Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 77

Author: Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900, ed. cn
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, F. A. Battey & co.
Number of Pages: 814

USA > Indiana > Brown County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 77
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 77
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 77

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

J. H. RYORS, third son and fourth child in a family of five children born to Alfred and Louisa (Walker) Ryors, was born March 10, 1849, in Athens County, Ohio. He was reared in Athens County until seven years of age, moving thence to Kentucky, and later on coming to Mon- roe County, Ind., with his mother, his father having died in Kentucky. In 1864, he entered the State University, remaining for four years; then entered the employ of Joseph Howe, a dry goods merchant, with whom

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he continued for two years. He then worked as dry goods clerk in Lo- gansport for eighteen months. Returning thence to Bloomington, he again was with Joseph Howe until 1874, when he formed a partnership with Eugene Turner in the manufacture of spokes, hubs and wagon stock. In 1875, G. W. Bollenbacher purchased a third interest, and it was continued for six months under the firm name of Ryors, Turner & Co. In 1875, George Bollenbacher purchased Mr. Turner's interest, and six years later, he sold to Bollenbacher, Mr. Ryors organizing the firm of J. H. Ryors & Co., manufacturers of hubs, spokes and wagon stocks, which firm is in a flourishing condition, doing a lucrative business; averaging per year 2,444,000 spokes and 94,000 hubs. They have in their employ constantly seventy-five good workmen. Mr. Ryors is a Democrat, and has been a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity for some years. He was married on May 13, 1874, to Miss Emma Brown, daughter of Will- iam Brown, a citizen of Logansport, Ind. They have three children-Ida B., Warren B. and Graham. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and among its most active workers. He is a liberal citizen, and is highly respected in the community.

JOHN SANDERS (deceased), father of L. M. Sanders (the worthy proprietor of the "National House "Bloomington Ind.), was born October 11, 1792, near Charleston, S. C., and was of English extraction. His father was a soldier in the war of 1776, and was captured by the Tories, while out hunting supplies. He, with several comrades, were given choice between allegiance to the King and being shot. Choosing the lat- ter, they were confined in prison, and he with a comrade escaped, while the sentinel slept at night. The subject of this sketch was one of a fam- ily of thirteen children, and when quite small removed with his parents to Virginia, where he grew to manhood. In 1810, he was married to Nancy Briscoe, of East Tennessee, and shortly afterward they moved to Knox County Ky., where he engaged in farming until 1814; at which time he came to Indiana, locating in Orange County. A few years later they went to Bartholomew County, and in the spring of 1822, came to Mon- roe County, locating in Richland Township, on 240 acres of forest land, where he erected a rude log cabin, with no assistance but that of his wife They struggled on year after year, until they had finally cleared 640 acres of good land and added all necessary improvements. Mr. Sanders was a Whig and had filled some of the minor offices. He and wife were members of the Baptist Church. He died in 1847, in the fifty- fifth year of his life. His wife died in 1876, when seventy-four years of age.

FRANCIS L. SARE was born May 13, 1851, in Monroe County, Ind. He is the sixth son and tenth child of Lucian B. and Jane (Car- michael) Sare, natives of Indiana and North Carolina, respectively. They were married in Monroe County, and settled on a farm in Indian Creek Township, where they at present reside. The subject of this sketch was reared on the old home farm, where he obtained the rudiments of a good English education in the district schools. When twenty years of age he began to teach school, in Clear Creek Township. He continued for about three years, teaching in the winters and trading in stock during the summer. He then engaged in the lumber and mill business in. Green e County, and he has since operated in Greene, Lawrence and Monroe Counties. He is at present successfully engaged as proprietor of two flourishing saw mills, one in Monroe and the other in Brown County. Mr. Sare is a prominent and an active member of the Democratic party.

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BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY.

He is a liberal citizen, ever ready and willing to assist in any public un- dertaking. He is quite successful as a business man, and respected by all who know him.

F. M. SHARP, born in Ellettsville, Monroe County, March 20, 1851, is eldest son of George W. and Agnes (Ashbrook) Sharp, and was reared in his native place, and educated in the public schools there, obtaining the knowledge of all the branches necessary to a business man. When fourteen years of age, he went West, and remained for five years, work- ing at various things, and then returned to Ellettsville, working for six years in the stone quarries of that place. Going thence to Indianapolis, he entered the employ of Graney Bros. as bar-tender, continuing for more than four years. He went thence to Vincennes, and tended bar in the "La Plant House" for ten months; then to Bloomington, and entered the employ of John E. Taylor, a grocer, with whom he re- mained for one year, and then went to Ellettsville, where, opening a saloon of his own, he continued until September, 1883. Coming to Bloomington, he opened his present saloon, a neat, tasty, cozy place, where he enjoys a lucrative business. He was married, October 17, 1875, to Miss Lida Whaley, a native of Ellettsville. To crown the happiness of their wedded life, three children have been born to them -- Minnie, Earl and an infant. Mr. Sharp is a prominent member of the Republi- can party. His wife is an active member of the Presbyterian church.

CAPT. J. W. SHOEMAKER was born on September 22, 1841, at La Porte, Ind. His parents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Keith) Shoemaker, natives of New York and Ohio, respectively, farmed in La Porte County

for about twenty years ; the father died there January 6, 1856; the mother is still living there, sixty-three years of age. Capt. Shoemaker is the second son, and was reared on the old home farm in La Porte County, where he was educated. On July 27, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany E, Twenty-ninth Indiana Volunteers, and served for four years and seven months. He took part in the engagements at Pittsburg Landing, Price's Hill, Mo., Grand Gulf and the Wolf River campaign. In March, 1865, he was transferred into Gen. Hancock's corps, and sent to Washington, D. C., remaining until July, when he was put in charge of the "post " at Madison, Ind., remaining for four months. Thence he was sent to Indianapolis, and in March, 1866, received an honorable discharge. One month later he entered the State University, at Bloom- ington, where he continued for two years, after which he was in partner- ship with J. J. Durand for three years, and then purchased the entire business, which he ran for one year. He then had another partner for about four years, and was by himself for quite a while. His store was finally destroyed by fire, after which he became partner in a hardware store, and is so engaged at present, under the firm name of McPheeters & Shoemaker. On October 13, 1869, he was married to Edora Stuart, daughter of William Stuart, a citizen of Bloomington. They have four children-Frank, Frederick, Lynn and Helen. In May, 1883, he was elected to the City Council, and still has that position. Mr. Shoemaker is politically a Democrat. He is a member of the K. of P. and of the I. O. O. F. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

THE SHOWERS BROTHERS, bedstead manufacturers. James D. Showers is the eldest of seven children born to Charles C. and Elizabeth (Hull) Showers, natives of Pennsylvania. He was born in Adams County, Ind., on the 11th day of July, 1841, and when fifteen years of age came

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to Bloomington with his parents. When but eleven years old, he began learning the cabinet and turning trade, with his father, and upon their removal to Bloomington, he continued in his father's shop until Novem- ber 17, 1869. At this time he formed a partnership with his brother, William N. Showers, and purchased the business of Showers & Hen- dricks. April 29, 1878, Charles H., the youngest brother, was admitted to the firm, and in February of the following year they made a specialty of the manufacture of bedsteads. On the 31st day of January, 1866, he was married to Miss Belle Allen, daughter of Thomas Allen, a re- spected citizen of Greenville, Ohio. To crown the happiness of this union there have been born three children. Martha E. (died August 28, 1882), Charles T. and Maud A. Mr. S. is at present Past High Priest of the I. O. O. F. Lodge of Bloomington. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a stanch Republican.

WILLIAM N. SHOWERS, a native of Ohio, was born in Knox County May 28, 1846. He is the second son and fourth child born to Charles C. and Elizabeth (Hull) Showers. He was brought by his par- ents to Bloomington when but ten years of age, immediately entering the public schools, where he obtained the rudiments of a good English education. When about sixteen years of age, he began learning the cabinet and turning trade with the firm of Showers & Hendricks. He remained in their employ until November 17, 1869, at which time he with his elder brother James purchased the business of Showers & Hen- dricks, and continued in the general manufacture of furniture and job- bing work until February, 1879, when they began making a specialty of the manufacture of bedsteads. December 30, 1867, he was married to Lida J. Hanlin, by whom there was born to him one child, Jennie. His wife dying February 22, 1868, he was next married, October 14, 1869, to Hannah L. Hendricks, daughter of J. H. Hendricks, of Putnam County. Two bright children have been born to bless this union- Nellie G. and Edward W. He has filled all the chairs in the Blooming- ton Lodge, I. O. O. F., and is at present serving as Past Grand in the subordinate lodge, and Past High Priest in the Encampment. Has also been Councilman for eight years, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

CHARLES H. SHOWERS, son of Charles C. and Elizabeth (Hull) Showers, was born in Bloomington, Ind., October 12, 1860. When eighteen years of age, he purchased a one third interest in the cabinet shops, with his brothers. On the 15th day of October, 1880, he was married to Miss Maud Coatney, the only daughter of Rufus Coatney, a prominent citizen of Bloomington. The issue of this union has been two interesting children-Earl H. and Beryl M. The present firm was engaged in the general manufacture of furniture until in February, 1879, when having completed extensive additions to their factory they em- barked in the special manufacture of bedsteads. For a time their busi- ness was conducted on a small scale, but it gradually increased until at present it has a capital invested of over $100,000, and employs 110 men. It has a capacity for making 1,350 bedsteads per week, and during the past year (1883) sold 36,450 different classes of bedsteads, at a cost of about $125,000. It is undoubtedly the most extensive manufacturing enterprise in Bloomington, and the Showers Brothers deserve a great deal of credit for the success they have achieved.

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BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY.

CAPT. JOHN M. SLUSS (deceased) was born in Winchester, Ky., November 28, 1807, and was the son of Adam and Mary (Spielman) Sluss, natives respectively of Maryland and Virginia, and of German ex- traction. ' At the age of seventeen, entered an apprenticeship at tailoring for three years; then worked one year as a journeyman. In 1829, he came to Bloomington and opened a shop, which he operated until con- finement told upon his health, when he began trading in stock, which he continued until 1846, when he raised a company for the Mexican war, and was elected Captain. During his fifteen months' service, he con- tracted the illness which resulted in his death, February 25, 1879. In politics, he was a Whig, and was twice elected Sheriff of Monroe County,! and once to the State Legislature. On the dissolution of the Whig party, he became a Democrat, was elected Justice of the Peace, and served until his retirement to his farm adjoining Bloomington, on which he died, aged seventy-one. He was married, May 8, 1828, to Miss Eliza Hunter, a native of Kentucky and born August 27, 1808. To this union were born two sons and seven daughters, of whom the sons and five daughters, are still living. His widow is a member of the Christian Church, of which Capt. Sluss was also a member, as well as a member of the Masonic fraternity.

WILLIAM STUART was born January 10, 1816, in Washington County, Ind., and is the son of William and Ann (Donley) Stuart, natives of Pennsylvania and North Carolina, respectively. The father died in Posey County, Ind., in 1845. The mother died July 5. 1865. The subject of this sketch is the second son and fifth child. There were very few advantages for an education, but by energy and industry, he acquired a knowledge of the English language, which has assisted him greatly in business affairs. He learned the trade of manufacturing farming imple- ments, and in 1838 opened a shop in his native county, where he was successfully engaged for three years. He then went to Salem, Ind., and continued to work at his trade until 1848, when his health failed, and he was not able to work for five years. He traveled around the country, selling goods from a wagon, for two years after he got well, and then went into the general merchandise business in Clear Spring, Jackson County, Ind., for some time. He sold out, and went into business in Washington County; afterward in Salem, in the hardware business. In the fall of 1864, he came to Bloomington, and was in the hardware busi- ness here until the fall of 1883, since which time he has retired. On April 15, 1841, he was married to Melinda E. Holstine, daughter of George Holstine, a citizen of Tennessee. They have had six children- Clem E., Pamelia J., Helen, Cleopatra, Amanda E., Isaac W. (deceased). Mr. Stuart is a member of the Methodist Church, and politically he is a Republican.

WILLIAM M. TATE was born in South Carolina March 29, 1818, and is the third son and fifth child of William and Margaret (Fee) Tate. natives of Ireland. They came to Monroe County, Ind., in 1830, and settled near Bloomington, where the father died on October 9, 1850. The mother died in August, 1857. The subject of this sketch came to Monroe County with his parents, and remained on the farm until 1848, when he . began farming in Bloomington Township. In 1856, he entered the em -. ploy of a merchant, with whom he remained for three years, when he was disabled by sickness for one year. He again clerked until 1861, when he was appointed Postmaster, and served until May 15, 1865. One year

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later, he was employed by merchants of Bloomington, and stayed with them for two years. He was with another firm for about five years. In May, 1872, he went into the grocery business, and three years later en- tered the employ of W. O. Fee, a general merchandise merchant, con- tinuing with him one year and a half, and then began the meat market business with Joseph S. Payne. In 1878, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and was re-elected in 1882. He is also in the insurance business, and represents the Phoenix and Hartford Fire Insurance Companies. He is a member of the A., F. & A. M., and is identified with the Methodist Church. Politically, he is a Republican. October 4, 1849, he married Elizabeth Bronning, daughter of William and Susan Bronning. They had one child-Martha J. (deceased). His wife dying August 2, 1874, he was married one year later to Hattie Payne, daughter of Thomas and Mary Payne, of Bloomington.

DR. HENRY P. TOURNER (deceased) was born at Waterford, Ire- land, January 1, 1811. His mother and father dying in his infancy, he was placed under the care of an uncle, who gave him every educa- tional advantage. When twenty-three years of age, he went to Quebec, Canada, for one year, then to Chicago, and thence South. In 1840, he prepared himself for the practice of medicine, which profession he fol- lowed in Northern Mississippi, Western Tennessee, Memphis, Nashville, Hopkinsville, Ky., and Bloomington, Ind., to which last place he came in 1858, and entered the regular practice and continued until his death, which occurred October 10, 1881. As a citizen, he always commanded the respect and confidence of the community. He was always charitable, and many poor and needy received of his beneficence. As a physician, he was faithful, skillful and successful. For twenty-three years, he was an office bearer in the Church of Christ, and an active and respected member of the Masonic fraternity. In 1851, he was married, near Mem- phis, Tenn .. to Frances A. Morgan, by whom there were eleven children, eight of whom are still living. Henry is at present a prominent jeweler of Bloomington, and is enjoying a lucrative business. Charles is the pro- prietor of one of the largest clothing stores, and does an extensive busi- ness in gents' furnishing goods. They are both good, moral young men, highly esteemed in the community.

DR. JOHN P. TOURNER is the second son of Dr. Henry P., and Frances A. (Morgan) Tourner. He was born March 25, 1854, in Hop- kinsville, Ky., and was reared in Bloomington, Monroe Co., Ind., where he was educated. In 1873, he began the study of medicine with his father, and two years later he entered the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati. remaining one year. He then returned to Bloomington, and forming a partnership with his father in the regular practice, he con- tinued until October 10, 1881, when his father died. He continued to practice, taking his father's place, and at present is busily engaged in the many duties of his profession, having a lucrative practice. On May 1, 1876, he married Miss Amanda Buskirk, daughter of William H. Buskirk, a pioneer and respected citizen of Monroe County. Dr. Tourner is a Democrat, and is very liberal in all public undertakings, and socially is highly esteemed. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

ELDER WILLIAM B. F. TREAT, a native of Indiana, was born in Adams Township, Morgan Co., Ind., September 25, 1835. He is eldest in a family of six children born to James W. and Sallie (Mathes) Treat, natives of Kentucky, and among the earliest pioneers of Owen

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County and Morgan County. The subject of this sketch was reared in Morgan County, and there received a good education. When eighteen years of age, he went with his parents to Yellville, Ark., where, by con- stant study and perseverance, he acquired a knowledge of the higher classics. In 1856, he entered the office of Dr. Carlisle, and began the study of medicine, continuing for two years, during which time he preached through the surrounding country. He was ordained a minister of the Christian Church in 1858, and preached in Arkansas for six years; then returned to Indiana. He preached at Bruceville, Knox County, for three years then for some time at Mt. Carmel, Ill. He came to Bloom- ington in 1870, and was minister in the Christian Church for five years. He was elected on the Republican ticket to the Senate of Indiana, from the district comprising Monroe and Lawrence Counties, and served for four years. He has since been engaged in his ministerial duties and has attained great distinction as an orator and debater. On May 10, 1855, he married Miss Rebecca J. Wood, daughter of Abram Wood, a citizen of Marion County, Ark. They have nine children. Elder Treat is a mem- ber of the A., F. & A. M .; politically he is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

JOHN WALDRON was born in Drogheda, Ireland, in June, 1827. He is the eldest in a family of three children born to John and Mary (Hughes) Waldron. He acquired the rudiments of a good common school education, and while yet a boy learned the tanner's trade with his father, and being left an orphan he came to America in 1847, and worked at his trade in Newark, N. J., until 1848; going thence to St. Louis, Mo., he worked at tanning until March, 1856, at which time he removed to Bloomington. Soon after his arrival, he purchased the old Judy Tan- nery, to which he has since made a number of additions and otherwise extensively improved it. The tannery is at present one of the largest in Bloomington, and employs a large number of men. On September 4, 1853, he was married to Miss Ann Bonecum, daughter of John Bone- cum, of St. Louis. He is a prominent member of the Catholic Church, and a stanch Republican. He has for twenty years served as an efficient member of the Town Council, and also for three years creditably served as County Commissioner. In 1871, at the organization of the First National Bank of Bloomington, he was elected a director, and upon the death of George W. Buskirk in 1874, he was elected President, which office he at present fills.

JOHN B. WALDRON, a native of Indiana, was born in Blooming- ton, Monroe County, April 2, 1856. He was the eldest son of eleven children born to John and Ann (Bonecum) Waldron, natives of Ireland and Missouri respectively. He was reared in Bloomington, where he re- ceived a good education in the public schools. When eighteen years of age, he took charge of the books in his father's tannery, where he re- mained for about seven years, at which time he accepted a position as book-keeper in the First National Bank, retaining it for two years. On March 15, 1883, he formed a partnership with S. C. Dodds and Showers Bros. in the manufacture of chairs, to which, on September 1, 1883, they added the manufacture of center tables, and have facilities for making sixty-five dozen chairs and one thousand center tables per week. They have in their employ about sixty five persons and pay from $250 to $300 per week for this assistance. Mr. Waldron is identified with the Cath- olic Church, and is a faithful member and an active worker in its main-

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tenance. He is politically a Republican, and quite influential in his party. He is liberal as a citizen, highly respected in the community, in- dustrious, energetic and ever ready to assist in any commendable public undertaking.

GEORGE W. WALKER, a native of Indiana, was born September 13, 1844, in Lawrence County. He is the third son of John F. and Sarah (Green) Walker, natives of Kentucky and Indiana respectively. He was reared in Polk Township, Monroe County, and acquired a good common school education. When ten years of age, he came to Bloomington with his parents, and here entered the public schools, through which he passed with great credit. About 1856, he commenced learning the printer's trade, continuing to work at it until 1861. He was assigned the posi- tion of Deputy Postmaster under William M. Tate, and has since been seen at his post, faithfully discharging the duties devolving upon him. Mr. Waiker is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is an active as well as an in- fluential member. Politically, he is a Republican, a stanch worker and highly esteemed by the citizens.

DR. ROBERT M. WEIR was born in Richland Township, Monroe County, Ind., in July, 1841. His parents, Charles S. and Elizabeth (Strong) Weir, natives of South Carolina, and of Irish extraction, came to Indiana in 1832, locating on a farm in Richland Township, where they now live. Our subject is the eldest in the family, and was educated in his native township. In 1857, he entered the State University at Bloom- ington, graduating thence in June, 1863. In the fall of that same year, he began the study of medicine with Dr. J. D. Maxwell, and continued for about eight months, when he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-third Indiana Volunteers, under Capt. Rutledge, in the one hundred days' service, and on September 5 received an honorable dis- charge. In the fall of 1864, he entered the University of Michigan, in the Medical Department, and graduated in March, 1866. Two months later, be entered the regular practice at White Hall, Owen County, Ind., and continued there until March, 1876; going thence to Paxton, III., he remained for about one year and a half, when he returned to Blooming- ton, Ind., where he is at present engaged in practice. He has been Sec- retary of the County Board of Health since its organization. October 16, 1866, he was married to Harriet A. Turner, daughter of the Rev. William Turner, of Monroe County. They have had six children, five of whom are living-Charles T., Julia E., Mary E., Mattie E. and Anna. Dr. Weir is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and politically he is a Republican.

LEONARD WHETSELL was born in Wythe County, Va., March 24, 1832, and is the second son and sixth child of Peter and Elizabeth Whetsell. When four years of age, he came to Indiana with his par- ents, and located in New Albany, where they remained for two years, coming thence, in 1838, to Monroe County. They settled on a farm near Bloomington, where they remained for about two years, then went to Bloomington in 1840. His parents were only in moderate circumstances, and he, being compelled to work, only obtained a very limited education. On coming to Bloomington, his father engaged in farming and the har- ness business, which he followed until his death, which occurred October 6, 1841; his widow died November 21, 1875. After the death of his father, they returned to the farm, and subject farmed for several years,

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Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 77

Author: Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900, ed. cn Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago, F. A. Battey & co. Number of Pages: 814

Author: Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900, ed. cn
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, F. A. Battey & co.
Number of Pages: 814