USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 2 > Part 51
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Mrs. George C. Morrison, whose maiden name was Ann De ble, is still living, and has a host of friends in the city, where she is spending the evening of a long and useful life. She proved a true helpmeet to her husband. en- couraged him in his life work, and to her able assistance, judicious com-el and devoted sympathy. he was largely indebted for much of the success with which his efforts were crowned. She bore him a family of six children, the subject of this sketch being the third in order of birth.
The early life of Harry C. Morrison was characterized by no thrilling incidents or unusual experiences, but. like that of the majority of lads, was spent under the parental roof, where he received from his parents the bent of mind and strength of character which had such a marked influence in shaping his future career. After attending the common schools until com- pleting the prescribed course, he entered the high school, of Shelbyville, where he was graduated in due time, following which he became a student of Wa- bash College for a short time, but by reason of impaired health was obliged to discontinue his studies before receiving his degree. Having early mani- fested a preference for the law. he began the study of the same at the age of eighteen, in the office of Love & Conner, of Shelbyville, and on May 27. 1879. was admitted to the bar and soon afterward engaged in the practice with his preceptor, Benjamin F. Love. the partnership thus constituted lasting for a period of twenty-five years ; during five years of that time . Alfred Major was also a member of the firm.
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Mr. Morrison made commendable progress in his profession during the period indicated and early forged to the front, among the leading attorneys of Shelby county, besides building up a lucrative practice in the courts of neighboring jurisdictions. In 1881 a law was passed creating the office of Probate Commissioner, and not long after Judge K. M. Hord appointed Mr. Morrison to serve in that capacity. Ile accepted the position and as long as the office was continued discharged the duties of the same in an able and emi nently satisfactory manner. familiarizing himself the meanwhile with probate business and later doing a large business in this line of practice.
For some time past he has been associated with Isaac Carter under the firm name of Carter & Morrison, this being one of the strongest and best known legal partnerships in the county, with extensive and growing practice. which is by no means confined to the local courts, as is indicated by the ser- vices of both members being frequently retained on important cases in various parts of the state.
Mr. Morrison has been a close student and hard worker from his box- hood and the eminent success which he has achieved in his chosen calling is the legitimate result of his industry and perseverance, backed by natural tal- ents of a high order and an honorable ambition to success. By reason of his distinguished standing as a lawyer. Mr. Morrison has been honored, at dit- ferent times, with important positions by his professional brethren, having been president of the Shelby County Bar Association during the first three years of its existence, besides holding membership with the State Bir Asso- ciation, in which he has served on the executive committee. His financial success has been commensurate with his professional advancement, and he is now recognized as one of the well-to-do men of his county, owning. in addi- tion to valuable city property, two fine farms which represent a large and steadily growing capital. In politics he is a Democrat, but he has never as- pired to office or leadership.
Mr. Morrison has served two terms on the local school board, and it was during his incumbency that the present handsome public library was erected. In this, as in other enterprises. he was a leading spirit. and it was largely through his instrumentality that Andrew Carnegie's magnificent do- nation of twenty-thousand dollars, which made possible the project, was pro- cured. To him, also, belongs the credit of introducing the kindergarten school system. In addition to the various positions enumerated, he is also a director of the First National Bank of Shelbyville, and for a number of years he served with his father in the same capacity, being a stockholder in the in- stitution.
Mr. Morrison is a man of fine literary attainments and spends no small portion of his time in his splendid library, where he has a fair acquaintance with the world's best authors, and he has done mnuch to foster a taste for lit-
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erature by the active and influential part he takes in the Wi-Hlub Club, an or- ganization for the intellectual and literary advancement of its members. He was made a Mason on the 4th day of August. 1882, and for a number of years took an active part in the work of the order. He served as master of the Blue Lodge and eminent commander of the commardery, to which he belongs, be- sides being honored by representing the fraternity from time to time in the Grand Lodge.
Mr. Morrison's residence at 194 South Harrison street is among the largest and most attractive of Shelbyville's many fine homes, and it is there. in the midst of a happy family circle, that he is seen at his best, after the cares of the day are over and the office closed.
Ile was married May 16, 1878. to Miss Laura L. Ray, daughter of Mar- tin MI. Ray ( see sketch of M. M. Ray), the union resulting in the birth of thirteen children, all but one living. their names being as follows: Clarence B .: Susan R., wife of Otho M. Otte. of Pittsburg. Pennsylvania: Anna, who married Charles W. Flaitz, of Indianapolis: William C .. Helen B .. Florence, Frances, Josephine, Laura, Robert, Louise and Virginia. The only member absent is a daughter by the name of Martha, who departed this life when a young lady of twenty-three years of age.
Mr. Morrison was the first president of the Shelbyville Civic Associa- tion. He now is and for twelve years has been president of the Forest Hill Cemetery Association, and one of its board of managers since 1893.
The subject's great-grandfather, George Carruthers. Sr .. was the first Mayor of the city of Shelbyville : his grandfather, John Morrison. Sr .. was the second Mayor of the city, and his father, George C. Morrison, was elected and served two terms in the same office.
THOMAS E. MELOY.
A prosperous farmer of Sugar Creek township, and an honorable repre- sentative of two of the old and highly respected pioneer families of Shelby county is Thomas E. Meloy, who was born in Shelby township. October 22, 1857, being a son of Jesse and Elizabeth ( Hacker ) Meloy. Jesse Meloy was born in Warren county, Ohio, where his parents. Patrick and Catherine ( Con- nor) Meloy, natives of Ireland, settled many years ago, subsequently remov- ing to Shelby county. Indiana, and locating on land in Shelby township. which Patrick purchased from the government.
Patrick Meloy was one of the first permanent settlers of Shelby county, and in an early day experienced all the hardships and privations incident to life in the wilderness. He moved to this part of Indiana when the country
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was covered with a dense forest, through which, for many miles, he was obliged to cut a road for his team and on arriving at his destination hastily constructed a rude log cabin around which at night he kept large fires burn ing to protect his family and live stock from the wolves with which the woods abounded. These fierce animals were numerous and proved very destructive to cattle and other live stock, and when maddened by hunger they did not hesitate to attack a man. Until a fire-place could be constructed, the good housewife did her cooking outside the cabin : notwithstanding this and other vicissitudes, the family were happy and hopeful amid the stirring scenes of the pioneer period. Mr. Meloy cleared and improved a good farm on which he lived until his death in 1860. His faithful wife and companion departed this life the same year. They reared a large family of eleven children, name- ly : Isaac, who died in the Civil war: Allen: Martha, wife of William Wor- den : Amos: Jesse and Ezra were twins ; Mary married George Heck : Daniel, a veteran of the great rebellion; Rebecca, now Mrs. James Myers, John. who died in childhood, and Patrick.
Jesse Meloy, father of the subject of this sketch, was a mere youth when his parents came to Shelby county, and he remained at home assisting his father until arriving at the years of manhood. On leaving the parental roof he purchased a tract of land adjoining the family homestead, which he cleared and improved and on which he spent the remainder of his life as a prosper- ous farmer and worthy citizen. February 14. 1855. he married Elizabeth Hacker, who was born June 9. 1834. the daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Kieth) Hacker, who bore him the following children: Mrs. Mary Nelis. deccased : Thomas E., of this review : Eleanor, deceased ; William, who lives in Shelbyville ; Eher, who resides at the old home place in Shelby township ; John, a resident of Shelbyville: Wilfred, who lives on a part of the family homestead : Francis M., of Hendricks township, and Walter R., who died in early childhood. Jesse Meloy died March 20, 1908, his good wife preced- ing him to the other world in January preceding. They were devoted mem- bers of the Methodist Protestam church, stood high in the esteem of their neighbors and friends and their deaths were profoundly mourned in the com- munity where they lived so long and to such worthy ends.
Thomas S. Hacker, father of Mrs. Jesse Meloy, was born March 18. 1790, and his wife on the 17th of December. 1793 both of German descent. They, too, were among the first permanent settlers of Shelby county, locating in Sugar Creek township, on land which Mr. Hacker entered and which his grandson, Thomas E. Meloy, now owns. When Mr. Hacker came to this part of the country his neighbors were few and far between and the absence of churches or any attempts at religious instruction had a bad influence on the community, and caused Mr. Hacker much concern. To remedy the matter he walked all the way to his former home in Virginia to induce a minister to
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come to the new settlement, and it was through his influence that a mission- ary of the Methodist Protestant church located here, being the first preacher to hold public worship in Sugar Creek township.
On his trip to and from Virginia Mr. Hacker met with a number of in- teresting experiences, one of which is worthy of nete in this connection. . At a place in Ohio, where he was entertained for a night. the lady of the house had biscuits for supper. the first he had seen for a long time, as the early set- tlers of Shelby county had, as yet. raised no wheat, and subsisted very large- ly on corn bread, which for many years constituted the principal part of their bill of fare. Before leaving the backwoods inn the next morning to resume his homeward journey, he asked the landlady for a few biscuits to take to his children, who had never seen such bread and who were at a loss to know what to do with the strange kind of cakes when they were placed upon the table.
Mr. and Mrs. Hacker experienced their full share of the hard work and self-sacrifices of the pioneer period, spent the best part of their lives on the farm in Sugar Creek township which Mr. Hacker developed from the forest. and, dying. left to their descendants the memory of good actions, noble aims and high ideals.
The childhood and youth of Thomas Meloy were passed on his father's farm, where he was early instructed in the practical duties which make for industry, thrift and self-reliance. He attended the district schools during the winter months until acquiring a fair knowledge of the common branches. and remained with his parents until about twenty-five years of age, when he began life for himself on his present place in Sugar Creek township, to which he removed in 1882, it being a part of the land originally entered by his grandfather Hacker. On March 18, 1884. he was united in marriage with Margaret Catherine .Adams, daughter of John R. and America ( Van Ars- dall ) Adams, natives of Kentucky, and early settlers of Johnson county, In- diana, the union resulting in five children: Roy. Nellie, Elizabeth. deceased ; Ruth. and an infant that died unnamed.
Mr. Meloy has met with well merited success as a farmer and stock raiser, and is now one of the financially solid men of his township, owning a fine farm on which he has made many substantial improvements, and possess- ing a competency which a number of years since placed him in independent circumstances. He is public-spirited and is interested in anything that tends to the betterment of his township and county. He is a zealous member of the Methodist Protestant church. is untiring in his efforts to better humanity and win his fellow men to a higher plane of living. Politically he is a Democrat. but in matters local he gives his support to the best qualified candidate, irre- spective of party ties. Fraternally he is a member of the Pythian Brother- hood and from time to time he has been honored with official positions in the lodge to which he belongs. besides being one of its active and influential workers.
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John R. Adams, father of Mrs. Meloy, was a son of William and Sally Adams, both natives of Kentucky, and among the first permanent settlers of Johnson coumy, Indiana, where they spent the closing years of their lives. John R. Adams moved to Shelby county in 1881. and located in Brandywine township, where he resided until his death in 1995, at the age of seventy three years. His wife, a daughter of John and Catherine Van Arsdall. of Mercer county, Kentucky, departed this life in April. 1900, aged sixty-two years, and with her husband is sleeping the sleep of the just in the old Center cemetery. The family of this worthy couple consisted of the following children: Dora. deceased : Molly, Frank : Ida, deceased: Mrs. Margaret Meloy: Harry, Mrs. Cora MeKinney: Minnie and John, the last two deceased.
FRANK EDWARDS.
.A respected citizen of Union township, whose beautiful and highly im- proved farm in section 36 bears evidence of sound intelligence, mature judg- ment and a practical knowledge of agricultural science, is Frank Edwards, a native of Rush county, Indiana, where his birth occurred on October ist of the year 1862. His father, Eli Edwards, a well known resident of Rush county for a number of years, disposed of his interests there when the sub- ject was about eighteen months old and moved to the county of Shelby, pur- chasing land in Sugar Creek township, which in due time be brought to a high state of cultivation and became one of the substantial men of the community. Frank Edwards was reared on the farm, and at the proper age entered the district schools, where he pursued his studies at intervals during his minority, assisting his father in cultivating the soil in the meantime. He grew up a strong. well-developed young man, with proper conceptions of life's duties and responsibilities and well fitted to bear his part as a self-supporting factor in the world of affairs. At the age of twenty-one he severed home ties and began farming for himself, and when twenty-four years old he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Ewing, with whom he lived happily until the latter's death in the year 1888. Subsequently Mr. Edwards contracted a matrimonial alliance with Mary Watts, of Shelby county, who proved a faithful wife and helpnieet until her untimely death in 1002. after which, on August 12. 1903, he married his present companion. Maggie C. Mohr, daughter of John F. and Rachel F. ( Fessenbeck ) Mohr. of Brandywine township. Mr. Edwards' career as a farmer has been eminently satisfactory, and he is now classed with the most enterprising and progressive men of the township in which he re- sides, his farm. as already indicated. being highly improved and cultivated according to the most approved methods, and his home fully equipped with
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the comforts and conveniences required by a happy and contented household. In his political views Mr. Edwards is a Republican, and as such takes a lively interest in public matters and contributes not a little to the success of his party in Union township. In religion he is a Methodist, as is also his wife. both being active in church work and ready at all times to use their influence for the advancement of society and the moral and spiritual good of those with whom they mingle.
Personally Mr. Edwards is highly esteemed by his neighbors and fellow citizens, as his life has been above reproach and all of his relations with his fellow men eminently honorable. Industrious, energetic and public-spirited, he has done well his part in the world of affairs, and the esteen in which he is held and the confidence with which he is regarded by his fellow citizens have been honorably earned and borne with the modesty and dignity characteristic of the true gentleman.
DAVID CREEK.
A prosperous farmer living in section 28. Brandywine township. is David Creek, who belongs to the oldest families of Shelby county, the paterna! branch of which in this county came from Virginia, the material from the state of South Carolina. Thomas Creek, the subject's grandfather, was a Virginian, born December 16, 1798. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Isabel Glidewell, and whose birth occurred December 14th of the same year. was descended from ancestors that figured in the history of South Carolina during the colonial period. Many years ago Thomas Creek settled in Union county, Indiana, where in due time he married Miss Glidewell. and he con- tinued to reside in that part of the state until his death, which occurred De- cember 16, 1820. Two years later his widow came to Shelby county, where she subsequently became the wife of Andrew Hensley, and here she spent the remainder of her days, departing this life a number of years ago.
Thomas and Isabel Creek were the parents of four children. the youngest of whom, a son by the name of William, remained with his mother until four- teen years of age, when he began life for himself as a farm laborer at very meager wages. Owing to lack of school facilities and to the fact of his being so early obliged to rely upon his own resources for a livelihood, his educational advantages were quite limited. but later he made up in a large measure for these deficiencies by private study and much reading.
On June 10. 1852, was solemnized the marriage of William Creek and Nancy Wicker, who bore him nine children, the subject of this sketch being the oldest of the family, and from early manhood until his death he devoted his attention to agriculture and became one of the leading farmers and sub-
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stantial citizens of U'nion township. Mr. and Mrs. Creek carly became identi fied with the United Brethren church. and by their daily walk and convers? tion, demonstrated the beauty and worth of Christianity as the rule of life and conduct. They were long among the best known and most esteemed people of the county and their death caused much grief and sorrow in the community which for so many years had been made better by their influence.
David Creek was born April 29. 1852, in Union township. Shelby county. and spent his early life on the family homestead, attending the district school- at intervals during his minority. He became familiar with every detail of farm labor while still a youth and remained with his parents until his mar- riage, which was solemnized on October 1. 1874. with Sarah J. Carmeny. whose birth occurred in Marion township. May 3. 1810. the daughter of Joseph and Christina ( Alexander ) Carmony, respected residents of Marion and well and favorably known in other parts of the county.
Following his marriage Mr. Creek purchased a small tract of land, Con- sisting of about ten acres, on which he located and which, with land rented in the vicinity, he cultivated with success and profit until 1904, when he bought his pre-ent farm of one hundred acres in section 28. Brandywine township. on which he has since live 1 and prospered. and which, by his well directed labors and judicious management, has been brought to a high state of tillage and otherwise improved.
Mr. Creek began life for himself under many discouraging circumstance -. having no capital of his own and no wealthy or influential friends to whom he could apply for assistance. With an inborn determination, which knew no such word as fail. he addressed Himself resolutely to his labors and by the ex ereise of thrift and economy, he succeeded in a few years in saving sufficient means to purchase the small plat ci ground already mentioned. after which his advancement was more rapid and satisfactory. Since taking possession of his present farm he has added greatly to its value and now has one of the beautiful and attractive honies of the township, his building's being modern and in excellent repair, the other improvements in keeping therewith, the ca- cellent condition and neatness of everything on the premises indicating the presence of an enterprising American farmer. in touch with the times and fa- miliar with the science of agriculture.
Mir. Creek manifests a lively interest in the prosperity of the community and is not unmindful of the duties of citizenship, keeping abreast of the times on all matters of public import, and politically giving his support to the Repub- lican party. Reared under the influence of the United Brethren church. He subscribes to the creed of the same and, with his wife. is an active worker in the congregation to which he belongs. also a liberal contributor to its material support and to the various lines of work under its auspices.
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Mr. and Mrs. Creek are the parents of ten children whose names are as follows: Maggie Pearl, wife of Henry Linville, and mother of two children. Estelle and Myrtle: Forest lives in Chicago: Alvie C., who married Carrie Ballard. is the father of a daughter named Evelyn : Walter, Edith M., Mary E., Ary. Laura, Lawrence and Ru ch. ..! at home.
Joseph Carmony, father of Mrs. Creek, was a native of Ohio and the son of John and Eva ( Nigh) Carmony, both parents among the early pioneers of Hanover township, this county. Christina Alexander, wife of Joseph Car- mony, and mother of Mrs. Creek, was born in Marion township, the daughter of Benjamin and Mary ( Hunt ) Alexander, who came to Shelby county shortly after the country was opened for settlement, and built the first cabin in the township of Marion, which they occupied three years, removing at the expiration of that time three miles further north on Blue river. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander were of Scotch-Irish descent and among the highly esteemed pen- ple of Marion township, where they both died a number of years ago. They had four children, of whom Mrs. Creek was the first born, the others being : Thomas, of Union township : Mrs. Mary Montgomery, deceased. as is also her husband, and Amos, who lives in Shelbyville.
HARRY J. NADING.
A list of the self-made men of Shelby county who have risen by their own exertions to influential positions in the world of affairs and have earned the esteem and confidence of those with whom they mingle would be incom- plete without due mention of Harry J. Nading, of Flat Rock. the efficient and popular postmaster of that village and the head of its most important busi- ness enterprise. Mr. Nading, who is a native of Shelby county. Indiana, was born in Washington township. July 8. 1873. being the eldest of a family of six children, whose parents were John and Sonora V. (Warner) Nading. llis life on the farm tended to develop a strong physique and by reason of being the oldest son, much of the labor naturally fell on him, and that. too, at a com- paratively early age. Blessed with an inquiring mind. he made rapid progress in his studies during the winter months, and his advancement was such that at the age of fourteen he was enabled to enter Depauw University. where he remained one year, later finishing a business course at a commercial college at Topeka, Kansas, from which he graduated in 1901.
Returning to Flat Rock. Mr. Nading was married on the roth day of April, 1903. to Miss Eleanor Mount, of Bartholomew county, Indiana, and immediately thereafter went to Kansas, where he spent the eighteen months ensuing, during which period he devoted his attention to various pursuits.
HARRY J. NADING AND FAMILY.
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but with no intention of making the West his permanent home. At the ex- piration of the time indicated he returned to Shelby county and engaged in the grain business upon his own responsibility, which he still carries on at Flat Rock, in connection with other lines of trade, notably live stock and lumber, which he buys and ships on quite an extensive scale. Although in the main successful. Mr. Nading, a few years ago experienced some business reverses which caused him no little embarrassment, and in order to satisfy his ered- itors he was obliged to make over to them all his property, being determined that nobody should lose a dollar through any action or fault of him. With renewed energy he resumed operations, met his obligations with promptness. and in due time found himself again on the high road to prosperity with abun dant credit at his command. The honorable course pursued by Mr. Nading won the confidence of all with whom he had formerly dealt, and since resum- ing business they have been among his best friends and most liberal patrons. His business is growing rapidly in volume and importance and he has al- ready regained his former prestige, besides adding largely to the extent of his operations and earning a wide and honorable reputation among the leading men of his lines in the central part of the state.
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