USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 83
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Mr. and Mrs. Merlau have two children: Elmer, born on February 24. 1894, and Freda, born on March 15, 1897. Mr. Merlan and his family are members of the German Lutheran church and in politics he supports the Dem- ocratic party. He is a captain of the Horse Thief Detective Association and interested in all enterprises intended to advance the interests of those of the community. Mr. Merlan has passed his entire life in this locality and it is said that no higher tribute can be paid a man than an honorable and long continued residence in one place. This being true, he is eminently entitled to the respect and esteem in which he is held by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
WILLIAM T. LEAMON.
William T. Leamon, cashier of the Greenfield Banking Company and formerly one of the best-known teachers in the public schools of Hancock county, is a native son of this county, having been born on a farm near Brown's Chapel. five miles northeast of Greenfield, in Jackson township. October 22, 1869, son of Isaac and Mary .A. ( Smith ) Leamon, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana, both of whom are now deceased.
Isaac Leamon was born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1829, and when quite young came to Indiana with his parents, the family settling in Jackson town- ship. this county, where he grew to manhood on a farm. He married Mary .A. Smith, who was born in that township, and established a home in that
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same township. where both he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives, she dying in 1894 and he in 1898. Isaac Leamon was a Republican and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They were the parents of nine children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being as follow : Luna, now deceased, who married W. S. Lane, and undertaker at Charlottesville : John E., of Indianapolis: Elsie L., now deceased, who mar- ried George Steffey, a farmer of the Charlottesville neighborhood : James F., a clerk at the traction terminal station at Indianapolis: Eva B., who married Micajah Smith, who is connected with the Indianapolis street railway service : Charles E., of Charlottesville, and William T., the subject of this biographical sketch.
William T. Leamon was reared on the home farm in Jackson township and received his early schooling in the schools of Charlottesville. He then took a course in the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute, after which he began teaching school and was thus engaged until he entered the service of the Greenfield Banking Company, with which he ever since has been con- nected. Mr. Leamon taught for three years in the district schools of Jack- son township, one year in the schools of Cleveland and eight years in the schools of Charlottesville. He was principal for four terms in the Lincoln school at Greenfield. In 1905 Mr. Leamon was engaged as a bookkeeper by the Greenfield Banking Company and in 1909 was elected assistant cashier of the bank. In 1911 he was elected cashier, which responsible position he still occupies. In the meantime Mr. Leamon had become a stockholder in the banking company and in 1916 was elected a director of the same. Mr. Lca- mon is a Republican and has ever given his thoughtful attention to local political affairs, but has never been included in the office-seeking class.
On October 22, 1899, William T. Leamon was united in marriage to Bertie G. Rock, who was born on a farm in Jackson township, this county, .August 17, 1873, daughter of the Hon. W. H. H. and Anna R. ( Reeves) Rock, who later became residents of Greenfield. W. H. 11. Rock left his Jackson township farm and engaged in the grocery business at Charlottes- ville, later moving to Greenfield, where he followed the same line of business until his death. He was a prominent Republican of this county, for some time serving as chairman of the county Republican committee, and served a term in the lower house of the Indiana General Assembly as a representative from this district. To Mr. and Mrs. Leamon three children have been born. Harold Carl, Madge Ruth and Virginia Lou. Mr. Leamon is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a past noble grand of the lodge with which he is affiliated. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias.
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
PAUL F. BINFORD.
Paul F. Binford, of Greenfield, one of the best-known and most energetic young lawyers in central Indiana, who is also identified with numerous ex- tensive financial interests hereabout, was born in Greenfield on December 31, 1880, son of John H. and Lucy (Coggeshall) Binford, prominent and influ- ential residents of that city. The late John H. Binford for many years was one of the most useful citizens of Hancock county. Educator, lawyer and banker, he did well his part in the common life of this community and his memory is cherished hereabout. In a memorial sketch relating to the late John H. Binford, presented elsewhere in this volume, further details regard- ing this interesting family in Hancock county are set out and to those pages the reader is respectfully referred for additional information in this con- nection.
Paul F. Binford was graduated from the Greenfield high school in 1898. after which he spent a year in the state of Champeche, Mexico, where he was engaged in the lumber industry. Upon his return home he took a course in Earlham College and was then engaged as city editor of the old Greenfield Republican, now the Daily Reporter. After two years of excellent service in the local newspaper field he entered the office of the National Biscuit Com- pany at Chicago, beginning his service in that office as "bell boy." Efficiency of service quickly met its reward and it was not long until he was advanced to the position of assistant secretary to the president of the company and later was made assistant manager of the real-estate department of that cor- poration. In 1907 Mr. Binford was transferred to the offices of the National Biscuit Company in New York City, acting there in the same capacity as had marked his service for the company in Chicago, and he remained in that city until the death of his father in 1912 required his return home to look after the affairs of his father's estate. During his residence in New York Mr. Binford entered the International Young Men's Christian Association Schools, attend- ing nights, and was there graduated in commercial law. He later entered the New York Law School and was graduated from that institution in June. 1909, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, the degree of Master of Laws being conferred upon him by the same school in June. 1910. In January. 1912. Mr. Binford was admitted to practice by the supreme court of New York and was thus amply qualified to enter upon the practice of his chosen profession upon his return to Greenfield. He at once occupied the office so long occupied by his father and has since remained there. successfully con- tinuing the business that his father had established. In addition to his gen-
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eral law practice, Mr. Binford is interested in four banks as attorney, stock- holder or director, and is otherwise actively identified with the commercial and financial interests of this section of the state.
On January 15, 1916, Paul F. Binford was united in marriage to Mary E. Henley, who was born at Carthage, in Rush county, this state. December 19. 1894, daughter of Walter C. and Carrie B. Henley, now residents of Green- field, where Mr. Henley is engaged in the manufacture of furniture. Mr. Binford is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, being a member of the board of stewards of the same. He is a Knight Templar, a member of the commandery at Greenfield, and is a member of Murat Temple, Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Indianapolis.
CARL S. ROCK.
Carl S. Rock was born in Hancock county on January 12, 1879, the son of William H. H. and Rebecca ( Reeves) Rock. William II. II. Rock was born in Henry county on June 22, 1844. and died on March 25, 1910. He was educated in Spiceland Academy and later engaged in the general-store business in Charlottesville. He quit this to take up the milling business for awhile in the same town. In 1890 he left Charlottesville and went to Green- fied, where he entered the grocery business, in which he was active for ten years, but retired in 1909. only a short time before his death. Ilis wife Rebecca Reeves, was born in Brown township, in Hancock county, on January 20. 1851. She was raised and educated in Hancock county. Her parents were farmers. She was married to William H. H. Rock in August of 1872. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Bertie Leamon, who is now a resident of Greenfield: Guy D., who is a resident of Indianapolis ; E. P., who is a resident of Greenfieldl; Mrs. Zula B. Pierce, who is a resident of Greenfield; Mrs. Ellis Jackson, who is a resident of Greenfield, and Carl S .. who is the subject of this sketch.
Carl S. Rock was educated in Charlottesville. After he left school he played professional baseball with the International League of London, Can- ada, for a period of three years. He later went into the grocery business, in which he remained until 1911. He next went on the road as a salesman for a prominent firm and remained in this work for two years and he then en- gaged in the jewelry business in January, of 1914. in which business he has been very successful.
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
On October 15, 1907, Carl S. Rock was married to Nelle Stoner, the (laughter of Elmer E. and Matilda 1. Stoner, both natives of Hancock county. Elmer E. Stoner was state agent for the Home Insurance Company of New York. He was a Republican in politics and was prominent in his party. He was the unsuccessful candidate of his party for state auditor in 1905. He was a thirty-second degree Mason, and both he and his wife were prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died on April 6, 1907. His wife is still living in Greenfield. Nelle Stoner was born in Greenfield on February 7. 1886. Her earlier education was received in the Greenfield schools, but she later graduated from the Shortridge High School at Indian- apolis, in 1903. She spent the following two years at Indiana University. and the year following at a woman's college at Baltimore. She has only one brother, Karl W. Stoner, now a student at Purdue University.
Carl S. Rock allied himself with the Progressive party when it was founded and was the county chairman of that party for the years 1912 and 1913. He is a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge, and is vice-president of the Brooklyn brick factory at Brook- lyn, Indiana. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Greenfield.
WILLIAM ALBERT JUSTICE, M. D.
. Dr. William Albert Justice, one of the oldest and best-known practicing physicians in this part of the state, who has been continually engaged in the practice of his profession in Hancock county since 1879 and who has been located in Greenfield since 1902. is a Hoosier, having been born on a farm near the town of Markleville, Madison county, Indiana, October 12. 1852. son of John Jackson and Lustacha ( Blake ) Justice, the former a native of Ohio, born on February 22, 1826. and the latter of Indiana, born on Fall creek in Madison county, April 27, 1830.
John Jackson Justice was but a boy when his parents came from Ohio to this state and settled in Madison county and in the latter place he spent the rest of his life, a farmer and carpenter and a man of large influence for good in his community. John J. Justice grew to manhood on the paternal farm in Madison county and married Lustacha Blake, a member of a well- known family of that neighborhood, after which he set up an establishment of his own and was successfully engaged as a farmer, carpenter and cabinet- maker. Doctor Justice has in his possession an old wooden-wheel clock.
Varjustice, M.D.
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more than one hundred years old, which was in the family home when he was born, for which his father made a cherry bureau in exchange for the same from the original owner, and which he prizes very highly. John J. Justice was a man of strong character and bore the reputation in his com- munity of never having done an act which would create the adverse criticism of his neighbors. He was a Democrat and for years served his township in the capacity of trustee. He died in 1895, at the age of sixty-nine years, and his widow, who still survives, is living on the old home farm of her father's, where she has lived continuously since she was four years old. To John J. Justice and wife six children were born, namely: William Albert, the imme- diate subject of this sketch; John Henry, who died on September 16, 1902: Ella, wife of Dr. Benjamin Lund Fussell, of Markleville, this state; Ethan Allen. who is living on the old homestead in Madison county; Margaret, who married Harry M. Hardy and died on June 22, 1886, and Lucian, who died in infancy in December, 1872.
William A. Justice was reared on the paternal farm in Madison county. receiving his elementary education in the old "Lick" school in the neighbor- hood of his home, later attending a normal school conducted by R. 1. Hamil- ton in a Quarter neighborhood, five miles distant, walking to and fro be- tween his home and the school. He then attended the normal school at Anderson, at that time conducted by Joseph Franklin, and thus equipped entered the ranks of public school teachers and for three years was engaged in teaching school in his home township. During this time he was giving close attention to the study of medicine and presently entered the office of Doctor Fussell, under whose tutelage he prepared for entrance in the Ken- tucky School of Medicine at Louisville, from which institution he was gradu- ated in 1878, after which he formed a partnership with Dr. Benjamin Fusse!l. which continued about a year. On February 3. 1879. Doctor Justice came to Hancock county and opened an office for the practice of his profession at Eden. where he remained for twenty-four years, during which time he became one of the best-known physicians in the county. On September 30, 1902, Doctor Jus- tice moved his office to Greenfield and has ever since been successfully en- gaged in practice there.
Dr. Justice is a Democrat and ever since locating in this county has given his thoughtful attention to local political affairs. He was elected cor- oner of the county in 1882 and was re-elected in 1884, thus serving two terms. In 1914 he was again elected to this important public office for a term of two years. Between 1895 and 1900 he served as trustee of Green township and in other ways has served the public to the best of his ability. The doctor is
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an ardent Mason, as was his father before him, and for three years was master of his home lodge, Eden Lodge No. 477. He is a member of the Greenfield chapter of the Royal Arch Masons, of which he was High Priest. 1912 and 1913: of the Greenfiekl Commandery. Knights Templar, of which he was Eminent Commander in 1909. and of the Scottish Rite Masons, at- tached to the consistory of the valley of Indianapolis. He is also a member of the council of the order at McCordsville and of the Order of the Eastern Star at Greenfield, and Murat Temple, AAncient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
On January 1. 1879. Dr. William .A. Justice was united in marriage to Francena L. Lacy, who was born in Henry county, this state. September 23. 1856, daughter of Parker Lacy and wife, the former a native of North Car- olina and the latter of Ohio, and to this union three children have been born. Lee F .. . Alma, a teacher in the Greenfield public schools, and Marie, who married Ralph C. Tapscott, of Greenfield. Doctor and Mrs. Justice have a fine home at 404 North State street. in Greenfield, which is the scene of much genial hospitality, and they are held in high esteem throughout the entire community.
CHARLES F. OSTERMEIER.
Charles F. Ostermeier, a retired farmer now living in Cumberland, Han- cock county. Indiana, was born in Sugar Creek township on April 18, 1858. and there lived and farmed until some eight years ago. He is a son of Chris- tian Il. and Christina (Miller) Ostermeier, the former born in Frille. Ger- many, October 14. 1827. a son of Christian Ostermeier and wife. The elder Christian was born and reared in Germany, where he was a farmer and the father of five children, two of whom had died in infancy. The others were Christian, father of the subject of this sketch: Mary, now Mrs. Wilson, and Christiana ( now Mrs. Clapper), all deceased except the last named. The elder Christian was married two or three times and after the death of his first wife, mother of the family just mentioned. he and his son Christian came to America in 1841 or 1842, when the younger Christian was but fourteen years of age. Arriving in America, they came direct to Sugar Creek town- ship and for probably a year afterward, both father and son worked indus- triously to earn sufficient money for the passage of the rest of the family. When this was accomplished, they entered eighty acres of land from the gov- ernment. being part of the southwest quarter of section 11. all covered with
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heavy timber. Here both father and son worked to erect a small cabin and barn, which cabin home answered for a few years and was followed by a more pretentious two-room hewn log house with porch and there the elder Christian passed his remaining days. Both his second and third wives were from Germany, the latter, named Christina, surviving him. She was the mother of two children: Elmore (now Mrs. Brusking) and Louisa (now Mrs. Woempeur ).
.As above state, Christian Ostermeier was fourteen years of age when he came with his father to this township, where his youth and manhood were spent. When twenty-three years of age he was married to Christina Miller, born on the Miller homestead in Sugar Creek township on December 4. 1832. and died at her home in this same township, April 8. 1892, at the age of fifty- nine years, five months and four days. Christian Ostermeier and wife were the parents of eight children, namely: Christian, deceased : Charles F. : Chris- tina, who died when eighteen years of age: Mary, deceased: Willie, died m infancy ; Emma. wife of Chris Schakel: Henry and Wilham. Both Christian Ostermeier and wife were devout members of the German Lutheran church, as was also his father before him, and he espoused the cause of the Democratic party upon attaining his majority. Christian Ostermeier died at his home in Sugar Creek township on October 12, 1899. at the age of seventy-one years, eleven months and twenty-eight days.
Charles F. Ostermeier passed his childhood and youth on the family homestead in Sugar Creek township, and attended the German school taught by the Rev. J. G. Kunz. He continued to help his father with the work of the homestead until thirty years of age and the following six years found him working out among the neighboring farmers. On December 20, 1894. he was united in marriage with Laura Sargent, born in Tipton county, this state, near the town of Windfall. on April 25. 1874, a daughter of James and Susan ( Sanders) Sargent. James Sargent was a native of Hancock county, born on April 1, 1833, and died at Fortville, January 17. 1900. a son of Samuel Sargent and wife. Susan Sanders was born near Windfall. Tipton county. August 8. 1854. and died on December 31, 1891. She was the mother of nine children, namely: Laura, wife of Mr. Ostermeier: Charlie, died in infancy: Samuel, Jess, Mary, Delphia, Josephine, died in infancy : Elvina and Joseph. James Sargent had been twice married, his first wife being Eliza Bennington, who bore him six children, as follow: John R., Frank, Jane. Martha, Bell and Jinimie : all dead except Bell and John Richard.
After marriage. Charles F. Ostermeier took his bride to his forty-acre farm which he had just purchased from his father and they took possession
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of the five-room house, which was just being completed, and where they lived for a number of years. The following summer he erected a good barn and in 1902 bought fifteen acres to the south of his farm, making fifty-five acres in all, and in April of 1908 he sold this farm and the following fall moved to Cumberland, where he bought a residence and has since resided. Mr. Oster- meier has been active in threshing work for the past twenty-five years, but has practically retired from the active affairs of life. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ostermeier are members of the German Lutheran church, of which he served one year as vorsteher. Politically, he is a Democrat and is one of the best- known men of Sugar Creek township, where he has spent practically all his life. He has lived a busy life and enjoys the confidence and respect of his fellow men.
WILLIAM C. BARNARD.
The late William C. Barnard, who for years was one of the best-known and most influential figures in the public life of Hancock county, was a native of this county, having been born on a farm in Sugar Creek township. May 31. 1843. son of Reuben and Elizabeth ( Curry ) Barnard, both natives of North Carolina, the former of whom was born in Guilford county, that state. Jan- uary 16, 1805. and the latter in Davidson county. March 16, 1806.
Shortly after their marriage Reuben Barnard and wife came to Indiana and settled in Wayne county. Not finding conditions there to their liking. a few months later they came over into Hancock county and entered a quarter of a section of land in Sugar Creek township, thus having been numbered among the very earliest settlers of that part of the county. There they estab- lished their home and spent the remainder of their lives, their influence doing much toward the creation of proper social and economic conditions in the formative period of that now prosperous and well-established community. Reuben Barnard was an excellent farmer and as his affairs prospered added to his holdings until he became the owner of six hundred acres of fine land in that section. He was a close student of the law and for years gave admir- able service to his community in the capacity of justice of the peace. Reuben Barnard died in 1870 at the age of sixty-five years. His widow survived him more than twenty years, her death occurring in 1892. she then being eighty-six years of age. They were the parents of ten children, Louisa. Fred- erick, James . A., Sarah, Delphinia, Mary. Eunice. Elihu, William C. and Jose- phine, all of whom are now deceased.
WILLIAM C. BARNARD
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William C. Barnard was reared on the paternal farm in Sugar Creek township and received his elementary education in the district schools in the neighborhood of his home, supplementing the same by a course in Butler College, after which he entered Bryant's Business College at Indianapolis and was presently graduated from that institution. He then returned to the home farm and entered seriously and systematically upon the work of the farm, adding to general farming the business of stock raising, in which he engaged quite extensively and became a very successful farmer. Mr. Barnard was a Democrat and from the days of his youth gave close attention to local political affairs, taking a deep interest in the public life of the community. early becoming one of the most widely known men in the county. For six years he served as township trustee of Sugar Creek township and was later elected county treasurer and served as such four years.
William C. Barnard married Amanda M. Gibson, who was born in Frank- lin township. in the neighboring county of Marion, on October 12, 1846. daughter of Isaiah and Elizabeth ( Mayall) Gibson, and to this union three children were born. Borgia E., Audrey B. and one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Barnard were members of the Baptist church and took an earnest part in all community good works. Mr. Barnard was a thirty-second degree Mason, a Knight Templar, connected with the commandery at Greenfield : affiliated with the consistory, Accepted Scottish Rite, and with Murat Temple. at Indianapolis. Mr. Barnard died on January 5. 1911, and his widow still survives.
Borgia E. Barnard, only surviving daughter of William C. and Amanda ( Gibson ) Barnard, received her education in the schools of Marion county and during the time of her father's incumbency as county treasurer served as deputy treasurer of Hancock county. On October 23. 1902. Borgia E. Bar- nard was united in marriage to James H. Pennington, a native of Henry county, this state. He is a Knight Templar and a member of the Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, affiliated with Murat Temple at In- dianapolis. Mrs. Pennington is a member of the Christian church and a mem- ber of the Order of the Eastern Star, in the affairs of both of which organi- zations she takes a warm interest.
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