USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 2 > Part 2
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Oscar W. Orebaugh lives at No. 66 Taylor street, his father and unmar- ried sons and daughters have their home on West Hendricks street. The father and sons vote the Republican ticket, and take an interest in political and public affairs, and the entire family attend the First Methodist Episcopal `church of Shelbyville.
The photographic studio of which Oscar W. and William J. Orebaugh are the proprietors and equal owners, is one of the largest and best equipped es- tablishments of the kind in Indiana. The room for daylight printing is among the largest in the state, and the establishment throughout is steam heated and supplied with all up-to-date appliances and conveniences known to the profes- sion. While prepared to do all kinds of art work in their line. the Orebaugh Brothers of recent years have made a specialty of commercial photography, in
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ROBERT W. HARRISON.
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which they excel, and in which they have built up a large business, doing all the work of the kind for the eleven furniture factories of Shelbyville, and not infrequently for other firms, besides an extensive patronage in individual and group work. finished in the latest approved styles.
ROBERT W. HARRISON.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Indiana, and for a number of years has been a leading member of the Shelbyville bar. besides being interested in various local enterprises of a public character. His father. James Harrison. was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, but grew to maturity at Connersville. Indiana, where his parents died when he was about five years of age. In 1842 he came to Shelby county, and after teaching school for several years read law with Judge Peasley, and was admitted to the bar with Hon. Thomas A. Hen- dricks, the two having been contemporaries in the practice as long as they lived. Martha King, who became the wife of James Harrison, was a native of Frank- lin county, Indiana, her mother was a Morris, of Butler county. Ohio, and was a cousin of the late Martin M. Ray, for many years a leading lawyer and prominent citizen of Shelbyville, also related to Governor James B. Ray. Mrs. Harrison is still living at the age of seventy-six years, being cared for by her unmarried daughter. Nellie E. Harrison, who, with Robert W .. of this review. constitutes the surviving members of the Harrison family in the city of Shelbyville.
Robert W. Harrison was born August 30. 1860. in Shelbyville, and re- ceived his education in the city schools, graduating from the high school in 1879. During the two years ensuing he taught in the district schools, and at the expiration of that time entered his father's office, where he prosecuted his legal studies until his admission to the bar, following which he practiced with his father until the latter's death. He was also associated with Mr. Blair for a period of three years and then was associated with D. L. Wilson from Jan- uary, 1901. to 1908. but he is now by himself.
Mr. Harrison early became interested in the public and political matters of the country, and while still a young man was regarded as one of the influ- ential Democrats of Shelby county, and he was honored by being chosen to the State Senate, in which body he served with signal ability during the ses- sions of 1901 and 1903. Six years previous to his election to the Senate. he served in the lower house of the State Legislature. Previous to his leg- islative experience he served three years in the City Council. where he was instrumental in promoting the interests of the municipality by bringing about the passage of a number of important measures. In addition to his large and
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growing law practice he is at this time identified with several important local enterprises including the Shelby Building and Loan Association of Shelly- ville, of which he is a director and legal adviser. He has also been identified with the Building and Loan Associations for eighteen years. He was one of the leading spirits in organizing the Citizens' Natural Gas. Oil and Water Company in 1891, and is still a member of the board of directors of which he was at one time president.
Sufficient has been said to indicate Mr. Harrison's high standing as a lawyer. and it only remains to state that this practice, which takes a wide range and includes all phases of legal business, is large and lucrative, and constantly growing in magnitude and importance. In addition to the general duties of his profession he is largely interested in the abstract and loan business, his set of abstract books being the most complete in the county, and for a period of twenty-five years his patronage in this line has been much greater than that of any of his competitors. In the matter of loans he has also been remarkably successful, doing an extensive business in his own and other counties, and continually adding to the number of his clients.
He manifests a lively interest in secret fraternal work, and to him as much as to any other is due the credit of instituting Chillon Lodge. No. 129. Knights of Pythias, of which he is a charter member, and the organization of the Chillon Castle Hall Association, which had for its object the erection of the splendid building in which the society holds its sessions. He has filled the chairs in the lodge and at this time holds the title of past chancellor com- mander. and for a period of seven years he has been a trustee of the organiza- tion and one of its most active and influential workers.
On April 4. 1889. he was married to Susie Favorite, daughter of Stephen D. and Caroline (Saunders) Favorite, both parents natives of Ohio. Mrs. Harison is the fifth of a family of seven children : she was educated in the schools of Shelbyville, and for several years prior to her marriage held an important position in the S. B. Morris store of this city, in addition to which she also taught in the public schools and earned a creditable reputation in that line of effort.
Two children have been born to this union, Irwin F., the only son living . and heir of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, was born April 26, 1890. After being graduated from the city high school he entered the State University at Bloom- ington where he is now ( 1909) prosecuting his studies with the object in view of fitting himself for the legal profession. He is a young man of fine mind, stands high in his classes and will doubtless honor the station in life for which he is preparing himself. Before taking up his university course he served one year as reporter on the Democrat. and demonstrated ability. not only in the gathering of news, but in the more solid work of preparing interest- ing articles for the reading public. Lawrence James, born February 10. 1892,
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died in his sixteenth year. January 23, 1908. He was a bright boy, a member of the high school class of 1909.
HUGH HENRY DILS.
The family of this name were long settled in Dearborn county, Indiana, and the occupations of the men were principally agricultural. John Dils, born in Dearborn county, Indiana. March 3. 1845, and died April 1. 1909, was a farmer in Dearborn county who married Louisa House, by whom he had six sons, including William, Clifford. Fletcher, John and Floyd. Hugh H. Dils. the eldest of the family, was born on his father's farm in Dearborn county, Indiana. December 15. 1869. Besides the usual routine in the district schools. he took a full course in a business college at Cincinnati, and with this equip- ment faced the world with a view to getting his share of the prosperity. Ilis first venture was as agent for the Adams Express Company in Cincinnati, a position which he retained for six months, and then established himself in the grain business at Aurora, Indiana. He remained at that point for fourteen years, during which time he prospered and saved money. In 1906 he disposed of his holdings to' advantage and removed to Shelbyville, which has since been the scene of his activities. He opened a hay, grain, feed, and coal emporium. which has been doing a rushing business, both retail and wholesale, local and foreign. His warehouse covers a space of one hundred and thirty feet in length by seventy-five feet in width, containing bins for the assortment of all kinds of grains. He makes a specialty of elover seed and handles vast quan- tities of that indispensable farm article. Baled hay and straw are also im- portant features, and the Dils establishment at 19 West Hendricks street is always a busy place. He is also an extensive track buyer on the Pennsyl- vania, Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton and Big Four railroads. In fact. Mr. Dils is what is known to the trade as a "hustler." and well understands how to work up as well as transact business to the best advantage. A good buyer as well as a good seller, prompt in shipments and careful of all details, the success of this enterprising dealer is not difficult to account for. Besides all this he is of affable disposition, of pleasing address, easy to approach and altogether a holder of friends. A good. all-around citizen, he does his full share in keeping up the procession that moves towards the advancement of the city he has adopted as his home.
June 8. 1885. Mr. Dils married Mary C., daughter of William H. and Sarah Curtis, of Dearborn courty. Seven children have been born to them. Elmer H., Curtis, Ruth, Marie ( deceased). Eugene. Frances and Marjorie. Mr. Dils is a charter member of the Modern Woodmen of America, No. 7565,
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at Aurora, but since coming here has transferred his allegiance to Shelbyville Lodge, No. 3372. Ile was reared a Baptist and is a voter of the Republican party.
TILDEN McCLAIN.
The efficient Assessor of Shelby county. Tilden McClain, is the fourth of a family of six children whose parents. Fletcher and Mary E. ( Means ) Me- Clain, were of Irish and German descent, respectively, the father born No- vember 13. 1847. in Hamilton county, Ohio, and the mother in Shelby county. Indiana, in the year 1848. Of the subject's brothers and sisters all but one are living, their names being as follows: Jacob W., of Marion county. In- diana : Alexander, who lives in Shelly county: Precilla, whose home is in Ohio. and Mrs. Mary E. Brent. of Shelby county. The father of these chil- dren resides in Shelby county, the mother having died on the 9th day of Oc- tober. 1883. .
The subject's paternal grandparents. George and ( Rubushı) McClain, who were twice married, had two children, a son and a daughter. Fletcher and Angeline. Their second marriage, which took place under very peculiar circumstances, forms an interesting part of the family history, and is worthy of record in this connection. Some years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. McClain joined a community of Shakers in Ohio, a peculiar religious sect which discountenances the marriage tie as sinful. and enjoins all its men- bers to lives of celibacy and chastity. After an experience of some years with these people, and becoming convinced that their manner of living was unnat- ural and contrary to the dictates of reason and common sense, Mr. MeClain so represented the matter to the wife from whom he had been separated. and begged her to re-marry him and quit the community, which she declined to do. Upon her refusal to accede to his wishes, he severed his connection with the society and in due time married another wife whose death shortly thereafter again left him a widower. Having faith in the scriptural adage that "It is not good for man to live alone." he subsequently took to himself a third com- panion, after whose death he repeated the experience until becoming succes- sively the husband of two more wives, or five in all, four of whom he survived, to find himself again a single man. Sometime after the death of the fourth wife, this much-married individual again presented himself to his original spouse, who, up to the time of the visit had remained true to the teachings of the Shakers, and stood high in the esteem of the leaders of the community. Being old like her erstwhile husband, and no doubt yearning for his compan- ionship, she was finally persuaded to abandon the society and join her lot with his for the remainder of her days, their second marriage following in due time.
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This record of five wives and six marriages caused wide comment, and the cir- cumstance is perhaps without a parallel in the United States. Grandmother McClain, who lived to the ripe old age of eighty-three, was called to her final rest on the 13th day of December. 1907.
Tilden McClain was born in Shelby county, Indiana. November 14. 1876. and received his early education in the common schools. this training being afterwards supplemented by a course in the Central Normal College at Dan- ville, where he made substantial progress in the higher branches of learning. He was reared on a farm and followed agricultural pursuits until his twenty- fifth year. when he became clerk in a general store at London, Indiana. A po- sition he filled for a period of five years. during which time he acquired a knowledge of the mercantile business and achieved success as a salesman.
In 1905. Mr. McClain was elected on the Democratic ticket .Assessor of Moral township, and so ably and faithfully did he attend to the duties of his office that at the expiration of two years he was elected to the higher and more responsible position of County Assessor, in which he is now serving the second year of the term of four years, which expires January 1. 1911. Mr. McClain possesses well balanced judgment, and his familiarity with the rela- tive values of property, both real and personal, peculiarly fits him for the office which he holds. He is a member of Moral Lodge, No. 466, Knights of Pyth- ias, at London, and also belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men, which meets at the same place, being a leading worker in Lodge No. 227, besides holding important offices in the same from time to time.
On the 26th day of February. 1899, Mr. McClain was united in marriage with Maud Cayton, one of nine children of Burrell and Frances Cayton. of Shelby county, a young lady of many estimable traits, whose friends are as the number of her acquaintances. Mr. and Mrs. McClain have two sons, Harry Elmo, born December 25. 1899, and Robert Paul, who was born September 15, 1907. both bright and interesting children, in whom are centered many fond hopes for the future.
Originally Mr. McClain was a Baptist in his religious belief, but some years ago united with the Methodist Episcopal church at London, of which himself and wife are now members.
REV. WILLIAM THOMAS MARKLAND.
The Markland family has an interesting pioneer history, its early repre- sentatives being fine types of the men and women who helped to subdue the wilderness of eastern Indiana. Elijah Markland, who was born in Pennsyl- vania, came in boyhood with his parents, who settled in Bartholomew county.
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He became a man of some local prominence after he grew up, and took an act- ive part in politics, serving as Deputy Sheriff. He maried Percis Stark, also a member of a well known pioneer family. Her father. Caleb Stark, a native of Kentucky, married Annie Boone, a second cousin of the celebrated Daniel Buone, of Indian fighting fame. They settled in Decatur county, near Adams, when that section was still a primeval wilderness. At the start he entered eighty acres of land which was increased until his hollings were sufficient to give eighty acres to each of his eleven children. Caleb achieved fame by be- coming one of the characters in Edward Eggleston's story. "The Hoosier School Master," where he is described as having been robbed. the thieves carry- ing off the money in the hems of their garments. This occurrence took place in Decatur county, which was the scene of many of the incidents described in the narrative. Elijah and Percis ( Stark) Markland were the parents of seven children : George W., who married Lizzie Rickets, is a contractor in business at Fairland: Tabitha. now deceased. married Columbus Dodd, and left two children ; Lucretia, widow of Ira Tanner, has two children : she resides at Adams: Mary, now deceased. married John Phillipy: Frances, who married John W. Stout, has seven children, is a resident of Greensburg : Caleb, who married Alice Gray, resides at Adams, Indiana.
William T. Markland, the other member of this family, was born in De- catur county. Indiana, near Greensburg. October 29. 1851. After finishing the common school branches at Adams he took a four-years' course at Harts- ville College. finishing with a term at Danville Normal. Entering the South- ern Theological Seminary at Louisville, he had the advantage of studying under the great Doctor fohn A. Broadus, and obtained his first pastorate at Jamestown, Ohio, where he spent three years. This was followed by charges at Lawrenceburg and Cambridge City. Indiana, which consumed some three or four years of time. and his next move took him into the far West as prin- cipal of the Indian Academy at Eufaula, Indian Territory. After a year at this place he did missionary work at Edmund and Orlando, Oklahoma, at the opening of the Creek nation. Returning to Indiana, he spent a year in evange- listic work, later went to Charlestown, Illinois, for an engagement of three years, followed by pastoral charges at Buda and Amboy in the same state, which consumed five more years. After this he located in Shelby county. which has been his permanent place of residence, though he has occasionally filled pulpits in churches in Decatur. On February 1. 1909. he engaged in the real estate and loan business at Shelbyville, under the firm name of Markland. White & Habig, though he still keeps up with his ministerial work. He was Prohibition candidate for the Legislature from Shelby county. and is quite prominent in temperance work. He owns a small farm south of the city, and is noted for his energetic qualities in the varied pursuits that have gained his
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attention. He is a fine type of the high-mindedl citizen and enjoys excellent standing in the community.
July 8. 1879. Mr. Markland married Della White, of Decatur county, a lady of many accomplishments, who has proven a valuable helper to her hus- band in his reformatory endeavors. She is well educated, has traveled much, observed closely, and accumulated a fund of useful information. Besides writing well in prose and verse she is a good musician, and her labors in the fields of religious and moral reform have made her prominent. Mr. and Mrs. Markland have had two children of unusual promise, whose lives were unhap- pily cut short by untimely deaths ; Lilla B., who was born May 3. 1881. died May 6, 1898. Edna May, born May 11. 1883. died May 20, 1902.
ALONZO BLAIR BALLARD.
Although yet a young man, the gentleman whose name initiates this re- view has succeeded in showing what can be accomplished in the business work! if energy, persistency and the exercise of good common sense are combined in the everyday affairs of life.
Alonzo Blair Ballard was born May 12. 1875. in Shelbyville, Indiana, the son of Elijah M. and Martha ( McBride) Ballard : the latter was the daughter of David and Mary McBride, and was born in Ireland, having come to this country with her parents when she was young. Her parents were natives of Lisburn, County Down, Ireland, and they emigrated to Philadelphia in 1848, and the year following came to Shelbyville. Indiana. The father. David Mc- Bride, was a carpenter. After about a year he moved to Greensburg. this state. thence to Pennsylvania, but finally returned to Shelbyville and remained there. Elijah M. Ballard was reared on a farm, railroaded as baggage-master for a time. but the greater part of his life was spent as bricklayer and contractor, and he built some of the best dwellings of his day in Shelbyville. He was a Democrat. He accumulated a competency. His wife died August 31. 1877. He died June 24. IgCO. Elijah was the son of John W. Ballard, the maiden . name of his mother being Rachael McDuffy. John W. Ballard came to In- diana from Virginia, settling in Rush county, near Conn's creek. That was in pioneer days. He was a "Forty-niner." crossing the plains to California in search of gold, and he has since made numerous trips to the Pacific coast. By trade he was a brick-mason, also farmed some, also operated a saw-mill on Conn's creek. He lived in Shelbyville for some time, following his trade of brick-mason. Many members of this family have been brick masons and all skilled in this line. John W. Ballard always delighted to tell of his hazardous journey to the "sundown seas." having walked from Shelbyville to Sacra-
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mento, California. He was successful in his search for gold, but lost it on the return trip when the ship was wrecked. he having made the voyage home by way of the tropics. But nothing daunted he made a second trip to California. taking his wife and two daughters, driving to Sacramento, where he settled. He made six trips to that city and back. His death occurred there at an ad- vanced age in 1901, having been born in 1812. Elijah M. Ballard was born in 1838 and his wife was born in 1842. Elijah M. Ballard served six years as member of City Council, and was serving as such at the time of death, when his son. Alonzo, was appointed to serve out the unexpired term of two years.
William W. Ballard, brother of Alonzo B., was born in Shelbyville in 1863. and he has lived in the same part of town all his life. After attending the county schools he learned the bricklayer's trade and in 1885 married Mary A. Durham, of Shelby county, and this union resulted in the birth of three children, William. Mary and Gordon.
To Elijah M. Ballard and wife seven children were born, six of whom lived to reach maturity : Joseph M. Ballard and Mrs. Martha Metz are de- ceased ; the former was a contractor and builder in Shelbyville. Ile remained unmarried and his death occurred rather suddenly in February, 1909. Martha married James A. Metz, known to his friends as "Bud" Metz. Her death oc- curred in the spring of 1899, leaving one daughter, Ruth Marie. The other children are Mrs. Rachael Rhodes, who lives in Union township: Mrs. Laura Michelson, wife of Charles Michelson, lives in Shelbyville : she has one daugh- ter. Dorothy : William is the eldest brother.
Alonzo Blair Ballard. twin brother to Laura, grew to maturity in Shelby- ville and attended the local public schools. After leaving school he learned the brick-mason's trade. He went to contracting on his own account about 1897 and made a success of this line. In recent years he has done a great deal of cement contracting. In IGo; he built the Coliseum rink. a large brick and cement structure. He made the plans for this building himself. He owns and operates the rink. He built the new city hall, the Catholic church. Knights of Pythias hall, Spiegel Furniture Company's big new factory, the Metzger home on East Franklin street, and many others, including some of the best buildings in Shelbyville. They all show that Mr. Ballard has a natural genius for this kind of work, and that he is always faithful in its performance. These many excellent buildings stand as a perpetual monument to his art.
On October 31. 1905. Mr. Ballard was united in marriage with Ethel Marie Roth. daughter of the late Frank Roth, who was Mayor of Shelbyville at the time of his death in 1901. He was the owner of one of the largest dry goods houses in Shelby county for many years. After giving up merchandis- ing he was in the real estate and insurance business. Mavor Roth was born in Germany. April 1. 1837. When about nineteen years old he came to America. landing at New Orleans. In 1862 Mr. Roth married Arabella Davidson, of
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Louisville, Kentucky, daughter of James P. Davidson, of Frankfort, Ken- tucky. and Mary ( Harding ) Davidson, of Strassburg. Virginia. He moved to Shelbyville in 1879. Mr. Roth was a well-known and popular man in this locality, and his death was deeply lamented. His funeral was attended by the city officials and ex-city officials, the members of the various orders to which he belonged. besides a large concourse of people, friends and acquaintances from all over the county. He is remembered as a man of generous impulses. who loved kindness more than money.
In 1896 Mr. Ballard built an excursion steamer, the Balladina, which he ran on the Blue river to the port on the island until the mill dam washed out and lowered the river below navigation depth. Mr. Ballard ably served as engineer and in other capacities at the Lambert & Eberhart's elevator for about two years. He also ran the water works machinery for a short time, and was fireman for the electric light works. In his fraternal relations Mr. Ballard is a member of the Masons. Elks and Knights of Pythias.
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