USA > Indiana > Greene County > Biographical memoirs of Greene County, Ind. : with reminiscences of pioneer days, Volume III > Part 10
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Mr. Gillett was united in marriage to Mary J. Gil- breath in February 10. 1878. She is the only daughter
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of David Gilbreath, a highly respected citizen of Stock- ton township. This union has been blessed with five chil- dren, namely : Anna M., wife of David Rogers, residing m Martin county, Indiana : William, David, Clarence, Charles and Fred. David, the eldest son is now engaged in farming in the new state of Oklahoma. Clarence is in Robinson, Illinois, in the concrete business. The two younger boys, Charles and Fred, remain at home on the farm.
Mr. Gillett is a well informed man, having been a general reader and close observer, and he takes a heart interest in all things pertaining to the public welfare. Something of his splendid business and executive ability is shown by the fact that he has been selected to perform the duties of treasurer for the Farmers' Mutual Insur- ance Company. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Camp No. 4704, and he and his estimable wife are members of the Baptist church.
WILLIAM STRIETELMEIER.
The United States can boast of no better or law- abiding class of citizens than the great number of Ger- mans who have found homes within her borders, none more willing to stand by the flag in times of national peril than they, and none readier to support her institu- tions for the public weal, and among this large and high- ly respected class is the subject of this brief sketch, who was born in Germany, September 5, 1843, in which
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country he spent his childhood in the usual manner of assisting his parents in whatever fell to his share of the work about the home and attending the schools in his locality. He felt early in life that larger opportunities lay across the Atlantic in the "land of the free and the home of the brave" for him, and actuated by this belief. he was induced to set sail for America in 1863. After landing in New York he concluded the interior was better suited to his taste and he came to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he engaged as a chair maker, having learned some- thing of this trade before leaving his native land; but in a few years he heard of the opportunities in agriculture that Greene county, Indiana, offered, and he consequently gave up his work in that city and came to Stockton town- ship, settling on a farm of fifty-nine acres where he has since resided, having transformed a practically rough piece of land during that time into a farm, and now owns seventy-nine acres which compare favorably with any in his neighborhood.
The subject's father was Henry Strietelmeier, a native of Germany. The subject's mother passed away when he was young, and of the five children born to his father and mother all are now deceased with the excep- tion of the subject of this sketch.
Our subject was united in marriage in 1882 to Fredericka Hildedeck, also a native of the fatherland across the sea, and their marriage was one of those roman- tic kind that never fails to bring subsequent happiness. The contracting parties had known each other in their na- tive land from childhood, and vowing there that the fates should not thwart their life paths, causing them to diverge
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into separate ways, the prospective groom came to Amer- ica to get a start in the business world, here to be joined by his bride-to-be, who later sailed from her native shores for the purpose of meeting the subject in this country, where the marriage was solemized. As a result of this fortunate union the following children have been born, whose ages in 1908 are here given : Henry W., twenty- five: William H., twenty-three: Sophia, twenty-two; Minnie, nineteen ; Lena, seventeen ; Bertha, fifteen.
Mr. and Mrs. Strietelmeier are consistent members of the German Reformed church at Linton, being gener- ally regarded by the congregation as among its most worthy members.
WILLIAM BOVENSCHEN.
A typical specimen of the splendid German-Ameri- can citizens whose sturdy manhood, thrift and industry have wrought so much for our country's good, and who have ever been among our best class of foreigners. loyal and energetic, is the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this brief sketch.
William Bovenschen belongs to the second genera- tion of Germans in this country, having been born in Wright township, Greene county. May 27, 1866, and spending his busy and useful life ever since within her borders, maintaining that the opportunities offered there for an honest and comfortable living could not be sur- passed, not only in this state, but nowhere else in the
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Union. He is the son of Didrick and Margaret ( Smith) Bovenschen, who emigrated to America from the father- land in early life, married and settled in Wright town- ship, Greene county, Indiana, where they were soon assim- ilated with the population they found there and builded a comfortable home. They had twelve children born ; three sons and two daughters now living. The advan- tages and pleasures of his parental home were such that our subject did not care to severe his connection with it until he was twenty-five years old, at which age he went out to battle life alone and with what success he accom- plished the feat is attested to by the present prosperity which he enjoys and which he has achieved all by his un- aided efforts, having been compelled to rely upon his own decisions for guidance, and his innate ability as an agri- culturist, which vocation he has always preferred to fol- low, seems to have been on a par with that of any other citizen of his community.
The subject has lived for the past sixteen years on his present well kept farm of eighty acres, pleasantly situated two miles northeast of Linton, and only a glance over this place will show that these years have not been given to idleness and inertness, for much careful work has evidently been done here by Mr. Bovenschen, so that his farm is now quite attractive in every respect, and his residence equal to others in the neighborhood.
On March 26, 1891, our subject was happily mar- ried to Sena Heitman, daughter of Henry Heitman, a worthy family living in Stockton township, not far from the subject's place of residence. The following children have been born to this union whose ages in 1908
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are : Anna, sixteen : Grace, thirteen : Helen, eleven : Tres- sie, eight: Bernice, six; Ruth, four; Wayne, an infant.
Mr. Bovenschen has the interest of his community and county at heart, is a Democrat in politics, being wil- ling to give a part of his time to the duties of the advisory board of Stockton township, of which he is a member. Mr. and Mrs. Bovenschen are members of the Ger- man Reformed church.
GEORGE HUBBARD SHARP.
The subject of this brief biography is an example of what a man can ultimately do in the world of industry if he has the right conception of life coupled with a deter- mined nature, although his early environments were some- what nonconducive to enterprises of great magnitude. for Mr. Sharp was born of poor parents in a little log cabin in Grant township. Greene county, and he is now the owner of a rich farm of sixty-six acres and a com- fortable and nicely furnished home. The date of his birth occurred on September 26, 1861, his father, Joseph R. Sharp, having been a native of Monroe county, In- diana, who came to Greene county in the early forties and engaged in farming with reasonable success all his life. The mother of the subject was Amanda ( Rader) Sharp. also a native of Monroe county, and like her husband, a type of the sturdy and strictly honest pioneer element. George H., our subject, is one of a family of nine children, and his father was also a member of a family of nine chil-
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dren. Eight of the children born to Joseph and Amanda Sharp are still living. They are, Mary J., the wife of Joseph Moyer, residing in Clay county ; David O. is a resident of the Sun Flower state ( Kansas), where he has successfully engaged in business for twenty-two years ; Belle, the third child in the order of birth, is deceased : Eva is the widow of Samuel Simons; Mattie is the wife of Cass Terhune, of Grant township: Louise is the wife of Theodore Riley, also of Grant township: Joseph E. and William H. reside with their mother who still lives on the old home. Joseph R. Sharp, the father, passed away in 1900 after a useful and successful life, conscious of the fast that he had done all that could be done to train his children in the way they should go and to give them a start in life.
George H. Sharp, our subject, after spending his boyhood days working on the old homestead until he was twenty-six years old and attending the rural schools. married October 24. 1887. Jane Nolting, daughter of Charles and Minnie Nolting. She was born and reared in Stockton township. The home of the subject and wife has been made brighter by the birth of the following chil- dren : Minnie Amanda, who in 1908, is eighteen years old; Claudie Ethel is sixteen; Joseph Earl is fourteen ; William Lester and Lillie Lessie, twins, are eleven years old
Mr. Sharp moved on his present farm, located about two miles northeast of Linton, immediately after his marriage, twenty years ago, and has since resided there. This farm consists of sixty-six acres of land that has been growing richer from year to year, and in 1905
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erected a comfortable dwelling which is the best in the neighborhood, through the skillful management of the owner who is familiar with all the details of fertilizing his fields by the proper rotation of crops and other methods known and employed by the best agriculturists. He not only makes a comfortable living off this farm, but is able to lay up a competency all the while to insure a life of rest and freedom from anxiety in his old days. Mr. Sharp enjoys the reputation of being scrupulously honest in all his dealings.
Mr. and Mrs. Sharp are members of the Methodist Episcopal church in which Mr. Sharp is an official. Po- iitically he is a Republican.
REV. ALEXANDER R. EVANS.
One of the most useful men in Greene county is the Rev. Alexander R. Evans, pastor of the First Presby- terian church at Linton, who is a native of Scotland, hav- ing been born in Renfrewshire county May 1, 1878. His parents were Arthur Benjamin and Edith Evans, of Celtic origin. They died when the subject was five years old and he was soon afterward brought to Ontario, Can- ada, by his elder brother, Arthur Benjamin, where he grew to manhood, taking the high school course in Ome- mee, Canada. He entered Queen's University at King- ston City, Ontario, in 1900, and in 1904 completed a full four years'course. In that year he went to Louisville, Ken- tucky, and entered the Louisville Theological Seminary.
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where he spent two years. While in college he supplied a congregation at Elizabeth, Indiana, spending one year in that work. He was called to the pastorate of the First Presbyterian church at Linton in March, 1907, in which capacity he is now serving ( 1908). This congregation embraces one hundred and eight communicants. A hand- some church edifice is in course of construction, to be occupied the latter part of 1908, and to cost twenty-two thousand dollars. The present pastor was very active in making the new structure a possibility. The Sunday school of this church has an enrollment of over one hun- dred members. It has a violin class of twenty-two pieces, composed of both boys and girls, which adds to the in- terest of both the church services and the Sunday school. The youngest member of the class is a lad of but eight years. However, he reads music readily. Professor V. E. Dillard is the instructor of the class, which is under the general management of the pastor.
Another interesting and helpful department of the church work under Rev. Mr. Evans' supervision is the Boys' Brigade, in full uniform, consisting of sixty mem- bers, each fourteen years old or under. This organiza- tion was established looking to the development both of the physical and moral nature of the youth of the church, as well as the spiritual side of the members. The boys who have affiliated with this society are supplied with equipment and are drilled in military tactics. This proves to be a very interesting as well as popular feature of the church work and the young boys are all enthu- siastic over it. The musical class is also a feature of
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very great interest and helpfulness. Coupled with this are the Advisory Ladies' Aid Society, the Missionary So- ciety, and others of a similar nature.
Rev. Mr. Evans' church is regarded as one of the most modern and most systematically conducted in Greene county, and the young pastor is fast winning the love and respect of the entire community.
WILLIAM R. CRAVENS. M. D.
Among the physicians and surgeons of Greene county who have achieved success in their profession and attained to more than local distinction is Dr. William R. Cravens, of Bloomfield, a man widely and favorably known not only for his efficiency as a healer, but for his many ad- mirable traits of character and sterling qualities of citi- zenship as well. Dr. Cravens is a native of Greene coun- ty, and the oklest of a family of four children born to Samuel C. and Mary L. (Routt) Cravens. the former for many years one of the representative medical men of southern Indiana, but now deceased, the latter still a resi- dent of Bloomfield. ( See sketch of S. C. Cravens.)
The subject's birth occurred in Bloomfield on No- vember 25, 1868, and he spent his childhood and youth in his native city, entering at the proper time the public schools, where he pursued his studies until being gradu- ated from the local high school in the spring of 1885. The training thus received was afterward supplemented by a full course in the Indiana State University. from
Nur R. Grammar
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which he was graduated with the class of 1890 and sub- sequently he took up the study of medicine, becoming a student in the Kentucky School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, where he prosecuted his researches until re- ceiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the year 1892. Actuated by a laudable desire to add further to his professional discipline, he was afterward graduated from the Central College of Physicians and Surgeons, in Indianapolis, receiving his degree from that institution in 1896. and still later in 1906, completed a post-graduate course in the Polyclinic Medical College and Hospital. New York City, thus thoroughly fitting himself for the arduous calling to which his energies are being devoted.
Meanwhile Dr. Cravens entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in Bloomfield, and in due time forged to the front among the successful physicians and surgeons of the city, as was indicated in the rapid growth of his professional business. It was while thus en- gaged that he acquired the additional standing and ef- ficiency by the special courses referred to, and in addi- tion to his training in the school he has ever been a close student and tireless investigator, keeping abreast of the times in all the late researches and discoveries in medical science and in close touch with every phase of current professional thought. As a physician he ranks with the most learned men of his profession in Greene county, and his skill as a surgeon has been no less marked, as the number and nature of the various operations which he has performed will sufficiently attest. The doctor's trained perceptive faculties enable him readily to apply his knowledge obtained from books to the particular cases
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in hand, and as a result he has already a large and lucra- tive practice, which is steadily growing in magnitude and importance. His success financially has kept pace with his professional advancement and he is now comfortably situated as concerns material wealth, being the recipient of a liberal income and the possessor of means which place him among the well-to-do men of his city and county.
Dr. Cravens holds membership with the Greene Coun- ty Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society. the American Medical Association, the Illinois Central Railroad Surgeons' Association, and in addition to these organizations he is also local surgeon for the Cincinnati, Indianapolis & Louisville Railroad Company and the In- dianapolis Southern Railroad, besides being the medical examiner for several of the leading life insurance com- panies doing business in Bloomfield and the contiguous territory. His fraternal relations are represented by the Phi Delta Theta Greek Society, the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias and the Mod- ern Woodmen, and in politics he wields strong influence for the Democratic party, but never permits political mat- ters to interfere with his professional duties.
On. December 6, 1893. Dr. Cravens was united in marriage with Belle Danks, of Patoka, Indiana, daughter of the Rev. T. C. Danks. a well-known Methodist divine. at one time pastor of the church in Bloomfield. Dr. and Mrs. Cravens have one child, a daughter by the name of Mary Helen, whose birth occurred on April 26th of the year 1897.
Dr. Cravens possesses a fine personal presence and pleasing address, is an affable gentleman whose friend-
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ships and popularity are only bounded by the limits of his acquaintance. Genial and pleasant in manner, with many estimable qualities of mind and heart, he has made his influence felt in social as well as professional circles, and few men of the city in which he resides have more strong- ly stamped their individuality upon the community. Pub- lic-spirited in the full sense of the term, he lends his aid and influence to whatever tends to the betterment of his fellow men, and all worthy enterprises and local industries have found in him a friend an patron.
WILL H. SHERWOOD,
The artistic temperament took possession of Will H. Sherwood early in life, and that rare quality, which the ancients believed was given only to those favored by the gods, has been the dominating factor in his life ever since. causing him not only to devote hours to music for pleas- ure's sake, but to turn it into more practical use, and he is at present a dealer in musical instruments in Linton. Indiana.
Mr. Sherwood came from a family that was music- ally inclined. However, his ancestors, of course, did not have the opportunity to develop the taste for music that he has had, owing to the early days in which they lived in this state. He was born May 29. 1850, in Washing- ton county, Indiana, being the eldest of a large family of children born to Benjamin S. and Sarah A. E. ( Holmes) Sherwood, both natives of Washington county, Indiana,
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the former having been born in 1827. To this union were born the following children: Will H., Daniel A .. Hugh M., Bettie J., Johnny A., Mary D., James B., Ed- ward H., Daniel: Mary and John are deceased. Daniel was a lawyer, located at Petersburg, Indiana, who died on the threshold of young manhood, with an apparently bright future, having been a talented scholar and a young man of exemplary character. Mary and Johnnie died in childhood. The parental family of the subject came to Linton in November. 1857, and built a log house about a mile east of the town. This was among the first im- provements in that vicinity. Benjamin S. Sherwood was the first shoemaker in that locality. He followed this trade until 1864. when he moved to Linton and engaged in the mercantile business. He was also postmaster there for several years. He later conducted the hotel that stands on the corner of A. Northwest, and Vincennes streets, where a hardware store now stands. He dis- posed of his hotel in 1886 and built a residence on the corner of Vincennes and B street. Northwest, where he spent the remaining days of his life, dying there in 1888. He was survived by his widow until April 7. 1898.
Will H. Sherwood grew to man's estate in Linton. Indiana, where he attended the public schools and worked a great deal at farming and hauling goods for his fa- ther, working about the store and the hotel. From early life he evinced a talent for music. He is self-educated and has become very proficient on all kinds of musical in- struments. He both plays and writes music, and he has been a very proficient teacher of the organ, all kinds of hand instruments, as well as a teacher of vocal music,
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and he has been engaged in selling musical instruments all his mature years. He was for many years leader of the band at Linton, and served as the chorister in the churches also for many years. He takes a great interest both in church and Sunday school work.
The subject was married March 12, 1873, to Clara E. Story, daughter of James and Serelda Story, an early pioneer family in Stockton township, Greene county. The subject and wife lived for a time on the farm originally owned by Rev. Martin Hale, paternal grandfather of Mrs. Sherwood.
Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood have had seven children born to them. The eldest is Lomie I., who is married and living at Terre Haute. He is a bookkeeper for the Van- dalia Coal Company. He served for three years in the Twentieth United States Infantry Band in the Philippine Islands. Fanny, the subject's second child, is the wife of George Dye, a miner in Linton. Lexie G. is in high school at Linton. These are the living children of the subject. They all inherited their father's talent for music and are excellent musicians. Dona Ivy and Ollie Marie both died in infancy ; two twin daughters died unnamed. The subject has been a life-long Republican, and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity. His wife is also interested in lodge work. They have three grandchil- dren-Corinne M. Sherwood and Edith and Morris Dye.
The Sherwood family has always been well known in the annals of Greene county's history, and the subject and his family are sustaining the traditions of their an- cestors with care, and as a result of their consistent lives they number their friends by the scores.
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ANDREW J. MYERS.
One of the business men of Linton who was attracted to that rapidly growing little city by its excellent advan- tages early in its boom days was Andrew J. Myers, who has made a success in business there and who was born near Salem, Washington county, Indiana, February 27. 1867, the son of David B. and Mary Ann ( Proe) Myers, both natives of Washington county. The former en- gaged in agricultural pursuits and spent the major part of his life in Washington and Daviess counties. Both of the subject's parents died in 1887, his mother on Jan- uary 27th and his father May 17th. They were both in their fifty-fourth year. They had a family of eight children, all of whom were sons, four of whom are liv- ing. The two eldest, William and Milton, died in child- hood: Cornelius died in 1906, having been choked to death at the age of fifty years. He left a family of eight children. Solomon died in New Whatcom, Washington, where he was proprietor of a hotel. He is survived by a widow, but no children were born to them. John S. is the proprietor of the cafe at the New Linton Hotel. Mar- cus L. is the owner of a barber business in Tuscola, Illi- nois. Andrew J., the subject of this sketch. Jack is a barber employed in business at Linton with the subject. He is married and has two sons.
The subject has been in Linton since December, 1887, and has been engaged in the barber business since 1883, having learned his trade in Daviess county, Indi- ana. He has a finely equipped shop. operating four chairs, and he is generally conceded to stand at the head of the barber business in Linton.
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The subject was married November 23. 1889, to Lennie Cravens, a daughter of John L. Cravens, of Lin- ton. Guy, a son, was born to this union, who is now liv- ing in Linton, being a grown young man. Loren was born to the subject's second marriage. The subject and wife are members of the Christian church. Politically he is a Democrat and an influential local politician. He was the choice of his party for the office of trustee of Stockton township. He belongs to the following social and beneficent societies : Knights of Pythias, Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. He has been clerk of the local organization of the last named lodge since its organization five years ago. He also belongs to the Woodmen Circle, an in- surance organization in connection with the Woodmen of the World.
Mr. Myers has been very successful in his business and he owns the building in which his shop is located ; also a good residence. The shop is located at 32 South Main street, in a brick building specially fitted up for his business, with bath services; also a laundry agency run in connection with the shop. Mr. Myers is well known about town and he has a host of friends in Linton and vicinity.
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