USA > Indiana > Hendricks County > History of Hendricks County, Indiana, her people, industries and institutions > Part 17
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Everett R. Robards, banker, merchant, farmer and stock breeder of Stilesville, was born in that place on November 17, 1865, the son of Casper and Mary Elizabeth ( Matlock) Robards, the father a native of Owen county, Indiana, his birth having occurred on September 1, 1830, and his mother a native of Stilesville, having been born there in 1843. Casper Robards was deputy treasurer of Morgan county, Indiana, from 1850 to 1855, and in 1856 established the first drug store in Stilesville. In 1860 he sold his drug store and engaged in the general merchandising business, which he continued until 1873, when his health failed and he sold out his mercantile business in that year. However, he continued to live in Stilesville until his death, which occurred on May 8, 1902. His wife, Mary E. Matlock, the daughter of James and Sarah Matlock, was only twenty-three years of age when her death occurred, leaving three small children : James, who died in 1864; Sarah Caroline, who died in 1865, and Everett R., the immediate subject of this sketch.
Everett R. Robards attended the common schools of Hendricks county and later took the two-years course then offered by the normal school at Danville. After leaving school he engaged in a general merchandising business in Stilesville and in 1899 he opened a private bank, which has proved to be very successful. As a business man Mr. Robards has won signal success along several different lines. As a banker he has been conduct- ing a bank which has won the confidence of a large number of patrons. His well-stocked store in Stilesville is managed in such a way as to reflect great credit upon the owner. In addition to his banking and mercantile interests Mr. Robards also has farm lands in Hendricks, Morgan, Marion, Putnam and Scott counties, this state, and personally oversees all of them. Upon his farm in Hendricks county he breeds heavy draft horses, for which he finds a ready sale. In addition to all of these manifold duties, he has been the efficient trustee of Franklin township and has also served a term on the county council of Hendricks county. In every undertaking he has proven that close at- tention to business is sure to win success, when accompanied with strict in- tegrity and high purposes.
Mr. Robards was married to Addie A. Almond, the daughter of Hiram and Angeline ( Ellis) Almond, on November 29, 1899, and to this union there have been born two children, Mary Elizabeth and Everett Almond. Mrs. Robards was one of four children, the other three being Orville, who married Daisy Howard; Etta, who married K. E. Faucette, and they have
(13)
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one child, Warner; and Ethel, who married W. R. Robertson, and they have two children, James and Russell.
Mr. Robards was formerly a Republican, but in the split which occurred in that party in 1912 he espoused the Progressive cause, believing that in this new party there were better hopes for the future. He has always taken an active interest in the political issues of the day and even sacrificed his per- sonal affairs in order to serve his party in office. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of the Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to Larrabee Lodge, No. 131. He and the members of his family are adherents of the Christian church of Stilesville and contribute generously to its support. The life which Mr. Robards has led has indeed been a busy one, but through it all he has kept his self respect and the tongue of censure has never had any charges to bring against him. His clean life and the honorable methods which he has used all these years in transacting his business affairs, have won for him a host of friends throughout the county.
GEORGE A. KEENEY.
Indiana has been especially honored in the character and career of her men of industry. In every section have been found men born to leadership in their vocation, men who have dominated because of their superior intelli- gence, natural endowment and force of character. It is always profitable to study such lives, weigh their motives and hold up their achievements as incentives to greater activity and higher excellence on the part of others. These reflections are suggested by the career of one who has forged his way to the front rank and who, by strong, inherent force and marked business ability, directed and controlled by an intelligent judgment, has stood for the last five years as one of the leading business men of Danville, Indiana.
Thrown early upon his own resources, George A. Keeney set out with the avowed determination of securing an education and how well he has suc- ceeded is shown in the brief sketch which follows. Through the common school, through the high school, through the normal, through the state uni- versity he worked his way, and through it all he was the same simple man we find him today. Although he has seen disappointments and many discour- agements, yet his optimistic nature has always been to the front and this happy characteristic has made it possible for him to win the success which is so worthily his today. It is not often that the theoretical college man and
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professor can go into the business world and make a success, and yet this is what Mr. Keeney has been able to do. The study of the career of such a man as this should be an inspiration to the young men who have to make their way in the world.
George A. Keeney, of the hardware and implement concern known as The Danville Hardware Company, was born on a farm at Rainstown, Hen- dricks county, Indiana, June 28, 1877. His childhood, youth and young man- hood were spent in active work on the farm, which is the best school for practical knowledge for the young. There the boy, consciously or uncon- sciously, is a student of soil, climate, kinds of seed to be planted and methods of planting and harvesting, of the kinds of stock to be kept and cared for and used or raised for market. Mr. Keeney is naturally inclined to be a student of men and things and men's affairs, and his ambition to learn had ample vent in the study of the book of nature on the farm. Ambitious to train his mind and learn of history and science, he began early to inform himself from books as well as from nature. He was fortunate in being thrown upon his own resources and arose to the occasion by making his own way. He gained a much better education from the school than the average man because he worked for it. He earned money at whatever he could find to do, and worked his way through the high school two terms in Central Normal Col- lege and a four-year course in the Indiana State Normal and finally gradu- ated from that institution. He then took two years at Indiana State Uni- 'versity, graduating with the Bachelor of Arts degree, after which he took a term in the great Chicago University. He taught school for eight years, four years of this time in the country schools during his college life in order to earn money to pay his way. He was superintendent of the schools, one year at Pittsboro, one year at Clayton, and two years at North Salem, where he had seven subordinate teachers.
He had a head for business, and accumulated money as a teacher, a thing that is done by too few of that worthy profession. In 1909 he bought a half interest in what was then the Leak & Keeney hardware business at Danville and has been a student of that business since. His training has made it easy and the natural thing for him to devote energy to the business in hand. For him it is the natural thing to know the best and most modern in the varied and comprehensive lines of goods their large store carries, so that they can meet the demand for the tools and implements the farmer and builder use. His business and the needs and convenience of his customers is his study, and how he may serve them is his pleasure.
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Mr. Keeney was married to Eldora Nelson, on September 30, 1906, and to her influence as a true helpmate Mr. Keeney ascribes any success that he has won. She was born in Jackson township, Boone county, Indiana, a daughter of Thomas J. and Alice Nelson. When she was a small child her mother died and she was reared to womanhood in the home of her uncle, George L. Leak, near Lizton. She attended high school at Lizton and at Lebanon; graduated from the teachers' course at the Central Normal Col- lege, and took about two years at the State Normal at Terre Haute. She also taught eight years in the public schools of this county, most of the time at Lizton.
Mr. Keeney is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of Danville Commercial Club. Progress, intelligent organization and unity of work by public spirited men for the public good, he promotes with his voice and work. His progressive ideas as a business man and as a citizen, and his genial nature, make him popular as a business man.
M. S. MAHAN.
The men most influential in promoting the advancement of society and in giving character to the times in which they live are two classes, to-wit, the men of study and the men of action. Whether we are more indebted for the improvement of the age to the one class or the other is a question of honest difference in opinion; neither class can be spared and both should be encour- aged to occupy their several spheres of labor and influence, zealously and without mutual distrust. In the following paragraphs are briefly outlined the leading facts and characteristics in the career of a gentleman who combines in his make-up the elements of the scholar and the energy of the public-spir- ited man of affairs. Devoted to the noble and humane work of teaching, he has made his influence felt in the school life of Hendricks county, and is not unknown to the wider educational circles of the state, occupying as he does a prominent place in his profession and standing high in the esteem of educators in other than his own particular field of endeavor.
Professor M. S. Mahan, the present efficient superintendent of the Dan- ville schools, was born in Sullivan county, Indiana, May 25, 1872. His par- ents were William and Emily ( Phillips) Mahan, his father being a native of Kentucky and his mother of Indiana. His father followed the occupation of a farmer all his life, his death occurring in 1897, his wife having preceded
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him in death several years previous, in 1888. Mr. and Mrs. William Mahan were the parents of seven children, three of whom are living: Samuel, of Terre Haute; William, who is living on the home farm, and Professor M. S. Mahan, the immediate subject of this sketch.
Professor Mahan is an excellent type of the man who devotes all of his time and energy to the noble profession of instructing the youth. Since he was six years of age there has not been a year in which he was not in the school room either as a student, or as an instructor of students. He received his elementary education in the district schools of his home county and then entered the graded school at Farmersburg, where he continued for two years. After one year's service as a country school teacher he came to the Central Normal College at Danville, where he remained for three years. This was followed by two years of successful teaching in Henry county in this state. The next two years found him in charge of a school in Hardinsburg, Wash- ington county, Indiana. From here he went to Pleasantville, Sullivan county, this state, where he was principal of the schools for one year. He then lived at Orleans for the following six years, two of which were spent as principal of the schools, and four years as superintendent. He then went to the State University at Bloomington, where he remained in continuous residence until his graduation in June, 1907, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. After his graduation from the university he was elected superintendent of the schools at Danville, Indiana, and has been in charge of these schools continuously since. Since taking charge of the schools in Danville he has practically revo- lutionized the course of study. He has added courses in domestic science, commercial work and manual training, and has seen the attendance nearly doubled. There are now two hundred and seventy pupils in the grades and one hundred and forty-five in the high school. All of the high school teachers but one are college graduates. He has also introduced a department of agri- culture in order to meet the demand for this kind of work. In fact, the at- tendance has grown to such an extent that the present buildings are wholly inadequate to accommodate the pupils. It is interesting to note that he has brought about the changes in the courses of study without increasing the tax levy in Danville, a fact which should call for special mention. This has been made possible by the hearty co-operation of the town and Central Normal College in the employment of teachers for special courses. It is safe to say that no schools in the state have made as rapid or more efficient progress within the last three years than have the schools of Danville, and it is all due to the wise administration of Professor Mahan.
Mr. Mahan was married to Gertrude Webb, at Orleans, Indiana, No-
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vember 26, 1902, and to this marriage there have been born two children, Margaret and Dwight, the latter deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Mahan are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is a member of its official board. They both take an active part in church work and Professor Mahan is the teacher of the Bible class in his church.
Fraternally, Mr. Mahan is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. He is a member of the National Educational Association, the Indiana State Teachers' Association and the various local organizations pertaining to edu- cational subjects. He is the present vice-president of the Indiana State Teach- ers' Association. Professor Mahan is a well educated, splendidly developed man and his work as an educator has for many years been of such a high standard of excellence that his position in the front rank of his profession is universally conceded. He keeps abreast of the times in advanced educational methods and is in hearty sympathy with the practical education which is de- manded by the times. His influence for good in the community of Danville is incalculable and the work which he is doing quietly and unostentatiously makes him one of the most potent forces for good in the city of Danville.
JOHN S. DUCKWORTH.
It is proper to judge of a man's success in life by the estimation in which he is held by his fellow citizens. They see him at work, in the family circle, in church, hear his views on public questions, observe the operation of his code of morals, witness how he conducts himself in all the relations of society and civilization, and are therefore competent to judge of his merits and demerits. After a long course of years of such daily observation, it would be out of the question for his neighbors not to know of his worth, for, as has been said, "actions speak louder than words." In this connection it is not too much to say that the subject of this sketch has passed a life of unusual honor, that he has been industrious and has the confidence of all who have the pleasure of his friendship.
John S. Duckworth, the present county recorder of Hendricks county, Indiana, was born in North Salem, Eel River township, this county, on March 6, 1858. His parents were Pressley S. and Eliza (Woodward) Duckworth, his father being a native of Kentucky and his mother of this county. Pressley Duckworth was a farmer by occupation and came to Hendricks county about 1850 with his widowed mother, and settled one mile north of North Salem,
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where he lived all of his life, his death occurring on April 13, 1872. His widow still survives him, and makes her home in North Salem. To Mr. and Mrs. Pressley Duckworth were born eight children: John S., the immediate subject of this sketch; Oliver E., of Jamestown, Indiana; James A., St. Louis; Mollie, deceased ; Allie, deceased; Mrs. Maggie Ergenbright, of Kansas City ; William, of North Salem, and Lizzie, deceased.
John S. Duckworth was educated in the common schools of his home neighborhood and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. In 1873, he went to work in a saw mill and followed this occupa- tion for twenty years. Following this he engaged in teaming and farming until his election as county recorder of Hendricks county in November, 1906. His record during his first term of office was such that he was nominated for re-election and although he had three candidates against him he carried every township in the county but two and had a majority of more than five hundred. He has taken especial care to have all the records in his office bound and pre- served and kept in the most approved manner. He is distinctly a man of the people, a man who has very little education, but who has that happy faculty of being able to make the very most of all of his possibilities. He is a hard worker and deservedly popular with all classes of people.
John S. Duckworth was married October 23, 1883, to Nannie O'Rear, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Newton O'Rear, of Boone county, Indiana. To this union there have been born six children: Mabel C., deceased; Fred Allen, railroad employe at Indianapolis ; George P., who lives in the West ; Lela and Beulah, twins. Beulah is the wife of Carl White, of Jamestown, and Lela keeps house for her father, and has been his constant companion since her mother's death, August 10, 1897; Kenneth, the sixth and last child, died in infancy.
Mr. Duckworth has always been a Republican in politics, and has been one of the most active men in the councils of his party for many years. His re-election to the office of county recorder shows the high esteem in which he is held by the citizens of his county. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of North Salem, and is a lib- eral contributor to its various needs. Personally, Mr. Duckworth is a man whom it is a pleasure to know, being generous-hearted, kind and helpful. He is honest in all his dealings with his fellow men and eminently worthy of rep- resentation in a work of this character, as he is one of Hendricks county's miost valued citizens.
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GEORGE W. SCEARCE.
The Union soldier during the great war between the states builded wiser than he knew. Through four years of suffering and wasting hardships, through the horrors of prison pens and amid the shadows of death, he laid the superstructure of the greatest temple ever erected and dedicated to hu- man freedom. The world looked on and called those soldiers sublime, for it was theirs to reach out and strike the chains from off the slave, preserve the country from dissolution, and to keep unfurled to the breeze the only flag that ever made tyrants tremble and whose majestic stripes and scintillating stars are still waving universal liberty to all the earth. For all these un- measured deeds the living present can never repay them. Pensions and polit- ical power may be thrown at their feet; art and sculpture may preserve upon canvas and in granite and bronze their unselfish deeds; history. may commit to books and cold type may give to the future the tale of their suf- ferings and triumphs; but to the children of the generations yet unborn will it remain to accord the full measure of appreciation and undying remem- brance of the immortal character carved out by the American soldiers in the dark days of the early sixties, numbered among whom was the gentle- man whose nanie appears at the head of this sketch.
Among the most highly respected citizens of Hendricks county, Indiana, is George W. Scearce, who was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, March 19, 1843. His parents were Ezra W., born in 1808, and Martha (Shepherd) Scearce, born in 1809, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. Ezra W. Scearce was a farmer and came to Indiana in March, 1851, locating a half mile southwest of Danville, where he lived until his death, which occurred March 30, 1885. Ezra Scearce was a great student of the Bible, a consis- tent member of the Universalist church, and was a man of high ideals and of a philosophic bent of mind. Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Scearce were the parents of seven children, only one of whom is living, George W. The six deceased children are James, Elizabeth, John N., Johanna K., William W. and Curtis.
George W. Scearce spent his boyhood on his father's farm and received the education which was accorded to the children of his county in the period before the Civil War, which amounted to only a few months during the win- ter, and consisted of reading, writing and arithmetic. At an age when most of the boys of the present time are in high school, he left school to enter the army. When the war broke out he was only eighteen years of age, but his youth did not interfere with his plans for serving his country. At the
GEORGE W. SCEARCE
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opening of the war he enlisted in Company K, Fifty-first Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and served three years and two months. During that time he was in thirty-one engagements, among the most famous battles in which he took part being Shiloh, Stone's River, Perryville, Franklin and Nashville. At the battle of Nashville, on December 16, 1864, he received a gunshot wound in his left hip. He was a prisoner of war for a short time, and was confined at Belle Isle, in the James river, near Richmond, Virginia. During part of his service his regiment was attached to General Streight's brigade and detailed to do field duty in destroying munitions of war and lines of communication. His brother, William W., was also a soldier in the war and was made a prisoner, being confined in the infamous Libby prison. He, in company with three others, escaped from this in the tunnel which has been made famous in history and successfully reached the Union lines. George W. Scearce was mustered in as a private, but was promoted to second lieu- tenant and from June 19, 1863, until the close of the war he held the rank of captain, being promoted to that rank when he was twenty years of age.
Upon being mustered out of service Mr. Scearce returned to his father's farm in Hendricks county, Indiana. On December 7, 1865, he was united in marriage to Sophia Chamberlin, who was a native of Madison, Indiana, and to this union were born five children: Harry C., of Moores- ville, Indiana; Edwin A., a farmer living near Danville, this county ; Martha L .; Bertha E., and Grace K., wife of C. V. Cook, assistant cashier of the First National Bank, of Danville. After his marriage Mr. Scearce took charge of the old homestead farm, where he lived until 1911, when he moved to Danville. Previous to leaving the farm for the city of Danville, he built a fine modern home in this city, where he now lives a retired life, sur- rounded by all modern conveniences and comforts. He has been a resident of Hendricks county for sixty-three years, having arrived in this county on the day he was eight years of age, and has lived to see the little village of Danville grow to become the flourishing little city which it is today.
Politically, Mr. Scearce is a life-long Republican and has always been more or less interested in politics. During the eighties he served as trustee of Center township and rendered faithful and efficient service to his fellow citizens during that time. He assisted in organizing the Farmers Co-opera- tive Insurance Company, of Hendricks county, and was its secretary-treasurer for fifteen years. For the past twenty years he has been president of this insurance company, and is now acting in that capacity. He has the honor of being the oldest Odd Fellow in Danville in point of continuous member-
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ship, having joined the lodge in 1864, when he was home from the war on a furlough. He is also a loyal member of the Grand Army of the Republic and takes an active interest in the affairs of the post in Danville. His re- ligious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been a trustee and a member of the board of stewards for many years. He has always been a strong advocate of temperance, and in all the move- ments of his county which have had for their object the extermination of the liquor traffic he has always taken an active part. He was president of the organization at Danville which routed the saloons from that city. Though past the psalmist's allotted span of years, Mr. Scearce still retains to a re- markable extent his physical and mental vigor and takes a deep interest in all the current affairs of the community, being numbered among the enter- prising men of this section of the state. He has worked hard and accom- plished much, and because of his past efforts he is thoroughly entitled to rep- resentation in a work of the character of the one in hand.
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