ira and Olive (Jessup) Danely, parents of Mrs. J. F. Ballard, were natives of North Carolina and early set- tlers of Greene county, with the growth and development of which the family was actively identified. (For the history of this large and interesting family, the reader is respectfully referred to the biography of William T. Danely, on another page of this volume.)
W. P. Ballard was born in the mouth of February, 1855, and grew to manhood's estate amid the rural scenes, and early became familiar with the duties of the farm. In the public schools, which he attended during the winter seasons during his minority, he laid the foun- dation of a mental discipline, which has been supple- mented by years of close observation. In due time Mr. Ballard began tilling the soil upon his own responsibility,
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and continued the same with creditable success until 1903, when he turned his farm over to other hands and moved to Worthington, where two years later he pur- chased an interest in the elevator and engaged in buying and shipping grain. Since 1905 he has personally man- aged the elevator and in connection with the grain trade he handles fuel of all kinds, conducting a general ex- change business, which is constantly growing in mag- nitude.
Mr. Ballard owns considerable real estate in Greene county, his farm of two hundred and eighty acres being all underlaid with rich deposits of coal. His place is well improved, with substantial buildings, fences, etc., and the soil, which is of a deep, clayey nature, is admirably adapted to all the grain crops grown in this latitude, also to fruits of various kinds, which the farm produces in abundance. In the matter of live stock he devotes con- siderable attention to cattle. In addition to the holdings already mentioned, Mr. Ballard owns valuable city prop- erty, including a modern residence in Worthington, be- sides other interests which place him among the finan- cially strong men of the county.
Mr. Ballard supports the Republican party and mani- fests an abiding interest in public matters, keeping in touch with political issues. He is identified with the fra- ternity of Odd Fellows, having filled all the chairs in the local lodge with which he holds his membership.
On February 19, 1880, Mr. Ballard and Emma A. Fuller, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Guthrie) Ful- ler, were made husband and wife, their union being blessed with two children: Plymouth G., born Novem-
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ber 19, 1887, a graduate of the Worthington high school, is now pursuing his studies in the college at Danville with the object in view of taking an agricultural course in Purdue University : James L., the second son, is de- ceased. The subject and wife are active members of the Christian church at Worthington.
MAJOR MADISON CLAY STEPHENSON.
The gentleman whose name introduces this article is a member of the once large and formidable but now rapidly diminishing army which, during the dark and perilous days of the rebellion so nobly upheld the cause of the Union and after the most sanguinary struggle in the history of nations crushed the forces of treason and by restoring the government as the fathers founded it earned the applause and lasting gratitude of a reunited and gratified people. He has also been an influential fac- tor in civic affairs, ever manifesting a lively interest in the material advancement of the county, honored by its citizenship and in every sphere of activity to which his energies and powers of mind have been devoted his rec- ord is above the suspicion of reproach and his name stands for what is best and upright in manhood.
Madison Clay Stephenson, who, on account of his genial manners and active work in Grand Army of the Republic circles is familiarly known as "Major" Stephen- son, was born August 10. 1838, in Owen county, In- diana, the son of Madison and Sarah ( Welborn) Stephen-
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son, natives of Indiana and North Carolina, respectively. The father, for many years a well known farmer and stock raiser of Owen county, disposed of his holdings in that part of the state, and after rearing his family re- moved to the county of Monroe, where he followed his chosen vocation until called from the scene of his labors in 1878, his faithful wife and companion dying three years prior to that date. The family of Madison and Sa- rah Stephenson consisted of three children, the oldest of whom, a son by the name of James, served with distinc- tion in the Civil war as captain of the Second Arkansas Infantry ; Mary, the second in order of birth, was twice married, the first time to Anderson Abel, after whose death she became the wife of David Van Buskirk, a cap- tain in the Twenty-seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, who is also deceased; M. C. Stephenson, the youngest member of the family, spent his childhood on the home farm in Owen county, attended school at inter- vals during his minority, and in September, 1861, at the early age of twenty-three, he enlisted in Company E. Thirty-third Indiana Infantry, with which he shared the vicissitudes of war in a number of campaigns in Ken- tucky, Tennessee, Georgia and other states, serving under General Thomas and taking part in many of the battles that made the period during which they were fought his- toric. He was with the regiment in the engagement at Wildcat, where the Federals and Confederates met for the first time on Kentucky soil. He later took part in the battle of Resaca, Georgia, thence to Tennessee, where he participated in the battles of Franklin and other smaller engagements, being under fire in all the engagements
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from Chattanooga to Atlanta, one of the most active and sanguinary periods of the war. At the expiration of his term of enlistment, covering three years of strenuous en- deavor, he was discharged at Atlanta, Georgia, in Sep- tember. 1864. and immediately thereafter returned to Owen county, where, in due time, he engaged in general merchandising at the town of Freedom. By carefully studying the wants of his customers and otherwise be- coming familiar with the details of the business, he soon built up a large and lucrative patronage, and during the twenty years his attention was devoted to this line of trade his success presents a series of advancements and resulted in the accumulation of a handsome competence. Removing to Worthington at the expiration of the period indicated, he again embarked in the general mer- chandise business, but on a more extensive scale, and during the seven years ensuing met with success com- mensurate with the energy, sound judgment and skill- ful management displayed in the conduct of his com- mercial transactions. Disposing of his commercial inter- ests at the end of the above time, he purchased a farm and turned his attention to agriculture, later selling this place and investing in other lands in Greene county on which he has made a number of substantial improvements and which is still in his possession.
Major Stephenson served as pension attorney for a period of fifteen years, and in many other ways mani- fested a keen interest in the affairs of the town and county, giving his influence and support to all enter- prises and the welfare of his fellow men. Having amassed a substantial competency to insure his future
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from anxiety and care and with the consciousness of duty well done, he recently discontinued active par- ticipation in business affairs, since which time he has been living practically a retired life, though still giving his attention to private interests and keeping in touch with events. As a Republican he is an influential factor in the affairs of his party, a judicious advisor in its coun- cils and an active worker with the rank and file, though not a strict partisan nor a seeked after the honors and emoluments of office ; notwithstanding his indifference in the latter respect, however, he has at various times been importuned by his political associates to stand for public place, but the position of township trustee, which he held for two years, and the town council, where he served several terms, complete the list of official trusts. In addi- tion to the foregoing he was postmaster at Freedom fourteen years, and might have been called to other and higher preferment had he seen fit to make the necessary efforts.
A Methodist in his religious belief and for a number of years an humble and consistent communicant of the same, he has always tried to make his life conform to the teachings of the church he so much loves and venerates, and in the capacity of Sunday school teacher his efforts at training the young and implanting in their hearts and minds the principles of a pure and simple faith have been productive of good results. Major Stephenson's fraternal relations are represented by the Free and Accepted Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Grand Army of the Republic societies, in all of which he has held every official position within the power of his
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brethren to bestow. He is familiar with the work of the various branches into which the first two orders are divided, takes an active and influential part in furthering their interests and by exemplifying their principles in his relations with his fellow men, his life may truly be termed an exponent of the great basic truths upon which they rest.
Major Stephenson was married August 13, 1865, to Isabella C. Armentrout, daughter of Ferdinand and Laura Armentrout, the latter's maiden name having been Smith. Four children constitute the family of the sub- ject and wife, namely : Adolphus C., born September 17. 1866, married and lives in the city of Indianapolis ; Ona, born February 4, 1870, is the wife of Judge J. B. Wilson, of Bloomington, this state, and is the mother of two children ; John C., born January 13, 1872, has a wife and one child and makes his home in Argos, Indiana; Fred, whose birth occurred on the 3d day of April, 1874, lives at Worthington and has a home brightened by the presence of a wife and three interesting offspring.
WILLIAM T. DANELY.
A history of the life and family of William Thomp- son Danely, formerly a well known citizen of Greene county, Indiana, but now a resident of Enid, Oklahoma, is incorporated in this work because he has led a life worthy of representation here and is remembered by a large number of people in Greene county for his industry and many admirable traits.
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Mr. Danely was born near Worthington, January 25, 1836, the son of Ira and Olive (Jessup) Danely, both natives of the Tar Heel state (North Carolina), who came to Indiana in 1818, the year this state entered the Union. The former was only eleven years old at that time. He was raised by a Mr. Clark. The Jessup family were of English lineage, one branch of the family settling in Connecticut and the other in North Carolina. Thirteen chidlren were born to the parents of the sub- ject, and all lived to be married with the exception of one, who died in infancy. Their names are: Irdell, who mar- ried Jane Dean ; Lucinda, who married Armstead Owen, later Simon Bland; Mahulda, the wife of James Ballard; Leander, who married Nancy Moore; William T., the subject of this sketch; Benjamin, who married Ann Grif- feth ; Sarah, who married Will Moore; Alfred, who mar- ried Ella Cole; Martha, who married Samuel Dickinson ; Mary, who is the wife of John Kutch; James died in in- fancy : Charles, who married Mary Goodwin ; Charlotta, the wife of David Whittaker.
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