USA > Indiana > Greene County > Biographical memoirs of Greene County, Ind. : with reminiscences of pioneer days, Volume II > Part 17
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In January, 1865, he was married to Mary H. Ren- nard, a native of Morgan county, born January 2, 1847, and daughter of Joel and Nancy (Chew) Rennard. Her parents were early settlers of Morgan county and kept a hotel in Hendricks county on the National road for many years. Our subject and wife had five children : Charles, living in Mattoon, Illinois, and in the railway service : Joel, a telegraph operator, living in Godfrey, Illi- nois : Catherine, living in West Newton, Marion county, the wife of Samuel Allison; Harry, assistant train dis- patcher for the Indianapolis Southern Railroad, at In- dianapolis; Jessie, living at Indianapolis and wife of Daniel Nichols, a conductor on the Indianapolis South- ern Railroad. They also reared a boy, Fred, who, too, is in the railway service as brakeman on the Indianapolis Southern Railroad.
Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson are members of the Mis- sionary Baptist church. In politics he is a Prohibitionist, and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Our subject has a military record worthy of men- tion. In June, 1861, he enlisted in Company H of the Eleventh Indiana Regiment, commanded by General Lew Wallace, and served two years and three months. He then joined Company A, One Hundred and Seventeenth Regiment, as a veteran and served nine months, when his time expired. He then went into Company A of the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Indiana, serving as ser- geant until the close of the war. While in the Eleventh Regiment he was laid up in the hospital for three weeks with a broken ankle, and afterwards sent home to get well. While in the One Hundred and Seventeenth Reg-
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iment as a veteran he had his right ankle and leg mashed, which laid him up for a time. He was also in the bat- tles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Fort Henry and Blue Spring, near New Greenville, Tennessee. Among the forced marches was one of three hundred miles, during which time they lived on pumpkins and persimmons, and after the fight at New Greenville they marched to the salt works in Virginia, and they were forced to re- treat. While retreating they were surrounded on all sides at Bull's Gap, in Clinch mountain, by the Southern army, but the entire Union army escaped except the regi- ment to which Mr. Stephenson belonged, as they were five miles in the rear. Some one at last discovered a gap not picketed by the enemy, so the Union regiment then killed their horses and mules and then crawled five miles on the ground until they could rejoin Grant's army.
The grandfathers of our subject on both sides fought in the Revolutionary war. His father served in the War of 1812. He also had two brothers in the Civil war, and his son Charles served three consecutive years in the regular army.
JAMES SHELBURN.
To conquer the wilderness of the early day and substitute for it the busy scenes of modern commercial life was no easy task, but it had to be done. The light- ning express, interurban, telephone and the modern im- proved farming implements could have no place in the
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dense forests, thick underbrush, swamps and lakes until the ax, maul and wedge had first done their work. Our fathers and grandfathers, assisted by their noble com- panions, were valiant in the conflict of the pioneer days, and it pleases us to remember them in these sketches. The ancestors of James Shelburn belonged to the class above referred to, and the hills of Monroe, Owen and Greene counties felt their influence. James was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, July 25, 1826, and was the son of William and Jensie ( Robison) Shelburn, the fa- ther a native of Virginia, while the mother came from Kentucky. William came to Kentucky when he was but a small boy, and his manly ways won for him the com- panion of his life. They came to Monroe county, In- diana, in 1839, buying new, wild and unimproved land, which they made a respectable farm, but did not live to enjoy it in old age, as death summoned them both ere locks were gray. They were members of the Missionary Baptist church. They had eleven children-Gustav, Mills, William, Squire, Samuel, Mary, Fanny, Sabria and Mahala. These are all dead. The only living chil- dren are James, our subject, and Nancy, now living at Stinesville, Indiana.
Our subject was only thirteen years of age when the family came to Monroe county. He was raised to hard work on the farm, receiving only a limited education, as the opportunities were not of the best. and what they had were of the old subscription kind, and they had to walk three miles to school. Here he remained until past twenty-one years of age, when he went to Kentucky, and while there found the companion to share life's burdens
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with him. He married Mary Jane Figg. She was from Shelby county and the daughter of Thomas and Re- becca (Howerton) Figg. The former came from Vir- ginia and the latter was a native of Kentucky. They finally came to Monroe county, Indiana, and bought a tract of wild land and went to improving it, but the sum- mons came to them both before very far advanced in life. He was a Baptist and she a Presbyterian. There were thirteen children in the Figg family-Martha, Elizabeth, Mary Jane, wife of the subject; James, John, Dudley, Columbus, Nancy, Sarah Ann, Robert. Mildred and Caroline.
After his marriage he bought a farm of eighty acres in Monroe county. Indiana, in partnership with his brother-in-law. He then moved onto his half and went to improving it. He worked on the construction of the Monon Railroad to pay for his, but as the contractor failed he did not receive any pay for his work, and also lost some money he had loaned the contractor. He then purchased a farm in Owen county of eighty acres, on which he lived for seven years. This farm he traded for another in Owen county and lived on it for five years. He then sold this one and purchased one hundred and nine acres in Fair Play township, Greene county, in 1878. and has made this his home ever since. This farm had run down so much that he decided to bring it back to fertility and excellence and then return to a retired life.
Mr. and Mrs. Shelburn have had born to them seven children : Rebecca, wife of J. T. Franklin, of Switz City; Gustin, married to Christian Justus, now living in Owen county on a farm; James S., living with his par-
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ents at home ; Louisa, wife of Samuel Livingston, living in Greene county ; Ella, wife of Ransom Rodenbeck, a Greene county farmer, and Robert, who married Fannie Johnson and lives at Worthington, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Shelburn are members of the Baptist church at Switz City. His political faith is centered in the Demo- cratic party, with which he affiliates.
HON. ANDREW HUMPHREYS.
One of the most conspicuous and honored figures of Greene county, where he maintained his home for more than three score years and where he did so much for the advancement of the public weal, was the subject of this obituary and biography, for he was a man whose life was directed along a lofty plane of thought and action, invit- ing the closest scrutiny and offering a lesson to all who have appreciation of the ethical values in the scheme of human existence. He passed to his reward from his late residence in Linton, Indiana, on Friday, June 24, 1904. rich in honors and respect which ever follow an upright life that has been true to its ideals and to its maximum pos- sibilities, and thus to his death came a crown to a worthy life, having been summoned from the arena of earth's endeavors 'at the golden sunset of a life of eighty-three years. Mr. Humphreys never lacked the courage of his convictions, but a lively human sympathy, unvarying kindness and an abiding charity were dominating ele- ments in his composition, softening and glorifying his
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life in every phase. It is eminently fitting that in this volume be entered a memoir to this true and good man, whose popularity may have been attributed largely to the fact that his individuality stood distinctly apart from that of the average citizen.
Born of a noble parentage, surrounded by the virgin forests he was reared in that hardy manner which char- acterized the youth of many another man who developed a sturdy manhood as a result of such environment. Like the average pioneers who hewed their homes in the woods his parents were not blessed with an abundance of this world's goods, consequently the youth of our subject was not one of ease and idleness. But money in these early times did not have the intrinsic value it has today, owing to the fact that the pioneers had no opportunity to buy the luxuries of life, since they were not offered for sale in the midst of the boundless forests and wide stretch of prairie where they had their homes.
Though born in Tennessee, March 30, 1821, the parents of our subject moved to Indiana when he was quite young, locating in Putnam county, not far from the present town of Greencastle, and as a result of his long life in this state he might be truthfully called a typical Hoosier. Through his early manhood Mr. Humphreys strove to support his parents and the family. consequently he had little time to attend school. How- ever, he was a close observer and did a great deal of mis- cellaneous reading, and as he developed into manhood his noble traits began to assert themselves and he was looked upon early in life as a coming leader of men. Endowed with an abundance of "mother wit." which is,
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indeed, an essential element in one's make-up, often forc- ing men to the front regardless of educational advan- tages : gifted by nature with a strong physique and com- manding personal appearance, Mr. Humphreys was des- tined to be ranked among the few individuals whose characteristics are strong enough to command the praise of his fellows. These facts, which were known and noted by his early acquaintances, were accordingly manifested in the course of time.
Mr. Humphreys was married when only nineteen years old to Eliza Johnson, a most estimable Christian lady, the daughter of Jerriah Johnson, of Ohio. Re- enforced for the battles of life by his faithful wife, Mr. Humphreys, in 1841. came to Greene county, where his parents had preceded him and where they lived until their respective deaths, the mother dying in 1861 and the father in 1863.
Being a typical representative of the noble sons of toil and through the necessity of earning a living, Mr. Humphreys upon arriving in this county, set up a little blacksmith shop where he did smithing for a considerable portion of that part of the country. Fate, however, had decreed that his career was to be a more noted one than that of a country blacksmith, and it was but a few months until he had taken the first steps into the political field which was afterward to bring him into state and even national reputation. In 1843 he was elected justice of the peace for a term of three years, and so satisfactory was the office conducted that at the expiration of his term he was re-elected, serving until 1849.
His experience on the judicial bench had brought to
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Mr. Humphreys a yearning for a broader knowledge, and he set about educating himself for the brilliant career which was subsequently his. Possessed with an indom- itable will, a progressive, energetic and aspiring spirit and a thirst for a closer familiarity for politics, he took up his work with that zeal which knows no failure, and in 1849 he was nominated by the Democratic party for the legislature. His opponent was Marcus H. Shryer, who at that time was supposed to be a leader of the Whig party in this county. The campaign was closely con- tested and Mr. Humphreys won by one hundred and thirty votes, being a much greater majority than the Democratic party leaders had anticipated. When his term expired he was re-nominated but was defeated by Edward Beasley by one hundred and twenty-nine votes, but the action of Mr. Humphreys in the legislature added greatly to his popularity among the people, who had come to look upon him as their champion, and in 1852 he defeated R. H. Rosseau by a majority of one hundred and ninety votes. In that year he was nominated by his party for state senator, defeating Major Livingston by thirty-eight votes, and in 1854 he was elected represen- tative over Mr. Throop by six hundred majority, and two years later defeated Edwin Beasley the second time by thirty-two majority.
Mr. Humphreys' faithful service to his constituents and his able and fearless action while in the state capitol during these ten years won for him additional laurels, and in 1857 he was appointed by President Buchanan Indian agent for the territory of Utah, which position he filled with high credit to himself and the administration until
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1861, when he resigned the office. A portion of this time, however, Mr. Humphreys served as United States marshal of that territory, which position he also resigned, returning to his home in Greene county.
But with so many years of unbroken public service, Mr. Humphreys was not to remain long from the field of politics, and in 1867 he was for the fifth time nomi- nated for the legislature, meeting his first defeat by Judge Thomas Mason, although the former led his party ticket by many votes. In 1874 he defeated Mr. Mason for the state senate by five hundred and sixty-two votes, this senatorial district being then comprised of Greene and Daviess counties. In 1876 he resigned his seat in the senate and was elected to congress to fill the unexpired term of "Blue Jeans" Williams, who was elected gov -- ernor over ex-President Harrison. He made the race again for the state senate in 1878, although Mr. Hum- phreys wished to retire at that time. He defeated J. R. Baxter by fifty-four majority. At this session of the legislature he was made chairman of the committee on ways and means, a merited acknowledgment of his lead- ership in the house. After the expiration of his term, our subject retired to his farm, where he spent several years in a well-earned respite, but he was again persuaded by his friends to make the race for the legislature in 1892. but was defeated by Thomas Van Buskirk by a small majority. In 1896 he was nominated for the state senate and elected. Thus ended a political career that was un- surpassed in faithfulness to his constituents, for he was always a friend of the people and always fought any un- just measure to the bitter end.
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The social and home life of Andrew Humphreys was a model one, and although he was a strict partisan he was known to all classes as plain "Uncle Andy." His first wife passed to her reward in the early eighties and several years later he married Julia Rodenbeck, of Switz City, who survived him. Six children were born to the subject by his first wife, namely: Emeline, who became Mrs. John Poe, of Linton, now deceased; Levi, deceased ;. Albert G., also deceased; Sallie A., who is now Mrs. Joseph Moss; James H., cashier of the Linton Bank, and Andrew, deceased.
Taking his life as a whole, from the early battles of his youth, through the struggling days of his early manhood, through his long and busy, honest and faithful public career, Mr. Humphreys was a man to be admired and his life was one worthy of emulation.
CLYDE O. MADDOX.
That this is an age of young men, especially in ref- erence to the business world, is shown conclusively in many walks of life, and no better example of the success- ful young man in business could be found in Greene county than the subject of this sketch, who is a dealer in meats, groceries and provisions at Linton, having an in- timate knowledge of how to successfully handle all these lines and at the same time please a large number of customers.
Mr. Maddox was born January 14, 1883, the son
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of Alva D. and Martha J. ( Miller) Maddox, both na- tives of Greene county. They are now living in Linton. Alva D. Maddox is engaged in the manufacture of ce- ment sidewalks, in which business he has been successful and has built up a good patronage, also doing other busi- ness of a similar nature. The subject of this sketch was. the only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Alva D. Maddox, who moved from the farm to Linton about fifteen years ago. The subject was educated in the public schools at Linton, and also learned the baker's trade there, which he worked at for a period of two years, operating a bakery during that time, and he was two years employed by others. He has been engaged in his present business for about six years, having been in his present location at Fourth street, Northeast, for about three years in 1908.
Clyde O. Maddox was married December 10, 1902, to Myrtle Hodges, daughter of F. W. Hodges, a marble dealer in Linton. The subject is a member of the Unity Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Linton. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. He votes the Republican ticket. Mrs. Maddox is a member of the Christian church, and the two young people are well liked by all who know them.
CHARLES O. MORGAN.
In studying the life history and untimely demise of the lamented subject of this brief memorial sketch, we find that he was one of the most industrious and likable
Chas. O. Morgan
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young men in Linton, Indiana, where he had hosts of friends and no enemies, having been a young man of brilliant intellect to whom the future seemed to have much of promise.
Charles O. Morgan was summoned to close his earth- ly career June 4, 1907. He would have been thirty-two years old had he lived until the following August. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry C. Morgan, of Marco, Greene county, people of sterling worth and well liked in their vicinity for lives of uprightness and indus- try. The wife of Charles O. Morgan was formerly Grace Cox, a highly accomplished and estimable lady of In- dianapolis. Mrs. Morgan is the daughter of George and Emma Elizabeth (Scott) Cox, residents of Indianapolis, where he was engaged in the commission stock business. She with two bright sons, Clifford and Henry, ages seven and five years respectively, were left to mourn their irrep- arable loss.
Seldom had a greater crowd been seen at a funeral in Linton than that in attendance at Mr. Morgan's, for he was not only well known but popular, and the crowd came from all directions to pay a last tribute of respect and say a kind word for the spirit that had gone. The services were held at his late commodious and cozy resi- dence on East Vincennes street, in charge of the Masons and Elks, of which orders he had been a most loyal and highly respected member, having shown by his daily walk among his fellow men that he believed in carrying out the principles of the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God, taught by these orders.
The last sad rites were pronounced over the subject's
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remains at his grave in the cemetery at Marco, which is on the farm where he was born and reared, spending his early life there, training his mind for later struggles in the business world.
He was extensively engaged in dredging and con- tracting and in constructing streets and concrete side- walks and had three dredge boats and did an extensive business.
Mr. Morgan's health had been failing for some time and in January, 1907, he made a trip to California in the hope that his strength would return and his health be regained, but he returned home to die in a few months. without having been benefited.
For one of his age he had an extensive acquaintance and was highly esteemed in the commercial and social world by all who knew him, having always borne the reputation of being strictly square and honest in all his dealings in the business affairs of life. He was enter- prising, public spirited, always standing for progress and improvement, and when he was gone his neighbors were heard to say that as a citizen they had none better nor more highly respected. As a husband and father he pro- vided well for his household and was always kind, indul- gent, loving and affectionate, fostering the wholesome principles looking to the ultimate good of his children. Although his race was short, he lived long enough to show what a man of earnest thought and right principles could accomplish, leaving behind him a good name, which after all, is the richest heritage it is possible for any one to leave behind.
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JAMES HENRY HUMPHREYS.
Success, though sometimes apparently flowing from caprice of fortune, is, after all, the surest test of real merit ; and it should be encouraging to the young man, who, not repining at the accidents of birth or unfavorable environment, looks with a trustful spirit to higher spheres of duty and usefulness, and realizes that others with prospects no fairer than his own, have moved stead- ily forward until achieving the object of their ambition and desire. It is the clearly defined purpose and con- secutive effort backed by well balanced mentality and discreet judgment, that eventually lead to positions of honor and trust, and in following the career of one in which these qualities are developed to a marked degree, there come into view the intrinsic individuality, which have made his achievements possible. The success that has made James Henry Humphreys so widely and favor- ably known in business circles has also gained for him the esteem and confidence of his fellow townsmen, while his record, which is one of wisely directed energy, strong determination and honorable methods, long since brought him to favorable notice among the leading financiers of his county and state. Scarcely past the meridian of life and possessing unimpaired vigor both of mind and body. and in the active discharge of important public and pri- vate trusts he has already passed through a career of use- fulness and successful struggle, and his continued ad- vancements and signal achievements in the world of af- fairs may well be held up for the contemplation and en- couragement of the young men whose careers are yet matters for the future to determine.
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Mr. Humphreys is a native of Greene county, Indi- ana, and a son of Andrew and Eliza Humphreys, the father a Tennessean by birth and for many years one of the leading men of southern Indiana, the mother was born in Ohio. ( An appropriate sketch of these parents appears on another page of this volume.) James Henry Humphreys was born July 22, 1853, in Wright town- ship, where he grew to mature years on the family homestead and under the parental roof, was subjected to a discipline well calculated to inspire his young mind with the purest principles of virtue and to give it the proper bent, which early enabled him to take proper views of life and to form his plans in harmony there- with. These youthful impressions, some of them insen- sibly, but all of them indelibly made, served to keep him from evil influence and bad examples, and his early years under such wholesome training had much to do in forming and developing a character to which he at- tributes the sucess he has attained, and the honorable name he has long enjoyed among the representative citi- zens of the county of his birth.
After finishing the common school course, young Humphreys entered the schools at Farmersburg, where he pursued his studies until he became a student of the Indiana State University, which institution he attended for two years. With a mind well disciplined by this thorough training he returned to the farm, but finding that agriculture was not altogether to his liking he sub- sequently discontinued the vocation, and in 1883 engaged in merchandising at Linton, where in due time he built up quite an extensive and lucrative business. After de-
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voting about twelve years to this line of traffic he em- barked in the large and more responsible enterprise of banking, having been instrumental in organizing, in 1895, the Linton Bank, of which he was made cashier and to the growth and success of which he contributed more perhaps than any other man connected with the institu- tion.
The bank with which Mr. Humphreys has so long been identified, does a larger business than any other in- stitution of the kind in Greene county, and for much of its popularity and growth in public favor it is indebted to the judicious policy he has ever pursued, and the wise forethought and deep interest he has displayed in safe- guarding the important trust confided to him and in making it remunerative to stockholders and a safe place of deposit to the business men of the city and public at large. Mr. Humphreys is familiar with every detail of the business to which he has devoted so much of his time and energy, and having made a careful and critical study of the monetary questions in all their bearings, has won, as already indicated, much more than local repute as a banker, and today there are few financiers in Indiana whose abilities are so widely known or who command as great an influence. In addition to his large monetary and other interests he has always had the welfare of his city at heart, every worthy enterprise, for its advance- ment, finding in him an earnest advocate and liberal patron, while his influence has ever been exerted in be- half of measures for the intellectual and moral good of his fellowmen.
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