USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 1 > Part 38
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of interesting reminiscenses of the older times, when the pioneers were making their great fight to conquer the wilderness for their descendants.
THOMAS W. FLEMING.
Mr. Fleming holds the responsible position of president of the Shelby National Bank, and has been identified with the business interests of Shelby- ville for a period of forty years, during which time he has advanced to a front rank among the financiers of his adopted state, besides earning the unique record of having taken no vacation or season of rest since entering upon his present line of duty, nearly a half century ago. Accepting a minor post in the old Shelby bank in 1868. he filled it so acceptably as to gain the confidence of liis superiors, who were not long in promoting him to a more responsible position, which proved the beginning of a series of advancements which in due time led to the office he now holds as executive head of one of the best and most successful banking institutions in the state.
Born in Alleghany county, Pennsylvania, November 25, 1847, Thomas W. Fleming was less than three years old when brought by his parents to In- diana, since which time his life has been very closely interwoven with the his- tory of the city, which for nearly three score years he has made his home. His father. Dr. George W. Fleming, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, was born in 1802. and after being graduated from Washington College, of Washington, Pennsylvania, practiced medicine in the state of his birth until 1850, when he moved to Shelby county. Indiana. where he continued his chosen calling to the end of his life, dying March 21st of the year 1864. Be- linda McGrew, wife of Doctor Fleming, and mother of the subject, was also born and reared in Washington county, Pennsylvania. She survived her husband about twenty-three years, departing this life in the county of Shelby at the advanced age of four score years, leaving to mourn their loss two sons. George W., mentioned elsewhere in these pages, and the gentleman whose name introduces this review.
Thomas W. Fleming attended the public schools of Shelbyville until com- pleting the prescribed course of study, and was preparing to enter college when the death of his father caused a very material change in his plans, by throwing him upon his own resources for livelihood. Entering the employ of G. W. F. Kirk, who kept a hat and shoe store, he obtained his first knowledge of busi- ness as a salesman, but after clerking for that gentleman a short time, he ac- cepted a similar position in the clothing store of Samuel O'Connor, where he remained until engaging in his present line of business in 1868.
The Shelby Bank was organized by Samuel Hamilton, who conducted
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it as an individual enterprise until 1892, when owing to the death of Mr. Hamilton, the bank was reorganized, and Mr. Fleming became associated with nine cther stockholders, under the joint management of whom the institution was carried on as a private bank for a period of thirteen years. . At the expira- tion of that time the business passed into the hands of four partners, who con- tinued it as a private bank until 1905. when it was reorganized as the Shelby National Bank, by which name it is still known. the institution at this time being one of the most prosperous and popular of the kind in the state.
Shortly after engaging with Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Fleming was made cashier, in which capacity he continued until 1202. when in addition to the duties of his position he become one of the stockhoklers and assumed no small part of the many responsibilities of the large and constantly increasing busi- ness necessarily fell to him and he proved equal to the task. Upon the organ- ization of the Shelby National Bank in 1905. he was made president, which honorable position he has since held with ability. being at this time the execu- tive head of the institution, which in view of his long and honorable business experience and high standing in the financial world affords the best guarantee of its continuous growth and success. Mr. Fleming is ably assisted by a board of directors composed of men of high business standing. whose connection with the bank adds not a little to its stability and popularity.
Mr. Fleming is a business man whose career has been uniformly prosper- ous and whose record ever above reproach and eminently honorable compares favorably with that of any of his compeers. He is a member of the State Bankers' Association, and has served as president of the Bankers' Associa- tion of the Sixth district of Indiana in both of which bodies he stands deserved- ly high, taking an active part in their deliberations and exercising a strong influence in formulating policies for the direction and control of the business which they are designed to promote. In politics he is a Republican, and for some years was a zealous party worker. but recently retired from active pair- ticipation in political affairs the better to devote his entire time and attention to his duties as a financier. Mr. Fleming was married on the 8th day of May. 1873. to Anna Rowan, a native of Ohio, and for years a teacher in the public schools of Shelbyville, the union resulting in the birth of two children. a daughter. Elizabeth, and a son by the name of George Elliott Fleming. The former is now the wife of G. S. Moffett, financial agent of the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company of Philadelphia, with headquarters at Atlanta. Georgia, their home being blessed with two children, Thomas Fleming and Ann Margaret. George Elliott Fleming was graduated from Harvard Uni- versity with the class of 1899, after which he took a three years' law course. and is now practicing his profession in New York City, where he already has earned an honorable record as a corporation lawyer. He has a large and lucra- tive legal business, and is recognized as one of the rising young attorneys of the great metropolis which he chose for his field of labor.
REV. GUSTAV G. WINTER.
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Mr. Fleming and all of his family belong to the Presbyterian church, and manifest an abiding interest in various lines of work under the auspices of the same. The family dwelling at No. 96 West Broadway is one of the largest and most beautiful of the city's many fine modern residences, and the air of content which reigns therein makes it in every sense of the term a home ideal.
REV. GUSTAV G. WINTER.
Distinguished as a theologian. a physician and an educator, the subject of this sketch fills a large place in the public view, holding high rank in the dif- ferent lines of work to which his life has been devoted since becoming a citizen of Shelby county. He is doubtless the oldest clergyman in this part of Indiana. having served as pastor of Zion church of the German Evangelical Protestant denomination in Union township continuously since January 3. 1870, and since ISSo has sustained the same relation to the church in Shelbyville. besides rendering efficient service as a physician and educator. Born in Leimbach. Germany. August 22, 1841, Gustav G. Winter is the descendant of an unbroken line of clergymen from the days of Martin Luther, an ancestor of his having been one of the first ministers to accept the views of the great reformer and publicly proclaim them throughout the Fatherland. His father. Rev. Carl Winter, a minister of scholarly attainments and distinguished ability, preached the Gospel continuously for a period of fifty-two years during which time he served various congregations in Germany, to which country his labors were confined.
After receiving his preliminary educational training in the elementary schools of his native place. Dr. Winter entered the Gymnasium of Eisleben. the native home and burial place of Martin Luther, where he received instruc- tion in five languages, viz : German, French, Latin, Hebrew and Greek, becom- ing proficient in each, besides making rapid advancement in the various other branches which constituted the curriculum of the institution. After his graduation he took a three years' course in medicine, following which he fin- ished his theological studies in the University of Halle, and in 1868 was ordained to the ministry, meantime. 1863. he served one year in the German army, the length of time required from students, and three years later, during the Austro-Prussian war of 1866, he was again called to arms and commis- sioned as an officer during the period of service in that struggle. The actual time of fighting lasted only eight days, nevertheless he was retained consid- erably longer and about six months elapsed ere he was discharged and per- mitted to resume his ministerial and other professional duties.
In the year 1869 Doctor Winter bade farewell to his native land and came
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to the United States, being the only member of his family to seek a new home and carve out a new career in the great American Republic. Not long after landing on the shores of the New World he made his way to Shelby county. Indiana, and in January, 1870, entered upon his duties as pastor of the Zion church in Union township. at that time a feeble organization made up of a few German families, some living in the vicinity and others at more remote dis- tances. Under the ministry and efficient management of the new pastor, the societies at once took on new life, and it was not long until the congregation began to grow in numbers and influence and became one of the leading religious bodies of the community. During his active pastorate of thirty-nine years. the growth of the Zion church has been steady and substantial along both material and spiritual lines, and it is now a live and flourishing organization. numbering eighty-four families, among which are many of the leading farmers and representative citizens of the county. the fame of the church having spread far and wide and the name of its able and beloved leader has become a power for good not only among his parishioners, but in the larger sphere of religious activity through the state. ( See history of Zion church on another page.)
Doctor Winter was in the county but a short time before his standard of scholarship was recognized, and seeking to take advantage of the same the official board of Shelbyville public schools tendered him the position of teacher of languages, which he accepted. Entering upon his duties as instructor in 1873, he filled the position with marked ability for a period of twenty-four years, during which time he achieved much more than local repute in his special lines of work. Resigning his position in the schools in 1897, the doctor has since devoted his attention to the interests of the two congregations over which he exercises pastoral control, and in connection with his ministerial duties is also actively engaged in medical work, which he has practiced con- tinuously and successfully ever since becoming a resident of Shelby county, nearly forty years ago.
Doctor Winter's life has been a strenuous one, filled to repletion with good to the world. He was married on the 25th day of June. 1872, to Rosa Theobald, daughter of Michael Theobald. of Shelby county, a union blessed with three sons. Carl G .. a physician and surgeon ; Paul G., an electrical engineer, and Emil G., who is also engaged in the practice of medicine, all three being located in the city of Indianapolis.
Dr. Winter is a thirty-second degree Mason and is widely and favorably known among his fellow craftsmen throughout Indiana and other states. He joined the order in 1879. since which time his advancement in the different branches has been continuous, having been honored at intervals with important official positions in the Blue Lodge. Chapter. Council and Commandery at Shelbyville, and standing high in the Scottish Rite. Consistory and Mystic
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Shrine at Indianapolis, besides representing the local organization in the Grand Lodge of the state.
Although a very busy man, the doctor has found time to travel quite exten- sively, having made several trips abroad. and besides visiting nearly every country and many historic cities and noted places in Europe, has traveled over all parts of the United States and Canada, in this way broadening his mind and acquiring a practical knowledge not otherwise obtainable. The doctor has never set his mind in worldly gain, having always made it subordinate to his ministerial and professional work. nevertheless he is well situated finan- cially, owning in addition to his comfortable competency in Shelbyville, a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Decatur county, from which he derives no small share of his income.
EDMUND K. ADAMS.
The family of this name is of Scotch origin, and but for a lucky accident involving both tragedy and romance, there would be no descendants of this name to tell the tale. James Adams, when a small boy, was of the party emigrating to America, and when coming across the Atlantic. fell overboard. He was rescued from the water by Edmund Kinsey, who leaped after the child and saved him at a risk of his own life. This boy settled in Ohio, and eventually became prominent as an educator. serving for a number of years as a county school examiner. In course of time he married and reared a family, one of his sons. John H. Adams, being born at Cummingsville. Ohio. and educated at Farmer's College. He spent most of his life in agricultural pursuits and became quite influential as a citizen. being elected Trustee, County Commissioner and County Treasurer, also serving frequently as administrator of estates. Eventually he removed to Bartholomew county, where he married Amanda Graves, whose parents were North Carolinians, her birth occurring at Columbus, Indiana. After their migration to this state. her father's mother. generally called "Granny" Graves, obtained fame for longevity. having reached the age of one hundred and two years at the time of her death. Her son, Na- than Graves. who was Amanda Graves' father, was a wealthy land owner in Bartholomew county and part of his estate included the present site of Co- lumbus. John H. and Amanda (Graves) Adams had six children, of whom four are living. Clarence W., who married Nettie Jenkins, of St. Paul. In- diana, is a druggist at Columbus, having one child named Marie. Katie, the second child. has been dead for several years. Ida is the wife of B. W. Per- kins, superintendent of the gas works at Altoona, Pennsylvania, and has a
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daughter named Ida. Charles G., formerly a druggist at Columbus, died in 1905. Cora, widow of Mr. Arnold, is a resident of Columbus.
Edmund Kinsey Adams, sixth of the family, was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana. August 14. 1852. He was named in honor of the brave sailor whose heroism saved Mr. Adams' grandfather from death in the ocean at the time of the accident above described. He grew up on a farm and at- tended school "between times." but at an early age his ambition was shaping itself for a professional career. Buying a scholarship in the Hartsville Col- lege, amounting to two dollars and fifty cents a term, he entered upon his studies at the age of sixteen, and fully realizing the situation, he made every minute count. Renting a little room and stocking it with a few books and other meager belongings, he kept "bachelor's hall" on the most economical plan, his larder being eked out by an occasional basket of cooked food sent by his good mother. After a year of this life, the expenses for which amounted to fifty dollars, he went through the necessary examination for a teacher's license, received a two-years' certificate and at seventeen we find him the pre- siding genius in one of the county schools of Shelby county. His career in the field of pedagogics extended over seven years, but meantime he was keep- ing up his studies at college and altogether completed a course of four years at Hartsville. March 1. 1874. he entered the law office of Hord & Blair, at Shelbyville, where he prosecuted his studies with the diligence and energy that have characterized all his work. In a short time he began practice in a small way, being compelled to provide for expenses by teaching another long term of school. This school was in the southern limits of Shelbyville, and he was made flattering offers by patrons and trustee to continue teaching, but seeing his capabilities Alonzo Blair urged him to continue in the law. Mr. Adams feels much gratitude to that great lawyer for his advice and financial assist- ance in the time of need, attributing much of his early success to the benefits thus received. From Mr. Hord and Mr. Blair he obtained that thorough training and preparatory drill which are indispensable to the making of a good lawyer. When Mr. Blair died in 1880, he left one hundred and twenty court docket cases to be disposed of : Mr. Adams was employed in these cases, and this was the beginning of one of the most lucrative law practices ever enjoyed . by a Shelbyville practitioner. No young man ever took quicker advantages of opportunity or more fully requited those who employed him, as his energy was boundless. his mind bright and his equipment unsurpassed. After Mr. Blair's death he remained alone for three years and then formed a partnership with the late Judge O. J. Glessner and L. J. Hackney. Judge Glesssner re- tired at the end of three years and the firm was continued for ten years as Adams & Hackney, when Mr. Hackney was elected Circuit Judge to succeed Judge Kendall MI. Hord, the latter took the vacancy in the law firm which has since become famous as Hord & Adams. They have held the boards for
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twenty years, during which time they have been on one side or the other of almost every important case tried in Shelby county, besides much business a: other county seats and the state capital. As Mr. Adams has been doing busi- ness for thirty-four years in the same office. he is inclined to think that he holds the record in this line as a legal practitioner. He wisely decided in early life to keep out of politics, and despite his prominence and popularity has stub- bornly refused office with the exception of such places as membership of Council and School Board, which were rather thrust upon him than sought by him. He filled these places, however, with his usual good judgment and con- scientiousness and left behind him an unstained record for fidelity in discharge of duty. While able and successful in all lines of the law. Mr. Adams is es- pecially strong as a trial attorney, his forte being skillful conduct of criminal cases, in which he has few equals either before jury or court. Among his cheriched souvenirs is a rare old English work bequeathed him by his great- uncle. It is a law dictionary, bound in full leather and published in 1732. It was originally owned by F. G. Adams, his grandfather's brother : it was edited by Giles Jacob and is said to have been used in Parliament as an authority on the English law. The argument of cases included in its pages were compiled by Chief Justice Holt, of the King's Bench, about three hundred years ago. Mr. Adams' paternal ancestors were all men of abstemious habits, never using liquor or tobacco in any form and they were also men of unusual mentality. strength of character and fondness for learning. Mr. Adams' hard work and ability have not gone unrewarded. as he has much to show of this world's goods as the result of his lifelong activities. He owns three hundred acres of fine farming land in Shelby county, and considerable property in the city of Shelby- ville and at Indianapolis. He is attorney for the Farmers' National Bank, and local counsel for the Shelbyville Street Railway Company, and the Indianapolis Terminal Car Company. Hord & Adams represent the fourteen mantifactur- ing and furnishing companies of Shelbyville. The firm owns a fine law library of one thousand volumes, and Mr. Adams has in his private library a choice selection of four hundred fifty standard works.
December 29. 1880, Mr. Adams married Nellie, daughter of Stephen D. and Teresa ( Blankenship) Ludlow, a prosperous family of Shelby county. Mr. Ludlow was a gentleman of the old school. a great reader, and entertain- ing talker. His people were Ohioans, and his brother. John Ludlow, was a banker at Springfield. Mrs. Adams is a full cousin of the wife of ex-Governor Bushness, of Ohio. Miss Ethel, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adams, married Dr. B. G. Keeny, of Shelbyville, a graduate of Bloomington Univer- sity, and son of ex-State Senator George W. Keeny. of Rising Sun. Indiana. Doctor Keeny, besides a regular course at the Cincinnati Ohio Medical Col- lege, followed by graduation, also took a post-graduate course in the Hospital of Medical Surgery in London, England. Doctor and Mrs. Keeny have one
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son, born August 11. 1908. Though reared in the Methodist church. Mr. Adams and family attend the Presbyterian church and their hospitable home is headquarters for all that is best and brightest in Shelbyville's society.
SAMUEL P. McCREA, M. D.
Mr. McCrea, who is president of the Farmers' National Bank. of Shelby- ville, and formerly one of the well known physicians of the city, is a native of Shelby county. Indiana, and the youngest of ten children whose parents, John and Elizabeth McCrea. were born in the states of New York and Virginia. respectively. The McCrea family had its origin in Scotland, but has been known in New York for many years, the name being still familiar in various parts of the Empire State. Samuel McCrea. the doctor's grandfather, is supposed to have been a New Yorker by birth, though he may have immigrated to this country from Scotland. as little is known of him and his antecedents. Sufficient has been learned, however, to warrant the statement that he spent nearly if not all of his life in the above state, and that he there married and reared a family, among his children being a son by the name of John McCrea, whose birth occurred on the 26th day of July, 1787, and who in young manhood learned the trade of tanning and curing.
On November 27. 1827. John McCrea entered the bonds of wedlock with Miss Elizabeth Templeton, who was born in Virginia in 1807, and seven years later he moved to Shelby county, Indiana, and settled in Hendricks town- ship. where he entered land and in due time cleared and improved a good farm. the place having since been known as McCrea's Mountain. After moving west Mr. McCrea discontinued his trade and turned his entire attention to farming, which he carried on with encouraging success until his death on March 18th of the year 1859.
Dr. Samuel P. McCrea was born on the home place in Hendricks town- ship, February 21. 1845, and spent his early years amid the wholesome influences of rural life, becoming familiar with the duties of the farm as soon as old enough to be of service to his parents. At the proper time he entered the district shool, where he made substantial progress until completing the common branches, after which he tock a two years' course in Franklin col- lege, where he earned a creditable record as a student. Having decided to make the medical profession his life work. he began the study of the same at the age of twenty-one. in the office of Dr. W. F. Green, of Shelbyville, and later entered Rush Medical College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1868.
On receiving his degree Doctor McCrea formed a partnership with his pre-
S. P. McCREA.
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ceptor, Doctor Green, which lasted until 1870, when it was dissolved by mutual consent, the subject retiring from the firm for the purpose of engaging in business. In a short time after discontinuing the practice of medicine he pur- chased a stock of drugs and was soon in the enjoyment of a large and lucrative patronage. his previous professional experience peculiarly fitting him for this line of trade. By courteous demeanor and fair treatment. together with his practical knowledge of pharmacy, he gained the confidence of the public, and in due season built up an extensive business, which continued to grow until he had the leading establishment of the kind in the city. He increased his stock as he deemed expedient or as necessity required. and by consulting the wishes and tastes of his patrons gained a precedence in the drug business which he retained as long as he remained in the business, the meanwhile by judicious investments adding to his earnings.
In the year 1892 Doctor MeCrea assisted in organizing the Farmers' Na- tional Bank of Shelbyville, of which he was elected cashier. . \fter serving in that capacity until 1897 he was further honored by being made president of the institution, which office he has since held and in which he has displayed a famil- iarity with financial matters and executive ability of such a character as to win the confidence of his associates and the public. The bank of which he is the head has had a uniformly prosperous career. Under the capable management of a board of directors composed of business men of unexceptionable standing and wide experience, has steadily grown in public favor, while its present high credit and extensive patronage bespeak a future of still larger growth and possibilities
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