USA > Indiana > Hendricks County > History of Hendricks County, Indiana, her people, industries and institutions > Part 49
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James F. Hardin was one of a family of seven children, the others being Isaac, Matilda J., Anna, Ella, Kinkley and Claude. James F. remained at home until the time of his marriage, assisting his father in his various ventures. After marriage he made his home in Brownsburg, but for ten years was on the road for the McCormick Harvester Company. He decided to settle down to a business which would permit him to be more at home, and decided upon the jewelry and optical business. He went to Indianapolis to learn his trade, often walking the distance in order to save the expense of travelling otherwise. He was diligent in his work and in a remarkably short time felt justified in attempting business on his own responsibility, and opened up a business in Brownsburg where he has continued until the present, making for himself an excellent reputation in his chosen field of endeavor.
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On November 3. 1895, Mr. Hardin was united in marriage with Maggie L. Cook, who was born November 23, 1871, in Brownsburg, the daughter of Nathan and Mary J. (Moses) Cook, both natives of Ohio, having been born near Hillsboro. When but fifteen years old, during the nation's hour of trial in the early sixties, young Nathan J. Cook enlisted as a drummer boy in Company A, Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. However, he never served in the capacity in which he enlisted, for, being large for his age, he shouldered a musket and went to the front. Soon after the close of the war he was married in his native Ohio and not long after that brought his wife to Indiana, coming direct to Brownsburg where he was connected with the sawmill and lumber busi- ness. On October 12, 1898, the boiler in his sawmill exploded, killing him outright. The same explosion also blew out one side of the residence occu- pied by the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Nathan Cook lived some years after her husband, her death occurring on October 19, 1910. They had a family of six children. Those besides the wife of the subject are Cora, Glenn, Eveline, Lottie and Walter. Maggie L. remained at home with her parents until the time of her marriage to subject. Nathan Cook was considered one of the leading men of the town in his day and did much to advance its best interests, both morally, educationally and materially. He was active in local politics and served as town trustee for a term or two. His manner of life was such as to win the friendship of his fellow men and he retained their high regard.
Mr. and Mrs. Hardin have one son, James Gordon, who attends the grade school of Brownsburg. Mr. Hardin's political affiliation is with the Democratic party, in the administration of whose affairs he has ever had a keen interest. He has been one of the town's trustees for two terms and was town marshal for one term, serving seven years in all, and in the dis- charge of the duties this devolving upon him he showed a spirit of equity and broad-mindedness that stamped him as a worthy citizen. On July I, 1913, Mr. Hardin received the appointment as postmaster of Browns- burg, which position he now occupies. While not a member of any church, Mr. Hardin has been active in religious circles, and has done much to assist the local society of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Hardin is an earnest and consistent member. In all the elements of good citizenship, Mr. Hardin is all that a man should be and because of his genuine worth and the high personal character he possesses, he enjoys a well deserved popularity throughout the county.
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THOMAS MORAN.
It was remarked by a celebrated moralist and biographer that "there has scarcely passed a life of which a judicious and faithful narrative would not have been useful." Believing in the truth of this opinion, expressed by one of the greatest and best of men, the writer of this review takes pleasure in presenting a few facts in the career of a gentleman, who, by industry, perseverance, temperance and integrity, has worked himself from an humble station to a successful place in life and won an honorable position among the well known and highly esteemed men of the locality in which he resides.
Thomas Moran, well known farmer of Lincoln township, Hendricks county, Indiana, was born in Franklin county, this state, on January 27, 1870, the son of John and Bridget (Haley) Moran, both of whom were from county Galway, Ireland. As was quite a custom among young Irish sweet- hearts years ago, they would decide to try their fortunes in the new world, being unable to see much in the way of opportunity ahead of them in their native land. The young man would come to America first, and after he had attained a competence, or saw an opportunity for his sweetheart to make her own way for a while, he would send for her and they would usually marry soon after her arrival. In this way John Moran and Bridget Haley became emigrants to America. The former came direct to Hendricks county where he worked out by the day among the various farmers around Brownsburg. After his marriage, he moved to Franklin county for a couple of years, and it was while they lived there that the subject of this sketch first saw the light. John Moran had saved all the money he possibly could aside from actual living expenses, and was enabled to purchase a small farm in Hendricks county, where he lived the remainder of his life, his death occurring in July, 1905. The wife still lives, making her home with her son, Patrick C. Mr. Moran was a stanch Democrat, having aligned himself with that party upon acquiring American citizenship, and the family were communicants of the Roman Catholic church. They had a family of five children. Besides the subject, there were Morton, Patrick, Sarah and Delia.
Thomas Moran remained under the parental roof until sixteen years of age, having attended the schools of their home district, and at that time hired out as a day laborer. He continued in this line of work for about sixteen years, when he purchased sixty acres of land, making a payment of nine hundred dollars down on same. On that property he lived for about five years, when he traded it in on his present farm of one hundred and
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sixty acres, situated about three and one-half miles east of Brownsburg. There he engaged in general farming, raising about the average crops, de- voting particular attention to thoroughbred short-horn cattle and Poland China hogs, in all of which he is signally successful.
On February 16, 1909, Mr. Moran was united in marriage with Bridget Corliss, born February 1, 1868, in this county. She is a daughter of Thomas and Julia (Collins) Corliss, both of whom emigrated from county Galway, Ireland, when young and unmarried. He came first to this county and after their marriage they bought eighty acres of land near Brownsburg and to this they added from time to time until at their death they were possessed of some three hundred acres. Mrs. Moran remained with her parents until she was about twenty-five years of age, when she entered domestic service and continued to make her own way in the world until the time of her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown has been born one child, a daughter, Marguerite Mary. Both Mr. and Mrs. Moran are com- municants of the Roman Catholic church and, politically, Mr. Moran is af- filiated with the Democratic party.
On his farm Mr. Moran is enjoying life to the full, realizing, as the public at large is realizing more than ever, that the farmer today is to be envied rather than his condition deplored, as was at one time the case. Mr. Moran's life has been one of unceasing activity and perseverance and the notably systematic and honorable methods he has followed have won for him the un- bounded confidence and regard of all who have formed his acquaintance. He has worked his way from an humble beginning to his present station, which fact renders him the more worthy of the praise that is duly accorded him by his fellow men.
SMITH R. DAVIS.
Among the strong and influential citizens of Hendricks county the record of whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section, the gentleman whose name appears above occupies a prominent place, and for years he has exerted a beneficial influence in the localities honored by his residence. His chief characteristics are keenness of perception, a tireless energy, honesty of purpose and motive and every-day common sense, which have enabled him not only to advance his own interests, but also largely con- tribute to the moral and material advancement of the community.
Smith R. Davis, than whom no resident of North Salem, Hendricks
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county, Indiana, enjoys a higher degree of popular confidence and regard, is a native of Hendricks county, born in Eel River township on the 29th day of July, 1845, and is the son of Benjamin Franklin and Jane (Russell) Davis, being their only child. Benjamin Franklin Davis came to Hendricks county in 1829, when six years of age, with his parents, Enoch and Nancy (Hart) Davis. They came from near Mount Sterling, Kentucky, to which locality Enoch Davis' father had gone from his native state of Virginia, taking with him his bride. Enoch Davis was the father of a family of nine children, of whom Benjamin Franklin was one. After coming to Hendricks county, he obtained a tract of government land about a mile and a half north- west of North Salem, where he passed the remainder of his life. In this same locality his son, Benjamin Franklin Davis, settled at the time of his marriage to Jane Russell in 1844, purchasing a tract of land near his father's home. However, he did not remain on this place long, but during his life bought and sold several pieces of ground in and around North Salem, in which town his death occurred in 1909. Jane ( Russell) Davis, his wife, was a daughter of Silas Russell and was one of a family of nine children. She was a native of Kentucky and in 1842 came to Hendricks county witlı a neighbor, thereafter, until the time of the marriage, making her home with her broth- er, Smith Russell, who came to this county some time before.
. Smith R. Davis remained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage to Jane C. Brown, in 1866, shortly afterwards purchasing the farm adjoining his home. Jane C. Brown was the daughter of George M. and Martha (Dermott) Brown, and her death occurred in 1873. She left one child, Benjamin Marshall Davis, who is professor of nature study and agriculture at the Miami University at Oxford, Ohio. Benjamin Marshall Davis is married and had one daughter, Catherine L., who died at the age of eighteen years. In 1875 Mr. Davis took as his second wife Martha (Robbins) Kesler, daughter of John and Lydia (Parsons) Robbins, and to their union has been born one child, Lydia Jane, who is now the wife of Urbin L. Will- iams, son of Alexander M. and Martha (Griggs) Williams. Lydia Jane and Urbin L. Williams have one child living, Rodger Davis Williams. All are residents of North Salem.
Politically. Mr. Davis gives his loyal support to the Republican party, being active in the affairs of same. He was appointed as township trustee of Eel River township and served for two terms, 1887 to 1889, and was again elected, serving from 1900 to 1905. Since removing to North Salem he has been active in the party's affairs, as related to that city, and is at pres- ent serving as town clerk and treasurer of North Salem. His fraternal
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affiliations are with the time-honored body of Free and Accepted Masons and also the Knights of Pythias. Both Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, and both hold church membership with the Christian church, doing all within their power to further the interests of that society. It was in 1890 that Mr. Davis removed his family to North Salem and disposed of his farm holdings in 1900, since which time he has devoted his time and energies to the political work devolving upon him and in the conduct of the affairs of his home.
Mr. Davis is a veteran of the Civil War, having served toward the close of the war as a corporal in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-second Regi- ment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. His father, who was also an officer, being lieutenant in Company F, Fifty-fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteers. How- ever, the father, Benjamin Franklin Davis, was not able to finish the cam- paign, having contracted pneumonia soon after the company went into ser- vice and being thus incapacitated.
Mr. Davis is a man whom to know is to admire, for he has led a most exemplary life, and has sought to do his duty in all relations with his fel- low men, being a man of honor, public spirit, charitable impulse and un- swerving integrity and enterprise; consequently, he is eminently deserving of mention in a history of his county, along with other well known and representative citizens.
THE BROWNSBURG STATE BANK.
The history of banking in Indiana goes back to the year 1814, when the Territorial Legislature of Indiana passed an act providing for a central bank, with fourteen branches. The Constitution of 1816 provided for a bank, part of whose stock should be held by the state of Indiana, and this continued in effect until the adoption of the new Constitution of 1851, since which time the state has had no' interest in any bank. The banks of Indiana have passed through many crises and during the internal improvement era of Indiana, many of them were forced to surrender their charters. Since 1851 the Legislature of the state has passed many laws providing for the organization of banks and at the present time the banking system of Indiana is founded upon as good a statutory basis as can be found in any of the states of the Union.
The Brownsburg State Bank was organized April 1, 1908, with the fol- lowing officers: Joseph A. Tharp, president, and John L. Marsh, cashier.
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The bank has had a very prosperous career since its organization and at the close of the fiscal year, October 21, 1913, it issued the following statement of its financial condition : Resources-Loans and discounts, $102,945.90; overdrafts, $138.52; bonds and securities, $4,592.00; banking house, $4,000.00; furniture and fixtures, $3,000.00; other real estate, $1,466.92; due from banks and trust companies, $26,847.52 ; cash on hand, $7,094.90; cash items, $5,518.60 ; current expenses, $710.01 ; total resources, $156,314.37. Liabilities-Capital stock paid in, $25,000.00; surplus, $3,000.00; exchange, discounts and interest, $3,280.62; demand deposits, $85,018.69; time de- posits, $39,967.96; due to banks and trust companies, $47.10; total liabilities, $156,314.37.
The bank does an ever-increasing business and justly merits the success which has come to it. Its officials enjoy the confidence of Brownsburg and vicinity, and this fact alone is one of the most valuable assets of the bank. A good bank is an important factor in the material advancement of any com- munity and the Brownsburg State Bank is performing a useful service for all the varied interests of this locality.
WILLIAM H. SHIELDS.
One of the conspicuous names on the list of Hendricks county agricul- turists is William H. Shields, proprietor of a fine farm in Franklin town- ship, a gentleman of high standing to whom has not been denied a full measure of success. Long recognized as a factor of importance in connection with the farming and stock raising industries here, he has been prominently identified with the material growth and prosperity of this part of the state, his life having been closely interwoven with the history of the county where he has been content to live and follow his chosen vocation for over a half century.
The Shields family is one of the oldest and most highly respected fami- lies in Hendricks county and has for nearly three-quarters of a century been a prominent factor in the material welfare of this section. The Shields fam- ily came from Tennessee early in the history of the state and first settled in Owen county, Indiana, the paternal grandfather, Henry Shields, dying in Putnam county. John H. Shields, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Putnam county, Indiana, January 16, 1834. His parents were Henry and Jane (Dick) Shields, both of whom were natives of Tennessee.
MR. AND MRS. JOHN H. SHIELDS
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Henry Shields came to Putnam county in 1829, where he immediately entered eighty acres of land from the government and proceeded to make his home in this wilderness. He settled in the heavy timber near Greencastle, clearing the land and erecting a hewed-log cabin. He was active and industrious, became widely known and stood high in the esteem of those who knew him. Mr. Shields resided in this county until his death, in 1889. His wife, Jane Dick, the daughter of Jacob Dick, was a woman of more than ordinary in- telligence and took a great deal of pride in her children. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Shields were the parents of eight children: Jacob, who married, first, Mary Elrod, and after her death, Ann ( McCarty) Cox; William, whose death occurred in his twenty-second year; Harriett, the wife of Harrison Elrod; Mary, wife of John Phillips; Louisa, wife of Jacob Phillips; Elvina, wife of Joseph Elrod; James, who married Mary Gibbons; John H., the father of the subject of this sketch.
John H. Shields married Phoebe Garrison, the daughter of William and Lavina (Reese) Garrison, and to this union there was born one son, William Harrison, the subject of this sketch. After the death of his first wife, John H. Shields married Amanda J. Mason, the daughter of Anselm and Alice (Shouse) Mason. The parents of the first wife of John H. Shields reared six children, Mary, Elizabeth, Harriett, Phoebe, John and Pickney; the parents of the second wife had eight children, Harriett, Eliza, Josephine, Amanda, John, Merritt, Weekly and Wickliff.
As a boy of ten years, John H. Shields assisted his father in driving stock from Putnam county to the market at Lafayette, and also hauled wheat to that place, receiving fifty cents a bushel for it.
John H. Shields is one of the oldest and most successful farmers in the county, and his farm of one hundred and ninety-eight acres, partly in Frank- lin township and partly in Putnam county, has the reputation of being one of the best improved and most productive of the farms in central Indiana. He has been a life-long Democrat in politics and always casts his ballot for the candidates of that party. He and his wife are loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Coatesville, and contribute liberally of their means to its support.
William Harrison Shields, proprietor of two hundred and fifty-one acres of land in Franklin township, this county, is the only son of John H. Shields. He received his education in the Putnam county schools, and when a small lad started to work on his father's farm. Upon his marriage, in 1884, he bought a farm in Hendricks county and began a very successful career as an
(33)
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agriculturist in this county. Before his marriage he attended school for a time in Valparaiso University and since leaving college he has always been interested in the current events of the day. He also makes it a practice to keep in touch with the latest improvements in farming methods, and the re- sult is that he is now one of the most progressive farmers of the county.
William H. Shields was married to Julia A. Newman, the daughter of John L. and Maria (Phillips) Newman, on October 1, 1884, and to this mar- riage there have been born two children, Stella and Callie, both of whom are still under the parental roof. Mrs. Shields' parents were both natives of Randolph county, North Carolina, her father's birth having occurred in 1820. He came to Hendricks county, Indiana, when he was eighteen years of age and settled on land which his father had previously entered from the govern- ment. He married Maria Phillips, daughter of Eli and Elizabeth (Lanous) Phillips, and to this union there were six children born: Laura, who died at the age of six years; Jane, the wife of G. Robinson and the mother of three children. Edward, Joseph and Cordelia; Mary, wife of Frank Johnson, who has two children, Clarence and Luna; Martha married Frank Masten and has three children, Hezzie, Aldie and one who died in infancy; George, who died at the age of sixteen years. The father of Mrs. Shields died on Febru- ary 20, 1892, her mother having passed away in 1886.
William H. Shields has been a prominent factor in the material, social and moral welfare of the community in which he has lived for so many years. In his religious relations he has been identified with the society of Friends and takes an active interest in the affairs of his church. Politically, he is allied with the Democratic party, although he has never been active in local politics. He is interested financially in the First National Bank of Coatesville and is a director in that institution at the present time. Mr. Shields and his wife have always been interested in all movements which seek to elevate the general welfare of the locality in which they live, and all movements looking to this end find ready and sympathetic helpers in them.
CHARLES H. JORDAN.
Specific mention is made in the following paragraphs of one of the worthy citizens of Hendricks county, Indiana, one who has figured in the growth and development of this favored locality and whose interests have been identified with its progress, contributing in a definite measure in his particu-
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lar sphere of action to the well-being of the community in which he re- sides and to the advancement of its normal and legitimate growth. Addi- tional interest also attaches to his career from the fact that practically his entire life has been passed within the borders of this county. Earnest pur- pose, mature judgment and every-day common sense are among his prom- inent characteristics and he has merited the respect and esteem accorded him by all who know him.
Charles H. Jordan is a native of Hendricks county, being born about four miles east of Danville, on September 2, 1849, the son of Joseph W. and Anna M. (Faucett) Jordan, the former of whom was born in Preble county, Ohio, the son of Joseph Jordan. Joseph W. Jordan, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, came to Indiana when a young man and soon after arriving in Hendricks county he met Anna M. Faucett, their marriage taking place soon thereafter. They resided east of Danville until about the year 1850, when they removed to the farm where Charles H. Jordan now lives. Anna Faucett was the daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Ross) Faucett, who it is thought came to Indiana from Ohio, their native state. To Joseph W. and Anna M. (Faucett) Jordan were born five children, three of whom died in infancy. Joseph W. Jordan rendered valuable services to his country at the time of the Civil War. At the beginning of hostilities, he enlisted in Company I, Seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he served but three months, when he returned home and organized Company K of the Seventy-ninth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, being com- missioned captain of same by Governor Morton, and in this capacity he served until near the close of the war, when he returned home owing to ill health. Joseph W. Jordan's death occurred in 1885 and his wife died in 1904. He was considered one of the leading men of his day in his com- munity and was a man greatly honored and respected by a vast number of acquaintances.
Charles H. Jordan received his elementary education in the district schools of Hendricks county, later spending two years in study at Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio. All the business efforts of his life have been de- voted to agricultural pursuits and he is an advocate of modern methods in farming. In 1881 Mr. Jordan was married to Arlen F. Glidewell, a daugh- ter of Leander and Hannah (Hightshue) Glidewell, both of whom were natives of the Hoosier state. Leander is the son of Lewis and Nancy (Tal- bert) Glidewell, and Hannah Hightshue was the daughter of Nicholas and Jane (Runnells) Hightshue. To the subject and his wife were born four chil- dren, namely: Cassie B., the wife of Chester Brunes. They reside three
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miles southeast of Danville and have a family of three children, Mildred, Glendon and Cecil. Harry C. took as his wife Lilly Lemon, and they live on a farm four miles northwest of North Salem with their two children Joe and Fern. Estella Ruth remains under the parental roof and is a teacher of music. She is a graduate of the Central Normal College at Dan- ville. Joseph C. also remains at home.
Mr. Jordan's fraternal affiliations are with the honored body of Free- masonry, in which he has advanced to the chapter, or Royal Arch, degree and to the council of Royal and Select Masters. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jordan are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. Although not a member of any church society, Mr. Jordan's religious sympathies are with the Metho- dist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Jordan is an earnest and active mem- ber. Quiet and unassuming in his relations with his fellow men, Mr. Jor- dan has applied himself to the business of his farm and the care of his home and family. His career has been a consistent and honorable one, and be- cause of his staunch integrity he is entitled to and holds the sincere con- fidence and good will of all who know him. He has been one of those solid men of brain and substance so essential to the material growth and development of a community and whose influence has been willingly extended in behalf of every deserving enterprise that has for its object the advancement of the moral welfare of the community.
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