USA > Indiana > Lawrence County > History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions > Part 59
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions > Part 59
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in Bono township, where he conducted farming operations and also followed his trade which was that of a cooper, one of the most important and useful trades in the early life of the community. He was well known throughout this locality and held a high place in the confidence of all who knew him. Uriah Dilley received but a limited education, his studies being confined to the subscription schools of that early period. He was reared on the home farm and followed agricultural pursuits and the raising of live stock during the greater part of his life and was also for a time engaged in the mercantile business at Bono. He died in 1858, and his wife in 1875, at the age of sixty- six years. Uriah Dilley was one of the first county commissioners of Law- rence county and was active in political affairs as a Whig. He and his wife were members of the old Hard-shell Baptist church at Talbott's graveyard, in which they took an active part. Their children were as follows: Salina, deceased: Oliver, who died in young manhood; Stephen also died young; John R., who died at the age of thirty-three years; Uriah M., who lives on the old home place; Anna, the widow of George Shipley, lives with her children; Joseph T., the subject of this sketch, and Charles, a farmer in Bradley county, Arkansas.
Joseph T. Dilley received his education in the public schools of his native county and remained on the paternal homestead until 1877, when he engaged in the lumber and saw-mill business at Lawrenceport, Indiana, which occu- pied his attention for about ten years. He then came to Mitchell and en- gaged in the grocery business, which has since commanded his attention. By courteous treatment of his customers and strict integrity in all his business dealings he has not only gained the confidence of the people but has built up a large and profitable business, being numbered among the enterprising and progressive merchants of this enterprising town. He was postmaster at Mitchell for four years and in 1909 he was elected mayor of the town, in which position he has discharged his duties to the entire satisfaction of his fel- low citizens.
Mr. Dilley is a Democrat in his political views and takes a deep interest in political affairs. He was trustee of Bono township for four years. earning the commendation of all who were familiar with his discharge of his official duties. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men, while, religiously, he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, in the prosperity of which they are deeply interested and to which they contribute of their means.
Mr. Dilley married Margaret Neideriffer, of Bono township, Lawrence county, Indiana, who died in 1878, and subsequently he married Susan Guth-
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rie, of Leesville, this county, whose death occurred on June 28, 1913. To the first union were born the following children : Lydia, wife of Frank Bookster, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: Mary, who died young; Luhu, the wife of Frank Donica, of Des Moines. Iowa; John died young. To the subject's second union no children were born. By the exercise of sound business prin- ciples and by being energetic at all times, Mr. Dilley has forged to the front in spite of all obstacles and is today one of the most deserving and worthy business men of the county, where he is held in high esteem by all classes, because of his honesty of purpose, his industry, genuine worth, courtesy of manner and his public spirit.
THALUS MADISON WILCOX.
A review of the life of the honored and lamented subject of this sketch must of necessity be brief and general in its character. To enter fully into the interesting details of his career. touching the struggles of his early manhood and successes of later days, would far transcend the limits of this article. He filled a large place in the ranks of the enterprising and public-spirited men of his day and generation and the luster of his deeds and the memories which attach to his name and character form no inconsiderable chapter in the his- tory of the community where he did his work and achieved his success. Suf- ficient is submitted, we believe, to prove him entitled to the honorable posi- tion he long occupied among the brave and energetic self-made men of In- diana, who by enterprise and unswerving integrity forged to the front despite all opposition and won for the grand old Hoosier commonwealth a place sec- ond to none other in the bright constellation comprising the Union of Amer- ican states. That he did his part nobly and well can not be gainsaid, and, though dead, he yet speaketh in the work which he accomplished and in the many kindly deeds and wholesome influence which not only his friends, but the community as well, prize as a grateful heritage.
T. M. Wilcox, who for many years was numbered among the successful and enterprising business men of Lawrence county, Indiana, was born in Washington county, this state, and was the son of Hiram and Julia (Clark) Wilcox, natives of Vermont. These parents came to Indiana, locating at Bono in an early day, and there Hiram Wilcox became a successful merchant and farmer. He enjoyed a wide acquaintance throughout the county and was highly respected by all who knew him. He and his wife both died at Bono.
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To them were born the following children : Mary, Alonzo; Asher S., who is mentioned at length elsewhere in this work : Melvinia, Solon, Ambrus and T. M., the immediate subject of this sketch.
T. M. Wilcox was indebted to the common schools for his education, which may be presumed to have been somewhat limited, for in those early days school methods and equipments were both somewhat primitive as com- pared with present-day conditions, but during the subsequent years he lib- erally supplemented his school training by much reading and habits of close observation. He was reared at the paternal homestead in Washington coun- ty, Indiana, and upon attaining maturity followed the vocation of his father, that of farming, with which he combined stock raising and trading, also was engaged in the mill business. Eventually he came to Tunnelton, Lawrence county, Indiana, and became associated with his brother, Asher S., in the store and mill business, the former becoming one of the most important mer- cantile enterprises in Lawrence county, and with these concerns Mr. Wilcox was closely identified up to the time of his death, which occurred on January 12, 1900. He was a man of good business ability, sound discretion and abso- lute integrity, factors which contributed in a large degree to the splendid suc- cess which characterized all his efforts. During all his active years his career was characterized by duty well performed, by faithfulness to every trust re- posed in him, by industry, thrift and wisely directed effort, which resulted in the acquisition of a liberal share of this world's goods, besides earning a repu- tation which was never tarnished by the commission of a single unworthy act.
On May 18, 1899, Mr. Wilcox married Susie Huddleston, the daughter of Lewis Huddleston, a native of North Carolina, where he was reared. In young manhood Mr. Huddleston went to New Albany, Indiana, where for several years he ran a boat, later locating in Washington county, Indiana, where he took up farming, which he conducted with marked success. He mar- ried Virginia Click, a native of Virginia, and after their marriage located on Major Craven's farm, where they lived for twenty-one years, he being en- gaged in farming. They are both now deceased They were faithful mem- bers of the Christian church and attained to a high standing in the opinion of all who knew them. They were the parents of three children: Susie (Mrs. Wilcox), Henry, a boiler-maker of Indianapolis. Indiana, and William T., postmaster and merchant at Tunnelton, this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Wil- cox were born the following children : Ida, who died at the age of ten years ; Ella, the wife of Dr. H. J. Matlock, of Tunnelton : Asher S., who died at the age of twenty years; William, a farmer in Guthrie township, who married Josie Whicker : Oren, at home, and Gretchen, who died on December 16, 1909.
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After her husband's death Mrs. Wilcox moved to Mitchell, where she now resides in a beautiful and attractive home and where she graciously entertains her many friends. She is successfully managing the estate left by her husband, which, besides his business interests in Tunnelton, comprise some valuable farm property in Bono and Guthrie townships, in the operation of which she exhibits a business tact and ability of high degree. She has also bought a farm of forty acres in Guthrie township, which she has given to her son, William. Her early business training was received years ago when, because of the ill health of her father and mother, she, being the oldest child in the family, was compelled to look after their business affairs and also superintended the rearing of the other children. She is a woman of kindly sympathies and womanly graces and in the community where she lives she enjoys marked popularity in the circles in which she moves. Mr. Wilcox possessed to a marked degree those qualities of character which win friends and he was successful always in retaining the friends he made, so that for years he was numbered among the most popular citizens of his community. He was recognized as a man of strong and alert mentality, deeply interested in everything pertaining to the advancement of the community along material, civic and moral lines, and for years he was recognized as one of the progres- sive and representative men of his city and county. He was a man whom to know was to respect and admire because of his sterling qualities of character and upright life.
J. D. SHOWERS.
A review of the life of the honored subject of this biographical sketch must of necessity be brief and general in its character. To enter fully into the interesting details of the career of Mr. Showers, touching the earnest and persistent efforts of his earlier years and successes of later days, would far transcend the limits of this article. He has filled a large place in the ranks of the enterprising and public-spirited men of his day and has been an impor- tant factor in the growth and development of the city's industrial and com- mercial interests. He is a representative of that sterling type of the world's workers who have furnished much of the bone and sinew of the country and added to the stability of our country and its institutions. And yet, in spite of the multitudinous activities of his life, he never allowed the pursuit of wealth to warp his kindly nature, but has preserved his faculties and the warmth of his heart for the broadening and helpful influence of human life, being a kindly, genial friend and gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet.
& D Showers
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J. D. Showers was born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, on July 11, 1841, and is the son of Charles C. and Elizabeth (Hull) Showers, both of whom were born at Coudersport, Pennsylvania. In an early day these parents came West, settling in Allen county, Indiana, where the father followed his trade of cabinet-maker, also working in various towns in Illinois, Iowa, Ohio and other states. In 1856 he came to Bloomington, Indiana, and continued to work at his trade until 1862, when, having succeeded in getting some ma- chinery together, he started, in a small way, the manufacture of furniture. In this modest way was started the great Showers furniture factory, which has been developed by his sons until it is now the largest factory of its kind in the world. More than fifteen acres of floor space are utilized in this great plant, where more than twelve hundred men are employed, with a constant demand for several hundred more. In the year 1866 the subject of this sketch and his brother, William N. Showers, bought out their father's interest in the plant and from that time they made successive enlargements of the fac- tory until 1904. In that year J. D. Showers sold his interest in the business to his brother, who is now the head of the business, and since that time the subject has lived a more retired life, though not entirely relinquishing his interest in business affairs. He is president of the Citizens Loan and Trust Company, of which he was one of the organizers and to his active efforts and personal influence has been to a large extent due the splendid success which has characterized the institution. The last financial statement issued by this bank was as follows: Resources-Loans and discounts, $295, 183.15; over- drafts, $1,293.07'; bonds and stocks, $30,488.62; furniture and fixtures, $2,465.02 ; advances to estates and trusts, $400.87 ; due from departments, $264.27; due from banks and trust companies, $137,397.01 ; cash on hand, $23,940.00; cash items, $2,883.57; current expenses, $1,108.27; taxes and interest paid, $4,608.83; total, $500,032.68. Liabilities-Capital stock, $55,000.00 ; surplus, $12,000.00; undivided profits, $13,800.84; interest, dis- count and other earnings, $7,281.42; demand deposits, except banks, $232,- 722.16; time deposits, $179,228.26; total, $500,032.68. The officers of the company are as follows : J. D. Showers, president ; Roy O. Pike, cashier ; S. O. Harrell, assistant cashier ; directors, J. D. Showers, Ira C. Batman, W. S. Bradfute, W. T. Hicks, W. N. Showers, Fred Matthews and Roy O. Pike. The Citizens Loan and Trust Company is one of the strong and influential financial institutions of southeastern Indiana and has been an important factor in the business prosperity of Bloomington and vicinity.
Politically, a life-long Republican, Mr. Showers cast his first presi- (39)
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dential vote for Abraham Lincoln and has always been an uncompromising supporter of his party, believing that the party's record in the past and her present position on the great issues of the day entitle it to the support of the people. Though not himself an office seeker, in the commonly accepted meaning of that term, he has rendered efficient and appreciated service to his city as a member of the city council, where he was retained for fourteen years, while for seventeen years he served as a member of the city school board. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has attained to the degrees of the Royal Arch. His religious membership is with the Methodist Episcopal church, in the prosperity of which he is deeply interested, con- tributing liberally to its support.
J. D. Showers has been twice married, first, in 1864, to Loretta Claypool Fish, and in 1865 to Belle Allen, who was a native of Floyd county, Indiana. To the second union were born three children, namely: Martha, deceased; Charles, deceased; Maude E., who became the wife of Doctor Myers, who is connected with the medical department of the State University, but who has a branch office at Indianapolis, where he has the advantage of the hospital equipments.
Although modest and unassuming and always easily approached, Mr. Showers possesses a strong and vigorous personality and, in the best sense of the term, is a leader of men and well fitted to manage important enterprises. He resides in a pleasant and attractive home on Walnut street, where the spirit of old-time hospitality is ever in evidence. A wide reader and a close observer of men and events, Mr. Showers is a well informed man and a most interesting conversationalist and companion. He enjoys a large acquaint- ance and is well liked by all who know him.
BURT G. HOADLEY.
The stone industry, to which the major part of the business life of Burt G. Hoadley, one of the well known and popular citizens of Monroe county, has been devoted, is one of the most important and extensive industries in Monroe county and one which has to a notable extent contributed to the growth and development of this section of the state. Mr. Hoadley's name is well known in his community, where other members of the family have also been connected with business life, the family being numbered among the
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leading families of the locality. Mr. Hoadley has spent practically his entire life here and he has honestly earned not only the splendid material success which has rewarded his efforts, but that which is of far more value, the con- fidence and regard of the people with whom he has mingled from boyhood.
Burt G. Hoadley was born on September 21, 1876, and is a son of John and Mary E. (York) Hoadley, the father being a native of England and the mother of Ohio. At the age of twelve years John Hoadley came to the United States, where he secured his education and then learned the trade of a machinist, at which he was employed at New Albany, Indiana. After re- siding at the latter place for four or five years, he came to Monroe county and became a pioneer in the stone business, for which this section of the state has become so justly famous. In 1876 he opened a quarry on Big creek, in the operation of which he met with success, and later he took his son Albert in as a partner, and still later the subject of this sketch, who, since the retire- ment of his father and the death of his brother, has entire charge and control of the business. Sawed and block stone, as well as finished product, are turned out and the output of the Hoadley quarry and plant has long stood in high favor among builders and contractors, the product being shipped to various sections of the country, even to distant points. To John and Mary Hoadley were born seven children, namely : Belle, Albert and Elmer are all deceased, and Albert is referred to specifically elsewhere in this work: Minnie, Rose, John and Burt G. The mother of these children is now deceased.
Burt G. Hoadley is indebted to the public schools for his educational train- ing, on the completion of which he became interested with his father and brother in the stone business, to which he has since devoted himself continu- ously. As before stated, he now controls the quarry and plant and is meeting with splendid success. He thoroughly understands every phase of the stone business and, because of this fact and his sound business principles and shrewd common sense, he has realized large rewards for his efforts, being now num- bered among the leaders in his line in this community.
In 1897 Mr. Hoadley was united in marriage with Katherine E. Keene, the daughter of William and Jennie Keene, who were early settlers in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoadley have been born four children, namely : John, Katherine, Robert and Ruth.
Politically, Mr. Hoadley occupies an independent attitude, preferring, especially in local elections, to vote for the men and policies which he believes to be for the best interests of the people. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is an earnest supporter and to which he contributes liberally of his means. His fraternal relations are with the
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Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has attained the degrees of the Scot- tish rite up to and including the thirty-second. He is also a noble of the Mystic Shrine, belonging to Murat Temple, at Indianapolis. A man of integ- rity and honor, he has been unswerving in his support of all that makes for the good of the community along all lines, and he is deservedly held in the highest regard by all who know him.
ELBERT J. STALKER.
The name of Stalker has been for many years an honored and respected one in Lawrence county, and the gentleman of that name who is the imme- diate subject of this sketch is richly deserving of the universal respect and esteem which is accorded him in the community in which he lives. He is being numbered among the progressive and enterprising citizens of the county, and he has also been accorded definite recognition in the political circles of the county, being now the clerk of the court, in which position he is rendering efficient and satisfactory service.
Elbert J. Stalker was born in Bedford, Lawrence county, Indiana, on October 5, 1865, in a house which is still standing on Fourteenth street, and he is the son of Rev. John McLean Stalker and Harriett (Jeter) Stalker. The father was born four miles east of Salem, Washington county, Indiana, in February, 1828, and the mother is a native of Bedford. Rev. John M. Stalker graduated from Hanover College about 1852 and two years later came to Bed- ford, where he engaged in teaching school, which vocation he followed for eighteen consecutive years. His first engagement was as a subscription school teacher, though later he was engaged as an instructor in the academy. He was a man of marked intellectual attainments and educational ability and was elected county superintendent of schools of Lawrence county, in which he rendered very efficient service. In 1872 Mr. Stalker was elected clerk of Law- rence county on the Republican ticket and so satisfactory was his service that he was elected to succeed himself, thus serving two terms. He was also engaged as a teacher at Mitchell and Leesville. Upon the expiration of his official term as clerk he was appointed master commissioner, now known as probate judge, by Judge Pearson, of this county, and served in this position for several years. He then became secretary of the Bedford Building & Loan Association, which position he held at the time of his death. He was a man of good business judgment and splendid executive ability and much of the
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success of this association was directly attributable to his ability and personal efforts. He was an ordained minister in the Baptist church and during all these strenuous years after coming to Bedford he was the regular preacher in the Baptist church of this city and also preached in the country churches of the county. He took a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community, especially regarding educational matters, and served at one time as a member of the Bedford school board. His death occurred on June 15, 1896, at the age of sixty-eight years, and he is survived by his widow, who now lives in Bedford. To them were born four children, namely : Elizabeth E., the wife of James H. McCracken, of Bedford; Mary D., the wife of O. H. Longwell, of Des Moines, Iowa, where he is president of Highland Park College : Francis M., who is a professor in the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute, and Elbert J., the immediate subject of this sketch.
Elbert J. Stalker received his elementary education in the public schools of Bedford, graduating from the high school in 1884. In that same year he entered Franklin College, remaining there two years, and in 1886 became a student in Indiana University at Bloomington, where he was graduated in 1888. He then taught for one year in the high school at Salem, Indiana, and later became bookkeeper in the Stone City Bank at Bedford, later filling the same position in the Citizens National Bank until 1908, when he was nominated on the Republican ticket and elected county clerk of Lawrence county by a majority of five hundred and twenty-five. In 1912 he was again the nominee of his party for the clerkship, but, owing to the Bull Moose defection from the party, he was defeated by fifty-one votes. His time expires on January I, 1914, when he expects to retire to his splendid farm located two miles east of Bedford. During his official term, Mr. Stalker has formed a large acquaint- ance throughout Lawrence county, and wherever known he enjoys the high regard of all who come into contact with him because of his high personal qualities of character and his genial disposition, and he will retire from the office with the commendation and good will of all who have had official deal- ings with him.
On April 26, 1893, Mr. Stalker was married to Anna June Todd, the daughter of Capt. A. J. and Mollie ( Bostick) Todd, of Bedford. She was born in Campbellsburg, Orange county, Indiana, and is a lady of many fine qualities of character, being popular in the social circles in which she moves. To this union have been born three children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows : Donald T., born May 29, 1894: John M., November 26, 1901 ; Marjorie J., June 10, 1912.
Socially, Mr. Stalker is a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, while,
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religiously, he is a member of the Baptist church of Bedford, of which he is a deacon. He takes a deep interest in the civic affairs of the community and is a member of the county board of charities. In every phase of life's activities in which he has engaged he has proven himself a man among men and has earned the high position which he now enjoys in the community where his entire life has been spent.
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