USA > Indiana > Lawrence County > History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions > Part 70
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions > Part 70
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On May 27, 1867, when about twenty-one years old, Mr. Crabb was united in marriage to Caroline Williams, who was born on December 28, 1845. the daughter of John and Ruth ( Pleasant ) Williams.
Politically, the subject of this sketch is an earnest supporter of the Democratic party, though he is not very active in public affairs nor an aspi- rant for public office. Fraternally, he is a member of Lodge No. 434. Knights of Pythias, at Leetsville, Indiana. He is a man among men in all he does and exerts a potential influence in the affairs of the locality in which he lives.
EDGAR R. MURPHY.
The best history of a community or state is the one that deals most with the lives and activities of its people, especially of those who, by their own endeavors and indomitable energy, have forged to the front and placed them- selves where they deserve the title of progressive men. In this brief review will be found the record of one who has outstripped the less active plodders on the highway of life and among his contemporaries has achieved marked success in the business world, the name of Edgar W. Murphy being honored by all owing to his upright life and habits of thrift and industry.
Edgar R. Murphy, who after a long and honorable career as a sucessful business man in Bedford, Indiana, is now living in honorable retirement, was ยท born on April 29, 1838, in New Albany, Indiana, and is the son of Richard G. and Elizabeth ( Hedden ) Murphy. The father was born near Harper's Ferry, Virginia, and the mother at Newark, New Jersey. In young man- hood Richard G. Murphy went to Cincinnati, Ohio, with his parents and was reared there. He received only a common school education and as soon
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as old enough was apprenticed and served seven years at blacksmithing. Eventually he moved to New Albany, Indiana, where he started the manu- facture of brick, subsequently becoming superintendent for McDonald & Rollins, pork packers in that city, with whom he remained from 1857 to 1860. He then became superintendent for John Cromie, an ice manufacturer at New Albany, with whom he remained until his sudden death, having been killed on a railroad in 1871. His wife died at Polan, Georgia. They were Baptists in their religious belief, and in politics, Mr. Murphy was first a Whig and later a Republican. They were the parents of five children, namely : Augustus W., who is bookkeeper and auditor for the North American Tele- graph Company at Minneapolis, Minnesota: Edgar R., the immediate sub- ject of this review: Mary \ .. the wife of E. L. Girdner, of Polan, Georgia; Lizzie, who never married, died in New Albany, Indiana ; Richard D., who was for twenty-five years an engineer on the Monon railroad, is now a farmer at Cash, South Dakota.
The subject of this sketch received the advantages of a common school education at New Albany and in young manhood he learned the stone carver's trade, at which he served an apprenticeship and worked until 1868, in which year he came to Bedford, Indiana, and here engaged in the manufacture of monuments, his plants being located on the east side of the public square. He was very successful in this enterprise and conducted it continuously until 1911. when, because of the failing of his health, he retired from active busi- ness and has since been living quietly in his comfortable and attractive home at No. 1204 Sixteenth street, Bedford, which he erected in 1882 and remod- eled in 1913. Thoroughly understanding every detail of his business and always evincing a desire to please his patrons, he long commanded the major part of the patronage in his line in this community and always earned the commendation of all with whom he had business dealings.
Reverting to a previous period in Mr. Murphy's life, it should be stated that on October 29, 1861, because of the attempts of the South to disrupt the national union, Mr. Murphy enlisted in the Seventh Indiana Battery, be- ing mustered in from Washington county, Indiana. From there the command was sent to Indianapolis and thence on to Louisville, Kentucky, and from there to the front, where the battery took part in all the engagements which characterized the war in that section. They took part successively in the battles of Green River, Nashville, Pittsburg Landing, Iuka, Corinth, Hunt- ersville, Alabama. Decker's Station, Tennessee, from whence they went north to Nashville. Gallatin, Franklin, Bowling Green, Cave City, Murfordsville, Elizabethtown and then back to Louisville. On September 28, 1862, they
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started on the celebrated Bragg's raid, going back to Shelbyville and Har- rodsburg, Danville, Stanford, Crabb Orchard, Mt. Vernon, London, Somer- set, Columbia, Glasgow ( October, 1862, to November 4, 1862) and then back to Gallatin and then to Nashville, Murfreesboro, Manchester, McMinn- ville, Sparta, Pikersville, Dunlap, Shellwood, Ringold, Dalton, Resaca, Ad- amsville, Kingston, Carlinsville, Marietta, Peach Tree Creek, and on to the siege of Atlanta, after which they went to Riverton and Jonesboro and then, the war being closed, the command was sent to Indianapolis where. on De- cember 5. 1864, the subject was mustered out of the service. He was taken sick at Green River and, with eight others, sent home by order of General Nelson, where they remained about five months. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant and during his army experience he had many close calls from injury and death. He is now a member of Post No. 247, Grand Army of the Republic, at Bedford, Indiana.
In April, 1873, Mr. Murphy married Mary E. Butler, of Bedford, In- diana, the daughter of Alex M. Butler and Elizabeth D. (Guthrie) Butler, the father born in Virginia in 1795 and the mother a native of Kentucky. Alex M. Butler came to Lawrence county in 1813. settling three miles south- east of Bedford, where he had obtained a tract of government land. He was a millwright by trade and an enterprising and public spirited citizen. He first married Mary Barnhill, a native of Kentucky. From 1847 to 1854 he served as associate judge of his county. He was a Whig in politics and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died in 1864. His first wife died in 1838, after whih he married Elizabeth D. Guthrie, whose death occurred in 1881. To the first union were born three children : Thomas J., who went to California in 1849 and died there in 1902 : John lives in San Francisco, California ; the other child died in infancy. To the second union were born four children: William H., who died in 1887. was a carpenter at Bedford, Indiana ; he married Mary E. Aiken : Alexander M., who died in 1887, was a clerk and married Lottie Reardon. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having been a member of Company E, One Hun- dred Thirty-sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served four months; Mrs. Murphy was the third in order of birth; Elizabeth died in childhood. To Mr. and Mrs. Murphy have been born two children : Edith M., who is at home with her parents, and Frank, who is a clerk at Bedford. Mr. Murphy has been a resident of Bedford continuously since 1868, and during this time his life has been as an open book to be read by all who knew him, and that his life has been one of uprightness and rectitude is evinced by the high position which he holds in the esteem of all who know
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him. Fraternally, he is an appreciative member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Bedford, and he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church in that city, of which they are attendants and in the various activities of which they are deeply interested.
OSCAR H. CRAVENS.
Oscar H. Cravens was born in Centre Valley, Hendricks county, Indiana, December 1, 1869. He is the son of William R. and Sarah Cravens. His father, now retired and living at Clayton, Indiana, was for forty years the leading merchant and farmer of southern Hendricks county. There were seven children, namely: Eva is the wife of State Prosecutor John H. Under- wood, of Bedford, Indiana: Jennie is the wife of Samuel M. Ralston, Governor of Indiana: Theodore is a retired business man of Indianapolis ; John W. is registrar of the Indiana State University ; Etta is the wife of Julian D. Hogate, editor of the Hendricks County Republican; Arthur, the youngest son, is state bank examiner of Indiana.
The subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools of Hendricks county and at the Central Normal College of Danville and the State University at Bloomington. He taught school for three years, and in 1891 moved to Bloomington to establish the Daily World, which for over twenty years has been one of the leading Democratic newspapers of the sec- ond congressional district. The paper recently moved into its own new home where twenty people are employed in the publishing and job printing departments. Mr. Cravens is noted for his progressiveness in business. He brought the first power press to Bloomington, the first linotype and the first monotype 'typesetting machines.
Mr. Cravens was married December 7, 1898, to Miss Bertha M. Miers, daughter of Congressman and Mrs. Robert W. Miers. They are both mem- bers of the First Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Masons, Odd Fellows, Elks, Court of Honor, Knights of Pythias, and Phi Gamma Delta, and president of the Indiana Democratic Editorial Association.
After the election of President Wilson, the business men of Bloomington almost unanimously recommended Mr. Cravens for postmaster. He was appointed by the President, June 7. 1913. and entered upon his duties im- mediately in the handsome new federal building where he devotes his entire
OSCAR H. CRAVENS
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LAWRENCE AND MONROE COUNTIES, INDIANA.
time to the duties of his office and is giving entire satisfaction as postmaster.
Mr. Cravens has a genial disposition and a kindly way that wins and retains friends. He is noted for his unselfish charity, and has helped many deserving young people to obtain a start in life. In the mind of the writer the ideals of Mr. Cravens are embodied in the following poem :
WHAT I LIVE FOR.
I live for those who love me, For those I know are true, For the heaven that smiles above me And awaits my spirit, too; For the human ties that bind me, For the task by God assigned me.
For the bright hopes left behind me. And the good that I can do.
I live to learn their story Who have suffered for my sake,
To emulate their glory, And follow in their wake- Bards, martyrs, patriots, sages. The people of all ages, Whose deeds crown history's pages And time's great volume make.
I live to hail the season By gifted minds foretold. When man shall rule by reason. And not alone by gold; When man to man united.
And every wrong thing righted. The whole world shall be lighted As Eden was of old.
I live to hold communion With all that is divine. To feel there is a union 'Twixt nature's heart and mine, To profit by affliction. Reap truth from fields of fiction,
Grow wiser from conviction, And fulfill each grand design.
I live for those who love me. For those who know me true, For the heaven that smiles above me And awaits my spirit, too; For the wrongs that need resistance. For the cause that lacks assistance. For the future in the distance, And the good that I can do. -G. Linnaeus Banks.
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RICHARD E. PLUMMER.
Among those persons who have by virtue of their strong individual qualities earned their way to a high standing in the estimation of their fel- low citizens, having by sheer force of character and persistency won their way from an humble beginning to a place of influence and prominence in the community where they live, the subject of this sketch is entitled to special mention in a volume of this character.
Richard E. Plummer was born on October 2, 1837, in Flintown, Law- rence county, Indiana, and is a son of John A. and Sarah ( Abbott ) Plummer, the father a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and the mother of North Caro- lina. They were the parents of the following children : James A., John A., William T., David M., Margaret P. ( Mrs. Allen ), Elizabeth E. (Mrs. Craw- ford ), Nancy E. ( Mrs. Matthews ), Sarah A. ( Mrs. Allen), all of whom are deceased; Richard E., the immediate subject of this sketch, and Martha L., Jeremiah and Rebecca, who are also deceased.
The subject of this sketch received his early education in the common schools of Flint township, and at the age of eighteen years he was married to Drusilla Kindred, a daughter of William D. and Rachel ( Wood), both of whom were natives of Connorsville, Fayette county, Indiana. To this union were born eight children, namely: Mrs. Sarah E. Williams, of Bedford; William A., of Bedford: Charles A., deceased: Richard E., of Elwood, In- diana ; Isaac M., of Elwood ; Matthew A., deceased; Oscar D., deceased, and Weseley B., of Indianapolis. After the death of his first wife Mr. Plummer was married on April 22, 1802, to Laura Ann Dalton, the daughter of George and Nancy J. ( Matlock ) Dalton, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Tennessee. Mr. Plummer owns and resides in a pleasant and at- tractive residence, around which lie three acres of well cultivated and artis- tically arranged grounds and he has all the conveniences necessary to make life an attraction. In the public life of the community Mr. Plummer has l'een prominent for many years, having been elected in 1893 to the position of coroner of Lawrence county and was re-elected to succeed himself by the largest majority ever given a candidate on the Republican ticket in this county, the plurality having been two thousand six hundred. He served efficiently as deputy prosecuting attorney for ten years and for about four- teen years had the office of road supervisor of his township.
During the war of the Rebellion Mr. Plummer enlisted as a private in the Eighty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry and rendered val- iant service to his country over three years, his regiment being assigned to
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the army under General Sherman. He took part in many of the most hotly contested battles of that great struggle and with General Sherman was among the famous number who made the memorable march to the sea. He was elected second lieutenant, but on account of trouble with his colonel he did not accept the commission. He was later assigned to the commissary department, with the rank of commissary sergeant. He was mustered out June 9, 1865, at Washington, D. C. By a life of earnest and conscientious endeavor Mr. Plummer has won for himself the sincere respect of all who have come into contact with him. For many years lie has been a potent factor in the civic life of his community and no man stands higher in the estimation of the people than he.
HENRY P. PEARSON.
Recognized as a leading professional man and public-spirited citizen, Henry P. Pearson, of the law firm of Martin, Pearson & Martin, is deserving of notable recognition in the history of Lawrence county. He has won for himself a distinct place in the legal forum and served with distinction in the legislative halls of the state, and may well claim for himself the respect and well-wishes of his friends and constituents.
Henry P. Pearson was born October 18, 1870, the son of Judge E. D. and Caroline T. ( Parker ) Pearson, the former a native of Springville, Law- rence county, Indiana, and the latter born at Salem, Indiana.
Judge Pearson, for a period of ten or twelve years, was judge of the tenth judicial circuit court, holding the position of an honored attorney and loyal citizen. He died July 3, 1890, and the mother died on March 12, 1882. Eleven children were born of this union, of whom six are living.
Henry P. Pearson received his early education in the public schools of Bedford, later attending the Indiana University at Bloomington, from which institution he graduated with the class of 1891 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. About 1893 he began the study of law. In 1894 he was elected by the people of Bedford as mayor, and served faithfully and satisfactorily as chief magistrate of the city until 1898. At the end of his mayoralty term, he began active practice in his chosen profession. Until 1906 he was in part- nership with Hon. Moses F. Dunn and the firm was known as Dunn & Pear- SO1. In November of the above mentioned year he was elected as a state senator from Lawrence, Martin and Orange counties, on the Republican
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ticket. In this dignified capacity he served in the sixty-sixth and sixty- seventh sessions of 1907. 1908 and 1909. In 1909 Mr. Pearson formed a partnership in law with Judge William H. Martin, which continued until January 1, 1913, when the present firm of Martin, Pearson & Martin was organized, which is admittedly one of the strongest firms at the legal bar of the county.
Mr. Pearson was married on April 24. 1895, to Ella D. Stephens, of Evansville, Indiana. To them have been born two sons, Henry and John. Fraternally, Mr. Pearson is a chapter Mason a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the supreme Tribe of Ben-Hur.
JOHN P. FOWLER.
To write the personal record of men who have raised themselves from humble circumstances to a position of responsibility and trust in a community is no ordinary pleasure. Self-made men, men who have achieved success by reason of their personal qualities and left the impress of their individuality upon the business and growth of their place of residence and affect for good such institutions as are embraced within their sphere of usefulness, unwit- tingly, perhaps, built monuments more enduring than marble obelisk or gran- ite shaft. Of such we have the unquestioned right to say belongs the gen- tleman whose name appears above.
J. P. Fowler, the present efficient and popular clerk of Monroe county. was born in Owen county, this state, on the 2d day of November, 1866. He is the son of Joshua and Paulina ( Rider ) Fowler, both natives of Washing- ton county, Indiana, and highly respected people in their community. The father was a blacksmith early in life, but eventually followed agricultural pursuits, in which he was fairly successful. He died in 1890 and was sur- vived a number of years by his widow, whose death occurred in 1908. They were the parents of eight children, Charles, Ella, Frank, John, Minnie, Cora. Myrtle and Lennie. The father of these children was a Republican in his political views, but did not take an active part in public affairs.
John P. Fowler received his education in the common schools of his native county, and was reared to the vocation of farming, which pursuit he followed until twenty-three years of age. He then engaged in merchandising at Smithville, Indiana, where for four years he met with fair success, but afterwards he disposed of this business and engaged in milling, which he
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followed for ten years, operating first a mill at Ketcham, Indiana, and later one at Harrodsburg. He then, in 1910, was elected clerk of Monroe county and is the present incumbent of this position. He is exercising here the same careful attention to details and the same sound business methods which char- acterized him in his private affairs and he has gained the commendation of all who are familiar with his labors as clerk.
In 1895 Mr. Fowler was united in marriage with Iva Johnson, the daughter of Robert W. and Amanda ( Bullock ) Johnson, the father having been a merchant at Smithville, this county, for a number of years, but is now retired from active pursuits and resides in Bloomington. To the sub- ject and his wife have been born seven children, Hazel, Glenn, Lyle, Cecil, Eva, Carl and Robert.
In political affairs the subject of this sketch has been a life-long Repub- lican and has taken an active interest in the success of his party, especially in local elections. Fraternally, the Masonic order and the Modern Wood- men of America claim his membership, while, religiously, he is affiliated with the Christian church, to which he gives a liberal support and of which he is a regular attendant. In the widest and best sense of the term, his life has been a success, for he has always measured up to the high standard of citizen- ship required by men of his stamp, serving well and faithfully his day and generation. Though always a busy man, Mr. Fowler has not been unmindful of his duties as a citizen, being a careful observer of the trend of events and an active participant in those affairs that relate to his own community. Per- sonally, he is popular throughout the community, possessing the amiable qualities that attract friends and he is rightfully numbered among the leading and enterprising citizens of Bloomington.
J. F. REGESTER.
In no profession is there a career more open to talent than is that of the law, and in no field of endeavor is there demanded a more careful prepara- tion, a more thorough appreciation of the absolute ethics of life or of the underlying principles which form the basis of all human rights and privileges. Unflagging application and intuitive wisdom and determination fully to utilize the means at hand, are the concomitants which insure personal success and prestige in this great profession, which stands as the stern conservator of justice, and it is one into which none should enter without a recognition of the obstacles to be encountered and overcome and the battles to be won.
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for success does not perch on the banner of every person who enters the competitive fray, but comes only as the legitimate result ofcapability. Pos- sessing all the requisite qualities of the able lawyer, J. F. Regester stands today among the eminent practitioners of Monroe county.
J. F. Regester is a native of the old Hoosier state, having been born in Jay county on August 8, 1870. He is the son of Robert and Sarah C. (Gray) Regester, both natives of Ohio, the former born in Columbiana county, and the latter in Monroe county. They came to Indiana about 1848, and here the father took up the vocation of agriculture, which he followed for a while, later operating a hotel at Pennville, Jay county. He died in 1880, and was survived a number of years by his widow, who died in December, 1911. Their only child was the subject of this sketch. The latter received a good, common school education and after taking up the active duties of life on his own account he was engaged in farming for about five years. In 1896 he came to Bloomington and engaged in the restaurant business. In the mean- time he had taken up the study of law at the State University, carrying on the restaurant business as a means of support, and in 1905 he was admitted to the bar, since which time he has been engaged in the practice with the exception of two years from 1908 to 1910 when he served as county treas- urer, discharging his official duties to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. Though Mr. Regester's experience at the bar has not been extensive in point of years he has already secured a good standing among able lawyers and is in command of his full share of legal business. He is a clear and forcible speaker, carefully prepares his cases before going into court and has been uniformdy successful in all business entrusted to his care. Mr. Regester has rendered efficient service as deputy county prosecuting attorney for two years and in every phase of life's activities in which he has engaged he has per- formed his part to the satisfaction of his fellow citizens.
In September, 1891, Mr. Regester married Alice S. Farr, the daughter of James B. and Elizabeth M. ( Burton) Farr, and to them have been born six children, namely : Ethel A., deceased : Edith E .: Elvin A. ; John F., de- ceased : James R. and Francis B, who are at home and students in school.
Politically, the subject of this sketch is an ardent supporter of the Dem- ocratic party and stands high in the councils of that organization. Frater- nally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Regester has so ordered his course at all times as to com- mand the confidence and regard of the people of the community in which he lives, being a man of honorable business methods and advocating whatever tends to promote the public welfare in any way.
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EDWARD M. KEANE.
This representative and honored citizen of Lawrence county has been distinctively the architect of his own fortunes, has been true and loyal in all the relations of life and stands as a type of that sterling manhood which ever commands respect and honor.
Edward M. Keane, the present efficient assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Mitchell, and one of the most popular citizens of this prosperous town, is a native of Lawrence county, Indiana, and was born on October 23, 1874. His parents, M. C. and Bridget (Gainey) Keane, were both natives of Ireland, the father coming to this country in young manhood and locating first in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he followed his trade, that of shoemaker. Subsequently he came to Lawrence county and here spent the remainder of his days. To him and his wife were born eight children, of whom six are living.
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