USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 1 > Part 52
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Dennis Bowlby and family came to Addison township, Shelby county, in 1869. He farmed successfully for several years, but now lives retired with his children. He is very well preserved for one of his advanced years, and has a wonderful memory. His wife died in June, 1894. They were the par- ents of eight children, two of whom died young. They are: Mahlon J., served three years and six months in Company K. Thirty-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry : after the war he lived in Rush county, this state, for some time, finally moving to Howard county, where he died. Sarah Catherine, the second child. is the widow of John McCabe, of Addison town- ship. who died in 1890, after becoming well known as a mill and lumber man : they were the parents of four children : Myrtle B., Leonard, Albert and Lil- lian. Charity Ellen married Charles Thompson : they live in Dayton, Ken-
MR. AND MRS. ANDREW C. BOWLBY.
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tucky, and are the parents of five children, Frank, Walter, Mary. Charles and Steward. Mary married Edward Alexander, of Addison township, and they are the parents of three children, Amanda, Bessie and Alice. Andrew C., of this review: Joseph, who became a physician, died in August. 1906; was edu- cated at Shelbyville, and studied medicine in Cincinnati, Ohio, having prac- ticed in Shelby county ; he married Mary Yearling, who is now living in Shel- byville, and is the mother of two children. Bertha and Bernice. Sophia and John are deceased.
Andrew C. Bowlby attended the public schools and came to Shelby county, Indiana, in 1869. Being a studious man, he secured a good educa- tion and taught school successfully for several years. He was three times married, first to Cassie Ann Amos, of Shelby county ; she died September 15. IST8. His second marriage was to Josephine Thompson, of Shelby county ; she died July 4, 1885. His third marriage was to Rachael Ann Shadley, of Addison township, and a daughter of James and Plebe Jane ( Higgins ) Shadley, both natives of Shelby county, Mr. Shadley having been a farmer in Addison township. He died July 3. 1902: his widow is still living in Shelbyville. To them eight children were born: Mary, Susan, Ma- tilda, Rachael Ann. William. Emma, Clare, Alice. deceased. Three children were born to our subject by his first wife, namely: John R., a farmer in Ad- dison township; Edwin Clifford, of Benton Harbor, Michigan, who is man- ager of a casualty insurance company at that place which he helped to organize. Ile married Louise Wurster. Della. the third child, is the wife of Wilbur O. Stafford, of Addison township. The children by Mr. Bowlby and his second wife are: William M. married on September 2, 1903, Clara Shadley, of Ad- dlison township: William M. was a partner with his father in the manufac- ture of drain tile, lumber and milling business. Alta M. died January 29, 1893. Three children were born to the subject by his third wife, namely : Russell F., Stella and Leona. Stella married Earl Walker and resides in Shelbyville.
Andrew C. Bowlby taught school for several years after coming to Shel- ly county, giving great satisfaction in this line both to patron and pupil, but he abandoned this profession in 18So, and began the manufacture of drain tile. In 1883 he started in this business at Brady Station, later moving to Addison township. He was in partnership with his brother-in-law, John McCabe, until ISgo, then he managed the business alone. He also operated a saw-mill and built up a liberal trade in the lumber business. In 1904 his son, William MI .. went into this business as a partner. Whatever Mr. Bowlby turned his hand to he was successful owing to the exercise of good judgment and his courte- ous and honorable dealing with his fellow men, coupled with his habits of industry. After a useful and successful career he was called from his labors
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on September 19. 1908. He had become the owner of valuable farm land in Addison township.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Bowlby belonged to the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellowws, at Shelbyville, the Ben Hur and the Rebekahs. He was a Republican in politics and a very active worker in the Presbyterian church at Shelbyville, being both a deacon and elder in the same at the time of his death. He was well known throughout the county and highly respected by all classes, owing to his integrity, friendly disposition and kindness.
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JOHN C. CHENEY.
The Prosecuting Attorney of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit and a lawyer of wide repute is John C. Cheney, who was born in Shelbyville. Indiana, No- vember 29. 1807. being a son of John C. and Mariah Cheney, natives of North Carolina and Indiana, respectively. The subject's paternal grandfather. in company with his two brothers, came from England in colonial times, one of the brothers settling in Massachusetts as a silk weaver. another proceeding as far westward as Northern Ohio, where he located on the frontier, while the third went to South Carolina and Alabama, where he became the owner of several extensive plantations and acquired a large fortune. John C. Cheney. Sr., whose birth occurred on June 10. of the year 1828, left his native state of North Carolina when a child. He went to Demopolis, Alabama, and when a young boy to Ohio, where in early manhood he entered the University at Athens, and then finished his education. Later he learned harness-making in that city and after becoming a proficient workman went to Greensburg. In- diana, where he followed his trade for a period of two years, meantime. in 1851, being united in marriage to Mariah B. Luther, whose ancestors were also from England, and among the carly settlers of Maryland, removing thence to Indiana, when the latter state was the extreme western limit of civ- ilization. At the expiration of the period indicated Mr. Cheney changed his residence to Waldron. Indiana, but after remaining two years there. removed to Shelbyville, where he established a harness shop, which he operated with encouraging success until his retirement from active life in the year 1892.
As already stated the Luthers were among the pioneers of Greensburg. where the family settled when the town was a mere way station. Mr. Luther. the father of Mrs. Cheney, was associated for some years with Mr. Lathrop. and together they platted several additions to the village, including those where the high school and opera house now stand. and through their joint ef- forts the village was successively incorporated as a town and city. Mr. Ltt- ther lived to see it grow into a large and flourishing municipality, and become one of the most enterprising and public-spirited citizens.
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John C. and Mariah Cheney were the parents of four children, viz : Charles W ... Walter. Edward E. and John C .. all but the second living. Charles IV. married Alice Doran, of Shelbyville, and lives in Shelbyville : Edward E. mar- ried Corine Noble, of Brunswick, Georgia, and resides at Jacksonville, Flor- ida, where he is engaged in the real estate and insurance business.
Jolin C. Cheney, of this review, attended the Shelbyville high school. after which he took a course of instruction in the more advanced branches in a pri- vate institution at Franklin, taught by a Mrs. Alexander. In the meantime he worked with his father in the shop until becoming a proficient harness- maker and later went to Anniston. Alabama, where from 18sy until 1803. he was engaged in the buggy and harness business. Returning to his native city in the latter year he turned his attention to insurance. The hotel business engage.l his attention for a short time, he having purchased a hotel at Green- field, which he conducted for ten months, but not caring to devote his life to business pursuits he discontinued those lines of effort at the expiration of the time indicated and yielded to a desire of several years' standing by entering the office of Hord & Adams to prepare himself for the legal profession. After pursuing his studies for two years under the direction of those able attorneys. he entered the Indiana law school, from which he graduated two years later. and on May 10. 1808, was formally admitted to the Indiana bar, empowered to practice in all the courts of the state. including the Supreme and Federal courts at Indianapolis.
Mr. Cheney did not begin the practice of his profession until after a very thorough and painstaking preparation, and he brought to his life work a high order of ability, which was not long in being recognized and appreciated by his professional brethren and the public at large. In 1902 he was a candidate before the Democratic Convention for nomination as Prosecuting Attorney. but a combination of circumstances brought about his defeat, nevertheless he entered heartily into the campaign of that year and rendered effective service for his victorious competitor.
Mr. Cheney is a Democrat, in the broadest sense of the term, and since his twenty-first year has been an active and influential worker for his party as well as one of its able leaders and sagacious counsellors. He served six veirs as chairman of the County Central Committee, during which time his judicious management contributed greatly to the success of the local ticket. besides becoming known among the aggressive Democratic politicians of the state. He served as City Attorney for two years and in 1908 was the success- ful aspirant before the convention for the office of Prosecutor, receiving the nomination August 25th of that year, and defeating his opponent in November. following.
Mr. Cheney entered upon his duties as Prosecuting Attorney of the Six- trenth Judicial Circuit. January. 1909. and thus far his course has fully justi-
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fied the wisdom of his election and met the high expectations of his political friends and the public irrespective of party affiliation. His previous experi- ence peculiarly fitted him for the office and he has been untiring in enforcing the law. As already stated Mr. Cheney has made commendable progress as a lawyer and in ability both natural and acquired, hokls worthy prestige among the leading members of the local bar.
Much depends upon being born well and having a sound. healthful physique, in which respect Mr. Cheney has indeed been fortimate, being of fine form, in brief. a symmetrically developed man of dignified bearing and pleas- ing address. Ilis relations with others are characterized by eandor and a high sense of honor .. He affiliates with no church, but he contributes liberally to all worthy charities and enterprises having for their object the alleviation of human suffering. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, holding at this time the title of past grand in Lodge No. 39, and is also a member of Orentes Court, No. 77. of the Order of Ben Hur.
Mr. Cheney was married on November 15, 1894. to Minnie B. Boyd, the daughter of William and Bridget Boyd. the union resulting in the birth of one child, a son, by the name of Alvin B., who died when quite young.
ALBERT VERNON RANDALL.
The subject of this review belongs to one of the sterling pioneer families of Shelby county and for a number of years has been a prominent citizen of the county seat, where he holds large business interests. besides filling with credit an important office in the government service. His ancestors were among the early settlers of Virginia, and the family is still familiar in various parts of that state. especially in Loudoun county, where his grandfather, James M. Randall, was born September 13, 1813.
In 1844 James M. Randall moved to Shelbyville. Indiana, and soon after- wards started one of the first wagen-making establishments in the town, which trade he followed with marked success for a number of years. He was a skill- ful mechanic. an excellent citizen, and in addition to the material prosperity of the community, exercised a wholesome moral influence, which earned the respect and confidence of his fellow men. He was called to his final reward in January. 1883. after a long and useful life. and with his faithful wife. Sarah (Pettit) Randall, who was born May 9. 1809. in Loudoun county, Virginia. now sleeps the sleep of the just in the beautiful cemetery at Shelbyville.
Among the children of James M. and Sarah Randall was a son by the name of Joseph B., whose birth occurred at Red Line, Lou loun county, Vir- ginia, November 27. 1841, and who at the age of three years was brought by
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his parents to Shelby county, Indiana, where he grew to maturity, and in due time became one of the leading business men of the county seat. A number of years ago he established a grocery store in Shelbyville, and after conduct- ing the business for some time alone became associated with his son. Joseph B. Randall, the firm thus constituted organizing the wholesale and retail gro- cery and produce house of J. M. Randall & Son, under which name the busi- ness was continued until the death of the senior partner and was carried on for ten years after the death of the senior partner, when the establishment was incorporated as the J. B. Randall Grocery and Produce Company.
John B. Randall was married May 21. 1868, to Cornelia C. Jennings, of Lansing. Michigan, whose father. Charles P. Jennings, was for many years a distinguished minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, later changing from that denomination to the Episcopal church in which he also achieved much more than local repute as an able and eminently successful divine. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Randall, namely : Albert Vernon, of this review : Burnet S., Walter S., Charles M., Gertrude and Bertha. all of whom inherited the sterling qualities for which their parents were noted and be- came well known and highly respected in their respective places of residence.
Albert Vernon Randall was born in Shelbyville. April 19. 1869. He was reared in his native city and received his preliminary education in the public schools, graduatng from the high school with the class of 1887. Early in life he developed a taste for reading and study and actuated by a laudable desire to gratify the same and add to his scholastic knowledge. he subsequently en- tered Wabash College, where he prosecuted his studies for a period of four years and achieved an honorable record as a student. Shortly after complet- ing his course in the above institution. Mr. Randall went to Seattle. Washing- ton, at which city and other places on the coast he spent the ensuing three years, during which time he became familiar with conditions that obtained in the West. and acquired a valuable practical knowledge which peculiarly fitted him for his subsequent career as an enterprising business man. On his return from the West at the expiration of the period indicated he entered the employ of J. B. Randall & Company, grocery and produce merchants, and later, when the firm was incorporated, he was made secretary of the company, which po- sition he still holds and in which he has displayed ability of such a high order as to earn for him a conspicuous place among the leading business men of the county.
As stated in a preceding paragraph the J. B. Randall wholesale and retail Grocery and Produce Company is the largest and most successful establish- ment of the kind in Shelbyville, doing an extensive local and general business and since its organization the trade has grown rapidly in magnitude ad im- portance. no small part of this continuous success being due to the energy and judgment and capable methods of the enterprising secretary, who in addition
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to his official duties is a large stockholder in the company and one of its most judicious advisers and managers.
For a number of years his activity in behalf of the Republican party has made him one of its influential leaders in Shelby county. There have been few if any conventions, local, district or state, since he has attained his ma- jority that he has not attended in the capacity of delegate and in drafting res - lutions, making platforms and formulating policies, his services have been of especial value. His activity and influence in political circles, although freely tendered have not always gone unrewarded as s indicated by the fact of his having been appointed in March, 1906, by President Roosevelt as postmaster of Shelbyville, which position he still holds with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the department and the public. Mr. Randall is a member of secret fraternal organizations, including the Order of Free and Accepted Ma- sons, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is a charter member and the Sigma Chi. Greek letter fraternity, with which he was initiated while attending college. In all of these societies he has been honored with important official positions from time to time. The Pres- byteran church represents his creed and the local organization at Shelbyville can boast few as active and devoted members as himself and wife.
On February 21. 1895. Mr. Randall was married to Maude Clark, of Brandywine township. Shelby county, a bride altogether worthy of him, be- ing a lady of intelligence and culture and well fitted to preside over the home which her gracious presence and influence have made such an ideal spot to all who cross the threshold. Mrs. Randall was born May 30. 186.8. the daughter of William and Elizabeth ( Gavin) Clark, and after completing the common school course pursued the more advanced branches of learning in the Shelby- ville high school, from which she was in due time graduated. The residence of Mr. and Mrs. Randall at 82 West Franklin street. is one of the comfortable modern homes of the city, rendered doubly attractive by the open hearted hos- pitality which reigns therein, and which the generous host and hostess know 'so well how to dispense.
JOSEPH WOLFE BILLMAN.
Among the leading members of the Shelby County Bar the subject of this sketch takes high rank, and he also holds worthy prestige as a man of affairs whose interests are not wholly confined to the profession in which he has achieved such signal success. Joseph W. Billman is a native of the state so prolific in great men, or as Chauncey Depew happily expressed it. "Some men are born great. some achieve greatness, and some come from Ohio." Ile is truly an Ohio man, having been born in Coshocton county on July 14th of
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the year 1843. being a son of Andrew and Katherine Billman, parents natives of Ohio and Virginia, respectively. Andrew Billman, whose birth occurred in the county of Belmont. September 14. 1804, was a farmer by occupation. He was twice married and became the father of a large family, sixteen children in all, four by his first wife and twelve by the second, eight of each sex. Of the eight sons four served with distinction in the army of the Union during the Civil war, namely : Uriah. Henry, who was a member of an bowa regiment. and fell at the siege of Vicksburg: John, who also went from lowa and died of small-pox during the operations against the above stronghold, and Ira, who rose to the rank of captain and rendered gallant service during the period of enlistment. and at one time was captured by the enemy and held a prisoner on Belle Isle for a period of two months. He survived this and many other vicissitudes and returning home at the close of the war entered the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran church and then went to the Congregational church, in which capacity he labored successfully for several years. He finally withdrew from the Congregational church and united with the Christian or Disciple church. with which he still affiliates, and in which he has achieved distinction as a minister. He has preached with great acceptance for various congregations in Ohio. Michigan and Indiana, and is now one of the ablest and best known divines of his church in the latter state. He is also a poet of wide repute, having published two volumes of poetry which have had an exten- sive sale, and his name is almost as familiar in literature as it is in religious circles. His home at the present time is in Irvington. a suburb of Indianapolis. from which he serves various churches in the vicinity of the capital city. The maiden name of Mrs. Andrew Billman was Katherine Howbert. She was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, in 1812. of German lineage, was early taken to Pennsylvania. thence to Ohio, her parents moving from the South on account of their opposition to slavery. William Howbert. a brother of Mrs. Billman. was a Methodist minister, another brother by the name of Abraham becoming a well known Lutheran divine and serving as chaplain in the Civil war: Sam- uel Howbert. a younger brother als > studied for the ministry, but died shortly after finishing his theological course, and Melancthon Howbert earned an hon- orable record as a brave and gallant soldier during the struggle for the preser- vation of the Union.
Joseph W. Billman spent his childhood and youth in his native state, and when old enough was taught the value and dignity of honest toil on his father's farm. The routine of labor in the fields during the working seasons and the at- tendance in the schools during the winter months was continued until his eight- eenth year, when he entered the West Carlisle Academy, where he pursued his studies at intervals during the five years ensuing. Later he gratified his desire for a higher education by a full course at Wittenberg College. Springfield. where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1869, follow-
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ing which he began the study of law with Judge William Lawrence, of Belle- fontaine. under whose able instruction he continued until his admission to the bar in 1871. He began the practice of law in the city of Sullivan, Indiana. where in due time he formed a partnership with Sewell Colsen, of that place. and addressed him-elf industriously to business. The partnership thuis con- stituted lasted ten years, during which period Mr. Billman forged to the front among the rising attorneys of the Sullivan County Bar, acquired a lucrative practice, and with his associate was connected with many of the important cases tried in the courts, besides doing a very satisfactory office business. At the expiration of the time indicated the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent. Mr. Colsen retaining the office and Mr. Billman in 1885 moving to Shelbyville, where he has since resided. the meanwhile rising to a prominent position among the leading lawyers of the city, and obtaining his proportion- ate share of patronage. Owing to failing health he went to the South some years ago with the hope of recuperating his exhausted energies, spent about five years in the state of Arkansas, where he continued his law practice, and became widely and favorably known in legal circles. Returning to Shelby- ville with greatly improved bodily powers, he resumed his professional busi- ness and he has a large clientele.
For about two years Mr. Billman was associated with a Mr. Thompson. who devoted his entire attention to the insurance business, but who in 1899 retired temporarily, thus throwing the entire werk of the office in the hands of the senior partner. Subsequently in 1907 the partnership was dissolved, since which time. and during the eight preceding years, Mr. Billman has looked after the insurance interests in connection with his regular law practice. the patronage in the former being extensive and constantly increasing. the two lines of endeavor requiring all the time at his command, and making him one of the busiest men in the city. With a remarkable capacity for hard work. however, he has pushed the business for all there is in it, and there are few better known insurance men in the state today.
Mr. Billinan on November 2. 1881. entered the marriage relation with Alice Thompson, the accomplished daughter of Alfred and Matilda ( Hen- drickson) Thompson, natives, respectively, of Ohio and New Jersey, a union blessed with two children. Ola Thompson and Sarah Claire. The older daugh- ter is a graduate of the Shelbyville high school and also of a business college in which she won the first prize for efficiency in stenegraphy and typewriting. She is an accomplished young lady of many amiable qualities, and for some time past has been her father's competent secretary and assistant in all the work of his office. Sarah C., like her sister, is also well educated and cultured. hay- ing taken a full course in the city schools, and since graduating from the high school has become an expert milliner, holding at the present time an important and lucrative position with one of the largest millinery firms of Chicago.
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Mr. Billman is devoted to his profession, and having one of the largest and best selected libraries in the city. is sellom at a loss in looking up authorities or keeping in touch with the master minds of jurisprudence in his own and other countries. Fraternally he is identified with the Free and Ac- cepted Masons, and politically he gives his support to the Republican party, having cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and his last for William H. Taft. He was reared by Lutheran parents, but is now a member of the Presbyterian church, of Shelbyville.
Personally Mr. Billman is a gentleman of becoming medesty, somewhat quiet in disposition, with no ambition in the way of public prefermen or leader- ship. He has gained the confidence of all with whom he comes in contact, and the universal esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens of Shelbyville bears eloquent testimony to his high character and sterling worth.
JOHN FRANCIS WALKER.
Among the younger generation of lawyers who enliven the Shelby County Bar none enjoy wider popularity or have achieved greater success in a shorter time than the present City Attorney. His career has been one of activity in various lines, educational. political and legal. with results showing on the right side in all of his undertakings. Oscar J. Walker, his father, was a na- tive of Shelby county, who spent his life as a farmer until 1877, when he took up the trade of carpenter. and followed it until his death. March 22, 1904. aged sixty-two years. He married Obedelia Hannigan, by whom he had six children, only four of whom survive. Mary. the eldest of these, is bookkeeper with the Campbell Furniture Company. Cecelia is employed as milliner at the New York store in Indianapolis: Grace (Crawford) Walker is the wife of Frank J. Rembusch, president of the Shelbyville Mirror Works.
John F. Walker, the fourth of this family, was born in Marion township. Shelby county, Indiana. April 17. 1872. After the usual attendance in the country schools he entered Purdue University at the term of 1886-7. to take a course in civil engineering. The next twelve years were devoted to teaching in Shelby county common schools, but during his leisure intervals he kept up his general studies. In 1888 he entered the Valparaiso Normal University, and continued his attendance during the four succeeding terms, with a view to qualifying himself thoroughly in the art of teaching. and also of obtaining the benefit of the scientific course. . As a side line he studied medicine for two years with Dr. J. H. Dearman, and served a while as bookkeeper for Pearson & Company, of Indianapolis. Eventually returning to Shelbyville. Mr. Walker took up the study of law with Wilson & Varling, later entering the office of
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Thomas B. Adams, and he was admitted to the bar in 1001. When Mr. Adams retired in 1903 Mr. Walker took over the office and business. Some time later he formed a partnership with Urus E. Tindall. and since then the firm has carried on general practice at the old stand. Mir. Walker is City At- torney for Shelbyville, and by appointment of Judge Will M. Sparks, is at- torney for the poor for Shelby county, the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit. Mr. Walker takes occasional flights into politics and served for six years as chair- man of the Republican County Central Committee. Ilis fraternal relations are with the orders of Ben Hur. Court of Honor. Knights of Columbus and the Elks. He is a member of the St. Joseph's Catholic church, and in all the relations of life is true to his convictions and friends. He has prospered finan- cially, and owns residence property. His home is at No. 20 West Sonth street.
EDEN H. D. YOUNG.
Eden H. D. Young, one of the leading insurance men of Shelbyville, is a native of Indiana and a son of John A. and Hester ( Davis ) Young, both born in Shelby county, the father for many years identified with the First National Bank of this city, in which institution he now holds the position of cashier. The subject's birth occurred in Shelbyville on December 14. 1861, and he was reared and educated in his native town. In 1890 he went to California, where lie spent seven years as a tiller of the soil, but at the expiration of that time. still retaining his interests in the West he returned to his native county, where he has since made his home. On May 3d. of the year 1891. Mr. Young was united in mariage with Laura M. Haehl. a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Frederick and Barbara Haehl, of Rush county. Indiana. About the year 1899 Mr. Young engaged in the insurance business in Shelbyville, and since that time has built up an extensive and lucrative patronage in the city and county. In connection with insurance he does an extensive business in real es- tate and making bonds for guardians and administrators.
Like the majority of enterprising men he is a politician but not a partisan, and ever since attaining his majority has given an earnest support to the Re- ' publican party. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic Order, with which he has been identified for a number of years, and his religious views are in harmony with the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. and Mrs. Young are the parents of three children. the oldest, a son by the name of John H., being deceased: Helen, the second, was born in 1897. and Frederick, the youngest of the family, first saw the light of day in the month of July, 1902. both being pupils in the schools of Shelbyville. For one of her age the daughter acquired a wide reputation with literature, being an
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especially apt student of the Holy Scriptures, of which her knowledge is both general and profound. She devotes much time to a careful and critical perusal of the sacred volume, and her familiarity with all the books of the old and new Testament is a source of wonder to those who have spent a lifetime in biblical research.
ERNEST G. REECE.
One of Shelby county's most important industries is the canning factory. It is important in many ways, being a stimulus to increased agricultural pro duction and an extensive employer of labor. It takes many people to plant and raise the crops, many to do the picking and gathering, and still others to attend to the manufacture. Extensive buildings are needed and much ground! to ac- commodate them. The product makes a wholesome food for thousands, and it is sold at prices easily within the reach of all, so it will be seen that a canning factory, while primarily an enterprise for private profit, is also one of great public benefit, and the community that secures one or more of them is fortu- nate. The moving spirit behind the Shelbyville corcern are all energetic and public-spirited men, who in doing something for themselves also do much to help others, and they are well worthy of a place in the history of Shelly county. The canning company when organized as a corporation, elected the following named officers: E. T. Shubrick. president : E. A. McAlpin, sucre- tary : Grafton Johnson, chief proprietor, was chosen as treasurer, and has been the chief financial backer. The capital stock was placed at fifty thousand do! lars. The plant covers four acres of ground with two-story buildings and modern machinery to do all of the work required. Two thousand. five hundred acres are devoted to crops, which consist of corn, tomatoes and peas. The capacity per day amounts to two hundred thousand cans of corn, fifty thet- sand cans of tomatoes and one hundred and seventy-five thousand cans wi peas. In the busy season employment is given to six hundred people, whose wages make a very respectable payroll. The firm handles two grades of corn. one of tomatoes and four of peas, the average being ten cents a can. and it is all so clean that it will stand the strictest test of the pure food law. The very latest machines are used, and there are double sidetracks running from the railroad to the shipping sheds. Strictly up-to-late methods are employed in every branch of the business. The firm was fortunate in securing as manager Mr. Ernest G. Reece, one of the county's most energetic and progressive citi- zens. He has been with the company for the last six years, the first three as bookkeeper and the last three as manager. He is a native of Shelby county. having been born on a farm two miles east of the city, February to. 1873. His parents were Benjamin H. and Anna ( Tennant ) Reece, the former born in
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