USA > Indiana > Lawrence County > History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions > Part 64
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions > Part 64
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On April 25. 1906, Doctor Carey married Constance M. Beddoe, of Bedford, Indiana, a daughter of Arthur Beddoe, who was formerly mayor of Washington, Indiana. To this union has been born one child, Alice I.
NOYES E. STROUT.
From far-off Maine has come to us one of our enterprising and worthy citizens, Noyes E. Strout, of Bedford, Indiana, who, since casting his lot with the people of Lawrence county, has benefited alike himself and the com- munity in general, for his record shows him to be an honorable, upright man, industrious, temperate, economical and in every way exemplary in his daily life and conduct. As a factor of the body politic he has performed well his every duty and no one questions his standing in this favored locality of the commonwealth of Indiana.
Noyes E. Strout was born in Cumberland county, Maine, on June I, 1838, and is the son of Ezekiel and Betsy ( Anderson) Strout, both of whom also were natives of the old Pine Tree state, where the father was engaged in general farming. They were the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters, besides whom the subject had two half sisters. Noyes E. Strout secured his education in the common schools of his native state and at the age of twenty years came to Indiana. and entered the employ of the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad as a passenger brakeman, re- maining in that employment two years. He then entered the employ of the Adams Express Company, with whom he remained until his retirement a few years ago and now makes his home at Bedford, where he enjoys the
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confidence and respect of all who know him. He is the owner of several splendid rental properties here, also of a small tract of land on the outskirts of the city. His home in Bedford is a very pleasing and attractive residence and here the genuine spirit of old-time hospitality is always in evidence.
In 1866 Mr. Strout married Elizabeth Vestal, the daughter of John and Bessie (Cook) Vestal, natives respectively of North Carolina and Richland, Kentucky. To Mr. and Mrs. Strout have been born seven children, four sons and three daughters, namely: John V., who is engaged in the auto garage business in Bedford, is married and has three children; Stewart E., who lives in Bedford, is yardmaster for the Monon Railroad Company, is married and is the father of four daughters: Fred N., of Bedford, is a machinist by pro- fession ; Albert F., deceased; Mrs. Cora Bishop lives in Bedford and is the mother of three children; Mary H. is single and lives at home with her par- ents. The subject is also the grandfather of ten grandchildren, who bear the following names: Vestal, Mildred, Lydia, Elizabeth, Noyes, Stephanie and Charles Strout, and Noyes S., Henry B. and Elizabeth Bishop.
Politically, Mr. Strout was formerly a Republican, but now he gives his support to the Progressive movement, while, fraternally, he is a member of Lodge No. 137, Knights of Pythias, at Bedford, in the workings of which he takes a deep interest. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, to which he contributes liberally of his means, and he takes a deep and intelligent interest in every local movement for the advancement of the best interests of his fellow citizens, morally, socially or educationally. He is a man of social tendencies, kind. obliging. unassuming and straightforward and honorable in all the relations of life and he is universally respected and popular.
MORRELL SIMPSON, M. D.
Success in what are popularly termed the learned professions is the legitimate result of merit and painstaking endeavor. In commercial life one may come into possession of a lucrative business through inheritance or gift, but professional advancement is gained only by critical study and consecutive research long continued. Proper intellectual discipline, 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 and surgeons in a community long distinguished for the high order of its medical talent.
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Dr. Morrell Simpson, whose standing among the professional men of Bedford is undisputed, is a native of the county in which he now resides, hav- ing been born at Tunnelton on March 12, 1882. He is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth J. (Clendennin) Simpson, both of whom are natives also of Law- rence county. The subject's paternal grandfather Simpson, who was a na- tive of Kentucky, came to Indiana in an early day, settling in Lawrence county, where he became a man of prominence and usefulness in the com- munity. The subject's father, who is now retired from active business, re- sides in Bedford. He was twice married, first to a Miss Runnels, by whom he had three children. To his union with Elizabeth Clendennin were born four children, of whom three are surviving, namely: Dora, the wife of Logan Smith, of Bedford; Miss Silva, and the subject of this sketch. The mother of these children is still living.
Morrell Simpson was reared in his home county, the first two years of his life having been spent in Tunnelton, from whence the family removed to Harrodsburg. Indiana, and thence to Guthrie, this county, from which place they later located near Heltonville and finally came to Bedford, where the family has since resided. The subject received his education in the com- mon schools and two summer terms at Central Normal College at Danville, Indiana, where he prepared himself for the vocation of teaching. He taught five terms in the common schools of this county and attained an enviable reputation as an educator. Having determined to make the profession of medicine his life work, he entered the Hospital College of Medicine at Louis- ville, Kentucky, in 1903, where he was graduated in 1907 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He immediately returned to Bedford and entered into a professional partnership with Dr. J. T. Freeland, under the firm name of Freeland & Simpson, and he has since been engaged here in the general prac- tice of medicine and surgery, in which he has enjoyed a large measure of success and has been eminently successful in his efforts. He is a member of the Lawrence County Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
In September, 1908, Doctor Simpson married Nellie Hunter, the daugh- ter of Oliver P. and Flora (Gregory) Hunter, of Bedford, she having been born and reared in this county, though her parents were born and reared at Heltonville. Both are living, the father being an active and successful car- penter.
Politically, Doctor Simpson is a Progressive and takes an ardent inter- est in public affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, be- longing to Lodge No. 14 at Bedford, as well as the Knights of Pythias, the
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Tribe of Ben Hur and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Re- ligiously, he and his wife are members of the Christian church at Bedford, of which they are regular attendants and to which they contribute liberally. Genial and unassuming in manner, the Doctor easily makes friends, and in the community where he has spent his life he enjoys a marked popularity.
WILLIAM O. BLAKELY.
Holding prestige among the successful business men of today, the sub- ject of this review has had much to do in advancing the material interests of Bloomington, Indiana, and making it one of the commercial centers of the state. The study of such a life can not fail of interest and incentive, as he is distinctly representative in his sphere of activity and has contributed in no small measure to the prosperity of the city which is his home and field of operation, at the same time establishing a lasting reputation for honor and integrity.
William O. Blakely, who for a number of years has been numbered among the successful merchants of Bloomington, is a native of the county in which he now resides and was born on November 13, 1854. His parents were William and Elizabeth ( Hall) Blakely, both natives of Kentucky, who came to Monroe county in 1832 and both are now deceased. During his active years the subject's father was a successful farmer and by his earnest efforts and high character he won an exalted place in the opinion of those who knew him. To him and his wife were born six children: Mary, William O., Flor- ence, deceased; Horace, Estella, and Thomas, deceased.
William O. Blakely attended the common schools, where he secured a good practical education and was reared on his father's farm, devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits until twenty-eight years of age, when he moved to Kansas. There he was likewise engaged in farming operations for three years and then for a like period was employed as a clerk in a store. In 1895 Mr. Blakely returned to Monroe county and during the following five years was employed in a clerical capacity, in which he rendered faithful serv- ice to his employer. In 1900 Mr. Blakely engaged in business on his own ac- count, opening a grocery store in which his success was established from the beginning. His career has been marked by ability of a high order and the courtesy which he has extended to his customers and other commendable personal qualities have gained for him not only a large business patronage. but also the confidence and good will of all who have had dealings with him.
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On November 4, 1880, Mr. Blakely was married to Mary Elizabeth Field, the daughter of Moses and Mary (Scott) Field, and to them have been born two children, Raymond and Charles.
Politically, Mr. Blakely was formerly an earnest supporter of the Re- publican party, but in 1912 he cast his lot with the Progressive branch of that party, with which he is now allied. Religiously, he has been for many years a member of the Christian church, to which he gives earnest support, while, fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Tribe of Ben-Hur. Mr. Blakely is a man who would win his way in any locality where fate might place him, for he has sound judgment, coupled with great energy and business tact, together with upright principles, all of which make for success wherever and whenever they are persistently applied. He and his wife move in the best social circles of the city and throughout their large circle of acquaintances they are held in the highest regard because of their genial disposition and sterling personal qualities.
ALBERT T. HOADLEY.
This biographical memoir has to do with a character of unusual force and eminence, for Albert T. Hoadley, whose life chapter has been closed by the fate that awaits mankind, was for a long lapse of years one of the promi- nent citizens of Bloomington, although he was summoned to close his earthly accounts while still in the zenith of his power. While he carried on a special line of business in such a manner as to gain a comfortable competence for himself, he also belonged to that class of representative men of affairs who promote the public welfare while advancing individual success. There were in him sterling traits which commanded uniform confidence and regard, and his memory is today honored by all who knew him and is enshrined in the hearts of his many friends.
Albert T. Hoadley was born at Mt. Tabor, Monroe county, Indiana, on July 12, 1860, and his death occurred at his home in Stinesville on July 27, 1912. He was the son of John and Mary E. (York) Hoadley, the father a native of England and the mother born in the state of Ohio. John Hoadley came to America at the age of twelve years and here learned the trade of machinist. He was employed at this occupation at New Albany, Indiana, for four or five years, at the end of which period he came to Monroe county, and here lie became identified with the stone business, in which he was a pioneer.
A. G. tradley
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Opening up a quarry on Big creek in 1876, he there carried on his operations successfully until turning the business over to his son, the subject of this sketch. He is now retired from active business pursuits. To him and his wife were born the following children : Belle, Albert and Elmer are deceased ; Minnie, Rose, John and Burt G., the latter being referred to specifically else- where in this work.
Albert T. Hoadley was reared under the parental roof and secured his education in the common schools. On attaining mature years Mr. Hoadley engaged in the stone business, becoming a partner with his father, and event- ually the youngest brother, Burt G., was taken into the firm. Mr. Hoadley first gave his attention to the making of monuments, but subsequently opened a mill for sawing and finishing stone, and eventually buying a quarry. Ener- getic and indefatigable in his efforts, he built up a large business and gained a splendid reputation as a man of good business judgment, his reputation being still further enhanced by a life lived along the highest planes of endeavor, his actions being prompted and controlled by the highest motives, so that at all times he enjoyed the unqualified confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.
Mr. Hoadley was twice married, first, in 1885, to Myrtle Franklin, the daughter of James Franklin, and to them were born three children: Wilder, born July 24, 1899, died June 30, 1890; Roy, born June 2, 1891, died Decem- ber 22, 1892; Mary E., born June 21, 1893, who became the wife of Guy West, of Stinesville. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Hoadley was, on March 31, 1895, married to Anna Ferris, the daughter of Henry and Eliza- beth ( Austin ) Ferris, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Kentucky. Mr. Ferris came from his native state to Indiana, meeting his future wife at Madison, where their marriage occurred, after which they lo- cated at Worthington, Indiana. He was a plasterer by trade all his life and was held in high repute in the locality where he lived. He and his wife are both now deceased. They were the parents of five children, namely: Alfred, Laura, Agnes (deceased), Ann and Hettie. To the subject's second union has been born one child, Maud Agnes, born March 3, 1896, who is the wife . of Rogers A. Lee, of Bloomington. Mrs. Hoadley is a lady of many gracious qualities of head and heart, who has gained and retains a warm place in the hearts of all who know her.
Politically, Mr. Hoadley was a stanch supporter of the Republican party, but never sought office. Religiously, he was an earnest and faithful member of the Baptist church, in the various activities of which he took a prominent (42)
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part, having been a deacon in that society for many years. His life history exhibits a career of unswerving integrity, indefatigable industry and whole- some social relations-the record of a well balanced mental and moral consti- tution, strongly marked by those traits of character which are of special value in such a state of society as exists in this country. Personally, Mr. Hoadley was a man of clean character and of genial impulses, so that he, unconsciously perhaps and without effort, made friends of all who came into contact with him. The world needs such men and his death was a distinct loss to the com- munity in which he had lived.
HARMONY CHURCH.
Harmony church is located seven miles southwest of Bloomington on the Stanford pike, at the seat of the early communistic society known as Harmony, from which it took its name. It had its beginning almost as early as the state. It had for its purpose a union on the Bible, with every thing human eliminated and for its bond of union, "Where the Bible speaks we speak, and where the Bible is silent we are silent." Where it held its meetings in its early existence is unknown to the writer, but in the early thirties the neighborhood (the church and the neighborhood at that time being almost identical), by voluntary contributions of labor and money, built a substantial structure about twenty-four by fifty feet of hewed oak logs, with a movable partition, the north part for school purposes and the south part for worship. the whole thrown together on occasions. It was situated on the ground occu- pied by the present frame structure. About 1868, it was razed and the pres- ent structure built in its stead. Its membership was of the most substantial element from the first. Among its members were the Berrys and Givens, eight or ten families. Among its elders and leaders were Conrad Kern, Streat Cox, D. C. Smith, William Roseberry, William Sadler, and among its preachers Eliza Goodwin, James Mathes, W. F. Treat, James Blankenship. It suffered greatly by removals, and while still in existence is only the wreck of its former self. The Church of Christ, meeting on the corner of Lincoln and Fourth street, had its origin in a withdrawal from the Kirkwood Avenue Christian church in the year 1877. The majority of said church wishing to widen the principles above mentioned in connection with the Harmony church, was the cause of the division. The withdrawing party was led by Ellis Sluss. L. B. Bray and Thomas Williams, three of the elders, who also
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served as elders in the new congregation. A few years later it built a frame house on the corner of Seventh and Morton. In 1910 the present stone building, on the corner of Fourth and Lincoln, was completed. The present elders, mentioned in order of age, are Dudley F. Smith, James Lowder, H. H. Adamson, James Thrasher. The congregation numbers between two and three hundred members, and is in good working condition.
WV. T. BREEDEN.
One of the influential citizens of Bloomington is the gentleman to whose career the attention of the reader is now directed, who is ranked with the city's leading merchants and representative citizens. A man of excellent endowments and upright character, he has been a valued factor in local af- fairs and has ever commanded unequivocal confidence and esteem, being loyal to the upbuilding of his community and ever vigilant in his efforts to further the interests of his city along material, moral and civic lines.
W. T. Breeden is a native of the grand old state of Indiana, having been born in Greene county on the 7th day of July, 1855. He is the son of J. T. and Emily (Edwards) Breeden, the former of whom was a native of Maryland, but who came to Indiana in 1834. He was a farmer by vocation during his active years and now, at the advanced age of eighty years, though retired from active labor, he is still residing on his farm in Greene county, and is highly respected in the community where he lives.
The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of Monroe and Greene counties and completed his educational training at Valparaiso Univer- sity, where he pursued the scientific course for three years. He engaged in teaching school and during six winters he thus defrayed the cost of his edu- cational expense. In 1880 Mr. Breeden went to Eldorado, Kansas, where for a year he was engaged in the operation of a bakery and restaurant, but at the end of that time he came to Bloomington and opened a store on the west side of the public square. Two years later he disposed of his mercantile interests and went on the road as a traveling salesman for the Carter Brothers Dry Goods Company, of Louisville, Kentucky. Two years later, in 1888, he bought and opened his present store (having continued on the road until 1893), starting first in a modest way, but as business increased he expanded his store, both in size and amount of stock, until he is now the owner of one of the largest department stores in Bloomington, the business being run under the firm name of Breeden & Co. About eighteen clerks are employed the year
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round and the stock carried is one of the largest and most complete in this line to be found in any city the size of Bloomington. Courtesy and an evident desire to please all who have patronized the store have been the strongest elements in the success which has accompanied Mr. Breeden's efforts and he has at all times enjoyed the full confidence of all who have done business with him.
In 1880 Mr. Breeden married Mary H. Baker, the daughter of W. B. and Harriett (Denny) Baker, the former of whom was for many years en- gaged in the mercantile business at Stanford, Indiana, but is now retired and living in Bloomington. To Mr. and Mrs. Breeden have been born four chil- dren, two of whom are deceased; Carl, who is interested in the depart- ment store business with his father, and Carrie, who is at home.
Politically, Mr. Breeden is an earnest supporter of the Republican party, but his business interests have precluded his taking an active part in political affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, while his re- ligions belief is embodied in the creed of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a faithful attendant and to which he contributes liberally of his means. Mr. Breeden is regarded as a good business man, an excellent man- ager, and a man who possesses sound judgment and foresight and who be- lieves in ever pressing forward so that his success is but the legitimate result of the efforts which he has put forth. He enjoys the respect and esteem of those who know him for his friendly manner, business ability, his interest in public affairs and his upright living, and he is regarded by all as one of the substantial and worthy citizens of the city honored by his residence.
ROLLA F. WALKER.
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 possi- ble, 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 qualities which have made Mr. Walker one of the prominent and successful men of Bloomington have also brought him the esteem of his fellow towns- men, for his career has been one of well-directed energy, strong determination and honorable methods.
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The present efficient and popular trustee of Bloomington township, Mon- roe county, Indiana, was born in Bloomington on May 23, 1861, and is the son of John F. and Sarah (Green) Walker, the father a native of Kentucky and the mother of Lawrence county, Indiana. The father was a man of enter- prise and industry and, as publisher of the Bloomington Republican, he wield- ed a wide influence in this community for many years. He and his wife are both deceased. The subject of this sketch received a common school educa- tion, after which he entered the employ of Showers Brothers, with whom he remained for twenty-eight years. He was employed in practically all depart- ments of their business and enjoyed the fullest measure of confidence on the part of his employers, being placed in many positions of trust and responsi- bility, the duties of which he discharged with efficiency and to the entire sat- isfaction of his employers. In 1908, in recognition of his sterling qualities and his ability, his fellow citizens elected him trustee of Bloomington town- ship, in which position he is now serving to the entire satisfacton of all con- cerned. He is a man of good business ability and has given to the administra- tion of his office the benefit of his experience and sound judgment. He is a man of high ideals, and in the public life of the community he has long been prominent, having been an ardent supporter of every movement looking to the advancement of the public welfare in any way. His life has been char- acterized by persistent industry, for even during his boyhood days his vaca- tion periods were occupied by employment of some kind.
In 1896 Mr. Walker was united in marriage with Margaret Bell Ward, the daughter of Jefferson and Margaret (Thompson) Ward, a lady of splen- did qualities of character who has endeared herself to all who know her.
Politically a Republican, Mr. Walker has long been active in the ranks of his party's workers, having served on many committees. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, while his religious membership is with the Methodist Episcopal church. He is also a valued member of the Commercial Club. By persistent industry, wise economy and sound judgment, Mr. Walker has been enabled to ac- quire a beautiful and attractive home adjoining the corporation limits, his place comprising fifty-one acres of splendid land, on which is as good a sugar grove as can be found in this section of the country. The home is surrounded by a well-kept lawn, and the general appearance of the place indicates the owner to be a man of splendid taste. In every avenue of life's activities in which he has engaged he has been true to every trust and he justly merits the high regard in which he is universally held throughout the community.
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