USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 93
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HON. HARRY G. STRICKLAND.
Hon. Harry G. Strickland, former representative from this district in the Indiana General Assembly, one of the directors of the Greenfield Banking Company, former city clerk of Greenfield, a former well-known newspaper man and for years one of the best-known merchants of that city, was born in the old town of Centerville, over in Wayne county, this state, but has been a resident of Greenfield since 1878. He was born on July 12. 1866, son of Richard J. and Ann E. (Hamlyn) Strickland, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of England, both of whom were for years residents of Green- field, honored and respected by the entire community.
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Richard J. Strickland was born in Ross county, Ohio, September 30. 1830. He was educated in Vermont, having been given excellent oppor- tunities in the way of schooling, and early became interested in the newspaper Business. He was not only a practical printer, but a writer of force and ability and when he came to Indiana as an ambitious young newspaper man in the early fifties quickly made his influence felt. He became the owner and editor of a newspaper at Richmond, going thence to Cambridge City, where he published a paper for a time and then located at Centerville, where he was engaged in the newspaper business until he moved to Greenfield m 1878. As editor of the I'ayne County Chronicle at Centerville, which town at that time was a place of far greater pretension that it makes today, Richard J. Strickland became one of Indiana's best-known newspaper men and his paper exerted a wide influence thereabout in its day. While there he also established the okl Odd Fellowes Journal, later and now known as the Odd Fellow's Talisman. the official organ of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Indiana, and for years conducted that journal, becoming in that time one of the best-known Odd Fellows in the United States. When Centerville became too greatly overshadowed by the neighboring city of Richmond, Mr. Strickland moved his newspaper plant to Greenfield, the county seat of this county, arriving there in 1878, and there he began the publication of the Hancock Jeffersonian and continued as editor and publisher of that paper until he sold it in 1889 and retired from the newspaper business, after many years of active and use- ful service in that connection. Upon retiring from business Mr. Strickland returned to his old home at Centerville, where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring on May 29, 1898.
Richard J. Strickland's widow survived him more than ten years, her death occurring on May 15. 1910. Ann E. Hamlyn was born in Devonshire. England, October 4. 1830, and was nineteen years old when she came to this country with her parents. The family settled in Hamilton county, Ohio, en- tering a considerable tract of land on what is now Walnut Hills. Cincinnati's most attractive residence section, and there she lived until her marriage to Mr. Strickland. She was one of thirteen children born to her parents, only one of whom is now living. Mrs. Lizzie Golden. of Acton, this state. To Richard J. and Ann E. ( Hamlyn) Strickland eight children were born. of whom four now survive, those besides the subject of this biographical sketch being as follow: Ben, assistant clerk of the Indiana state board of printing. with offices in the state house at Indianapolis, a biographical sketch of whom is presented elsewhere in this volume: Mrs. Addie Chambers, of Hastings, Oklahoma, and Mrs. Grace Taylor, of Indianapolis.
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Harry G. Strickland's boyhood was spent in his native town, Centerville. and his elementary education was received in the excellent schools of that fine old town. He was about twelve years old when his parents moved to Greenfield and he continued his schooling in the public schools in that city. being graduated from the Greenfieldl high school with the class of 1884. From earliest childhood he had had the run of his father's printing office and "knew the case" even before he was big enough to "chin" the "frames." thus gradually absorbing all details of "the art preservative of all arts" and be- coming a very competent printer. Upon leaving the high school he went to Indianapolis, where for two years he was employed as a printer in the office of the old Daily Journal. He then went to Washington, D. C., where he was employed in the government printing office for a year, at the end of which time the failing state of his father's health required his return home and he was in practical charge of the publication of the Jeffersonian until his father sold that excellent old paper in 1889. Harry G. Strickland then en- tered the grocery store of his brother. Hamyln ( now deceased ), at Green- field and remained there as a clerk until 1893, in which year he established a grocery store of his own, which he ever since has conducted with much suc- cess, long having been recognized as one of the leading merchants of Green- field. Mr. Strickland's business interests are not confined wholly to his mer- cantile establishment and since 1907 he has been serving as a member of the board of directors of the Greenfield Banking Company.
Wholeheartedly and unselfishly, for years Mr. Strickland has given of his time and his energies to the public service and there are few men in cen- tral Indiana who have a wider or more influential acquaintance in the political circles of the state than he. Ile served a term as city clerk of Greenfield and for some years gave equally efficient service to the local public as a mem- ber of the city council. In 1906 Mr. Strickland was elected, as the nominee of the Democratic party, representative from this district to the lower house of the Indiana General Assembly. Ilis service in the house during the session of 1907 commended him so highly to the people of his home district that he was re-elected in 1908 and was again returned in 1910, serving with equal fidelity and efficiency during the sessions of 1909 and 1911. During his lengthy service in the house Mr. Strickland was a member of some of the most important committees of that body and he exerted a wide and wholesome influence upon the legislation of that period. As a member of the Masonic fraternity, llarry G. Strickland ranks with the very highest in that ancient order. the honorary thirty-third degree, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. having been conferred upon him in 1910. He passed up through the York
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Rite and is past grand commander of the grand commandery of the Knights Templar of Indiana, as well as a noble of Murat Temple, Oasis of Indian- apolis, Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Strickland also has fraternal affiliations with the Greenfield lodges of the Knights of the Maccabees, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Haymakers, in the affairs of all of which organizations he takes a warm interest.
On November 7. 1889. Harry G. Strickland was united in marriage to Nettie Williams, a graduate of the Greenfield high school, who was born in Greenfield, May 10, 1867, a daughter of Joseph and Clarissa ( Thomas) Williams, the former of whom died at Greenfield in 1876 and the latter on March 8. 1910. Joseph Williams came from Pennsylvania to Indiana and was for years a well-known carriage manufacturer at Greenfield. He and his wife were the parents of four children. those besides Mrs. Strickland, who was the second in order of birth, being Herman Williams, of Indianapolis : Mrs. Charles Perry, of Greenfield, and Frank Williams, who for the past twenty years has been associated with Mr. Strickland in the grocery business at Greenfield. To Harry G. and Nettie ( Williams) Strickland three children have been born, one of whom died in infancy, the others being Harriet, born in 1800, and Richard, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Strickland are members of the Presbyterian church and take a proper part in the various social and cultural activities of their home town, earnest promoters of all movements designed to advance the common welfare hereabout.
MRS. LENA SCHILDMEIER.
Lena (Sommers) Schildmeier, who has contributed largely to the general uplift of the community in which she lives, was born on September 21, 1871. in Kahl, Germany, and is the daughter of George and Lena ( Schutterly) Som- mers, both natives of the German town of Kahl. George Sommers was born on July 4, 1849, and was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Sommers, who re- mained in their native land until death. Jacob Sommers was engaged in the . transfer business, which he followed for many years, dying at an advanced age. He was the father of three children, all of whom are deceased with the excep- tion of George, the father of Lena ( Sommers) Schildmeier.
George Sommers was reared and educated in his native country, and was also married there. He assisted his father in the transfer business as well as in his farming interests, being quite content with this arrangement until
ANTON F. SCHILDMEIER AND FAMILY
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his marriage, at which time he became an independent factor in the business world. At the age of twenty-one this native son of Germany pledged his protection to Lena Schutterly, daughter of Andrew and Lena Schutterly, and to them have been born nine children, whose names follow : Lena, Anna, Chris- tina, George, Elizabeth, Emma (deceased), Ida, Marie and Charles, Lena Schutterly was also a native of Kahl, Germany, and her birth occurred on May 17. 1850. Her parents were life-long residents of that country. She was the youngest of three children born to her parents, Andrew. Anna and Lena. In April, 1880, George Sommers, his wife and children immigrated to America. proceeding direct to Indianapolis, Indiana, after their arrival in New York City. They soon found it expedient to locate on the farm of Mr. Wagner in Warren township, Marion county, where they remained for a period of three years, following which they removed to North Cumberland, Indiana, their resident in that place covering a period of four years. Their next experience was the investment in sixty acres of land in Buck Creek township, Hancock county, Indiana, which property became their home for about twelve years. The next year was spent in Indianapolis, Indiana, but at the end of that time they returned to agricultural pursuits on sixty-one and one-half acres of land in Sugar Creek township, of this county, and this has since continued to be their home. The family are members of the German Evangelical church and active in its support.
Lena Sommers was reared until eight years of age on the banks of the River Rhine and then removed with her parents to this country, finishing her education in the schools of Marion and Hancock counties, Indiana. On .April 12, 1894. she was united in marriage to Anton F. Schildmeier, son of Christian and Mary ( Waller ) Schiklmeier, and of this union one child was born, Marie M., who on November 7, 1915, married John .A. Resener, and they reside at the home of her mother. Anton F. Schildmeier was born on March 17. 1853. in Sugar Creek township, on his father's farm. His father came to America in 1836, as a boy of eleven years, receiving his education in the land of his adoption. His death occurred on April 14. 1910, his wife having preceded him in death in 1861. They were the parents of nine children.
AAnton F. Schildmeier spent his childhood on the home farm and received his education in the German school, under the instruction of Rev. J. G. Kunz. At the age of twenty-three he was married to Anna Catherine Weber. daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Weber, and to their union were born four children. two of whom died in infancy. The surviving children are Walter, and Lulu, who married William Spilker. Anna Catherine ( Weber ) Schildmeier died in 1893, and one year later AAnton F. Schildmeier was married the second time.
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
After her marriage. Lena (Sommers) Schildmeier and her husband took up their residence on the Schildmeier homestead. continuing here ever since. On March 14, 1915. she had the great misfortune to lose her protector and companion. Anton F. Schildmeier was an exceptional man in many par- ticulars and left a large circle of friends to mourn their loss. He was an expert farmer and breeder of Percheron horses and a large landholder as well, owning one hundred and seventy-three acres in this county and one hundred and six in Jennings county, Indiana. He was a member of the German Evangelical church, of New Palestine, Indiana, as is also his wife. Politically, he was a stanch Democrat and loyal citizen.
WILLIAM S. THOMAS.
William S. Thomas, a retired farmer, living in Willow Branch, Hancock county, Indiana, was born in this same county, where he has passed his entire life. on August 16. 1858. He is a son of David and Mary (Jones) Thomas. both natives of Ohio, the former of whom as a young man was a general farmer in Clermont county of his native state and later moved to Rush county, Indiana, where he purchased a farm and remained for a comparatively short time. He again moved, this time to Hancock county and located in Jackson township, where he passed his remaining days.
William S. Thomas is one of a family of ten children, six of whom still survive. Those other than himself are L. B. Thomas, a retired farmer. living in Knightstown, this state John W. Thomas, farming in Hancock county ; Maurice C., a retired farmer, living in Willow Branch; Martin R., farming in Jackson township, this county, and Margaret Olive, wife of K. T. White, a Henry county farmer. After attending the schools of his native township, William S. Thomas assisted in the work of the homestead and in later years rented the farm for a period of seven years, previous to buying out the in- terests of some of the other heirs.
William S. Thomas has been twice married. His first wife was Mar- garet Huston, born at Fortville. a daughter of Thomas W. and Lucinda Huston. Thomas W. being well-known as the blacksmith of Fortville. Mr. Thomas had two children by his first marriage. Jessie K., who died on Octo- ber 2. 1907. and Jeanette, wife of Alvin Sipe, a mechanic of Willow Branch. Margaret ( Huston) Thomas died on April 17, 1892, and on December 20. 1897, William S. Thomas was united in marriage with Flora Tutorow, born
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in Willow Branch. January 7. 1872, a daughter of Hiram and Margaret ( Boles) Tutorow. Both Mr. and Mrs. Tutorow were born in North Caro- lina and emigrated to Indiana about the year 1865, driving the entire distance in a wagon. They had many thrilling experiences en route and upon arriving in Hancock county they secured for their farm the land upon which the town of Willow Branch now stands. Hiram Tutorow died in 1888 and his widow still survives at the age of eighty-one years, hale and hearty considering the strenuous years she has been through. She is the mother of seven children. five of whom are still living. These are James L., Ella (Mrs. Higgins). living in North Vernon, this state; M. P., residing at Hartford City; Pru- dence, living in Willow Branch with the mother, and Flora, wife of the im- mediate subject of this sketch.
William S. Thomas and wife are both members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, interested in the work of their local organization. while in politics he gives his support to the Repubican party. Ile is also a member of . the Willow Branch Horse Thief Detective Association and is an ex-officer of that organization.
WILLIAM A. BREIER.
William A. Breier, well-known citizen and agriculturist of Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, Indiana, was born on April 26, 1866, on the Breier homestead in this township and county and is the son of William F. and Christina ( Rosener) Breier, both natives of Frilee, Germany, who immigrated to America when very young. William F. Breier was the son of William and Christina (Deerburg) Breier, also natives of Frilee, Germany, who immi- grated to America in 1840. William Breier was born about 1806, subse- quently locating in Sugar Creek township, of this county, where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1888. The farm which he estab- lished consisted of eighty acres in the northwest quarter of section 13, and was purchased of Jacob Schram. It was partially improved and cleared and eventually contained one hundred and sixty acres, eighty acres having been purchased of Mr. Bunge. This last named property was located in the south- east quarter of section 11. . All of the hardships and privations of pioneer life were endured by William Breier while he was engaged in the development of his farm, but his services were invaluable to the community. His wife pre- ceded him in death about seventeen years, her death having occurred in 1871. They were the parents of six children, all of whom lived to maturity.
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William F. Breier, father of William A. Breier, was born in February, 1834, and was but six years of age when he came to America with his par- ents, who made the voyage in a sailing vessel, disembarking at New York City and removing immediately to this locality. After many years of suc- cessful farming in Sugar Creek township, his property holding amounting to four hundred acres, which included the home place purchased from the other heirs, his death occurred in October, 1889, at the age of fifty-five years. He was an active member of the German Lutheran church, as was also his wife, who followed him in death on July 8. 1904. To them were born ten children, whose names follow : Christina, Dena, who died at the age of twenty- two years: Henry, who died in infancy: William, Charles, Mary, Henry, Emma, Annie and Benjamin. Christina died at the age of fifty-five.
William A. Breier was reared on the Breier homestead and received his education in the old No. 3 school and in the German school, his first teacher having been Louis Schriber. His teacher in the German school was Rev. J. G. Kunz. After the completion of his education he returned to the farm and assisted his father with the work, assuming the entire charge at the death of his parents. The farm is well improved and is devoted to the raising of gen- eral crops and stock, feeding out about fifty head of Ohio Improved Chester hogs and keeps eight to ten head of cattle and four head of horses. William 1. Breier is a member of the German Lutheran church, and Democratic in his political views. As a life-long resident of this locality he has always been known as a man of sterling worth and integrity.
ELWOOD O'KANE BRANDENBURG.
Elwood O'Kane Brandenburg was born two miles southeast of New Pal- estine on September 22. 1856, the son of James Oliver and Maria (Snod- grass ) Brandenburg. James Oliver Brandenburg was born in Butler county. Ohio, on April 5. 1822, and died in February, 1912. He was the son of Henry and Nancy ( Bennett) Brandenburg. Henry Brandenburg was from Pennsylvania and was of German descent. He was born on January 3. 1807. Ilis wife, Nancy ( McCullem) Bennett, was born on August 12, 1807. Henry Brandenburg died on October 29, 1862, and his wife died in the fall of 1880. They were married on September 14. 1826. Henry Brandenburg and family came from Butler county, Ohio, in 1836, and settled about two miles south- east of New Palestine, where they bought an eighty-acre farm. Henry Bran-
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denburg also was the owner of another eighty acres to the south, where El- wood Brandenburg now lives, and eighty acres northeast of the original eighty, making him owner of two hundred and forty acres in all.
James Oliver Brandenburg, the father of the subject of this sketch, was but eight years of age when he came with his parents from Butler county, Ohio. As a boy he grew up on the old homestead of his father in what was then a wiklerness. Here he received his early education and here he was married to Maria Snodgrass, daughter of Robert Snodgrass and wife, who were also early pioneers of Sugar Creek township. After his marriage, James Oliver Brandenburg moved to the south eighty of the old home place and here he built a log house and a log barn. The latter building is still standing. Hle started in life for himself and cleared up his land. Ile later bought forty acres, which he also cleared. In later years he built a good frame barn and a splendid brick residence of eight rooms. This was along about 1875. James Oliver Brandenburg spent his last years with his son here. He died at the advanced age of eighty-four years in February, 1912. His wife had clied several years previous on May 22, 1884. James Oliver Brandenburg was the father of the following children : Jasper, who died in infancy : James Henry, who is now deceased, and Elwood O., who is the subject of this sketch.
Elwood O. Brandenburg was born on the old homestead in the old log cabin that was built there by his father. Here he spent his childhood days and attended the okl Wagner school. After he finished school he continued to assist his father on the home place until he was twenty-two years of age. On January 29. 1880, he was married to Arminda Murnan, who was the daughter of George and Matilda Murnan, pioneer settlers of Sugar Creek township. To this union was born one child, who died in infancy. AAbout two years after his first marriage, in the early spring of 1881, his wife died, and on February 29. 1883. Mr. Brandenburg was married to Marcella Gunn. who was born in Hancock county on October 7. 1863, and who was the daugh ter of William and Jane ( Morford) Gunn. William Gunn was a son of Robert Gunn, who came from Ohio and settled as a pioneer in Hancock county. Jane Morford, his wife, was born on May 11. 1836. in Clermont county, Ohio. She was the daughter of Joseph B. and Margaret ( Morehead ) Morford, who were also pioneer settlers of Hancock county. AAbout ten years after his marriage, William Gunn, in 1866, moved to Tazewell county, Illinois, where he lived for a year and where he met his death through a stroke of lightning on August 28, 1871. After his death his widow returned to Hancock county. where a few years later she was married to James T. Murnan. She spent the remaining years of her life in Sugar Creek township. She died on De-
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cember. 1883. Through the first marriage she became the mother of nine children and through the last marriage she is the mother of two children. After his first marriage Elwood O. Brandenburg moved to George Murnan's farm, south of New Palestine, where he lived until after the death of his wife. He then returned to the home place, where he resided for two years or until his second marriage in 1883. He then moved to the farm of Mr. Snodgrass. just southeast of the old home place, and there he resided two years and then shortly after his mother's death, in the fall of 1885, he moved back to the old home farm, where he still resides. Mr. Brandenburg is the owner of a one-hundred-and-twenty-acre tract comprising the old home place, a part of which he heired, and the remainder of which he purchased from the other heirs. He is the father of two children: Virgil Ray, who married Lulu Weston and resides in Detroit, Michigan. and Anna Luella, who resides at home. Mr. Brandenburg is a successful farmer and stock raiser. Both him- self and wife and children are members of the Christian church. Mr. Bran- denburg is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of New Pal- estine and also a member of the Court of Honor. He is a Democrat in politics and has been supervisor for his township.
PLEASANT F. PARISH.
Pleasant F. Parish was born in Sugar Creek township. Hancock county, on August 22, 1860. a son of Thomas and Ellen ( Means ) Parish.
Thomas Parish was born in 1819. in Greensboro, Rockingham county, North Carolina. He spent his childhood days there and at the age of ten, after his father's death, he moved with his mother and her family to near Brookfield, then called Doubletown. Shelby county, Indiana. It was there that he spent his youth and it was there that he was married at the age of twenty, in 1839. to Ellen Means, who was born near Madison, Indiana, in 1822, and who was the daughter of Fountain and Elizabeth Means, both of North Carolina. Fountain Means lived near Madison, Indiana, for one year and then came to Shelby county, where Ellen spent her childhood and early life. After his marriage. Thomas Parish farmed near Acton, in Marion county, for awhile. He finally bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres one-half mile south of New Palestine, where he spent the remaining years of his active life. In January of 1881 he moved to another farm which he owned a mile north of New Palestine, where he lived for about eight years or until his retirement from active life. He then moved to Greenfield. where he
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lived for five years, or until his death, which occurred in November, 1803. when he was seventy-four years old. His wife survived him eleven years, and died on February 29, 1904. At one time Thomas Parish owned three hundred and eighty acres of Hancock county land and was accounted one of the most advanced farmers in the county. He was a Democrat in politics and both he and his wife were members of the Christian church. They were the parents of the following children; Lucindia, who is deceased: Neamor. who died at the age of two years: Jane, who is deceased; Eliza, Amanda. who is deceased ; John, Robert, who is deceased: Pleasant, who is the subject of this sketch: Albert and William H.
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