USA > Indiana > Greene County > Biographical memoirs of Greene County, Ind. : with reminiscences of pioneer days, Volume II > Part 24
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On the 12th day of February, 1905, Mr. Dempsey was married to Emma Stine, of Jasonville, Indiana, daughter of John and Sarah Stine, and their union has been blessed by the birth of two children, a son named Leon and a daughter who answers to the name of Olga. Mrs. Dempsey is a member of the Christian church and a lady of many estimable qualities, who moves in the best social circles of the town in which she resides. Although not identified with any church, Mr. Dempsey has pro- found respect for religion and morality and gives his in- fluence and material support to all legitimate means for their advancement. His public spirit also manifests an abiding interest in the material prosperity of Jasonville and Greene county, and he takes great pride in the hon- orable reputation which this section of Indiana enjoys.
ALFRED FRANKLIN MARSHALL, M. D.
This gentleman, whose life and energies are being devoted to the noble and humane work of alleviating hu-
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man suffering, has achieved success in his chosen sphere of endeavor and occupies a prominent place among his professional brethren of Greene county. His ancestors on both sides of the family were among the sterling pio- neers of North Carolina, from which state in an early day they migrated to Kentucky, and as long ago as 1828 his paternal grandfather, Ambrose Marshall, moved to Washington county, Indiana, where he entered land and improved a farm. Grandfather Marshall was a typical pioneer of the period in which he lived-sturdy, brave. fearless and industrious, and the possessor of those home- ly but sterling virtues that made so many of the early settlers noted in their day and generation. He died some time in the sixties, leaving a family of nine children, of whom Singleton Marshall, the Doctor's father, was the oldest. Singleton Marshall accompanied his parents upon their arrival in Indiana, spent all of his life as a tiller of the soil and reared a family of nine children, six of whom are living at the present time ( 1908). His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Allen, was born in Washington county, Indiana, and, as above indicated, sprang from one of the pioneer families of North Caro- lina, her father and grandfather both moving to Indiana many years ago.
Alfred F. Marshall, a native of Washington, Indi- ana, was born February II, 1855, and spent his child- hood and youth with his parents on the home farm. He early learned to appreciate the dignity of toil, and in the public schools laid the foundation of the mental training which, subsequently strengthened and increased by a course in the seminary at Farmersburg, enabled him to
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prosecute successfully his preparation for the profession which later became his life work. After teaching two terms of school in his native county he entered the In- diana Medical College at Indianapolis, where he pur- sued his studies and researches until completing the pre- scribed course, being graduated from that institution in 1880 with the degree of M. D.
Dr. Marshall commenced the practice of his pro- fession at Jasonville immediately after graduating, and in due time overcame the difficulties and embarrassments which young physicians usually encounter and built up quite an extensive and lucrative patronage. After four- teen years of continued successful practice at that place he removed to Hymera, where he remained until March, 1903, when he returned to Jasonville, where he now enjoys a large and remunerative professional business. The Doctor keeps fully abreast of the times in all mat- ters relating to his profession, being a close and critical student, familiar with the leading authorities on the heal- ing art and ready at all times to take advantage of mod- ern researches and discoveries which, of recent years. have done so much to modify and change methods of practice long in vogue. Entering in his efforts to ad- vance the welfare of his patients and ever ready to re- spond to the call of suffering, he has won an abiding place in the hearts of the people and his future is bright with promise.
Dr. Marshall in the year of 1890 was united in mar- riage with Alice Rogers, of Greene county, daughter of Oliver and Martha (Shepherd) Rogers, the union being blessed with one child, Lucile, a bright and promising
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young lady, now ( 1908) attending DePauw University. The Doctor is a Democrat in politics and fraternally be- longs to the Masonic and Pythian brotherhoods. Mrs. Marshall was a member of the Christian church and a lady of high social standing. She died in Septem- ber, 1895.
WILLIAM ORVILLE NASH.
An enterprising business man of Greene county and postmaster of Jasonville, is a representative of two of the oldest pioneer families of southwestern Indiana and in- herits many of the sterling qualities for which his ancestry was long distinguished. On the father's side, Mr. Nash people were Tennesseans. His grandfather, Obadiah Nash, of that state, migrated to Greene county, Indiana, as early as 1824, and after following various kinds of in- dustry during the fifteen or twenty succeeding years. entered forty acres of land which he cleared and improved and on which he spent the remainder of his life. He left a family of seven children, the fourth of whom, George W., father of the subject, was born in Beech Creek town- ship, and when a young man, married Phidelia Gaston, whose parents, also pioneers, came to this state some time in the early twenties, from Kentucky. According to the most reliable data obtainable, Mrs. Nash's grandfather, Hugh Gaston, entered land in Greene county about the year 1820 and was one of the first settlers of the commun- ity in which he located his home. He reared a family of . children, one of whom, the subject's grandfather, James
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M. Gaston, taught school during the pioneer period, teaching the first school in his native township, served as township trustee and justice of the peace for many years, was long a man of influence and local prominence in the community and departed this life at the ripe old age of eighty-four. George W. Nash was a farmer by occupa- tion and a man of excellent parts and honorable repute. He was a soldier in the Civil war, serving from the begin- ning of the struggle to its close and took part in a number of campaigns and battles which made that period historic. His brothers, William and Jeremiah, were also in the army, as were his brothers-in-law, Hugh and James H. Gaston, in addition to whom he had five cousins who did noble service in defense of the Union. William Nash was killed in the battle of Stone River and Jeremiah died at Lagrange, Tennessee, while in the discharge of his duty.
George W. Nash was mustered into service as pri- vate of Company C, Twenty-first Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, which was later transferred to the First Heavy Artillery and at the end of his three years' service veteran- ized and served until discharged on account of physical disability.
William O. Nash, son of George W. and Phidelia (Gaston) Nash, was born August 25, 1867, in Greene county, and has spent the greater part of his life near the place of his birth. After attending the public schools un- til finishing the prescribed course of study, he devoted three years to teaching and at the expiration of that time, embarked in merchandising at Newark, where he re- mained ten years in the enjoyment of a successful business.
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In 1899 he disposed of his interests at that place and removed to Jasonville, where he continued merchandising two and a half years and then turned his attention to real estate and insurance in which he built up quite a lucrative patronage. April, 1907, he withdrew from these business interests to take charge of the postoffice at Jasonville, which position he has since held and the duties of which he has discharged in a very able and acceptable manner, proving an efficient and accommodating official, one of the most popular, indeed, that Jasonville has ever known.
Mr. Nash exercises a commanding influence in pub- lic and political affairs and for a number of years, has been one of the Republican leaders in Greene county. He is also active in fraternal and benevolent work, being prominent in Odd Fellowship, having filled all the chairs of the lodge with which identified, besides contributing to its growth and success in various other capacities.
Eva Robertson, who became Mrs. William O. Nash in 1890, is a native of Owen county, Indiana, and daugh- ter of George W. and Sarah (Lovas) Robertson. She has borne her husband four children whose names are as follows: Fern, Wayne, Doretha and Helen. Mr. Nash is a methodist in his religious belief ; his wife being identi- fied with the Baptist denomination.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN MILAM.
Success comes from practical industry wisely and vigorously applied which leads a man forward, bringing
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out his individual character, at the same time acting as a stimulant to the efforts of others, and the greatest results in life are often attained by simple means and the exercise of the ordinary qualities of sound sense and persevering industry. The everyday life with its duties, cares and ne- cessities affords ample means for acquiring experience of the best kind and its most beaten paths provide the true worker with abundant scope for effort and self-improve- ment.
Abraham Lincoln Milam, the subject of this brief biographical mention, is a leading business man of Worth- ington, to the material advancement of which place he has contributed largely of his time and energies. His ancestors on the paternal side were natives of Tennessee, and his mother's people were among the early settlers of Kentucky. John Milam, the subject's father, was born in Indiana, and some time in the early fifties married Mrs. Nancy Owen, who was formerly Nancy Miller, later be- came one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of Greene county. The family of this excellent couple con- sisted of two children, the older of whom, a daughter by the name of Mary, is the wife of Andrew Bucher, of Greene county, the other being the subject of this sketch, whose birth occurred September 30. 1860, and who was reared on the farm where he early developed a strong and vigorous physique and the independence of mind which have since enabled him to take advantage of opportunities and discharge successfully the duties of a very active business life. His preliminary mental discipline acquired in the public schools was supplemented by a course in Franklin College, after which he engaged in the pursuit
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of agriculture on the family homestead which in due time came to him by inheritance. This place consisted of orig- inally two hundred acres of highly improved land, forty acres of which he sold but later made other purchases until the area was increased to three hundred and twenty acres, making it one of the best and most valuable grain and stock farms in the county. On this place Mr. Milam lived and prospered for a period of twenty years when he disposed of it and purchased a half interest in a furni- ture and undertaking business at Worthington, becoming a partner of Arthur Lowe, with whom he is still asso- ciated with.
The firm of Lowe & Milam have the only establish- ment of the kind in Worthington, and do a large and lu- crative business, which under the management of the subject, has steadily grown in magnitude and importance until it is now one of the leading commercial enterprises of Greene county. They handle a full line of furniture and a finely equipped undertaking department sup- plied with the latest and most approved appliances used, owning a commodious two-story building, the ground floor devoted to the business of the firm and the second story consisting of an Opera Hall of ample dimensions, furnished with fine scenery and otherwise well equipped. This is also under the immediate direction of Mr. Milam, who has spared no pains to provide a first class place of entertainment, and like his other enterprises, it too, has proven a very remunerative investment.
Politically Mr. Milam gives his allegiance to no par- ticular party, being independent in all the term implies, and casting his ballot for candidates best qualified for the
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positions to which they aspire. Fraternally Mr. Milam is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. and is active in the work of the lodge which meets at Worthington. The domestic life of Mr. Milam dates from November, 1880, when he was joined in the holy bonds of wedlock with Avis L. Sanders, daughter of Leroy and Frances ( Vest) Sanders, their home being blessed by the presence of three children, Hazel, born March 4. 1888, was graduated from the Worthington high schools with the class of 1907, John S., a student of the city schools, and Pat: the two younger were born in the years of 1895 and 1903, respectively. Mr. Milam and his wife are esteemed members of the Baptist church at Worthington, in which he holds the office of trustee, the daughter being an efficient and popular teach- er of the Sunday school.
GUY GEORGE OSBON, M. D.
Although one of the youngest professional men in Greene county, the subject has achieved marked success in his responsible and exacting calling and today there are few physicians and surgeons in his place of residence as widely known and as universally esteemed. The pa- ternal branch of his family came from Pennsylvania and settled at Bloomfield a number of years ago, where his grandfather, George W. Osbon, grew to maturity and fol- lowed the trade of harness making. This ancestor served twenty consecutive years as justice of peace, lived to a good old age, dying in 1903 and leaving a family of six children, of whom Emmett L., the Doctor's father, was the fourth in order of birth.
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Emmett L. Osbon was born and reared in Bloomfield, learned saddle and harness making in his father's shop when a youth, and later became a telegraph operator, which calling he followed until engaging in the mercan- tile business at Indianapolis, where he now resides. Mary Wines, who became the wife of Emmett Osbon, was also born in Bloomfield, where her father was quite a promi- nent resident and an influential man of affairs, having served as clerk of the circuit court, besides holding at various times other important trusts.
Guy G. Osbon, the only child of his parents, was born November 13, 1878, in Bloomfield and received his education in the city schools, graduating from the high school at quite an early age. During the five years ensu- ing he clerked for a mercantile firm of the town and in 1896 entered the State University, where he prosecuted his studies with the object in view of preparing himself for a professional life. Having early manifested decided predilection for medicine, he took up the study of the same in due time, and the better to fit himself for its ar- duous and exacting duties, became in 1899 a student of the Barnes Medical College, St. Louis, Missouri, which he attended four years, graduating with the degree of M. D. in 1903.
The same year in which he finished his professional course, the Doctor opened an office in Bloomfield, but after eight months removed to Jasonville, where he has since practiced with a large measure of success, having at this time his share of professional patronage with encourag- ing prospects of greater achievements and larger sphere of usefulness as the years go by. A critical student, keeping
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in close touch with professional thought and abreast of the times concerning modern discoveries in the domain of medical science, Dr. Osbon has won the confidence of the public and, being enthusiastic in his efforts to alle- viate suffering and minister to the comfort of afflicted humanity, his friends feel justified in predicting for him a future fraught with great good to his fellow men.
Although making every other consideration subor- dinate to his professional work, the Doctor has not been remiss in the duties of citizenship, or to the debt which every intelligent man owes to the public. He is deeply interested in the material growth of Jasonville and the welfare of its populace, and as a Republican wields an influence for his party, but has never aspired to official honors at the hands of his fellow citizens. He is prom- inent in various lines of fraternal work, being identified with the Masonic, Red Men and Eagle orders, and a leader in the Sons of Veterans at Bloomfield, which he has served as captain, besides filling other official stations.
The Doctor is a married man and has a beautiful home, the presiding spirit of which is a lady of culture and refinement, who formerly went by the name of Lily Lowder, but who since April 30, 1901, has been known to the world as Mrs. Osborn. Mrs. Osborn was born near Springville, Indiana, and is the daughter of James and Mary ( Holmes) Lowder.
Mr. and Mrs. Osborn's home is often the mecca of numerous admiring friends and acquaintances, and their hospitality is never stinted, which fact renders them among the most popular residents of Jasonville.
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REV. GEORGE S. HENNINGER.
Rev. George S. Henninger, the subject, is pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church, of Linton; which forms an important link in the religious prosperity of this city and Greene county. It is the largest and most progressive religious organization, with a membership of about seven hundred, and a Sunday school numbering in excess of four hundred pupils and seventeen teachers. The church edifice was erected in 1903 at a cost of thirty-five thousand dollars and is the handsomest church building in the city. A beautiful parsonage costing three thousand dollars adjoins the church property, but the Rev. Mr. Henninger is worthy of all these advantages in his religious work. Before coming to Linton he was never transferred to another field without its being an advance- ment and also against the protest of each circuit or sta- tion in which he formerly labored.
Mr. Henninger was born in Vernon, Indiana, Jen- nings county, September 22, 1871. His father and mother were both born in Germany and are now living in Vernon, and they are both unstinted in the praise of their youngest child, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Henninger had two brothers, who each died in infancy. He has two sisters, each of whom is married and now living in Vernon. His education deserves no little hon- orable mention, which, in addition to his superior natural endowments, has been a great aid to him in his profes- sional career. He graduated as the valedictorian of his class in the Vernon high school in 1888, after which he took a five years' course preparing for the ministry,
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as provided by the Indiana conference, and in a class of fifteen, he carried off the honors as second.
In 1897 he was ordained as deacon and two years later he was advanced to the eldership. His first charge was New Washington, where he remained one year. Every change from this one was made with a view of advancement. His next place was Crothersville, where he stayed for two years. From here he went to Port Ful- ton, Jeffersonville, remaining there three years; thence to the Indianapolis Trinity church, staying there, too, for three years, and Hall Place Methodist Episcopal church, also of Indianapolis, for two years, going from there to Linton.
He is beloved by every member of his congregation and wields an influence for civic righteousness that is felt in all circles.
On June 21, 1894, he was married to Miss Carrie Nelson, daughter of Dr. H. G. Nelson, a prominent physician, of Vernon. Mrs. Henninger received a su- perior education at Butler high school and at Moore's Hill College, which eminently aided her as a fit helpmate for her husband. She also possesses by nature these rare graces that make her attractive and beloved by all. Each one of this couple being thus endowed by both nature and education for their work reveals the secret of their success. This, coupled with the spirit of earnest conse- cration, cannot fail to ally them to every laudable effort to uplift humanity. They have no children. In fraternal affiliations Mr. Henninger is a Royal Arch Mason, and also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. These affiliations aid him greatly in his work, as it brings
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him in touch with the men who so greatly need spiritual guidance and comfort. In politics he is an independent voter, leaning to the Republican national politics.
DAVID M. DICKINSON.
David M. Dickinson, a farmer and stockman of Taylor township, was born June 8, 1849, in Tuscarawas county, Ohio. He had but little opportunity to become educated. He remained on his father's farm until he enlisted, October 1, 1863, in Company H, Twenty-first Regiment, Indiana Heavy Artillery, at Indianapolis. He was sent ot New Orleans and was in the battle of Fort Spaniard, Fort Blakeley and many skirmishes. He also served in Kentucky and Tennessee and was in the Army of the Gulf. He was incapacitated through an attack of fever at Dolphin, Alabama, and he also contracted sore eyes, which have given him trouble ever since. He was discharged at Mobile, Alabama. After the war he came home and later went to Martin county, Indiana, where he lived until 1877, then he married Viola Hannah, who was born in Greene county, the daughter of Alex and Rachel (Mathews) Hannah, the former of Pennsylvania and the latter of Jefferson county, Indiana. They came to Greene county in 1850, locating in Taylor township, where he conducted a farm. They were members of the United Presbyterian church. They had the following children : James, deceased, who was in the Fifty-ninth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry; Agnes, living at Oglanta, Nebraska; Elizabeth, deceased; William, who
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lives in Owen county, Indiana; Anna, deceased; Viola, wife of the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. David M. Dickinson are the parents of the following children : James, living in Daviess county, Indiana, who married Maude Woodrow; Clyde, a barber in Scotland, Indiana ; Elsie, who lives at home: Jennie, the wife of A. Laugh- lin, of Linton, Indiana; Carl, who lives at home; Lulu also lives with her parents.
Mr. Dickinson moved to Martin county, Indiana, in 1877, where he remained one year. Then he went to Daviess county, Indiana, and farmed there for five years. He then moved to Chase county, Nebraska, where he lived for six years. He returned to Scotland, Indiana, in 1893, where he has since resided. He is a Republican and a member of the United Presbyterian church.
David M. Dickinson was the son of George and Mary (Watson) Dickinson, both natives of Pennsylvania. They moved to Ohio when children. They grew up and married in Indiana. George Dickinson was a farmer, locating in Martin county, Indiana, in 1853, where he bought a farm of two hundred acres, partly improved, where he lived for twenty-five years. He then moved to Crawford county, Illinois, where he died in 1875. His widow returned to Martin county, Indiana, and died there in February, 1895. They were members of the Methodist church. He was a Republican. They were each twice married. To their union was born the follow- ing children: David, subject of this sketch: Emanuel, living in Port Orchard. Washington, working in the government navy yard; Samantha, the wife of Robert Stiles, living in Martin county, Indiana: James, who is living in Sidney, Washington.
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PHILBERT FRY.
March 15, 1857, our subject was born in Greene county, the son of John R. and Lucy (Bunton) Fry, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of West Virginia. Philbert's paternal grandfather, Bryant Fry, moved from North Carolina to Tennessee, and from there to Greene county, Indiana, in 1825, and here ended his days near the city of Worthington. Mr. Bunton, maternal great-grandfather of our subject, was a man of high patriotic ideals, and took an active part in the Revo- lutionary war. He passed to rest while residing in what is now West Virginia.
John R. Fry, father of our subject, was born in 1820, and was left an orphan when nine years of age. When a little older he made his living by working on a canal, and later took up farming. He entered the Civil war, serving in the Eleventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry and continued in the service until the close of the struggle, after which he operated a saw mill in Vigo county, In- diana, continuing at that until 1877, when he returned to his farm in Greene county which is now partly included within the corporate limits of Jasonville, having been sold by the heirs. Here he passed to rest in 1898. He and his companion were active workers in the Christian church, and contributed materially to the welfare of the community in which they lived.
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