USA > Indiana > Johnson County > History of Johnson County, Indiana > Part 59
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In recalling the early life of three-fourths of the successful men of our times the biographer finds that this proportion passed the formative portion of their lives on a farm. Such was the case of Dr. John N. Records. His early school days were spent in his home district and he pursued the higher branches of his study at the Danville Normal School, following which he took up the study of medicine, graduating from the medical department of the University of Louisville in 1894, and from the Southwestern Homeopathic Medical College in 1895. Doctor Records practiced for two years in Dan- ville, locating in Franklin in 1897. Since that time he has been unusually well supported by the best patronage of the city and by his skill and ability he has won the commendation of his brother practitioners as well as the favor of the public. His personal standing is as high as his professional record.
On August 19, 1885, Doctor Records was married to Agnes A. Saunders, daughter of John and Sarah (Robbins) Saunders. Her father was a native of Stratton, Cornwall, England, and came to this country when a young married man and settled first in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was a merchant, and later he located in Columbiana county, Ohio, where he was a dry goods merchant. From that place he enlisted for the Union service in the Civil war in an Ohio volunteer regiment, fighting for his adopted country until the close of the war. He died in 1875, aged sixty-nine. He was thrice married. Sarah Robbins being his second wife, and his third wife was a Miss Pitcher.
To Doctor and Mrs. Records has been born one son, Frank S., born April 1, 1889, his grandfather's namesake. He is a graduate of Franklin. high school and Franklin College, and he is a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He has been at teacher for two years in schools of Traverse City, Michigan, and expects to take up the profession of law.
The pleasant and attractive home of Doctor Records is at No. 349 West Jefferson street. The Doctor and his wife belong to the Christian church, and during his residence in Union and Danville the Doctor was a deacon in that body. In politics, he is a sturdy Republican, and was chairman of the county committee for ten consecutive years. He was appointed postmaster of Franklin in 1910, but continued in medical practice, and is a member of the Johnson County Medical Society, the Indiana Medical Society, the State Homeopathic Medical Society and the National Homeopathic Association, and is up-to-date in all matters connected with the profession and also of county and civic interest. Doctor Records is a Royal Arch Mason, with membership at Franklin.
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J. F. CRAWFORD.
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The subject of this sketch is a well known and popular citizen who has been commissioned pension attorney at Greenwood, where his labors among his fellow men have made him a much liked public character, being known as a man of keen perceptive faculties, unusual soundness of judgment and up- right in all his dealings with his fellow countrymen, until today his name stands high on the scroll of honored residents of Johnson county.
J. F. Crawford is a native of Johnson county, born on February 23. 1856, and is a son of Robert and Margaret E. (Carter) Crawford. The father was a native of Wythe county, Virginia, born on September 13, 1825, while his mother was born in Johnson county, Indiana, on November 12, 1829. Robert Crawford came to Johnson county in 1846, locating three and one-half miles east of Whiteland, where he followed the dual occupations of carpenter and school teacher. In 1854 he married and thereafter followed farming in connection with his pedagogical work until after the war. His last term as school teacher was in 1869. He died on July 12, 1912, at the age of eighty-five years, having survived his wife, who died on November 12, 1901. They were the parents of nine children, four of whom are deceased. The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools, having been a pupil of his father during the last year that he engaged in teaching. After leaving the common school he attended two years at the Danville Normal School, and on August 1, 1881, he became an employe of the Grafton Johnson store at Greenwood as clerk. He later bought a half interest in the Bass store, a business which he conducted until 1890, when he engaged in the real estate and insurance business, which has occupied his attention since. He has been successful in all his transactions and has acquired eighty acres of land in the township in which he lives and two hundred and forty acres in Hensley township, which he rents and from which he derives a nice income. Of marked business ability and energetic and enterprising business methods, Mr. Crawford has achieved a splendid success and is now numbered among the most prominent and enterprising citizens of Greenwood. He has a deep interest in the welfare of the community and gives an earnest support to every movement which promises to advance the welfare of his fellow citizens edu- cationally, morally and socially. He has become well and favorably known in his community for his loyalty to the truth, his uprightness in business, his public spirit and his friendly disposition.
On November 4. 1886, Mr. Crawford was married to Maggie Smith,
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the daughter of J. W. and Adeline ( Ballinger) Smith, farmers of this county, and to this union have been born four children: Jerre R., Ralph E., of Greenwood; Eleanor and Frank A. Politically, Mr. Crawford gives his support to the Republican party, in the success of which he is deeply inter- ested. Mr. Crawford is very deeply interested in the welfare of the old war veterans and has for years given his services gratuitously to such of the old veterans as desired his assistance in preparing their pension papers. He is now a regular pension attorney at Greenwood and in this capacity has ren- dered valuable services to the old soldiers of the community, who have ap- preciated his efforts in their behalf.
O. B. SHARP.
It is the progressive, wide-awake man of affairs that makes the real his- tory of a community and his influence as a potential factor of the body politic is difficult to estimate. The examples such men furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish, and there is always a full measure of satisfaction in adverting even in a casual way to their achievements in advancing the inter- ests of their fellow men and in giving strength and solidity to the institu- tions which make so much for the prosperity of a community. Such a man is the worthy subject of this sketch, and as such it is proper that a review of his career be accorded a place among the representative citizens of the city and county in which he resides.
O. B. Sharp, who conducts a well stocked and up-to-date grocery store at Greenwood, and who is numbered among the enterprising and progressive citizens of this part of the county, was born at Whiteland, Johnson county, Indiana, on December 6, 1869. He is the son of William and Lucretia (Bass) Sharp. William Sharp, who came to Johnson county in an early day, followed farming during his active years and his death occurred about forty years ago. He was the father of nine children, of whom six are still alive. The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools and the high school at Whiteland. His first active employment was as clerk in a grocery store belonging to his brother and after his marriage, in 1895, he went to Greenwood and bought a half interest in the grocery store owned by J. W. Vanarsdall. Eventually he bought his partner's in- terest and has since conducted the business alone. He has been prosperous in his financial affairs and has erected a fine business block, the lower floor
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of which is occupied by the store, while the upper floor is devoted to a lodge room for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He carries a splendid line of groceries, comprising about a three-thousand-dollar stock, and because of his evident desire to please his patrons and the high quality of the goods he carries on his shelves, he enjoys his full share of local patronage in this line.
In 1895 Mr. Sharp married Margaret E. Rice, the daughter of William and Anna (Lewis) Rice, and to them have been born three children, Walter, Joseph and Leland.
Politically, Mr. Sharp has been a life-long Democrat and has taken an active interest in the success of his party in his locality. He served one term as treasurer of the town and gave a satisfactory administration. Frater- nally, he is a Mason and Odd Fellow, while his religious membership is with the Presbyterian church. He is a man of good business ability, strict integ- rity and fine personal address, and because of his genuine worth and high character he has long enjoyed a splendid reputation in the community where he lives. He gives his support to all movements for the advancement of his fellow citizens and is today numbered among the representative men of Greenwood.
HENRY E. WHITE.
Henry E. White, the junior member of the .firm of Miller & White at Franklin, was born in Hensley township, Johnson county, Indiana, on August 16, 1872, and is the son of James N. and Nancy (Lane) White, the father a native of Johnson county and the mother of Monroe county, this state. James N. White, who was a farmer by vocation, lived on his Johnson county homestead until about 1910, when he removed to Bloomington, Indiana, where he and his wife are now living. He was a man of splendid parts and stood high in the estimation of his fellow citizens in his community. To him and his wife have been born eight children, namely: Charles E., professor of mathematics at Wesley University, Buchanan, Virginia; Mrs. Emma Weissenbarger, of Peru, Indiana; Henry E., the immediate subject of this sketch; Fanny Ethel, deceased; Mrs. Laura Alice Bowers, of Monroe county, this state; Mrs. Estella Mitchell, of this county; William E., of this county, and Walter E., the twin of William E., who now lives in Monroe county.
The subject of this sketch, who was born and reared on a farm, received his educational training first in the country schools of his community and later at Valparaiso University and Franklin College. His first independent vocation
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was as a teacher in Johnson county, in which he was engaged for a number of years, meeting with splendid success. He was principal of the high school at Providence, this county, for two years and for three years was principal of the high school at Nineveh. In 1904 he began the study of law under the direction of Fremont Miller, of Franklin, and subsequently, upon his ad- mission to the bar, he formed a partnership with Mr. Miller under the firm name of Miller & White. He is a strong and able practitioner in his pro- fession and in recognition of his ability his fellow citizens elected him as prosecuting attorney of the eighth judicial district of Indiana, re-electing him to the position in 1908 and 1910. He is thus serving his third term in this office, certainly a marked testimonial to his ability and efficiency.
On November 3, 1896, Mr. White married Alta May Green, a daughter of Charles Green, of Johnson county, and to them have been born three children, Wanda C., Blanche Olive and Paul Arnold.
Politically, Mr. White is a staunch supporter of the Democratic party, while, religiously, he is a member of the Baptist church, and his fraternal relations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Wood- men of America. In all the elements of good citizenship, Mr. White is all that a man should be, and because of his genuine worth and high personal character he enjoys a well deserved popularity throughout the country.
DAULTON WILSON.
Clearly defined purpose and consecutive effort in the affairs of life will inevitably result in the attaining of a due measure of success, but in following out the career of one who has attained success by his own efforts there comes into view the intrinsic individuality which made such accomplishment possible, and thus there is granted an objective incentive and inspiration, while at the same time there is enkindled a feeling of respect and admiration. The quali- ties which have made Mr. Wilson one of the prominent and successful men of Greenwood have also brought him the esteem of his fellow townsmen, for his career has been one of well-directed energy, strong determination and honorable methods.
Daulton Wilson is a native son of Johnson county, having been born in Pleasant township on the 2d day of May, 1844, and is the son of William and Jane (Todd) Wilson. Her father was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, on August 15, 1812, while his mother was born on July 25, 1815, at Cynthiana, Kentucky. The father was a farmer by vocation and came to
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DAULTON WILSON
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Johnson county, Indiana, in 1828, locating on land in Pleasant township, where he lived until his death, which occurred on May 10, 1864. His widow survived him many years, dying on May 30, 1888. They had a family of ten children, of whom five are still living, namely : Edward F., of Fairgrove, Missouri; John W., who died in 1873; Elizabeth, deceased; Sarah Ann, de- ceased; Daulton, the immediate subject of this sketch; Townsend, who is living in Chicago; Mrs. Mary Jane Carlyle, a widow, who is living in Indian- apolis ; Samuel A., of Franklin, Indiana; James B., late of Indianapolis, now deceased, and Frances B., the wife of W. H. Sylvester, of Indianapolis.
The subject of this sketch, after completing the course in the common schools, entered Franklin College, where he studied for two years. He then engaged in teaching for one term, after which he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania railroad, with which he remained for twenty years, first as telegraph operator and then as operator and agent at Greenwood. Severing his relations with the railroad company, he engaged in the drug business for ten years, and then served seven and one-half years as postmaster, being ap- pointed under Grover Cleveland. After retiring from the office of postmaster he engaged in the real estate and insurance business, in which he was success- ful and in which he continued until his election to the office of county clerk, in which he served four years, and two months, giving a very satisfactory administration of the duties of the offices4 Since his retirement from that office he has re-engaged in the real estate and insurance business, in which he has achieved a wide success. He is a man of splendid business qualities and has a very accurate knowledge of real estate values in Johnson county, having handled many large and important transactions in this line. Mr. Wilson has traveled quite extensively, having spent several winters in Texas and Georgia, and is a man of wide and accurate information, gained by much reading and study and habits of close observation. He served as trustee of Pleasant town- ship from 1880 until 1884, giving a very satisfactory service to his fellow citizens, and in all his public affairs he has earned the commendation of all who have been familiar with his work.
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Mr. Wilson's political affiliations have always been with the Democratic party, while, religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he takes an active interest and to which he gives generously of his means. He has always maintained an intelligent interest in current affairs, which even characterized him in his younger days. He has tenaciously en- deavored to keep up to date in every phase of his life's actions, and when twenty-one years old he attended a course of study in the Bryant & Stratton
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Business College, taking a course in penmanship and telegraphy in order to qualify himself for his life's career. In 1882 Mr. Wilson built a splendid and attractive residence, in which he is now living and where he finds much peace and enjoyment, being a man of marked domestic tastes.
On October 25, 1870, Mr. Wilson was married to Lizzie Frances Polk, the daughter of William H. and Sarah (Shoptaugh) Polk. Her father was early in life a gunsmith and blacksmith, but later took up farming, to which he devoted his active years. Mrs. Wilson died on May 25, 1908. To them were born five children, namely: Susan, who married Frank Guthrie, a civil engineer at Huntington, Indiana; Burr L., who died at Kentwood, Louisiana, in 1912; Clifton H., who died on November 1, 1904; Bessie Dean, who died on November 14, 1898; William H., who is living at Louisville, Kentucky, married Lenora Harmon, and they are the parents of three children. Mr. Wilson is widely known as one of the most sagacious business men of his community, and as a citizen of much public spirit, always interested in the common good. He has many friends and is a pleasant, sociable gentleman. He has always stood for progressive ideas, wholesome living and patriotism and, although his life has been without incident of an unusual nature, it has shown that steady, consecutive endeavor, coupled with honesty of purpose, will accomplish large results in the end.
ORAN ARNOLD PROVINCE, M. D.
The physician who would succeed in his profession must possess many qualities of head and heart not included in the curriculum of the schools and colleges he may have attended. In analyzing the career of the successful practitioner of the healing art it will invariably be found to be true that a broad-minded sympathy with the sick and suffering and an honest, earnest desire to aid his afflicted fellow men have gone hand in hand with skill and able judgment. The gentleman to whom this brief tribute is given fortunate- ly embodies these necessary qualifications in a marked degree and by energy and application to his professional duties is building up an enviable reputation and drawing to himself a larger and renumerative patronage.
Oran A. Province was born on May 27, 1877, at Providence, Johnson county, Indiana, and is a son of William M. and Julia (Abraham) Province, the father being a native of Henry county, Kentucky, and the mother of Morgan county, Indiana. William M. Province was a physician by profes-
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sion and soon after the close of the Civil war, in 1865, he came to Johnson county. He had served three years in the war of the Rebellion as a member of the Sixth Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, Union army, and had a splendid military record. He was a graduate of the Miami Medical Col- lege, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and after his location at Providence he was actively engaged in the practice of his profession, in which he was successfully en- gaged up to the time of his retirement from active practice. He is still living and is enjoying the highest measure of popular confidence and regard. To him and his wife were born three children, namely: Clarence, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; Florence, the wife of William Garsh- wiler, a prominent physician at Indianapolis, and Oran, the immediate sub- ject of this sketch.
Oran A. Province attended the public schools at Providence, including one year in the high school, and was then a student for three years in Frank- lin College. He then attended the State University, at Bloomington, one year, graduating in 1898, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, after which he en- gaged in teaching school one year, serving efficiently as principal of the Providence high school. In 1898 he matriculated in the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons, comprising the medical department of Columbia Uni- versity, New York City, where he was graduated in 1902, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then took the competitive examination for work in the New York City hospital, in which he was successful and he spent two years in that institution, from which he was granted a diploma. While there he aided Dr. Theodore Janeway in the compiling of "The Clini- cal Study of Blood Pressure," a recognized authority on that subject and a popular text-book. In his preface to the work, Doctor Janeway gave Doctor Province credit for the valuable assistance rendered by him. Doctor Prov- ince then became assistant clinician in the out-patient department in the Roosevelt Hospital, in general medicine and diseases of the nose and throat, in which he gained much valuable experience. The Doctor concluded his technical studies by a trip to Europe, where he visited a number of the lead- ing clinics and hospitals. In 1905 he returned to his home county and entered upon the active practice of his profession at Franklin, in partnership with his brother, Dr. Clarence Province. They have in many ways proved an exceptionally strong team, and have been uniformly successful in the practice of medicine and surgery. Doctor Province keeps closely in touch with the most advanced thought and discoveries in the healing art and is closely associated with his professional colleagues through his membership
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in the Johnson County Medical Society, the State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and was formerly a member of the New York State Medical Society. Socially, he is a member of the Phi Delta Theta college fraternity. Doctor Province has taken a live interest in the affairs of the community and is a stockholder in the Franklin Coil Hoop Company, owning a one-fourth interest.
On November 24, 1909; Dr. Oran Province was married to Lillias Ditmars, a daughter of R. V. Ditmars, a well-known pioneer and prominent citizen of Franklin. She is a graduate of Wellesley College and is a lady of many graces of head and heart which have commended her to the friend- ship and good will of all who know her. To Doctor and Mrs. Province has been born one son, William Ditmars Province.
Fraternally, Doctor Province is an appreciative member of the Free and Accepted Masons, while his religious connections are with the Christian church, of which he is a deacon and to which he gives a liberal support. Because of his sterling worth, uncompromising integrity, courteous manners and pleasant disposition, he has won and retains the warm regard of all with whom he associates.
W. H. WHITE, M. D.
It is not always easy to discover and define the hidden forces that move a life of ceaseless activity and large professional success; little more can be done than to note their manifestation in the career of the individual under consideration. In view of this fact, the life of the distinguished physician and public-spirited man of affairs whose name appears above affords a strik- ing example of well defined purpose, with the ability to make that purpose subserve not only his own ends but the good of his fellow men as well. He has long held distinctive prestige in a calling which requires for its basis sound mentality and intellectual discipline of a high order, supplemented by the rigid professional training and thorough mastery of technical knowledge, with the skill to apply the same, without which one cannot hope to rise above mediocrity in ministering to human ills. In his chosen field of endeavor Doctor White has achieved success such as few attain and his present eminent standing among the leading medical men of central Indiana is duly recognized and appreciated. In addition to his long and creditable career in one of the mose useful and exacting of professions, he has also proven an honorable member of the body politic; rising in the confidence and esteem of the public,
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he has filled worthily high and important trusts and in every relation of life has never fallen below the dignity of true manhood nor in any way resorted to methods that invite criticism or censure. He is essentially a man among men, moving as one who commands respect by innate force as well as by ability. As a citizen he easily ranks with the most influential of his county in the arena of politics where he has long been a power. His course has ever been above suspicion and those favored with an intimate acquaintance with him are profuse in their praise of his manly virtues and upright character.
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