USA > Indiana > Greene County > Biographical memoirs of Greene County, Ind. : with reminiscences of pioneer days, Volume II > Part 3
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Mr. Maddock is a native of Franklin county, Indiana, a son of William B. and Margaret A. Maddock, the fa- ther of English birth, the mother born near Mt. Carmel, In-
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diana. As William B. Maddock, Sr., was long a man of prominence in this state, filling worthily a number of im- portant public positions, it is fitting in this connection that something more than incidental reference be accorded him in this review. The following outline, abridged from an extended obituary notice which appeared in The La- fayette Morning Journal, sets before the reader the lead- ing facts and characteristics of this most excellent and high-minded gentleman :
"William B. Maddock was born July 1, 1832, in Staffordshire, England, a son of Robert Maddock. He attended school there until fourteen years old, and then came to America with his parents, who located at Mt. Carmel. He continued his studies at Mt. Carmel for four years, and in 1863 began to teach at Brookville, be- coming principal of the school. In 1864 he was appointed county school examiner of Franklin county and served in that capacity until 1872. During the period between 1864 and 1866 he also served as deputy auditor and treas- urer of that county. He was editor and proprietor of The Franklin Democrat from 1868 to 1872, and estab- lished a reputation as a versatile, forcible and fearless writer. He was a clerk in one branch of the Indiana leg- islature in the seventies. In religious views he was a Presbyterian.
"In 1872 he left Franklin county and became a citi- zen of Benton county, locating first at Raub, and later took up school teaching at Fowler. There, in 1875, he founded The Benton Review and edited the paper success- fully for several years. In 1878 he was appointed county superintendent for a term of two years. He went to La-
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fayette several wears later, where he acted as a real estate agent at different times.
"He was married October 14. 1858, to Margaret A. Portteus, of Franklin county, who survives. Four chil- dren also survive, namely: Mrs. R. A. Howell (now deceased), and Lewis E. Maddock, of Lafayette; W. B. Maddock, editor of The Bloomfield News, and D. S. Mad- dock, of Indianapolis, all the boys being printers.
"Mr. Maddock was a stanch Democrat and was ag- gressive in politics. He was a man of more than ordi- nary intelligence and was well read. He was genial as a companion and was a loyal and patriotic citizen. His home life was contented and it was there he displayed the best qualities of heart and mind."
William B. Maddock, the immediate subject of this sketch, was born at Brookville, in the county of Franklin, on the 19th day of March. 1869. His early days were passed very much like those of the majority of lads reared in the country towns, and when old enough he en- tered the public schools, receiving his education princi- pally in Fowler, the county seat of Benton county, where he prosecuted his studies until his seventeenth year. In the meantime he acquired a practical knowledge of the printer's trade by working in his father's office, and on leaving school at the age indicated he accepted a position in the office of The Benton Review at Fowler. In Sep- tember, 1886, he accepted a position with The Bloomfield Democrat, and after one year with that paper Mr. Mad- dock went to Rushville, where he spent a similar period in the office of The Rushville Republican, then returned to the same paper in Fowler on which he had formerly
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been employed, but after a few months gave up his job and returned to Bloomfield, and early in 1890 accepted a position with The Lafayette Journal, remaining with that paper until November of that year, when Mr. Maddock again came to Bloomfield and, forming a partnership with John T. Lamb, purchased The Bloomfield News, the lead- ing Republican paper of Greene county, at that time poor- ly equipped in the matter of plant, machinery and other appliances, all of which were in a dilapidated condition, the result of this indifference to the mechanical depart- ment being a constant falling off in patronage. Immedi- ately after taking possession the new management thor- oughly refitted the office and equipped it with the latest and most thoroughly approved mechanical appliances, sparing no expense in the purchase of machinery and type nor pains in making the plant first-class in every particu- lar and a fit place from which to issue a paper in keeping with the demands of the times. The enterprise was not long in taking on new life, and with the first number un- der the new regime the paper showed marked improve- ment, not only in the mechanical makeup, but in the abil- ity displayed in the editorial columns, to say nothing of the rapid growth in public favor as a party organ and clean family newspaper, through the medium of which all interesting news, both foreign and domestic, was given publicity. Messrs. Maddock and Lamb conducted the paper jointly until 1897, when the former purchased the latter's interest and became sole proprietor. He has re- mained at the head of the concern from that time to the present, during which period the paper has steadily grown in patronage and influence, being, as already indicated,
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the official organ of the Republican party in Greene county and recognized as one of the best local papers in the state, in many respects comparing favorably with the more pre- tentious metropolitan sheets. Mr. Maddock has added greatly to the value of the plant by supplying many use- ful improvements, and in point of equipment the office is second to no other in the state, outside the larger cities.
Sufficient has been said to indicate Mr. Maddock's reputation as a newspaper man and editor. While fear- less in the support of Republican principles and no mean antagonist in discussing the questions and issues of the day, his career has ever been characterized by the profes- sional courtesy which marks the high-minded gentleman who takes broad and liberal views of men and affairs and who never lowers the moral tone of his paper by permit -. ting anything undignified or degrading to appear in its col- umns. He aims to have it vibrate with the public pulse and that it has realized the high expectations of the proprietor and its many friends is proven by the constantly increasing subscription list and the growth of its liberal advertising patronage. In addition to publishing his paper Mr. Mad- dock has the contract for furnishing the county offices with all necessary supplies, and also does quite an exten- sive business in general job printing, for all lines of which work his office is well adapted.
Aside from his interest in public and political mat- ters Mr. Maddock has ever been alive to every enterprise and movement calculated to advance the material interest of his city and county, and is first and foremost in all laud- able endeavors for the educational and moral welfare of his fellow men. He possesses a strong mentality, an in-
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vincible courage and a most determined individuality, which qualities combine to make him in no small degree a leader of men, a champion for the rights of the people should they ever require defense at his hands. His per- sonal standing is second to none of his contemporaries, his friends are numerous and loyal and his popularity is as wide as the extent of his acquaintance.
Mr. Maddock was married December 30, 1890, to Nora A. Lamb, of Bloomfield, daughter of John T. Lamb, his former business associate and one of the best known men of Greene county (see sketch of John T: Lamb). the union being blessed with one child, a son by the name of Paul Lamb, who first saw the light of day on April 9, 1892, and who is now pursuing his studies in the city high school. Mr. and Mrs. Maddock are esteemed members of the Christian church, the former holding the office of trustee in the Bloomfield congregation.
Mr. Maddock has served as journal clerk in the lower house of the general assembly during the sessions of 1897 and 1899, in addition to which he has been called to other positions of trust from time to time, though never an office seeker or aspirant for public honors. He promoted, organized and assisted Ernest H. Dugger and Jonas E. Meredith in building the present electric lighting system, which has grown into the Home Light and Water Com- pany, one of Bloomfield's most worthy enterprises. His financial success has been commensurate with the judg- ment and energy displayed in all his undertakings, own- ing at the present time valuable business and residence property in Bloomfield, besides interests in mining and manufacturing enterprises. Fraternally he is a thirty-
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second degree Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Bloomfield, the Consistory and Murat Temple of the Mystic Shrine in the city of Indianapolis. He is also identified with several other secret and benevolent organizations, including the Knights of Pythias and Mod- ern Woodmen, and during the past fifteen years has been a member of the Republican Editorial Association of In- diana, a body in which he always takes an active interest and wields a strong influence, and is at present the treas- urer of that association.
FREDERICK HASSLER.
Frederick Hassler, a retired farmer living in New- berry, Indiana, is a native of Switzerland, having been born in Canton Berne in June, 1825. He was the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Colp) Hassler, both natives of Switzerland, who came with other relatives to America about 1845 and settled at Scotland, Greene county, In- diana, where they bought a farm and spent the remainder of their lives, making farming a success in every particu- lar. They were members of the Lutheran church and the parents of seven children, namely: Elizabeth, de- ceased: Peter, who is living in Bloomfield, Indiana ; Christ, deceased: John, living in Scotland, Greene coun- ty; Frederick, the subject of this sketch ; Margaret, de- ceased ; Jasper, deceased.
Frederick Hassler was about twenty years old when he came with his parents to Greene county, having re- ceived a common German education in Switzerland. After he came to this country he worked with his father
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on the farm, later hiring out as a farm hand near New Albany, Indiana. He saved what money he could and bought land together with his other three brothers near Scotland, Indiana. He moved on the land and it was soon transformed into a good farm, upon which he lived until 1895, when he sold out and gave a large part of his land to his children. However, he still owns a large farm. He has been very successful as a farmer and trader and at one time owned over eight hundred acres of land, all of which was considered good. He is now living in Newberry, where he moved in 1895.
Mr. Hassler was married in December, 1853, to Barbara Porter, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, in 1835. She died May 16, 1902, at the age of sixty-seven years. She was a member of the Methodist church for a number of years.
The subject and wife had the following children : Mary Jane, who died in 1854; Margaret, who lives in Bloomfield, Indiana; Anna; Frederick; Daniel, who lives in Cass township, Greene county ; Prasola, deceased ; Joseph ; Benjamin, living in Cass township, Greene coun- ty ; Christ also lives in that township on a farm; Aaron is deceased ; David lives in Arizona.
The subject is a member of the Lutheran church. He is a Democrat, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has been road supervisor.
Mr. Hassler came to America a poor emigrant, but he and his family, by hard work, became large land own- ers in Greene county, Indiana, and are a highly respected family.
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ALVA ELLIS HINDMAN.
Alva Ellis Hindman. the present postmaster at New- berry. Indiana. and one of the most popular men in that vicinity, is the son of William E. and Salvina ( Calvin) Hindman, the former a native of Greene county. Indi- ana. while his wife's people are from Ohio, where she was born. The father of the subject was reared on a farm near Newberry and received an elementary educa- tion in the common schools of Greene county. Indiana. by attending the best the times then afforded. which were very inferior to the present splendid system. When he grew to manhood he farmed and later entered the harness business in Newberry. Afterward he sold his stock of harness and went to farming, which he followed until his death in 1904. He was an elder in the Church of Christ and a devout Christian. Fraternally he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. in which. as well as in the church, he was an active member.
The parents of the subject of this sketch had three children. two of whom are still living-Alva Ellis, the subject. and Mrs. Emma M. Crocke, who lives in Greene county. Indiana.
Alva Ellis Hindman. the subject, attended the com- mon schools in the winter and worked on the home place during the summer months until he reached manhood. He continued farming until he bought a livery business iu Newberry. Indiana, which he conducted for a number of years. He finally sold his livery stock and returned to farming. which he followed until he was appointed postmaster at Newberry in 1905. in which capacity he is now serving.
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Mr. Hindman was married November 20. 1892. to Iva Pebble, who is a native of Newberry. receiving there' a common school education. They are the parents of five children, as follows: Glenn D., William R .. Geneve. Leo L. and Marcella. all bright children and making excellent records in the Newberry schools in 1908.
The subject and his wife are members of the Chris- tian church. The former takes an active part in Repub- lican politics. always standing for clean politics and jus- tice to every one.
Mr. Hindman is a member of the Modern Wood- men of America. having served in nearly all the offices. He is also a member of the Oneida Tribe of Ren Men. No. 305.
The subject is an industrious man. of sterling worth. being regarded as upright in all his dealings by every one. and is highly respected by all who know him, as is also his entire family.
NATHANIEL EMERY.
Nathaniel Emery was born in Coshocton county. Ohio, April 2. 1831. the son of Ambrose and Mary ( An- derson) Emery, natives of Pennsylvania and pioneer farmers of Coshocton county, who came to Greene coun- ty. Indiana. in 1848. settling in Taylor township. The subject of this sketch is the only one of twelve children now living. His grandfather. Ambrose Emery. served in the Revolutionary war and his wife distributed ra-
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tions to General Washington's staff. The subject can trace his ancestors to the sixteenth century, and they have all been well known in their own localities.
Nathaniel Emery had but a meager schooling, re- maining at home and taking care of his parents in their old age while his brothers were in the army. On their return he enlisted and served a year toward the close of the war.
In November, 1855, he married Susan McWhirter, who was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Taylor) McWhirter, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and the first settlers in Taylor township, Greene county, Indiana, living on a farm there, but both died in Jackson township. The subject and wife had the following children : Jonas A. was first a school teacher, later going to West Point, where he studied mili- tary tactics and graduated at the age of eighteen years. He joined the regular army and traveled over the greater part of the world. He was first appointed second lieu- tenant, and is now a retired major general, having de- voted his entire life to the army. He is now located in Virginia. He married Emma Gainey, of Bloomfield, In- diana. They have the following children: Robert, now a lieutenant in the regular army in Cuba; Jessie, living at home; Nathaniel, now attending Military College at Danville, Virginia. Mary, the second child of the sub- ject, died at the age of nineteen ; Jesse is a train inspector at Parsons, Kansas, who married Julia O'Daniel ; Charlie is a farmer, living in Greene county, and married Minnie Hardesty ; Harvey, a farmer in Taylor township, Greene county, married Eliza Benham: Lillie is the wife of
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Charles Rayborn, of Bloomfield, Indiana ; Mary and Rob- ert are both deceased.
The subject, who is now retired, has lived in Tay- lor township, Greene county, since 1855. He is a firm Republican, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist church.
R. D. CALLAHAN.
Robert Douglas Callahan was born in Greenup county, Kentucky, March 19, 1834, the son of Charles and Nancy (Douglass) Callahan, both of the same county and state, where the subject was born. They were mar- ried and spent their lives in that county, where they both died. Charles Callahan was a farmer and teacher and was a justice of the peace for many years. being well known throughout his native county. He was a Whig when that party was in existence ; later he became a Re- publican. He and his wife were members of the Meth- odist church. He died in 1873, his widow surviving him until 1885. Out of a family of sixteen children twelve reached maturity. The following were in the Civil war, including the subject of this sketch: Clifton G., who died at Cumberland Gap in 1862; Otho W. died at the same place the same year; William, who became a lieu- tenant, died in Greenup county, Kentucky ; Wesley, also living in Greenup county, Kentucky; Malvina died in Lewis county, Kentucky ; Henrietta at Portsmouth, Ohio; Lovina, in Greenup county, Kentucky; Salomie, at Iron-
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ton, Ohio: Milton, George and John are all living in Greenup county, Kentucky.
R. D. Callahan had a limited schooling at his early home in Kentucky, where he lived until 1856, engaging in farming and teaming, when he came to Greene county, Indiana, and settled one mile east of Bloomfield, where he worked for Andrew Downing & Company at an iron furnace for two years. He spent some time at Browns- town, Jackson county, Indiana. He was first married in 1856 to Sarah Ann Cox, of Greenup county, Kentucky, a daughter of Joseph and Rosanna Cox, of Greenup county, Kentucky. In 1859 they came to Greene county, Indiana, and also worked at the Downing iron furnace. Mrs. Cox died in 1864. He married the second time. choosing Martia Emery, of Greene county, Indiana. who still lives in Bloomfield. Mr. Cox died in 1901. He had eleven children, all by his first wife. Four are still living. They are: Benjamin F., of Waco. Texas : William M., of Bloomfield ; Hattie Maud Shanks, of Greene county, and the wife of R. D. Callahan, who is a sister to his first wife. He had no children by his first wife, but four by his second. They are: Ola, wife of John Stultz, of Bloomfield, who has one daughter, Nina ; O. W., a lumberman and well known lodge man, who lives at home : Claude C., traveling salesman at Seattle, Washington, who married Mabel Newman, and who has one son, Claude, Jr. : Josephine, wife of Dalton McLaugh- lin, of Bloomfield, who has one daughter, Nina Virginia. Mrs. McLaughlin first married Frank Warnick, of Bloomfield. They had one son, Claude R.
On August 8, 1862, Mr. Callahan enlisted in Com-
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pany K, Sixty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at Brownstown. They went to Madison and completed the organization. Then the company went to Murfordsville, Kentucky, then to Bowling Green, Kentucky, later com- ing to Indianapolis. In December, 1862, the company was sent to Memphis, Tennessee. Later it took part in the siege of Vicksburg and at Milliken Bend. On May 1, 1863, the company went to Port Gibson and was in the battle at that place. The subject was in the siege at Champion Hill and at Vicksburg, being under fire for forty-seven days. He also fought at Jackson, Mississippi. Later the company was sent into Louisiana. He was a prisoner of war for two months, but was exchanged and rejoined his regiment near Indianola. He went on the Red River expedition and later was in the siege at Fort Morgan, Alabama, after which he was sent to Pensacola, taking part in a campaign through Florida, then back to Alabama and to Texas by boat June 19, 1865, and was discharged at Galveston. He enlisted as a private in June, 1862, and was promoted to second lieutenant De- cember 21, 1864. Later he was promoted to first lieu- tenant, in which capacity he served until the close of the war.
After the war Mr. Callahan went to Jackson county, Indiana, where he remained until 1875. He was in Lou- isville, Kentucky, for two years. He lived in Martin county for eight years and in Dubois county, Indiana, sev- eral years, in 1893 moving to Bloomfield, where he con- ducted a hotel for some time. He has always been a Re- publican. Mrs. Callahan is a member of the Methodist church.
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SAMUEL HAINS.
The life of Samuel Hains was worthy of emulation, and the example he set the younger generation of the va- rious communities where his lot was cast has doubtless resulted in much good. He was regarded as one of the most liberal men of Greene county, Indiana, although he was never blessed with an abundance of this world's goods, but he was always ready to help the needy or as- sist in any worthy cause. He was seriously handicapped during the later part of his life by a wound which was inflicted during the Civil war, yet he continued his work in a successful manner in the face of all obstacles, hav- ing been a man of unusual fortitude.
He was born in Coshocton county, Ohio. July 8. 1832, and died in Bloomfield, Indiana, November 14, 1906. He was the son of Daniel and Sarah ( Foster) Hains, the former a native of Virginia. They settled in Ohio, where Daniel farmed and lived until his death. Both he and his wife were members of the church. They had the following children : Henry, deceased; Samuel : Hiram, deceased; Mary, deceased; Hannah; William, who lives in Bloomfield, Indiana, and Nancy.
Samuel Hains was reared on a farm, receiving his education in the pioneer schools, remaining at home until he enlisted at the outbreak of the war in the Ninety-sev- enth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company H, in which he served two and one-half years, during which time he par- ticipated in all the battles in which his regiment was en- gaged until he was shot in the right elbow during the batlle of Missionary Ridge, which prevented further
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service. He had many narrow escapes from death dur- ing his army career.
Returning from the army he assisted his father-in- law on the farm, but he had learned the blacksmith's trade prior to the war and in 1866 opened a shop near his old home in Coshocton county, Ohio, which he con- ducted until 1869, when he came to Greene county, In- diana, where he opened a blacksmith shop in Taylor township, which he conducted until the spring of 1875. when he moved to Bloomfield. Soon afterward he opened a shop, which he successfully maintained, having been a fine workman, until his health failed and he retired, having been in partnership with Hoyt Nickerson from 1875 until his death. He and his wife were both mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic and a Repub- lican in political belief.
In 1865 Mr. Hains married Margaret Neldon, who was born in Coshocton county, Ohio. in 18.43. She was the daughter of Samuel and Jane (Stewart) Neldon, the former from Virginia and the latter from Pennsylvania. Mr. Neldon was a farmer. They had nine children, all now living : Margaret C., Uriah J., William H., Eliza- beth J., George M., Samuel F., Joseph R., Robert H. and Oda F. Elizabeth's husband was John Demoss, who was a veteran in the Fifty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was a prisoner for eighteen months in Libby prison. He narrowly escaped death in a boat which was trans- ferring the prisoners.
Five children were born to the subject and wife: Sarah J. lives at Bloomington, Indiana: Lavada, of
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Bloomfield ; Arzalia lives at Linton, Indiana ; Adella lives in Richland township, Greene county, and Ridgway H. now lives in Linton, but he was for three years in the regular army, artillery corps, Twenty-second Battery, stationed at Fort Douglass, Utah. He was seriously in- jured, barely escaping death in a runaway of a six-horse team hauling an artillery wagon, from which he has never fully recovered.
THOMAS C. OWEN.
The name Owen has been intimately associated with the history of Greene county since the first pioneers pene- trated the wilderness, from which remote period to the present time representatives of this sturdy family have contributed to the development of the country and to the establishing of a community which in all that concerns material advancement and a high state of civilization and enlightenment is not surpassed by any like area within the bounds of the Hoosier state. They have not only been active participants in promoting the material inter- ests of the respective localities where they lived and bore their parts, but, realizing the needs of their fellow men, they have supplied the same with unsparing hands, and today there are few names so closely interwoven with the progress of the county and none more influential in enterprises for the general good or more highly honored by the public at large.
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