USA > Indiana > Lawrence County > History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions > Part 57
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions > Part 57
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the master of himself in the trial of cases and is rarely not at his best, being frequently courteous and deferential to the court and kind and forbearing to his opponents. As a speaker the Judge is direct, logical and forcible and not infrequently truly eloquent. He is not only an able and reliable counsellor, with a thorough acquaintance of the principles, intricacies and complexities of jurisprudence, but his honesty is such that he has frequently advised against long and expensive litigation, and this, too, often at the loss of liberal fees. Throughout his entire professional and official career he has been animated by lofty motives and made every personal consideration subordinate to the higher claims of duty. Broad and liberal in his views, with the greatest good of his fellow men ever before him, his conduct has been that of the lover of his kind and the true and loyal citizen, who is ready at all times to make any reason- able sacrifice for the cause in which his interests are enlisted. He is withal a man of the people, proud of his distinction as a citizen of a state and nation for whose laws and institutions he has the most profound admiration and respect. while his strong mentality, wise judgment and unimpeachable in- tegrity demonstrate his ability to fill honorably important official positions and to discharge worthily the duties of high trust. In point of critical legal scholarship, keen intellectuality and professional success, he easily stands in the front rank, while in all that constitutes the upright man, the public-spirited citizen, his position in the social circle and the world of affairs has been firmly established and he stands today among the leaders of thought and the molders of opinion in his community.
Politically, Judge Miers has ever been a stalwart supporter of the Demo- cratic party and from 1896 until 1904 he was the able representative of this congressional district to the United States Congress, where his record was such as to reflect honor upon the constituency which elected him. He was twice the nominee of his party for secretary of state, but each time met with defeat. He was a representative in the State Legislature in 1879. From 1879 to 1891 Mr. Miers was a member of the board of trustees of Indiana State University and to him in a large measure is due the splendid prosperity which characterized that institution during the period in which he was con- nected with it. Fraternally, Judge Miers is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, while his social membership is with the college fra- ternity, Beta Theta Pi.
On May 9, 1871, Robert W. Miers was married to Belle Ryors, the daughter of Dr. Alfred Ryors, who, in an early day, was president of Indiana State University, prior to which time he had been president of Danville Col-
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lege, Kentucky. He has been dead for many years. To Mr. and Mrs. Miers have been born two children, Bertha, the wife of Oscar Cravens, and Daniel Kirkwood, a stone commission merchant in Chicago, who married Blanche Wicks. The family home is at No. 624 East Third street, Bloomington, a popular gathering place for the Judge's many friends, who always find him an entertaining companion and interesting and instructive conversationalist.
PHILIP BUSKIRK HILL.
There is nothing which stimulates a man to deeds of worth and a life of uprightness and rectitude more than the recollection of the strength of char- acter and examples of right living which have been shown by his forbears. In this respect Mr. Hill is fortunate beyond the majority of men in being de- scended from a line of men who have been in their communities men of strength and influence, doing their duty well, whether in the peaceful pursuits of ordinary life or in positions of public trust. A heritage of such memory of the lives of one's forefathers is of more value than a heritage of material wealth. In the business affairs of Bloomington the subject of this sketch occupies a position of importance and among those who are today conserving the commercial and industrial prosperity of this community none occupy a higher standing among their associates than he whose name appears at the head of this sketch.
Philip B. Hill was born in Bloomington, Indiana, on July 29, 1882, and is a son of the late Nat U. and Anna ( Buskirk ) Hill. Specific reference is made elsewhere in this work to the life and character of Nat U. Hill, Sr., therefore it is deemed unnecessary to refer further to him in this connection. The subject of this sketch received his elementary education in the public schools of Bloomington, in which he made excellent progress, going then to the Culver Military Academy, where he spent two years. From there he went to the Indiana State University, where he was graduated in 1908, and then took up the study of law, graduating from the Indiana Law School. During the following year Mr. Hill was engaged in the insurance business, but at the end of that time he became identified with the stone industry in the capac- ity of superintendent for the Empire Stone Company, having personal charge of all the operations of this company. He has ably performed the duties of his important position, much of the splendid success which has characterized this company being due directly to his indomitable energies, sound judgment and faithful performance of his duty.
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On November 28, 1912, Mr. Hill married Sally Duncan, the daughter of Judge Henry Clay Duncan, who is referred to elsewhere in this work.
Fraternally, the subject of this sketch is a member of the Free and Ac- cepted Masons, and in his daily life he endeavors to exemplify the sublime precepts of this time-honored order. Socially, he is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi college fraternity. Politically, he gives his support to the Repub- lican party. He has been keenly alive to every phase of life with which he has come in contact and takes an interest in everything pertaining to the popu- lar welfare. While at the university Mr. Hill took a deep interest in athletics, in which he excelled, and during the years 1908-9-10-11-13 he acted as assist- ant coach for the Indiana University football team, his ability in this regard being held in high esteem. Personally, Mr. Hill is a man whom it is a pleasure to meet, being genial, unassuming, straightforward and a man whom to know is to trust and respect.
HERMAN U. GRANT.
The gentleman to a review of whose life the reader's attention is here respectfully directed is recognized as one of the energetic, well known busi- ness men of Monroe county, who by his enterprise and progressive methods has contributed in a material way to the commercial advancement of the local- ity where he lives. In the course of an honorable career he has been successful in the manifold lines to which his efforts have been directed and, enjoying dis- tinctive prestige among the representative men of his community, it is emi- nently proper that attention be called to his achievements and due credit be accorded to his worth as an enterprising citizen.
Herman U. Grant, who conducts a well stocked store and commands a liberal patronage and is one of the progressive merchants of Ellettsville, Mon- roe county, Indiana, was born on October 8, 1866, in Owen county, Indiana, and is the son of John and Julia A. ( Ennis) Grant. The father was born in Kent county, Maryland, on March 1, 1825, and died on February 6, 1900. His wife, also born in Maryland, in Worcester county, first saw the light of day on March 26, 1826, and her death occurred on August 16, 1910. They were married in their native state on October 28, 1845. John Grant first learned the trade of a boiler maker, which he followed in his native state, but after coming to Owen county he followed agricultural pursuits, and also operated a saw-mill, in both of which he was successful. They were the parents of ten children, namely : William H., George W., Augusta, Laura A., Anna L., John,
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James W., Charles E., Mary E. and Herman U., all of whom are deceased excepting Augusta, James W., Charles E. and Herman.
The subject of this sketch was reared under the parental roof and secured his education in the common schools of Owen county. Upon attaining mature years he went to Decatur and to Bloomington, Illinois, where he entered rail- road employ, being connected with railroads running out of those cities for eleven years and performing his duties to the entire satisfaction of his supe- riors. In April, 1893, when he moved to Ellettsville, Indiana, he engaged in the grocery business in company with his brother Charles, under the firm name of Grant Brothers, and together they successfully operated until 1898, when Herman bought out his brother's interest and continued the business until 1908. He then sold out and engaged in the real estate and insurance business, with which he was actively identified until November 4, 1909, when he opened a dry goods store, which he is still conducting and which is one of the most popular and successful enterprises of the kind in this section of the county. Mr. Grant carries a large and well selected stock of dry goods and kindred lines, catering to the trade and, by his courtesy and evident desire to please his customers, attracting a large patronage from the surrounding country. In August, 1913, Mr. Grant moved to Bloomington, where he now resides and expects to close out his business interests in Ellettsville.
On June 28, 1893, Mr. Grant married Sarah A. Andrews, the daughter of Thomas and Mary Andrews. Her father, a native of England, came to the United States at the age of eleven years with his parents and here married his wife, who was a native of Ohio. Mr. Grant met his future wife and was married at Cuyuga, Livingston county, Illinois. They are the parents of two children, De Loss A., born April 13, 1896, and Vera Evelyn, born March II, 1905.
Politically, Mr. Grant is a Republican, but has been too busy a man to devote much attention to public affairs, though he did consent to allow his name to be presented for the office of city treasurer, to which he was elected and in which he rendered valuable service for his fellow citizens. He also served as a member of the school board. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. In the Masonic order he has attained to the degrees of the Royal Arch chapter, belonging to that body at Bloomington. In the Pyth- ian order he has received distinctive preferment, being a member of the board of trustees of the grand lodge. Religiously, he is identified with the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he gives an earnest support, and in the civic life of the community he has been a potent factor for the development of the best
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interests of the people. He is a man of pleasing address and easily makes friends, whom he always retains. Because of his upright character, marked ability and pleasing disposition he is numbered among the most popular resi- dents of Ellettsville.
CANAAN WILLIAMS.
Not alone are those worthy of biographic honors who have moved along the loftier planes of action, but to an equal extent are those deserving who are of the rank and file of the world's workers, for they are not less the con- servators of public prosperity and material advancement. Through all the gradations of life, recognition should be had of the true values, and then should full appreciation be manifested, for there can be no impropriety. if it be done justly, in scanning the acts of any man as they affect his public, social and business relations. In the collection of material for the biographical de- partment of this publication there has been a constant aim to use a wise dis- crimination in regard to the selection of subjects and to exclude none worthy of representation in its pages. Here will be found mention of worthy citizens of all vocations, and at this juncture we are permitted to offer a resume of the career of one of the substantial and highly esteemed representatives of the agricultural interests of Lawrence county, where he has spent his entire life and where he has not only attained a high degree of success in his chosen field of labor and enterprise, but also established an imperishable reputation for uprightness in all the relations of life.
Canaan Williams was born near the town of Williams, in Indian Creek township, Lawrence county, Indiana, on October 31, 1836, and is the son of Richard Williams, one of Lawrence county's old and honored citizens, who was born in the state of Tennessee on October 16, 1806. In his early boy- hood Richard Williams came to Lawrence county, Indiana, and was here educated in the district schools. He was reared to the life of a farmer and never forsook this basic industry, in which he met with well deserved suc- cess. Politically, he was in his early years an active Democrat, but subse- quently allied himself with the Republican party, of which he was ever after- ward a staunch supporter. His death occurred near Williams, Spice Valley township, where his wife also died. They were prominent members of the Church of Christ and were active in all good works. These parents had eleven children, namely: Ascina, Ahiman, C. Perry, Canaan, Susan, Ma- hala, Rebecca, Cornelia, Tilghman H., Oliva and William M.
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The subject of this sketch spent his early years on the old homestead and received his education in the district schools and the public schools at Bed- ford. He has devoted his mature years to agricultural pursuits, in which he has met with the success commensurate with his efforts. He is practical and methodical in his labors, giving his personal attention to every detail of his farm work, with the result that he has an enviable standing in the community because of his ability and success in his chosen vocation. In addition to the raising of grain, he also gives some attention to the breeding and raising of live stock, which he has found a profitable branch of farming. The farm is well improved in every respect, the substantial and attractive residence, com- modious and well arranged barns and well-kept fences all giving evidence of the wise discrimination and excellent taste of the owner.
Mr. Williams has been twice married, first on February 20, 1863, to Elizabeth Jane Hastings, who was born on August 5, 1844, in Spice Valley township, Lawrence county, Indiana, and died on December 13, 1871. To this union were born four children, namely: Mary Ellen, born December 28, 1863, became the wife of Tilghman H. McDermed on November 28, 1888, and both inet death by drowning on December 10, 1889; John E., who was born on June 2, 1866, married Alice Underwood on November 14, 1894; Carry, born June 12, 1869, was married on November 4, 1891, to Sylvester A. McClung : Elizabeth J., born November 17, 1871, became the wife of Sam- uel O. McClung on December 31, 1890. and her death occurred on December 3, 1891. On April 4, 1875, Mr. Williams married Miranda Mosier, who was born on March 10, 1849, near Owensburg, Martin county, Indiana, and who was one of the following children: Elizabeth, horn August 19, 1825, died November 28, 1860; Jeremiah, born December 3, 1827, died June 20, 1896; Sallie, born August 5, 1829, died January 19, 1875; Joyce, born March 30, 1831, died May 26, 1903: Adam, born December 20, 1832, died October 7, 1834; Elmina, born January 4. 1835, died January 2, 1882; Ephraim, born January 29, 1838, died June 16, 1889: Cyrus, born September 23, 1839, died January 22, 1840; Martha, born August 24, 1841, died September 6, 1878; Benton, born June 21, 1843, died January 11, 1870; Noah, born June 2, 1845 ;. Miranda, Mrs. Williams, was the next in order of birth ; Louisa, born Septem- ber 3, 1851, died March 11, 1910.
Politically, the subject of this sketch gives an ardent support to the Re- publican party, to which he gives that interest which all intelligent citizens should give to public affairs, though he is not in any sense a seeker after pub- lic office. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Port William Church of Christ, to which they give a liberal support. Mr. Williams has been
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very successful in the accumulation of material wealth, being the owner of five hundred eighty acres of land in Spice Valley township, of which two hundred acres are in cultivation, the remainder being in pasture and timber. He has been successful in winning the confidence and esteem of the entire community in which he has resided for so many years, being now numbered among the enterprising and progressive agriculturists of his locality. Genial and unassuming in manner, he easily wins friends and always retains them, and because of his high personal qualities and business success, he is eminently entitled to representation in a work of the character of the one at hand.
IRA C. BATMAN.
The life of a professional man seldom exhibits any of those striking incidents that seize upon public feeling and attract attention to himself. His character is generally made up of the aggregate qualities and qualifications he may possess, as these may be elicited by the exercise of the duties of his vocation or the particular profession to which he belongs. But when such a man has so impressed his individuality upon his fellow men as to gain their confidence and through that confidence be enabled to advance to the front rank in his profession, he at once becomes a conspicuous figure in the body politic of the community and the state. The subject of this review is one of the scholarly men of his county, who, not content to hide his talents amid life's sequestered ways, has, by the force of will and a laudable ambition, forged to the front in a responsible and exacting calling and earned an honorable reputation as a leader of the legal fraternity in Monroe county. His life has been one of hard study and research from his youth and, since maturity, of laborious professional duty, and the high position to which he has attained is evidence that the qualities which he possesses afford the means of distinc- tion under a system of government in which places of usefulness are open to all who be worthy of them.
Ira C. Batman, who for a number of years has been numbered among the leading attorneys and progressive citizens of Monroe county, Indiana, was born in Lawrence county, this state, on January 20, 1862, and is the son of Henry H. and Catherine (Bailey) Batman, both of whom were natives of Lawrence county. The subject's paternal grandfather, James Batman, was a tanner by trade, being located at Bono, Lawrence county. His son, the sub- ject's father, was a farmer and stock dealer, and did an extensive and suc-
Iva G. Batman
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cessful business, buying and shipping large numbers of cattle and hogs. To him and his wife were born five children, briefly mentioned as follows: Ira C., the immediate subject of this sketch; Olive, who became the wife of Dr. James B. Duncan, of Bedford; Levi G., a successful preacher at Youngstown, Ohio; James W., of Mitchell, Indiana; Dr. F. H., of Bloomington. Henry H. Batman was a Republican in his political belief and took an active and influential part in local political campaigns. Fraternally, he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his religious membership was with the Christian church.
Ira C. Batman received his preliminary education in the common schools of his home county, and then took the preparatory course in the State Uni- versity, where he was graduated in 1885. He then engaged in teaching school at Columbia City, for one year, at the end of which time he entered upon the study of law in the office of Buskirk & Duncan, at Bloomington. A year later he went to Grant, Nebraska, but in 1888 he returned to Bloom- ington and formed a law partnership with Henry C. Duncan, under the firm name of Duncan & Batman. This firm was very successful and was continued until the death of Mr. Duncan, which occurred in 1911. Subsequently Mr. Batman entered into a partnership with Robert G. Miller and James W. Blair, under the name of Batman, Miller & Blair, which is now numbered among the leading law firms of this section of the state, commanding a large and representative clientage. Mr. Batman has been connected with most of the important litigation which has been tried in the local court for a number of years and is considered a sound and safe practitioner, being well versed in the law and a very successful pleader. For thirteen years Mr. Batman served as attorney for the city of Bloomington and was county attorney for two years. In 1905 he was elected on the Republican ticket a member of the Legislature, and in 1911 he was elected a member of the board of trustees of Indiana University, in which he is still serving. As a public speaker Mr. Batman is widely and favorably known, having done much effective cam- paign work and has also delivered many addresses here and elsewhere through. the state on various secular topics.
Aside from his professional connections, Mr. Batman is also interested in commercial and financial enterprises of local importance, being the vice- president and a director of the First National Bank of Bloomington and a director of the Citizens Loan and Trust Company, of this city, of which he was one of the organizers. In the civic affairs of the community he is deeply interested and every movement tending to the advancement of the city's inter-
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ests receives his hearty endorsement and support. Fraternally, he is a member of the Order of Elks.
In 1888 Ira C. Batman was united in marriage with Mary T. Waldron, the daughter of John and Anna (Bonacum) Waldron, and to this union has been born one child, Emma L. Personally, Mr. Batman is genial and com- panionable, enjoys a wide acquaintance throughout this section of the state, and is a popular member of the circles in which he moves.
J. B. WILSON.
The name Wilson has long been connected with the development and progress of Indiana and the name has been borne by a number of men who have reflected credit upon the state and upon their respective communities. It is a well-attested maxim that the greatness of a country lies not in the machin- ery of government nor even in its institutions, but rather in the sterling quali- ties of the individual citizen, in his capacity for high and unselfish effort and his devotion to the public welfare. Among the citizens of Monroe county who have not only won success and honor for themselves in their specific line of effort. but who have conferred honor on their community, is he whose name appears at the head of this sketch, and who is now filling with distinction the position of judge of the judicial circuit to which Monroe county belongs. He is a master in his profession, a leader among men distinguished for the high order of their legal ability, and his eminent attainments and ripe judg- ment have made him an authority in all matters involving a profound knowl- edge of jurisprudence and vexed and intricate problems of equity.
J. B. Wilson is a scion of sterling old Scotch ancestors, his paternal great-grandfather having been a native of the land of hills and heather. The grandfather, James Wilson, was a native of Virginia, while his son, John Wesley Wilson, father of the subject, was born in Lincoln county, North Carolina, on September 11, 1826 He married Jane Maners, who was born in Tennessee on September 1, 1837. John Wesley Wilson, when eight years old, came with his father to Indiana and located in Owen county, where they established and improved a fine farm near Spencer, on which three successive generations of the family were reared. There John W. Wilson spent his life, devoting his efforts to agricultural pursuits, and there his death occurred in December, 1891. His widow is still living and makes her home with a daugh-
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ter at Danville, Indiana. She bore her husband nine children, eight of whom are still living.
J. B. Wilson was born on the old homestead near Spencer on February 22, 1859, and he secured his elementary education in the public schools of Spencer, including the high school. Then for a time he engaged in teaching school and was otherwise employed until he became a student in the State University at Bloomington, where he specialized in law, graduating in June, 1892. Mr. Wilson at once came to Bloomington and engaged in the active practice of his profession and it was not long until he had firmly established himself in the confidence and regard of the community, for he demonstrated the possession of ability of a high order, which was reinforced by an energy and a persistency that brooked no obstacle and which soon had given him a standing among the leading members of the Monroe county bar. In 1902 Mr. Wilson was elected judge of the circuit court and so eminently satisfactory were his services on the bench that at the end of his first term he was re- elected to succeed himself and is the present occupant of that exalted position. A lawyer of acknowledged ability, a jurist of the highest type and a man of integrity and honor, he has made a lasting impression upon the history of his community, which has been dignified by his life and achievements. Not only in the judiciary has Judge Wilson been accorded evidences of popular confi- dence and regard, but also in other directions, while he has ever ordered his course according to the highest principles and ideals, so that he has been found true to himself and to all men.
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