USA > Indiana > Greene County > Biographical memoirs of Greene County, Ind. : with reminiscences of pioneer days, Volume III > Part 19
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umes for the fearlessness of this earnest public servant, who in the discharge of his sworn duty knew no fear or favor, but made every other consideration subservient to the strict enforcement of the law.
Mr. Riddle's ability and painstaking efforts as a prosecutor led to his nomination in 1906 for the office of judge of the circuit court, but the Democratic party be- ing in a hopeless minority that year he suffered defeat with the rest of the ticket, although making a gallant fight and carrying more than the normal party strength. Since the expiration of his official term he has devoted his at- tention exclusively to the practice of his profession, and he now commands an extensive and very lucrative legal business, not only in his own county, but also he has a large clientele in the counties of Martin, Lawrence, Mon- roe, Owen, Morgan, Clay, Sullivan, Vigo and Marion, his standing as an able lawyer and successful practitioner giving him almost a state reputation.
Mr. Riddle is public-spirited in all the term implies, and in addition to his large legal business and the interest he has ever taken in political affairs, he is also actively and prominently identified with secret fraternal work, be- longing to and taking an active part in the deliberations of a number of orders, among which is the Free and Ac- cepted Masons, including the Royal Arch Mason degree. the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in which he served as first exalted ruler of Lodge No. 866, and one term as district deputy grand exalted ruler for the southern Indiana district, the Independent Order of Red Men, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, including the Court of Honor, the Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order of
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United Workmen, Ancient Order of United Mechanics, Modern Woodmen of the World and the Modern Wood- . men of America, in all of which he has been elevated to positions of honor and trust. Although not identified with any church organization, he is a believer in religion and has profound respect for the wholesome influence it exerts as a great moral and spiritual agency for the ele- vation of man and betterment of society, hence he encour- ages all enterprises under this head and contributes to their support.
Mr. Riddle was married on the 18th day of June. 1902, to Effie J. Hornbeck, daughter of F. M. and S. E. Hornbeck, of Greene county, Indiana, the union result- ing in the birth of a daughter named Wilma Eveline and a son who answers to the name of Maurice Jefferson Riddle. Mr. Riddle is the owner of real estate in Bloom- field and is interested in the production of oil in the south- west, though he devotes his entire time to his profession.
JAMES B. SHERWOOD.
The family of which the subject of this sketch is an honorable representative is traceable to North Carolina. where certain of the Sherwoods were known to have been living as long ago as the colonial period. but of the time of their arrival in this country and the facts concerning the early history of the family little specific data is ob- tainable. The name appears in connection with the pioneer settlement of southwestern Indiana and since the
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fifties it has been familiar in Greene county with the growth and development of which the family has been actively and prominently identified. The Sherwoods have not only been among the leading agriculturists of this part of the state, but have also been represented in busi- ness and industrial circles and the learned professions, and in whatever capacity found they have honored their call- ing and reached a high standard of citizenship in their respective places of residence.
Benjamin S. Sherwood was born in 1827 in Wash- ington county, Indiana, and there grew to maturity, mar- rying in early manhood, Sarah H. Holmes, also a native of the county of Washington, where her birth occurred in the year 1828. In 1852 this couple moved to Greene county and took up their abode in Linton, of which place Mr. Sherwood was an early merchant, and he also served eight years as postmaster. He was among the substan- tial citizens who helped make Linton a progressive, law abiding place, doing much to promote the town's ad- vantages and induce a good class of people to become permanent residents. After a useful life of sixty-two years' duration he was called from the scenes of his earth- ly struggles and triumphs, dying at Linton in the month of February, 1889. his wife surviving him. Later she, too, passed to immortality. They had a family of six children, whose names are as follows: William H., Daniel A., Hugh M. and Mrs. Bettie J. Hardesty ; James B. and Edgar H., all living but Daniel A., who died in 1879. With the exception of Mrs. Hardesty, who lives at Sullivan, Indiana, the surviving members of the family reside at Linton and are doing well in their respective callings.
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James B. Sherwood, whose birth occurred in Greene county the 29th day of June, 1866, was reared to useful pursuits, and after receiving a good practical education began life for himself as a coal miner, which he continued five years with fairly profitable results. Subsequently he spent seven years as a clerk, and still later was largely instrumental in establishing what is known as the L. T. Dickason Coal Company, having induced Col. L. T. Dick- ason, of Chicago, to purchase a large body of coal lands near Linton. This company afterward was merged with the United Fourth Vein Coal Company. Later on he bought the land and interested Colonel Dickason in the purchase of the coal lands, which resulted in the organ- ization and development of the Little Giant Coal Com- pany. In 1903 he organized and was president and man- ager of the North Linton Coal Company for two and one- half years until its merger with the United Fourth Vein Coal Company. He is at the present time a director and secretary of the latter company.
During the past ten years Mr. Sherwood has been identified with the commercial interests of Linton and is also engaged in the same line of trade at the town of Cass, in Sullivan county, conducting a large general mercantile establishment at the former place, which is extremely patronized and doing a very profitable business at the lat- ter point, where he employs four clerks to meet the de- mands of his patrons. His life has been one of great activity, and that success has rewarded his efforts is indi- cated by the prominent position in business circles to which he has risen.
Public-spirited and keenly interested in whatever
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tends to benefit his town and county, Mr. Sherwood has never had any ambition to rise above his fellow men in the matter of official honors, being content to be known simply ยท as a business man and to wear. no other title than that of citizens. Politically he is a Republican, but by no means an active politician, and religiously the Baptist church holds his creed. His fraternal relations are represented by the Masonic order, of which he has been a member for a number of years, and the Benevolent and Protective Or- der of Elks, in which he is an active and influential worker.
June 16, 1889, was the date on which occurred the marriage of James B. Sherwood and Minnie Gibson, daughter of the Rev. William M. and Margaret Gibson, of Linton, the family at this time consisting of six chil- dren, namely : Bert, Stanley, George, Walsh, James, Jr., and Helen, all at home, the oldest son being a student at Moores Hill College.
JOHN MORGAN LOWRY.
A most interesting addition to the character and variety of the American people was made by the incom- ing of those settlers termed the Scotch-Irish. These sturdy emigrants, after ranging southward from Pennsyl- vania along the longitudinal valleys of the Appalachian highlands, ultimately made their way over the mountains into the promising regions of Kentucky and Tennessee. Here they found opportunity for home making, and to-
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day their descendants, among whom is our subject, can be traced by the thousands as they have gradually drifted into the neighboring territory.
Some time prior to the Revolution John Lowry came to Virginia from Ireland. Originally he came from Scot- land. He took part in the Revolution and was wounded at the battle of Camden. Having his leg shot off by a cannon ball, he lay on the field for three days before aid came. During this time he lived from the haversacks and canteens of dead comrades. There were three children, two sons and one daughter, John, the eldest ; William Al- exander, second, and Betsy, the daughter. Both boys en- listed in the War of 1812. William A. was only sixteen, and entered the army as a fife major. Ever afterward he was known as Major Lowry.
After the war he married Lavina Seigler. Shorty after they moved to Bledsoe county, Tennessee, and were engaged in farming. Afterward they moved to Warren county, near McMinnville, Tennessee. He was still a farmer and owned slaves. While here he was major of the militia and served one term in the state legislature.
During the Civil war he was a Union man, although he was not in the service himself. He caused a number of Confederate prisoners to take the oath of allegiance.
He was an active member of the Christian church. He died of heart failure in 1877. They had nine children, seven boys and two girls, Phillip, Francis, John, William Alexander, Newton, Effie, Jasper, VanBuren and Polk.
William A. was born in Warren county, Tennessee, in 1822 and was educated at Irvin College. In 1846 he was married to Julia Ann Maria Morgan, of White coun-
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ty, who was a daughter of James H. and Mary Morgan. who were of Irish descent. James H. Morgan was a di- rect descendant of General Daniel Morgan, of the Revolu- tion, also a relative of Gen. John H. Morgan, of the Civil war. Both were members of the Christian church. James H. Morgan died in 1861. In 1865 Mrs. Morgan was married to W. D. Carns, a prominent minister of the Christian church and one of the foremost educators of middle Tennessee, having occupied the chair at Burritt College, at Spencer ; Milton College, at Fayetteville : Man- chester College, at Manchester, and back to Burritt Col- lege, where he died in 1879.
William A. studied medicine under Dr. Jesse Barns, a noted physician of Sparta, practiced medicine until early in 1862, when he enlisted in the Confederate service un- der General Bushrod Johnson. Shortly after his enlist- ment he was made hospital steward, which place he held until he was captured by the Federals and placed in Rock Island Prison, where he remained fourteen months.
He was actively engaged in the battles of Chicka- mauga, Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain. Dur- ing the battle of Missionary Ridge he had charge of the infirmary corps. On the 4th day of February, 1865, he took the oath of allegiance and returned home.
On account of the guerrilla warfare which was being carried on in that part of the state, which made it very uncomfortable for those who had taken the oath, he was forced to move to Trousdale county. Here General Dib- rell's men had been disbanded, which made conditions dif- ferent. By this time he had sacrificed everything he pos- sessed for the lost cause.
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In 1871 he moved to Grundy county and engaged in farming. He was a member of the Christian church. He died in 1879.
They were the parents of fourteen children: three died quite young. Those who lived were Sidney Lisane- ly. Amanda. James, Harvey, Alexander G., Jennie, Alice Eva. Josephine, Virginia, Willie and Mattie.
On the maternal side Nathan Fults, grandfather of our subject, was also a native of Tennessee. He occupied himself at farming, and in the ante-bellum days was a slave owner. He and his wife were members of the Methodist denomination and took an active part in church work. He acquired the age of seventy-six years and was the father of seven children, three sons and four daughters.
Sidney Lowry, father of our subject, was born Janu- ary 29, 1853, and received his early education in the pub- lic schools of Tennessee and at home. In early life he followed farming. but later, in 1886, turned his attention to mining, and has risen to the position of mine foreman. He is now located at Tracy City, Tennessee, and is still energetic and active. In 1874 he was married to Nannie J. Fults. He takes a deep interest in religious work, be- ing a member of the Christian church. He is an earnest worker in the Sunday school, doing much to popularize that phase of the church life. He became the father of nine children, of whom the following survive: John M .. our subject : Hugh A., of Jackson, Tennessee: Mark, at Tracy City with his father, and Bruce, also at home.
John M. Lowry, our subject, who was born in Ten- nessee September 13. 1875. received such early education
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as the local schools afforded, and later graduated from the Pleasant Hill Academy, at Pleasant Hill, Tennessee. Being interested in the subject of electricity he began to devote his studies to that subject and found it so inter- esting that he has since devoted his studies to that field. After some experience in his native community he came to Indiana, taking up his studies at Rose Polytechnic. Upon coming to Jasonville he took charge of all the elec- trical machinery for the leading mining company there. and has since filled that position.
On December 22, 1902, Mr. Lowry was joined in marriage to Mattie A. Simpson, also a native of Tennes- see, and this union has resulted in the birth of two chil- dren, Raymond, born September 17, 1903, and Harold, born January 28, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Lowry are mem- bers of the Christian church and give the work their hearty support and co-operation. Mr. Lowry is a Demo- crat, but does not give much time to politics, although he has consented to serve his fellow citizens in the capacity of councilman. In all of his associations he makes pleas- ant and permanent friendships, and commands the high- est confidence in his business integrity.
ROBERT THOMAS McKEE.
It is with a feeling of satisfaction that the writer es- says the task of touching upon the details of such a record as has been that of the honored subject whose life now comes under this review, for as a result of virtuous liv-
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ing his example has been for good and his influence up- lifting.
Robert T. McKee is a native of Scott county, Ken- tucky, where he was born August 30, 1834, the son of Joseph H. and Lucinda (Bartlett) McKee, the grand- father of the former having been a native of Scotland, who settled in Kentucky, where Robert McKee, the grand- father of the subject, was born and spent his life. There were five children in Grandfather McKee's family, the subject's father being fourth in the order of birth. Grand- mother McKee was a Todd before her marriage, of the same family tree as the wife of Abraham Lincoln. The father of the subject spent his early life in Kentucky, where he was born in 1805. He came to Indiana in 1839, settling in Owen county. He was a millwright, having spent seven years as an apprentice, and following this trade all his life, being considered one of the best me- chanics in the state. He worked for seventy-five cents a day and furnished his own tools. He raised nine children. eight of whom were boys. He was an active member of the church of Christ, as was also his wife. The former was an elder at the time of his death in 1875. He had been justice of the peace for twenty years and was re- garded as a man without a blemish on his character. His wife was a woman of the best type and possessed more than ordinary industry, having manufactured the cloth from wool and flax for the clothing of her entire family for many years. She was born in 1811 and died in 1876.
Robert T. McKee, the subject, had but little school- ing. He was compelled to assist in supporting the family. working with his father until he was twenty years old.
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when he was married to Margaret McIndoo, to which union six children were born, all now deceased. His wife died November 28. 1870. Two years later the subject married Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson ( nee Birdsell). One child, who is now deceased, was born to this union. This wife lived until December 13. 1874. In July. 1875, Mr. McKee married his third and last wife, who was Mrs. Martha Waggoner. Four children were born to this union, the second dying in infancy. Rhoda, the first child, is the wife of Walter G. Burchan ; James G. is married and has one child : Maggie D. is the wife of Samuel Jef- fers. All of these children are active Christians.
Mr. McKee commenced life without means and had a hard struggle to get a start and care for a family, but his industry and persistency, coupled with sound judg- ment and honesty of purpose, soon began to bring tangible results, as such principles always will when properly ap- plied, and the subject was able to begin farming on a large scale after following the life of a mechanic for a few years. He farmed for six years and was becoming well established when he heard his country's call for loyal citizens to assist in saving the Union, and, with no regrets, Mr. McKee severed home ties, left his plow and shoul- (lered a musket, enlisting in 1861 in Company B. Thirty- first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, subsequently taking part in the engagements of this regiment at the front, having fought at Shiloh, Corinth. Chickamauga and many others of minor importance. He was twice wounded. once severely, in the battle of Chickamauga, where he was captured and held for twelve days, when he was paroled and sent to the hospital. later returning to his
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command. with which he remained until September 15. 1864. He never missed a roll call without permission. was never arrested or placed in the guard house during his service. Six of Mr. McKee's brothers were also gal- lant soldiers in the Union Army and the husband of his sister. Orin J. Tally, was the first member of the regiment lost, he dying at Henderson, Kentucky. James W., our subject's oldest brother, was captured and thrown in prison at Andersonville, where he was kept for one year, being so reduced by starvation that he died in Golds- borough. North Carolina. His brother, Alexander C .. was also in the Andersonville prison for a year. Albert B. McKee, the subject's brother, was wounded in the arm, which caused it to remain stiff.
Robert T. McKee has been prosperous since the war, now owning three hundred and sixty acres of as good land as is to be found in Greene county, all under a high state of improvement. Nineteen acres of this is within the corporate limits of Lyons, on which the subject has a comfortable residence in which he lives. This land is all in the hands of his family, being managed and worked by them. However, Mr. McKee superintends the work as much as possible, for his ability as an agriculturist is perhaps unaqualed by any man in the county, despite his advanced age.
The subject has had a remarkable record in that he never swore an oath in his life, never attended a dance or party and never played a game of cards or gambled in any way. He is grateful for this fact now in his old age, and also thankful that he has been prosperous enough that his last years will not be spent in want. He joined the church
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of Christ when nineteen years old and has been an active worker ever since in this church. Politically he is a Re- publican and always stands . for clean politics and he is admired for his honest, clean and sober private and busi- ness life.
WILLIAM F. WOLFORD.
No citizen of Linton, Indiana, in recent years left so indelible an imprint of his sterling worth and strong per- sonality on the minds and hearts of his friends and ac- quaintances as did the subject of this life record, who, through many years of toil and endeavor, showed how honesty of purpose and the following of the old "golden rule" in every avenue of life would gain success in busi- ness, genuine respect in social life and a high place in the moral and religious world.
William F. Wolford, son of John W. and Martha E. Wolford, was born near Linton, Greene county, Septem- ber 18, 1867, and he was summoned to close his earthly career by the Shepherd "who giveth his beloved sleep" on November 17, 1906, at the age of thirty-nine years. He was the third son in the order of birth, and he spent his early life on the old homestead, assisting his father in the farm work and availing himself of every opportunity to develop himself mentally until 1886, when he left his par- ental roof and entered a store in Linton, clerking for his father and brothers. So readily did he take to the mer- cantil business that he became a member of the firm of Wolford & Sons in 1889, and ever after this to the close
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of his life he was fully identified with them in all their affairs, finally becoming manager of this immense busi- ness concern, and as such he was painstaking and untiring in seeing that those having business dealings with the firm were treated with the utmost fairness and uniform kindness, and his careful and minute knowledge of the business which he had in hand caused it to grow from year to year in importance and influence.
The subject was joined in marriage to Cynthia J. Olgus, October 20, 1889, to which happy union three bright children were born, filling their home with addi- tional sunshine. They are Thaddeus, Clifton and Charles L.
Mr. Wolford was converted to the Christian religion in 1886 and was baptized into the fellowship of Olive Branch Baptist church by the Rev. Buchanon August 15. 1889, and by letter became a constituent member of the First Baptist church of Linton. From the first he threw his energy into the work of the church, sharing in its joys and sorrows, and bearing a very large share of its burdens.
In his social life Mr. Wolford was just as popular as in business. He was always pleasant, entertaining and equally courteous to all classes of people. While his busi- ness occupied the major part of his time he always found a few moments to devote to social life. In secret circles he was a member of the Metropolitan Lodge. Knights of Pythias, of which he was a leading and influential mem- ber. Of this order he had held several offices, and at the time of his death was first lieutenant of the uniform rank.
Though a young man in years Mr. Wolford had en-
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deared himself to all with whom he came in contact by his genial and unwavering good nature, which mani- fested itself in every act of his life. A Christian by choice. yet he numbered among his friends skeptics of the most ultra views : and he held their respect by his upright and manly walk before all mankind. He bent no humble knee that wealth might follow fawning. The poor and humble found in him a friend and well-wisher. The life of Mr. Wolford furnishes a striking example to other young men just entering on a business career, and if they follow up his ideals success cannot help but crown their efforts, for in the short years allotted to him he measured up to the standard, leaving behind him the richest heritage of which any man is capable-a good name.
WILLIAM OLGUS.
This well-known, highly esteemed and useful citizen of Greene county, who has some time since "joined the choir invisible of the immortal dead." was the father of Mrs. William F. Wolford, of Linton, Indiana, and he was universally regarded among his numerous friends and acquaintances as a man of many admirable attributes. His earthly career was closed on June 20, 1890, at the residence of John W. Wolford, after a long illness. Mr. Olgus was in his sixty-second year, and was a native of Prussia, from which country he emigrated with his par- ents in 1844. His father settled on a farm that for forty-seven years was the home of the deceased, dur-
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ing which time he built up the place to a logh state of cultivation and general improvement, at the same time making his influence felt for good morals, clean politics and sound civic life throughout his community.
William Olgus was one of the many well-to-do Ger- man-American families, who, by patient industry, frugal habits and honest dealings, had acted well his part in life's strenuous battle. After his death one who knew him well paid this splendid tribute to his memory: "Not a dishonest dollar ever passed through his hands."
The subject was raised by Catholic parents, but he never affiliated with that church, often attending services at Protestant churches, contributing to their support. He was a peaceful, quiet and truthful citizen, who never had a law suit nor a personal difficulty with his neighbors, and it is doubtful is he ever had an enemy;
JOHN STAFFORD TAYLOR.
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