USA > Indiana > Greene County > Biographical memoirs of Greene County, Ind. : with reminiscences of pioneer days, Volume III > Part 8
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Oscar E. Bland, whose name heads this article, was reared to farm life, dividing his youthful days between working on the farm and attending the district schools. When he had outgrown the latter, he took a course in the Linton high school, supplementing this with a course at Valparaiso University, and finished his classical work at Indiana University. He also took a law course in the same institution, and was admitted to the bar, and began practice in Linton in 1901. After six years of successful
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practice alone, in order to accommodate the increasing patronage of the office, and also because of his elevation to the senatorship, he formed a partnership with Henry Moore, Esq., of Bloomfield, under the firm title of Moore & Bland, and offices are conducted both at the county- seat and in Linton. The Bloomfield office is conducted by Mr. Moore, and that at Linton, by Mr. Bland and his associate, R. H. Neeley, Esq. Mr. Bland is a successful and thoroughly capable lawyer and has established a large and lucrative practice. He is not only well-versed in the intracies of his profession, but he is one of the most tal- ented and versatile lawyers in the county, both in office counsel and before the bar. He has few peers as a cam- paign orator, and his services are in demand on all occa- sions of educational politics. He was a stalwart Repub- lican, thoroughly in touch with the administration at Washington, and a zealous supporter of President Roose- velt's attitude on questions of public policy.
Mr. Bland was elected to the state senate in 1906. and represents the counties of Greene, Monroe and Owen. He was the champion of the two-cent railroad fare bill, which he introduced in the senate, and this, and a few minor measures, was the key-note of his campaign. He also introduced the miners' wash-house bill and cham- pioned it to a final issue.
Mr. Bland was married June 18, 1902, to Josephine, daughter of Dr. Jesse and Mary Hanna, of Linton. The family are prominent in the social affairs of Linton, and widely and favorably known throughout the county, and senatorial district. They have one daughter. Helen, aged five years, in 1908.
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Mr. Bland is a young an of bright prospects for future prominence and usefulness. Few men at the age of thirty have attained to the degree of public esteem and confidence accorded to Oscar Bland. At the threshhokdl of vigorous young manhood, the possibility for future development is not merely conjectural.
He is an ardent participant in athletic sports, and enjoys the solitude of the wilderness in the hunting sea- on, usually making a trip, annually, to the Rockies or else- where, in the search for "big game." Recently on his return from one of these excursions he brought with him two fine elk heads, which he presented to the local lodge, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In consideration of this very appropriate gift, and also as a means of showing appreciation of the generous donor, the society voted him an honorary life membership. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World, and Sigma Nu Greek letter fraternity.
FRANK SPELBRING.
Frank Spelbring, city clerk of Linton, and manager of the Greene county Loan Company, is a native of Owen county, Indiana, and one of a family of eight children born to John H. and Katherine A. Spelbring, the father of German birth, the mother a native of Pennsylvania. John H. Spelbring, who was born in 1824, in Germany, came to America when young and in 1836 became a resident of Owen county, this state, where he followed agriculture
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for a livehood, until age necessitated his retirement from life's active duties, when he laid aside the implements of husbandry and spent the remainder of his days amid the quiet scenes of home, dying in July, 1906. He was a quiet, unassuming man, successful in his chosen vocation, having accumulated a sufficiency of this world's goods to place him in independent circumstances and as a neigh- bor and citizen, he stood high in the community and enjoyed the friendship and confidence of all who knew him. The family of John H. and Katherine A. Spel- bring consisted of eight children, namely: Jacob died from disease contracted in the army ; Katherine, widow of John Altemiller, of Terre Haute; Mrs. Elizabeth Sendmeyer, of Clay county; Dr. Benjamin F., a physi- cian and surgeon of Saline City, Indiana ; Henry, a resi- dent of Clay county and a farmer by occupation ; Samuel, a farmer and banker of Westfield, Illinois: Malinda, deceased, and Frank, whose name introduces this article.
Frank Spelbring was born on the 22d day of February, 1857. and spent his early life at the home farm in Owen county, where in due time he learned by practical experience, the full meaning of hard work, and it was there also that he developed the habits of industry which have stood him so well in subsequent life. His preliminary training in the common schools was after- wards supplemented by a course in the Northern Indiana Normal University, at Valparaiso, after which he taught several terms of school and earned a creditable record as a capable and painstaking instructor.
Discontinuing educational work, Mr. Spelbring ac- cepted the position of clerk in a mercantile establishment,
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and until 1908 this has been his principal vocation, hav- ing clerked and sold goods for about twenty years in the counties of Greene and Clay, becoming a citizen of the former in 1888. Since that year he has made his home in Linton, and during the interim between then and now his name has been prominently identified with the advancement of the town along material lines, having always been public spirited and doing all in his power to advance the interests of his city.
During 1907-1908 Mr. Spelbring has had charge of the Greene County Loan Company's office, in Linton, in the management of which he has greatly enlarged the area of the concern's operations and added not a little to its permanence and popularity. In municipal matters, he has also been active and influential, being a member of the city council and the city school board, and in 1903 he was elected city clerk, which office he still holds, having been re-elected in 1905, and the duties of which he dis- charges in the able and businesslike manner characteristic of the man.
A Democrat in politics, he is a force in his party and makes his influence felt not only in local affairs, but in district, state and national politics as well, always taking an active interest in campaigns, attending many conventions. He belongs to the Pythian Order and the Modern Woodmen of America, and his religious affilia- tions are with the Presbyterian church, being in 1908, a member of the building committee, having in charge the construction of the beautiful temple of worship for the use of the First Presbyterian church of Linton.
Mr. Spelbring was married in the month of August,
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1878. to Miss Rose E. Moore, daughter of C. B. Moore, of Clay county, a union blessed with three chil- dren: Herbert V .: died in infancy: Stella M., wife of Charles G. Allen, of Linton; and Clara, who is single and a member of the home circle. Mrs. Spelbring died in May, 1889, and on August 27th, of the year 1890, Mr. Spelbring was united in marriage to his present wife, who bore the maiden name of Arabell Buzzard. Mrs. Spel- bring is the daughter of William Buzzard, and has borne her husband four offspring, whose names are: Fern, Ruth, W. Henry and Esther, all living.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HOLSCHER.
The subject was formerly a member of the firm Holscher & Harris, shoe merchants, of Linton, Indiana, and he was born in Stockton township, Greene county, December 20, 1879. the son of Henry and Anna Mary ( Eichin) Holscher. The father of the subject was born in Lockport, Indiana, in 1838, and his mother, who was born in Baden, Germany, in 1849, came to this country with her parents in 1855. Her father, John Eichin, was a minister of the German Reformed church and was engaged in his ministerial labors in Greene county, in the early days. He later moved to Illinois and died at Olney, in 1885. The father of the subject is also descended from German ancestors. His parents, John and Adelheit Hol- scher, came to Greene county, Indiana, from Germany, in the early twenties and located on a farm in Stockton
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township, in 1849. The mother of the subject, and her unmarried son, William E. Holscher, still own and live upon this land. The subject's parents reared the fol- lowing children : Emily, John H., Henry M., William E., Benjamin F., our subject ; Lydia E. All are mar- ried, except William E., and all live in Linton. The brothers are all miners.
The subject of the sketch was educated in the public schools, graduating from the township schools in 1893, and he attended the high school in Linton for two years : also spent nearly two years in the State University. He began teaching in 1896 and successfully followed that profession for six years, having been employed all this time in his native township. He became a partner in a shoe store under the firm name of Hedrick & Holscher. in 1901. and the following year purchased his partner's interest and managed the business himself until 1904, when Joseph A. Harris became the junior partner. They dealt exclusively in shoes and "foot-wear," and had a large and carefully selected stock at 189 North Main street, until May, 1908, when a fire damaged the stock and later the firm closed out the business.
Mr. Holscher was married December 25, 1900, to Hattie L. Heltman, daughter of Philip and Laura Helt- man, of Olney. Illinois, where she was born, reared and educated. Her father was one of the pioneers of that locality, a large land owner and an extensive stock dealer.
Mr. and Mrs. Holscher have two sons, Donald Car- lyle, who was born in January, 1902: and Harry, who was born in February, 1907.
The subject is a member of Linton Lodge. No. 866.
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Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He was a member of the German Reformed church, with which he affiliated when he was only thirteen years old, and continued his membership in it until he was married, when he with- drew and joined with his wife as members of the First Methodist church, and is now a teacher in the Sunday school of that church. Mr. Holscher is a Democrat, and he was elected a member of the city council of Linton, from an unexpired term in 1904. In the fall of the same year he was elected councilman-at-large, entering upon the duties of the office in January, 1906, for a four years' term. He is, in 1908, the able president of the city finance board and an active member of the various committees. He is regarded as one of Linton's most industrious and trustworthy citizens.
HENRY STEELMAN.
This capable and highly respected business man of Linton, Indiana, was born in Springfield, Ohio, Novem- ber 8, 1858, but moved to Gibson county early in life and attended the public schools there, working on a farm between terms. He farmed successfully until he was thirty-five years old. In 1893 he entered a drug store to learn the business, and got along so well in his new field of endeavor that he soon opened a store of his own in Patoka, this state. Removing his stock to Linton in 1906, he now owns and operates the well known Owl drug store there, carrying a full line of drugs, patent medicines, toi-
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let articles, paints, oils, etc., enjoying a splendid trade with the city and surrounding country.
Politically he is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a member of Columbia Lodge, No. 450, Masonic fraternity, at Patoka, Indiana. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, local lodge at Linton.
Henry Steelman was married November 8, 1882, to Alice Phillips, daughter of Rhoda ( Highley) Phillips. of Gibson county, Indiana. To this union one bright son was born, who, in 1908, is a student of pharmacy in Philadelphia College.
The subject's first wife was called from her earthly labors early in life and he re-married November 6, 1890. His second wife was Fannie J. McFetridge, of Gibson county, Indiana, a daughter of John Q. McFetridge, a well known farmer. Two children were born to this union, namely; Eunice, a high school student in Linton, Indiana: Henry, living at home and attending public schools ; both giving every promise of bright futures.
John Wesley Steelman, the father of the subject. was a native of Pennsylvania, where he spent his youth and married Elizabeth Hinckle, who was also a native of that state. He was a farmer, near Springfield, Ohio, until he moved to Gibson county, Indiana, in 1863. The fol- lowing children were born to this union : John W., Mark Henry, Rebecca, Catharine, Dora, Phoebe, Mary, Charles, William and Amanda all died in early life, Charles and Amanda in childhood, the others were grown and married.
The subject is an influential and much respected man. owing to his honesty and industry.
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STEPHEN ELLIS.
There is no calling, however humble, in which en- terprise and industry, coupled with a well directed pur- pose, will not be productive of some measure of success, and in the pursuit of agriculture the qualities mentioned are especially essential. Among the farmers of Greene county who have attained to a definite degree of success in their line is Stephen Ellis, whose farm is located in section 19, Smith township, nine miles west of Worth- ington. He was born June 20, 1842, near Linton, being the son of William and Martha ( Robinson) Ellis, the lat- ter a daughter of Stephen Robinson. His grandfather, Robert Ellis, was born in Ireland, immigrating to Amer- ica in his early youth, and at the age of sixteen years en- listed in the Revolutionary cause, serving four years in a Georgia regiment, after which he moved to Tennessee, ultimately coming to Greene county, Indiana, where he farmed and died at the age of ninety-six years, leaving four sons and one daughter. The subject's grandfather. Stephen Robinson, a native of Tennessee, did not come to Greene county. The subject's father came to Monroe county, Indiana, from Tennessee, and in 1837 entered four hundred acres of land in Greene county, where he made his home the balance of his life, dying at the age of 'seventy-six. His wife lived to be sixty-two years okl. They were Baptists and the parents of nineteen children, thirteen of whom were living at the time of the mother's death and eight are living in 1908.
Stephen Ellis remained at home until his patriotism prompted him to sever home ties and offer his services
Stephen.
Elli
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to his country, which was threatened with disruption. and in 1864 he enlisted in Company A, Fifty-ninth In- diana Volunteer Infantry, and was in Sherman's army until the close of the war, performing gallant service and never flinching from his duty. His brother Robert, who enlisted at the same time, served through the remainder of the war, after which they both returned home and the former resumed farming, which he has always fol- lowed, at present carrying on a general farming and stock raising on his estate, consisting of one hundred acres, producing especially good corn, which is fed to hogs and cattle. Commercial fertilizers are used and in other skillful ways the land is kept in first-class condi- tion. It has a natural drainage, being rolling for the most part, and all the fields are well fenced with wire, principally ; in short, this farm is a piece of property which any one might be proud to own.
Mr. Ellis was married in 1861 to Nancy Clark, daughter of Stephen and Rebecca (Ellingsworth) Clark, the former a native of Washington county and the lat- ter of Greene county, Indiana. Three children were born to the subject and wife, namely: Mary, the wife of Tyra W. Bray, who has three children ; George W., who lives in Terre Haute, and is the father of four children ; Na- than died in childhood. The subject's first wife died in 1866. In June. 1867, he married his second wife, Ma- tilda Butler, who was born in Indiana, the daughter of Edward and Nancy (Holt) Butler, natives of Tennessee. There was no issue to this marriage and Mrs. Ellis died in 1878. The subject was again married in 1880 to Ettie Van Slyke, daughter of Peter C. and Sarah Jane ( Boyd)
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Van Slyke, natives of Greene county. Four children were born to this last union, namely: Jennie, wife of Ed- ward Robinson and the mother of two children, Laura Belle and Joseph Paul: Joel C., who married Violet Henry and lives in Denver, Colorado: Van and Ruth are living at home. Mr. Ellis has nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren in 1908. He is a strong Dem- ocrat in his political belief. He was formerly a member of the Baptist church, but when he moved from his earlier home he failed to take his church letter to his new place of residence. His wife is a member of the Baptist church as was also his first wife. Mr. Ellis is regarded as a plain, honest, sober and industrious citizen, who is hon- ored and respected by all who know him, and his wife and entire family stand well in the neighborhood where they reside.
RICHARD THOMPSON JOHNSON.
This well known stock raiser and farmer, of Stock- ton township, Greene county, was born near Carlisle, Sul- livan county, this state, October 28, 1847. the son of Sam- uel Johnson, who was a noted stock raiser and breeder during the Civil war, having remained in the county where he was born, being the son of Peter Jolinson, an honored veteran of the War of 1812, and, like him, a man of many sterling traits, Peter Johnson was also a participant in the bloody Indian wars. The mother of Richard T. Johnson, our subject, was in her girlhood, Amanda Reed, daughter of James Reed, a pioneer mill
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man, who lived near Pleasantville, Sullivan county. Four children were born to her union with Samuel Johnson. After her death Mr. Johnson married Ellen Shake, daughter of Christopher Shake. After a well spent and active life. Samuel Johnson died at his home in Sullivan county, in 1886.
Our subject was united in marriage in 1870 to Sa- rah J. Lisman, daughter of Perry Lisman, a well known citizen of Sullivan county, and as a result of this union the subject became the proud father of two interesting children, Reed and Perry. His first wife was called from her earthly labors in 1879 and Mr. Johnson was remarried in 1882 to Frances Lambeth, daughter of Rankin Lambeth, a native of North Carolina. The chil- dren of this last union are: Floyd, Amanda, Grace, Ray and Vernor, all very promising children. Although Mr. Johnson is not a very elderly man, there is a difference in the ages of his oldest and youngest boys of thirty-two years.
The subject remained with his father on his Sulli- van county farm, assisting with the work about the place. until he was first married on the date above given, and there learning the fundamental principles of agriculture, he has since developed them to their fullest extent, mak- ing farming a success in every particular and bringing his farm up to an equal basis of any in the community where he resides. He has long been known as one of the most extensive wheat growers in southern Indiana, hav- ing raised many crops that yielded two thousand and five hundred bushels. Mr. Johnson seems to possess greater skill in the successful planting and handling of wheat
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crops than most farmers of his locality. Besides, he makes a pronounced success of his other crops and stock raising, which forms no inconsiderable part of his in- come, which has increased from year to year owing to his efficient management.
The subject came to Greene county in February. 1896, and purchased the Ora Price farm of seventy-five acres two and one-half miles west of Linton. He has, since his first arrival there, been regarded as one of the community's most accomplished and trustworthy citi- zens, and at once gained the respect and confidence of all his neighbors and acquaintances.
In politics he is a Republican, but he has never sought an office. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
DANIEL H. FIELDS.
The subject was born in Greene county in the early pioneer epoch, one mile east of the present city of Lin- ton. January 3. 1835. and is the oldest native- born resident of Stockton township, being one of the oldest in Greene county, and who has been prominently identified with the industrial, material and civic progress of this section, having ever stood for loyal and public- spirited citizenship. In November, 1854. he entered the land where he now lives, a little more than three miles southeast of Linton, having gone to housekeeping that year, settling in the woods, which were so thick, he says,
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he could see only one way, and that was straight up. Now it is so thickly settled that the neighbors can't raise chickens. In fact, this section was practically an un- broken forest, where Indians and wild animals were still plentiful and when the homes of the pioneers were cabins of the more primitive type. "Uncle" Daniel Fields, as he was familiarly called, harks back in memory to 1843, when there were but three houses in Linton, and he tells many thrilling reminiscences of those pioneer days, re- calling how the wilderness thereabout was filled with wild turkey, deer, bear and wolves, many of them falling vic- tims to his long, quaint rifle. He has been a factor in bringing about the transformation which has made this one of the leading counties in the state, with its highly cultivated farms, thriving towns and villages, its schools houses, churches and all other evidences of progress and culture.
The father of the subject was Stephen Fields, a Kentuckian, who came to Greene county, Indiana, when a young man and, being a Christian preacher, did more than his share of the work in uplifting the moral and re- ligious element of the county, having worked among the people there untiringly, administering to their wants in whatever way he found them in need of help. The maiden name of the mother of the subject was Margaret Har- rah, daughter of Daniel Harrah, who settled in Greene county when it was in its very first stages of develop- ment, the wilderness still being in evidence on every hand. Daniel, our subject, was the eldest of a family of nine children. The names of the others are: William, Re- becca, Thomas, James, all deceased: Mary, Ella and
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Charles-just three-living: two other children died in early life. Stephen Fields' death occurred in 1880 near Edwardsport, Indiana, in which town they lived ten years. He was preceded to the silent land by his wife in 1876.
Daniel Fields lived with his father until he was twenty years old, receiving such schooling as those pio- neer times afforded. He was united in marriage with Emily J. Gastineau, of Stockton township, on October 19. 1854. In November of that year he entered eighty acres of government land, on which he has since resided, having long enjoyed a comfortable home there and hav- ing made a splendid farm as a result of his hard labor. To this union six children have been born, as follows: Francis, a farmer, living in Stockton township; Myra, cleceased : Ida, wife of Thomas Bloomer, living at Lyons ; Emma, wife of John Peters, living in Stockton township; Oliver, deceased: Elmer, living in Stockton township. The subject's first wife was called to her reward January 26, 1886, and he was again married in October of that year to Nancy Wakefield, a sister of his former wife, and widow of William L. Wakefield, of Grant township. She is now living at the age of seventy in 1908.
"Uncle" Daniel was one of those loyal sons who could not quell his patriotic ardor when his country was in need of help during those troublous days of the sixties, and, severing home ties for a soldier life, which he be- lieved to be his higher duty, marched away to defend the stars and stripes, being a member of the Fourteenth In- diana Volunteer Infantry, in which he enlisted in Au- gust. 1862, and fought gallantly in that bloodiest of all battles of the great war-Antietam-where he was struck
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by a shell during one of the hottest moments of that great conflict and slightly wounded. After participating in fur- ther work in which his regiment was called to perform, he was honorably discharged at Buffalo, New York, in 1865. "Uncle" Daniel and his aged companion are highly honored and regarded with the utmost consideration and courtesy by the entire community which they have so long enriched with their presence.
THOMAS J. SHIELDS.
One of the well improved and attractive farms of Stockton township, Greene county, is that owned and conducted by the subject of this sketch, who has long been identified with industrial affairs in this part of the state, having been born in this township and on the place where he has spent his entire life April 7. 1860. His father, David Shields, was a native of Lawrence county, who came to Greene county in 1853, settling on the farm a part of which the subject owns at present. David Shields died in 1894 after a busy and highly upright ca- reer, winning friends wherever he went and never los- ing them. The maiden name of the mother of the sub- ject was Ellen Box, a native of Lawrence county. now an elderly lady of beautiful attributes, who makes her home with her two grandchildren in Linton. David Shields and wife were the parents of eight children, four of whom are living in 1908-Arista, Thomas J., John B. and Ida May, wife of John R. Chapman.
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