USA > Indiana > Lawrence County > History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions > Part 58
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions > Part 58
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Politically, Judge Wilson has given a lifelong support to the Republican party and has taken a broad interest in public affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America.
Judge Wilson has been twice married, first, in 1884, to Ona Stephenson, the daughter of M. C. and Isabel ( Armantrout) Stephenson, both of whom are natives of Owen county and now residing at Worthington, where Mr. Stephenson followed the mercantile business. To Judge Wilson and wife were; born two sons, namely : Fred MI., who is engaged in the coal business at Bloom- ington, and Charles, who is a student in an art school in Chicago. Mrs. Ona Wilson died on June 7. 1910, and subsequently the Judge married Maude E. Showers, the daughter of Rufus Coatney Showers. The Judge's comfortable and attractive home is located at No. 408 East Eighth street, Bloomington, near the State University grounds.
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DRS. WALTER W. AND OLIVER K. HARRIS.
Among those men of sterling attributes of character who have impressed their personality upon the community of their residence and have borne their full share in the upbuilding and development of Monroe county, mention must not be omitted of Drs. Walter W. and Oliver K. Harris, of Ellettsville, where they have long maintained their home and where they have exerted a strong influence for good on the entire community, being men of upright principles and desirous to see the advancement of the community along moral, educa- tional and material lines. Professionally, they are men of recognized ability, who have in their chosen sphere of effort met with a large degree of success, winning the commendation and the confidence of all who have knowledge of them and their life work.
The Doctors Harris are both natives of Monroe county, Indiana, Walter William having been born on November 27, 1865. and Oliver K. on February 27, 1871. They are the sons of Rice C. and Mary J. (Knighten) Harris. Rice C. Harris was born in Owen county, Indiana, his parents having been natives of Lexington, Kentucky, who came to Owen county in a very early day. The great-grandfather of the subjects of this sketch, Thomas Harris, and a man by the name of Robert Overstreet, built a fort at Lexington, Ken- tucky, where Mr. Harris settled in 1740. Subsequently he traded the entire tract where the city of Lexington now stands for a body of land near Nicholas- ville, Kentucky, in order to be located nearer better fishing. To Rice and Mary Harris were born the following children: Margaret, Lovell, Rurah, Thomas B., Racey W., Walter W., Homer, Oliver K., and Elizabeth A., of whom the first three and the seventh and eighth in order of birth are deceased. The father of these children was for forty years a successful and well known physician at Ellettsville, being numbered among the early professional men of that community, and to a notable extent he commanded the confidence and regard of all who knew him. He and his wife are both now deceased.
Walter and Oliver Harris received good, practical common school edu- cations and then, having decided to make the practice of medicine their life work, they matriculated in the Louisville Medical College, where in due time they were graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. They imme- diately returned to Ellettsville, where they took up their father's practice and are both still actively engaged in professional work. Natural ability, thorough professional training and a devotion for and enthusiasm in their work have been elements which have contributed to the splendid success which has char- acterized their work. They have successfully handled many difficult cases
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and are held in high regard among their professional colleagues in Monroe county.
In 1891 Walter W. Harris was married to Cora Matthews, the daughter of William N. and Addie (Johnson) Matthews, a prominent old family of Monroe county residing at Bedford. To this union was born one child, Faye D. Walter W. Harris is an appreciative member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while, religiously, he is a faithful member of the Baptist church. His political views are in harmony with the platform of the Republican party, in which he takes a deep interest, though never a seeker after public office.
Oliver K. Harris was married in 1896 to Winnie E. Sharp, the daughter of Francis M. and Lydia ( Whaley) Sharp, a prominent old family of Mon- roe county. To Mr. and Mrs. Harris have been born two children, Lucile and Knighten. Dr. Oliver K. Harris has always given the Republican party his earnest support and was nominated and elected on that ticket as coroner of Monroe county, discharging the duties of this position to the entire satis- faction of all concerned. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men, while his religious belief is embodied in the creed of the Methodist church, to which he gives faitliful and earnest support. The Doctors Harris have by lives of earnest effort, controlled by right principles, gained for them- selves not only a large degree of professional success in the community where they have spent practically their entire lives, but have won that which is of far greater value, the earnest commendation of all who know them. They are genial and companionable gentlemen, easily make friends and throughout Monroe county they enjoy a large and favorable acquaintance.
JOHN S. BROWN.
It is an agreeable task for the biographer, and pleasant and profitable for the reader, to contemplate the record of a person who has made a success of life and won the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. Such is the record, briefly stated, of the well known liveryman of Ellettsville, Monroe county, whose name appears above, than whom a more highly respected or popular man it would be difficult to find within the limits of the locality where he has his home and where he has long been held in the highest esteem by a large circle of friends and admirers.
John S. Brown, who for nearly a quarter of a century, has been one of
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the best known liverymen in Monroe county, having a well equipped stable at Ellettsville, is a native of the county in which he now lives, and was born on March 4, 1856, being the son of Andrew J. and Rachel ( Ashburt) Brown. Andrew J. Brown was a native of Indiana, his parents having come to this state from Kentucky, where his father was born, his mother being a native of Owen county, Maryland. Andrew J. Brown followed farming during prac- tically his entire life and was successful in the acquisition of material wealth and in the attainment of the confidence of his fellow citizens. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company G, Thirty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, in which he rendered valiant service for three years and three months, participating in all the battles, skirmishes and campaigns in which his regiment took a part and at the end of his service he received an honorable discharge. Returning to his home farm, he devoted the rest of his life to its cultivation and died with the respect and esteem of all who knew him. To him and his wife were born four children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the first in order of birth, the others being Richard W., deceased ; Thomas F., and Etta, deceased.
The subject of this sketch received a good education in the common schools at Ellettsville and was reared to the life of a farmer, which vocation he followed for some years and then entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company. Six years later he left the employ of that company and engaged in the livery business at Ellettsville, in which for twenty-three years he has been a prominent figure in the business life of the community. He carries a large number of good horses, all the vehicles necessary for the accommodation of his patrons, and by his prompt and courteous attention to business and his high character he has received and retained the confidence and good will of all who have had dealings with him.
Mr. Brown was married on July 4, 1879, to Mary A. Adams, the daugh- ter of Calvin and Margaret ( Smith) Adams, who were early settlers of Mon- roe county, the Adams family being numbered among the first families here and who have always been identified with the agricultural interests of the county. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born four children, Arthur G., Ernest B., Floyd C. and Felix.
Fraternally, the Free and Accepted Masons and Knights of Pythias claim Mr. Brown's membership, while, politically, he is affiliated with the Republican party. Though never a seeker after public office. he has served as a member of the city council for some time to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Religiously, he subscribes to the creed of the Presbyterian church, and in the
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moral and civic life of the community he has been an important factor for good, his influence ever being exerted for those things which tend to elevate and uplift his fellow men. He takes broad and intelligent views of men and affairs and aims to get all the satisfaction and enjoyment out of life there is in it, to which end he has been a close observer and diligent student of current affairs and of the many wonderful things embraced in the life of the world, of which he is fully appreciative, and among those who knew him best he is most appreciated, for he possesses to a marked degree those qualities which commend one to the good will and friendship of others.
DR. C. E. HARRIS.
Professional success results from merit. Frequently in commercial life one may come into possession of a lucrative business through inheritance or gift, but in what are known as the learned professions advancement is gained only through painstaking and long-continued effort. Prestige in the healing art is the outcome of strong mentality, close application, thorough mastery of its great underlying principles and the ability to apply theory to practice in the treatment of diseases. Good intellectual training, thorough professional knowledge and the possession and utilization of the qualities and attributes essential to success have made the subject of this review eminent in his chosen calling and he stands today among the scholarly and enterprising physicians in a county noted for the high order of its medical talent.
Dr. C. E. Harris is a native of the old Blue Grass state, having been born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, on July 12, 1876, and is the son of Dr. John E. and Catherine (Laws) Harris. John E. Harris, who was for many years a prominent and successful physician of the old school, was prominent in professional circles of Monroe county for many years, residing at Bloom- ington, where his death occurred in 1908. He was a man of high personal character, strong intellectual endowments, and during the years of his resi- dence here he enjoyed a notable popularity throughout the community.
The subject of this sketch received a good practical common school edu- cation, which was supplemented by attendance in the State University. He then matriculated in the Louisville Medical College, where he graduated in March, 1897, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then entered actively upon the general practice of medicine at Bloomington until 1901, when he
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took a post-graduate course in surgery in the Chicago Polyclinic School, since which time he has specialized in surgery. In this branch of medical science he is fully qualified for the practice and he has been uniformly successful, having handled some very difficult cases both here and in neighboring coun- ties. His ability is widely recognized and he has been frequently called into consultation by his professional colleagues, who have appreciated his attain- ments as a physician and surgeon. His office and residence are located at No. 213 South College avenue, and here he has an up-to-date and well equipped office, being especially prepared for all cases that may be brought to him. Doctor Harris is president of the city board of health, and is also county coroner. He is surgeon for the Monon Railroad Company, and is president of the Monon Railway Association of Surgeons He is a member of the Monroe County Medical Society. the Indiana State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, many of the meetings of which he has at- tended and in which he takes an intelligent interest. In addition to his cred- itable career in one of the most useful and exacting of professions, the Doctor has also proved an honorable member of the body politic, rising in the con- fidence and esteem of the public and in every relation of life he has never fallen below the dignity of true manhood, nor in any way resorted to methods that have invited criticism or censure. As a citizen he easily ranks among the most influential of his compeers looking toward the betterment of his city and county.
In 1897 Doctor Harris was married to Frances Whiteley, the daughter of William H. and Mary C. Whiteley, of Cambridge City, Wayne county, Indi- ana. The father, who was a successful farmer, is now deceased, and his widow now makes her home with Doctor and Mrs. Harris. To the latter have been born two children, Robert E. and John F.
Politically, the subject of this sketch gives a staunch support to the Dem- ocratic party, though his professional duties preclude his taking a very active part in political affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Ac- cepted Masons, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica and the Court of Honor, in all of which he is held in high regard. Per- sonally, Doctor Harris is affable and popular with all classes, and by a life consistent in motive and because of his many fine qualities of head and heart he has earned the sincere regard of a vast acquaintance, while his success in his chosen field of endeavor bespeaks for him the possession of superior attributes, yet he is a plain, unassuming gentleman, straightforward in all his relations with his fellow men.
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WILLIAM H. MEDARIS.
The subject of this sketch is one of those strong, self-reliant and deter- mined characters who are occasionally met with and who are of such a distinct type as to seem to be born leaders of their fellow men. Not that Mr. Medaris courts that distinction, for he is entirely unassuming, but his great force of character and his zeal and energy in whatever he undertakes naturally places him at the head of the crowd and he has been a potent factor in the develop- ment of Lawrence county, where he has long maintained his home and where he is well known to all classes for his honorable and industrious life, in both private and public.
William H. Medaris was born in Owen county, Indiana, and is a son of Stephen and Millie (Coble) Medaris, the former a native of Guilford county. North Carolina, and the mother a native of South Carolina. The father's death occurred in 1898, and the mother's in 1880. They were the parents of nine children, three sons and six daughters, namely: James H., who is a successful doctor in Helena, Alfalfa county, Oklahoma ; Sarah Katherine mar- ried a Mr. Speer and is living in Oklahoma; Mrs. Minerva Jane Williams, deceased ; Mary and Martha were twins. Mary married a Mr. Perkins and lives in Indianapolis, while Martha married a Mr. Layman and lives in Marion, Indiana ; Mrs. Louisa McCormick, of Oklahoma ; Ada Ella is the wife of Dr. W. H. Rice, of Spencer. Indiana ; Stephen was a farmer in Owen county, Indiana, and the father of the subject of this sketch. The subject's father was married the second time in 1882 to Amanda Long, to which union were born three children: Mrs. Della Naaus, of Owen county, Indiana ; Mrs. Effie Brown, of Indianapolis, and Miss Dossie, also of Indianapolis.
William H. Medaris received his education in the common schools of Owen county and after completing his education he engaged in teaching school for five years and also taught music for several years with splendid success in both departments. Since then he has devoted his attention unremittingly to agricultural pursuits and is now the owner of one hundred acres of fine land in Marshall township, to the improvement and cultivation of which he is giving his attention. Besides farming, he also runs a dairy, supplying milk products to a large line of patrons in Bedford. His place is well improved and in all efforts he has made he has been characterized by strict attention to his business affairs and shrewd judgment in the management of his interests.
At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Medaris married Ruth Temperance Melick, their marriage occurring in 1869. Mrs. Medaris died on May 10, 1897, and on September 6, 1899. Mr. Medaris married Carrie B. Knight, who
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is proving to him a devoted helpmeet in the fullest sense of the term. To the subject's first union were born the following children : Mrs. Minne Belle Ooley, of Owen county, Indiana : Charles E., a farmer in Lawrence county; Mrs. Lizzie Annie Yocum, of Daviess county, Indiana : Steven Curtis, deceased ; Martin Luther, a farmer in Lawrence county; Thomas E. is an engineer in the Eli Lilly medicine factory at Indianapolis : Martha E., deceased : Jesse Roy is a conductor on the street railway in San Francisco, California.
Religiously, Mr. Medaris is a member of the Christian church, in the advancement and prosperity of which he is deeply interested, while, frater- nally, he belongs to Lodge No. 514. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Freedom, Owen county, Indiana. Mr. Medaris is regarded by all as being one of the foremost citizens of his section of the county, having established a firm reputation for honesty of purpose in all his dealings with his fellow men, and by being the advocate of clean and wholesome principles in the home, society and politics. Because of his excellent character and splendid business ability, he has earned and enjoys the sincere respect of all who know him.
SHERMAN L. KEACH.
It is a well authenticated fact that success comes as the result of legitimate and well applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action when once decided upon. She is never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer and she never courts the loafer, and only the men who have diligently sought her favor are crowned with her blessings. In tracing the history of the influential citizen of Bedford, Lawrence county, Indiana, whose name forms the caption of this review, it is plainly seen that the suc- cess which he enjoys has been won by commendable qualities and it is also his personal worth that has gained for him the high esteem of those who know him.
Sherman L. Keach, the efficient and popular postmaster at Bedford, Lawrence county, Indiana, was born on September 28, 1864, in Floyd county, this state, about five miles from New Albany, and is the son of William H. and Elizabeth ( Moreland ) Keach, the father a native of Kentucky and the mother of West Virginia. William H. Keach was a farmer and trader, and his death occurred in New Albany about fifteen years ago, his widow surviv- ing him several years and dying about eight years ago. They were the par- ents of seven children, namely : Lafayette S., of Floyd county, Indiana ; Mrs
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Laura C. Mathers, of Bloomington, Indiana; Charles S., of Floyd's Knobs, Indiana : William A., deceased; Mrs. Alice L. Sarles, of New Albany, Indi- ana ; Sherman L., the subject of this sketch ; Harry E., of Brookston, Indiana. The subject's paternal grandfather Keach was a pioneer minister of the Meth- odist church, riding the long and oftimes tiresome circuit through eastern Kentucky and Virginia. Mr. Keach's great-grandfather, Jordan, on the ma- ternal side, was one of the fifteen survivors of the Chicago massacre.
Sherman L. Keach received his elementary education in the public schools at New Albany and in boyhood was employed for about four years in a lum- ber yard at that place. He took a course in the New Albany Business College, from which he graduated, and then took up the study of telegraphy, after which he accepted employment with the Monon railroad. He was with this company for three years, two years of this time at New Albany, but prior to this was employed at different times on all the divisions of the road but one. For a time he was in the employ of various railroads in the West, South and Southwest and in old Mexico. Returning to New Albany, he entered the serv- ice of the Louisville, St. Louis and Texas road, afterward becoming an em- ploye of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern road. and for four years was in the freight office at Louisville, coming to Bedford as their local agent in 1894, and remaining here in that capacity for ten years. For about one year he was in the employ of Perry, Matthews & Buskirk Stone Company, now known as the Indiana Quarries Company, of Bedford, and then served as chief clerk in the local freight office of the Southern Indiana railroad for about the same length of time, from whence he returned to the Baltimore & Ohio South- western. He was a faithful employe of all the companies for whom he worked and at all times enjoyed the fullest measure of confidence and regard among his superiors. Mr. Keach was prominent in local public affairs and in 1904 served as county chairman of the Republican central committee of Lawrence county, rendering efficient and effective service in behalf of the party that year. On January 29, 1906, he received from President Roosevelt a com- mission as postmaster at Bedford and in 1910 was reappointed by President Taft, his commission running until 1914. He has given to the discharge of his duties as postmaster the same careful attention that characterized him in all his other employment and his administration has been satisfactory, both to the department and to the patrons of the office. Mr. Keach is a director in the Stone City Bank and a director and secretary of the new Home Sav- ings and Loan Association, of Bedford. He is a good business man, his judgment and sagacity being held in high value by his business associates. In the broadest sense of the phrase, he is a self-made man and is entitled to a
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large measure of credit for the success which he has gained in the affairs of life.
Mr. Keach has been married twice, first on October 31, 1891, to Jessie Brown, of New Albany, whose death occurred on October 31, 1895. To them were born two children, Kenneth S. and Howard L. On January 20, 1897, Mr. Keach married Addie Wilder, of Bedford, Indiana, the daughter of Austin N. Wilder, and to this union were born four children : Morris W., deceased; Emily Catherine, Edith Elizabeth and Gordon L.
Fraternally, Mr. Keach is a member of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica and served as venerable consul of Camp No 4033, Bedford, for about ten years. He is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to all of the bodies in Bedford and is a past master of Bedford Lodge No. 14; past high priest of Hacker Chapter No. 24, Royal Arch Masons ; past eminent commander of Bedford Commandery No. 42, Knights Templar ; past worthy patron of Bed- ford Chapter No. 129, Order of the Eastern Star, and is a member of Coun- cil No. 62, Royal and Select Masters. Religiously, he is a member of the First Christian church, of which he is a deacon and now serving as chairman of the board of trustees.
JOSEPH T. DILLEY.
It can not be other than interesting to note in the series of personal sketches appearing in this work the varying conditions that have compassed those whose careers are outlined, and the effort has been made in each case to throw well focused light on to the individuality and to bring into proper per- spective the scheme of each respective career. Each man who strives to ful- fill his part in connection with human life and human activities is deserving of recognition, whatever may be his field of endeavor, and it is the function of works of this nature to perpetuate for future generations an authentic record concerning those represented in its pages, and the value of such publications is certain to be cumulative for all time to come, showing forth the individual and specific accomplishments of which generic history is ever engendered.
Joseph T. Dilley was born on May 11, 1852, in Bono township, Indiana, and is a son of Uriah and Annie (Fordyce) Dilley, the former born in Ken- tucky in 1802, and the latter a native of Clark county, Indiana. The sub- ject's paternal grandfather, Stephen Dilley, was a native of the state of Vir- ginia, who later located in Kentucky. A year later he located in Bedford county, Kentucky, and eventually came to Lawrence county, Indiana, locating
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