USA > Indiana > Lawrence County > History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions > Part 71
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions > Part 71
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Edward M. Keane was reared under the parental roof and secured his education in the common schools of this county, upon the completion of which he entered the employ of the railroad in the capacity of bill clerk, being assigned to duty in Kentucky. In 1903 he returned to Lawrence county and entered the First National Bank as assistant cashier; in which position he has been retained to the present time, performing his duties in a manner which has won the commendation of not only his associates in the bank, but also of the patrons of this well known institution. The First National Bank, which was organized on January 1, 1903, is one of the most prosperous and influential financial institutions of Lawrence county, and has done much to conserve the business interests and commercial growth of Mitchell. The bank's capital is twenty-five thousand dollars, with a surplus of five thousand dollars, and the capital stock is all owned by local parties. The present officials of this bank are as follows: W. H. Burton, president ; A. B. Hall, vice-president : Walter W. Burton, cashier; Edward M. Keane, assistant cashier. Aside from his immediate business connections, Mr. Keane maintains a commendable interest in public affairs of the community and every movement having for its object the advancement of the people along educational, social, moral or material lines receives his hearty support.
Mr. Keane married Mabel Peters nad the union has been blessed with one child, Edward M. Politically, Mr. Keane is a staunch supporter of the Democratic party, in the success of which he has always been actively inter- ested, and he is now treasurer of the city of Mitchell. Fraternally, he is a
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member of the Knights of Columbus, while his religious affiliation is with the Catholic church. He 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, whenever they are rightfully and persistently applied. He is fast winning a host of friends in Mitchell and vicinity by reason of these characteristics.
ROGERS A. LEE.
A man who has performed well his part as a factor in the body politic of Monroe county is Rogers A. Lee, one of the well known and successful attorneys of Bloomington, who, because of his sterling qualities of character and the ability displayed in the practice of his profession, won and retains to a marked degree the esteem and confidence of all who know him. Mr. Lee was born at Bloomington, Indiana, on June 20, 1889, and is a son of Henry A. and Minnie M. (Rogers) Lee. Henry Lee was born in Hamilton county, Indiana, on November 19, 1854, the son of James and Lydia (Anderson) Lee, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of New Jersey. Henry Lee attended the common schools of Hamilton county, and then attended the State University, where he graduated in 1878. Taking up the study of law. in due time he was admitted to the bar of Hamilton, and for a time he prac- ticed his profession there. In 1885 he went to Kansas and for seven years actively practiced law, and during that time he served a term in the Kansas Legislature. In 1892 he came to Bloomington, Indiana, where he has since been numbered among the able and successful members of the bar. In 1885 he married Minnie M. Rogers, the daughter of Isaac M. and Emmeline Rogers, and their only child is the subject of this sketch.
Rogers A. Lee secured his elementary education in the common schools, graduating from the Bloomington high school, and then became a student in the law department of the State University, where he received his degree in 1912. In 1911, prior to his graduation, Mr. Lee had engaged in the practice of law. having become a member of the firm of Lee & Lee, attorneys. From the beginning of his professional career, Mr. Lee has commanded the atten- tion of those who have knowledge of him and his work, for he early gave evidence of more than ordinary ability as a lawyer, while among the mem- bers of the local bar he is respected and esteemed because of his courtesy and
MR. AND MRS. ROGERS A. LEE
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fairness in the trial of cases. Personally, Mr. Lee possesses those elements of character which draw others to him and he has a large circle of warm friends in this community.
On November 22, 1912, Mr. Lee was united in marriage with Mand Agnes Hoadley, the daughter of Albert T. and Anna Hoadley, her birth hav- ing occurred at Stinesville, on March 31, 1896. Albert T. Hoadley was born at Mt. Tabor, Monroe county, Indiana, on July 12, 1860, the son of John and Mary E. (York) Hoadley, the father a native of England and the mother of the state of Ohio. Albert T., after completing his common-school education, engaged in the stone business, becoming a partner with his father and younger brother. As a quarryman and monument manufacturer he was very success- ful and enjoyed a high standing in the community up to the time of his death, which occurred on July 27, 1912. He was twice married, first, in 1885, to Myrtle Franklin, to which union was born one child, Mary E., who became the wife of Guy West, of Stinesville. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Hoadley was married, on March 31, 1895. to Anna Ferris, the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Austin) Ferris, and to this union was born one child, Maud Agnes, the wife of Mr. Lee. Mr. and Mrs. Lee move in the best social circles of Bloomington and are popular among their acquaintances.
Politically, Mr. Lee is an earnest supporter of the Republican party, though he does not take a very active part in public affairs. His religions membership is with the Christian church, while, socially, he is a member of the Sigma Chi college fraternity, at the State University.
G. ALBERT HAMER.
It was once remarked by a celebrated moralist and biographer that "there has scarcely passed a life of which a judicious and faithful narrative would not have been useful." Believing in the truth of this opinion, expressed by one of the greatest and best of men, the writer of this review takes pleasure in presenting a few facts in the career of a gentleman who, by industry, perseverance, temperance and integrity, has worked himself from an humble station to a successful place in life and won an honorable position among the well known and highly esteemed men of the locality in which he resides.
G. Albert Hamer, who was born in Marion township, Lawrence county, Indiana, near Mitchell, on April 23, 1870, is a descendant of one of the ster- (46)
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ling old pioneers of Lawrence county. His paternal grandfather, Hugh Hamer, was one of the early settlers here and a prominent man in the life of the community in his day. The old Hamer mill near Mitchell, which he built in 1818. is now one of the historical landmarks of Lawrence county Hugh Hamer was a native of New York state and married Elizabeth Fitz- patrick in the state of old Virginia, to which union were born eight children. The grandfather died in 1873 and his wife also is deceased. Hugh Hamer was a noted man in local political circles in the early days of this community and served two terms as representative to the lower house of the Legislature for his district and two terms in the state Senate with honor and credit to his locality. He was also a member of the board of county commissioners, and in many other ways evidenced a live interest in the progress and advance- ment of his community. The parents of G. Albert Hamer were George W. and Priscilla ( Leach ) Hamer, both of whom were natives of Lawrence county. The father was a farmer during all his active years and owned a splendid old homestead in Marion township, where his widow now resides, his death having occurred on October 1, 1904. To George and Priscilla Hamer were born six children, three of whom are living, namely : Frank, of Bedford: the subject of this sketch, and Ralph N., who resides on the old home place in Marion township.
G. Albert Hamer was reared on the home farm in Marion township, receiving his elementary education in the public schools of the community and completing his studies in the Southern Indiana Normal College at Mitchell. He then engaged in the hardware business in the latter place for three years, but at the end of that period sold out and returned to the farm, following the vocation of agriculture continuously up to 1911, when he assumed the office of county assessor, to which he had been elected in 1910 on the Republican ticket. The office is a four-year term, therefore he will serve until 1915. He is a man of good qualifications for the office which he holds, being a splendid judge of actual real estate values and is discharg- ing his duties to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. He still owns his home farm and makes farming his principal vocation. He takes a deep interest in all agricultural affairs and has served for two years as chairman of the Farmers' Institute of Lawrence county and has been in many ways connected with farming interests all his life. Politically, he is, as has been stated, a Republican, while his fraternal affiliations are with the Free and Accepted Masons, he holding membership in Mitchell Lodge No. 128. Re- ligiously, he is a member of the Baptist church, to which he gives a liberal support.
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On September 23, 1895. Mr. Hammer married Alma E. Palmer, the daughter of Mason Palmer, of Daviess county, Indiana, and to them have been born four children, Frank V., Georgia A., John N. and Priscilla H. As a farmer Mr. Hamer is held in high esteem by his fellow agriculturists because of his up-to-date methods and the consistent success with which lie operated his place. He is the owner of one of the best farms in Marion township and has so skilfully rotated his crops as to preserve the strength of the soil and his land is as productive as any in the locality where he resides, no farm in the county being looked after with greater care. He has long taken an active interest in public affairs and has performed his full part as a public-spirited citizen, in his official capacity using the same sound judg- ment and good business principles that he exercised in his own personal affairs. Owing to his loyalty to his county, his scrupulously honest dealings with his fellow men and his splendid personal character Mr. Hamer has won the undivided respect and esteem of all who know him and is regarded by all as among the best and most influential citizen- of his county.
JAMES D. BYRNS, M. D.
There is no class to whom greater gratitude is due from the world at large than the self-sacrificing, sympathetic, noble-minded men whose life work is the alleviation of suffering and the ministering of comfort to the afflicted, to the end that the span of human existence may be lengthened and a great degree of satisfaction enjoyed during the remainder of their earthly sojourn. There is no standard by which their beneficent influence can be measured; their helpfulness is limited only by the extent of their knowledge and skill, while their power goes hand in hand with the wonderful laws of nature that spring from the very source of life itself. Some one has aptly said, "He serves God best who serves humanity most." Among the physi- cians and surgeons of Lawrence county who have risen to eminence in their chosen field of endeavor is the subject of this review, whose career has been that of a broad-minded, conscientious worker in the sphere to which his life and energies have been devoted and whose profound knowledge of his pro- fession has won for him a leading place among the most distinguished medical men of his day and generation in the city of his residence.
James D. Byrns, M. D., is a native of the old Blue Grass state of Ken- tucky, where he was born on July 24, 1870, and he is the son of Jamison D.
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and Melissa ( Duvall) Byrns, both of whom are natives also of Kentucky. The father, who was a farmer, was also a prominent man in his community, being possessed of those characteristics which give strength and substantial character to a people and he spent his entire life in that state. To him and his wife were born three children, Mary, Sarah and James D.
The subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools at Madison, Indiana, supplementing this by three years' attendance at Hano- ver College. Having then decided to make the practice of medicine his life work, he matriculated in the Louisville Medical College, where he pursued the regular course and graduated in 1894. receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In that same year he came to Mitchell and entered upon the active practice of his profession, in which he has met with most eminent success, as is attested by the large and remunerative practice which he enjoys and the high esteem in which he is held throughout the community. Doctor Byrns is an enthusiast in his chosen calling, a close student and an original thinker and untiring investigator. He avails himself of every legitimate means to keep in touch with the trend of modern medical thought and is familiar with the leading authorities, having a fine library in which he spends much time when he is not responding to the calls of his numerous patients In him are combined two facts which have been the main contributing ele- ments to his success, thorough preparation and a deep interest in the profes- sion, qualities which are absolutely essential to advancement in a calling re- quiring such proficiency and skill as the healing art. His knowledge of the kindred sciences of medicine and surgery is broad and comprehensive and in his professional labors he has shown himself amply qualified to cope with the intricate problems that continually confront the practitioner in his efforts to prolong life and to restore health.
On November 3. 1897, Doctor Byrns was married to Elizabeth Crim, the daughter of Martin D. and Cerilda J. ( Burton) Crim, both of whom were representatives of old Lawrence county families.
In his profession Doctor Byrns has long been prominent and for three years under President Cleveland's administration he served as a member of the board of United States pension examiners, and for seventeen years he has served as health officer of Mitchell, being the present incumbent of that responsible position. Politically, he is a Democrat and takes an active interest in his party's succes, though his professional duties preclude his taking an active part in public matters. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Knights of Pythias at Mitchell, while his religious membership is with the Baptist church, in the prosperity of which he is ac
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tively interested. The Doctor is a most genial and companionable gentleman and has a host of warm and admiring friends among the residents of his adopted city. All who come within the range of his influence are profuse in their praise of his admirable qualities and the high regard in which he is held not only professionally, but socially, indicates the possession of attributes and characteristics that fully entitle him to the respect and consideration of his fellow men.
JOSEPH LEANDER HOLMES.
Hard and laborious effort was the lot of the subject during his youth and early manhood, but his fidelity to duty won him the respect and confi- dence of those woth whom he was thrown in contact and by patient contin- uance in well doing he gradually arose from an humble station to his present high standing among the leading men of Mitchell, Indiana.
Joseph Leander Holmes was born on February 23, 1839, in Livonia, Washington county, Indiana, and is a son of William Thornton Holmes, who was born in Lincoln county, Kentucky, in 1807. The latter, as a boy of seven years. came to Indiana with his parents, Hugh and Sarah (Scott) Holmes, also natives of Kentucky, the family locating at Millersburg, in Orange county, Indiana. Here Hugh Holmes set himself to the task of digging a mill race, and in the effort he lost his health and died in 1822. He was survived many years by his widow, who died at Mitchell in 1861. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom only two grew to maturity, William Thornton and Mary, who became the wife of Silas Moore, who was for many years one of the prominent citizens of Mitchell. Indiana. William Thornton Holmes received a common school education, but he supplemented this by liberal reading and close observation so that he became a well in- formed man and good all-around scholar. He spent practically his entire life in Washington county, Indiana, where he enjoyed the respect and confidence of all who knew him. He died on March 9, 1893, and his wife also is de -. ceased. They were earnest members of the Presbyterian church and in poli- tics he was a Whig, though not an aspirant for public office. During his later life he owned and operated a farm and was successful in his operations. To him and his wife were born the following children: Sarah Ann, deceased, was the wife of Benjamin Sherwood, of Greene county, Indiana ; George Hamilton Moore died at the age of eighty years unmarried. He was a suc- cessful farmer; Lavina Jane McClelland became the wife of James H. Mc-
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Pheeters and afterward the wife of Thomas Richards, and lived and died in Washington county, Indiana; Hugh Hamilton Scott was a merchant in Louisville, Kentucky, and is now deceased; Mary Juan Fernandez became the wife of Dr. John S. McPheeters, of Livonia, and is now deceased ; Joseph Leander is the immediate subject of this sketch; Hannah Miranda became the wife of Benjamin F. Wible, and is now deceased; Justine Irene became the wife of Walter Wright, of Livonia, Indiana: Frances Arabella is the widow of Nathan K. McPheeters, and lives in Champaign, Illinois ; Samuel Thornton, now deceased, married Frances Knox. He was a merchant of Livonia, Indiana, and since his death his widow lives at Paoli, Indiana ; Zilla Emmeline married, first, Samuel Banks, and after his death, Dr. Holliday, who also is now deceased, and she now lives at Livonia, Indiana.
Joseph L. Holmes received only a limited school education and was reared on the paternal farmstead. After his marriage he engaged in wagon- making at Livonia, Indiana, for ten years, and then moved to Salem, where he remained five years, going from there to Campbellsburg, and five years later to Mitchell, locating here in 1879. After locating here he first engaged for about eight years in wagon-making and then engaged in the mercantile business with his sons, in which from the beginning they met with eminent success. The business is conducted under the firm name of Holmes Brothers, which is one of the most popular mercantile firms in this locality. They carry a large and well selected line of general goods, and because of their courteous treatment of patrons nad business integrity, they enjoy not only a large pat- ronage but the unlimited confidence and good will of all who have dealings with them.
In 1860 Joseph L. Holmes married Margaret Elizabeth Weller, of Nel- son county, Kentucky, a daughter of Jonathan Weller, also of Nelson county, where he spent his entire life and died. To Mr. and Mrs. Holmes were born the following children: Elmer Ellsworth, of St. Louis, Missouri; William Jonathan, who is employed in the Monon Railroad Company's offices at Chi- cago, married Adaline Tanksley ; Hugh Hamilton, who is now principal of the Central high school at Kansas City, Missouri, taught one school in that city for sixteen years ; he married Nettie Hammond: John Leander, who is a member of the firm of Holmes Brothers, at Mitchell, has been twice married, first to Martha Talbot, and second to Mary Talbot ; Samuel Weller, who is also a member of the firm of Holmes Brothers, married Adeline Newland ; Mary Margaret is the widow of R. E. Laughlin and lives in Mitchell. Her deceased husband was for many years in the navy department at Washing- ton. D. C.
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A Republican in politics, Joseph L. Holmes takes a deep interest in public affairs, as every true citizen of the republic should, though he has never had ambition for the honors and emoluments of public office. Fraternally, he has been for forty years an appreciative member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while, religiously, he is connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife died on February 18, 1913, at the age of seventy-four years. She was a woman of many splendid qualities of head and heart and had endeared herself to a large circle of acquaintances and friends. The subject. who is familiarly known among his associates as "Uncle Joe," is genial and unassuming in manner, being optimistic in his disposition and jolly in his in- tercourse with his friends, and throughout the community where he has spent so many active years he enjoys the unlimited confidence and regard of those who know him. The world has too few such men, and it is the wish of his many friends that his years may be many yet in the community which is honored by his citizenship.
MARTIN A. BURTON.
Martin A. Burton, son of Isom and Mary (Alexander) Burton, was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, May 7, 1844, on the farm now known as the Red Cross farm. He was reared on the farm, and in addition to attend- ing the common schools and the Bedford graded schools, attended the State University at Bloomington for two years and the Bryant and Stratton Com- mercial College at Cincinnati. After leaving school, he clerked in Bedford and afterward moved back to the farm, which he left in 1870 to settle in Mitchell, where he has since continuously lived with the exception of two years, 1877 to 1879, during which time he served as sheriff of Lawrence county, being the only Democrat elected to that office since the beginning of the Civil war. Upon moving to Mitchell he was employed as clerk by the firm of Sheeks & Wood until January 1. 1872, when he embarked in business for himself, which he continued, with the exception of the two years, 1877 to 1879, until June 1, 1913. He has been identified with Mitchell in many offices of honor and trust and is a useful and public-spirited citizen. He was one of the organizers and stockholders of the Mitchell Building, Savings and Loan Association and has served as director or officer for many years, being at present treasurer of the association. He early affiliated with the Democratic party and has been honored by them with various offices and appointments.
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Mr. Burton was married on December 28, 1868, to Laura H. Brown- field, of Larue county, Kentucky, to which union were born six children : Jesse B., Clyde A. and Eva L., living, and Stella, Mabel and Fleta, deceased. He is a member of Mitchell Lodge No. 242, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Presbyterian church.
WILLIAM M. LOUDEN.
It is not an easy task to adequately describe the character of a man who has led an eminently active and busy life in connection with the great legal profession and who has stamped his individuality on the plane of definite accomplishment in one of the most exacting fields of human endeavor. Yet there is always full measure of satisfaction in adverting, even in a casual way, to the career of an able and conscientious worker in any line of human endeavor. Among the truly self-made and representative men of Monroe county none ranks higher than the honorable gentleman whose name heads this sketch, who is a conspicuous figure in the civic life of the community. A man of tireless energy and indomitable courage, he has won and held the unqualified esteem of his fellow citizens. With the law as his profession from young manhood, he has won a brilliant reputation and the future gives promise of still much greater things for him.
William M. Louden was born in Monroe county, Indiana, on February 22, 1873, and is the son of John H. and Elizabeth C. (Hemphill) Louden, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of South Carolina. John H. Louden came to Fayette county, Indiana, in an early day, and after completing the public schools, he became a student in the State University, where he was graduated in the liberal arts department in 1861, and in the law department in 1863. He entered upon the active practice of his pro- fession at Bloomington, in which he was continually and successfully en- gaged up to within a short time of his death, which occurred on June 3, IQII. As a lawyer he took an active part in public affairs during his early life. but during his later years the extreme deafness with which he was afflicted interfered largely with his work in the court room, after which he devoted his time to the preparation of cases and the briefing of cases for the supreme court. His wife died on January 23, 1909. They were the parents of three children: Theodore J., an attorney; Ida, the wife of
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