USA > Indiana > Lawrence County > History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions > Part 73
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana : their people, industries, and institutions > Part 73
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Marshall Woolery, of Bedford, Indiana, who, though not long engaged in the active practice of his profession, has already achieved an enviable repu- tation among his colleagues, is a native of this county, having been born near Bedford on October 16, 1871. He is the son of Joseph and Matilda ( McFar- land) Woolery, both of whom are now deceased. The father was born in Lawrence county and the mother in Monroe county. Indiana. The former was a well known stock buyer in this locality during his active days and at one time rendered efficient service to the community as justice of the peace. He
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was a man of jovial disposition and was well known in Lawrence and ad- joining counties, and had a reputation as a humorous story teller. The family comes of German stock on the paternal side, while in the maternal line Irish blood predominates. The subject's paternal grandfather, Jacob Wool- ery, who was a native of Pennsylvania, came to Indiana in an early day and was numbered among the pioneer citizens of Lawrence county, where for many years he followed the vocation of agriculture. He married Hannah Todd May 26, 1808, and reared a family of fifteen children, of which number the father of the subject was the last survivor. Jacob Woolery was born Febru- ary 27, 1786, and died November 10, 1866, in this county, while his son, the father of the subject, died August 23, 1899, his widow surviving him a few years, dying July 23, 1902. Joseph Woolery, father of the subject, was a member of Company G. Thirty-first Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving four years, enlisting in Lawrence county August 23, 1861, and a notable coincident was that he died on the anniversary of his enlistment. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and was buried under the auspices of that order. To the subject's parents were born six children, namely : Alice, the widow of Elijah Fox, late of Bedford: Dr. Perry Wool- ery, of Heltonville, Lawrence county, Indiana : Marshall, the immediate sub- ject of this sketch: Emma, the wife of Samuel May, postmaster at Guthrie, this county ; Benjamin F., a successful physician in Louisville, Kentucky, and Maggie, deceased.
Marshall Woolery, who was born and reared on a farm, received his elementary education in the common schools, from which he graduated. He later took a business course in the Indianapolis Business University, and for some time thereafter followed the vocation of stenographer at Indianapolis and Louisville. He later attended the Southern Indiana Normal College at Mitchell, where he graduated in the pedagogical department, and thereafter for several years he was successfully engaged as a teacher in the schools of Lawrence county. He was an educator of unusual ability, and at the time he quit teaching he was the possessor of a life teacher's license. He had for. some time desired to enter upon the practice of law, and between school times he had devoted himself to the study of Blackstone, Kent and other legal au- thorities and eventually became a student in the Indiana Law School, where he graduated in 1907. Two years prior to his graduation, however, he had entered upon the active practice of law at North Vernon, but after gradua- tion he came to Bedford and opened an office and has since been actively en- gaged in the professional work. He has been admitted to practice in Indiana
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supreme court and United States circuit courts. He has built up a splendid practice and a wide reputation as an able and successful lawyer, having given his especial attention to the practice of criminal law and been connected with some of the most important cases tried in the local courts. Mr. Woolery's success is the more commendable from the fact that owing to his parents' straightened circumstances he had but few opportunities in boyhood, and in the fullest sense of the term is entitled to the proud American term of self- made man. It is also noteworthy that the three boys born to his parents have all made good in the professions, his two brothers being successful physicians.
Politically, Mr. Woolery gives his support to the Republican party, in the success of which he takes an active interest, though not a seeker after public office. Fraternally, he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Loyal Order of Moose, while his religious member- ship is with the Christian chruch. Mr. Woolery is a wide and extensive reader, possesses a well selected library of standard works and is himself a man of considerable literary taste and ability. He wrote the class poem for the "Annual" while in the Indiana Law School and has done other writing of considerable merit. As a lawyer Mr. Woolery is noted for the clearness of statement and candor with which he conducts his cases. He seeks faith- fully for firm ground, and having once found it nothing can turn him from his position. By a straightforward, honorable course he has built up a large and lucrative legal business and his life affords a splendid example of what an American youth, plentifully endowed with good common sense, energy and determination can accomplish when directed and controlled by earnest moral principles.
JAMES M. CARESS.
Whether the elements of success in life are innate attributes of the indi- vidual or whether they are quickened by a process of circumstantial devel- opment, it is impossible to clearly determine. Yet the study of a successful life, whatever the field of endeavor, is none the less interesting and profitable by reason of the existence of this same uncertainty. So much in excess of those of successes are the records of failures or semi-failures, that one is constrained to attempt an analysis in either case and to determine the measure of causation in an approximate way. But in studying the life his- tory of the well known resident and popular citizen of Bedford, whose name forms the caption of this sketch, we find many qualities in his makeup that
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always gain definite success in any career if properly directed, as his has evidently been done, which has resulted in a life of good to others as well as in a comfortable competence to himself.
James M. Caress was born near Salem, Indiana, on January 3, 1848, and is the son of Peter and Rachel ( Worrall) Caress, the father a native of Shelby county, Kentucky, and the mother of Charleston, Clark county, In- diana. Peter Caress was a son of Simon and Elizabeth (Shephard) Caress, the father being of good old Dutch stock. He met his wife in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where they were married, and eventually they came to Indi- ana, buying land in Shelby county for ten dollars per acre. It was heavily covered with timber, and to the clearing of the land and the improvement of the farm Mr. Caress applied his energies and in the course of time had ac- quired a comfortable and valuable home. This place he subsequently sold and went to Washington county, Indiana, locating about two miles from Salem, where he and his wife died. They reared a large family, and among their children was Peter, father of the subject of this sketch. Peter Caress was reared on the Washington county farm, receiving but a common school education, but he was a man of splendid character and industrious habits and was successful in his affairs. He was a member of the Baptist church and a Democrat in political faith. To him and his wife were born eight children, of whom three are now living : James M., the subject of this sketch; Nancy, who is unmarried and living at Leesville. Indiana, and Simon P., a preacher in Lincoln, Nebraska.
James M. Caress received his education first in the common schools, later attending Mays Academy at Salem, and also studied at Lebanon, Ohio, where he prepared himself for the pedagogical profession. During the fol- lowing thirty years he was continuously and successfully engaged in educa- tional work and became president or principal of the high school at Seymour, Indiana, later becoming county superintendent of schools of Washington county, in which position he rendered efficient ervice for four years. He gained a splendid reputation and a high standing among the educators of southern Indiana and was in demand where a high standard of educational excellence was required. From his marriage in 1875 up to 1879, Mr. Caress lived in Salem, but in the latter year he came to Bedford and became a drug clerk for his father-in-law, Dr. Ben Newlands, until 1881. He then went to Seymour, where he served as principal of the schools, but in 1889 returned to Bedford and until 1893 served as city engineer. He has done much civil engineering and land surveying through this section of the state and is con- sidered one of the most competent and best qualified men in his line. Per-
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sonally, he is a man of fine character and marked social qualities, so that he has gained for himself a large acquaintance and many warm personal friends in this locality.
On November 11, 1875, Mr. Caress married Laura Newlands, the daughter of Dr. Ben Newlands, who is referred to specifically elsewhere in this work. To this union have been born two children, James N., who is a blacksmith at Bedford, married Grace McFadden, who is now deceased ; Mary Edith, who became the wife of Harry E. Mason, and her death occurred on Angust 24, 1908, leaving two daughters, Margaret and Laura, who are now making their home with the subject and his wife.
Politically, Mr. Caress is a staunch advocate of Democratic policies and has given that party his support. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, of which they are regular attendants and to which they contribute of their means. They move in the best social circles of the city and are well liked by all who know them.
EZRA W. EDWARDS.
Specific mention is made of many of the worthy citizens of Lawrence county within the pages of this book, citizens who have figured in the growth and development of this favored locality and whose interests are identified with its every phase of progress, each contributing in his sphere of action to the well-being of the community in which he resides and to the advancement of its moral and legitimate growth. Among this number is he whose name appears above, peculiar interest attaching to his career from the fact that his entire life has been spent within the borders of this county.
Ezra W. Edwards, the present efficient and popular auditor of Lawrence county, Indiana, was born at Mitchell, this county, on August 16, 1869, and is the son of Allen and Sarah ( Kelly) Edwards, both of whom also were natives of Lawrence county. The father was for a number of years success- fully engaged in agricultural pursuits, but eventually became a manufacturer of handles and hubs at Mitchell, where he was numbered among the enter- prising business men of the community. His death occurred in 1909, and he is survived by his widow, who lives at Mitchell. Allen Edwards rendered efficient service as a member of the board of county commissioners, having been appointed to fill a vacancy, and he also served several terms as trustee of the town of Mitchell. He was a member of the Baptist church and a man
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of sterling character who enjoyed the sincere regard of all who knew him. To him and his wife was born one child, the subject of this sketch.
Ezra W. Edwards received his education in the Mitchell public schools and, entering upon the active duties of life, was appointed deputy postmaster of Mitchell and subsequently filled the same office at Bedford, a total period of about six and one-half years. He then entered the employ of John A. Gunn, and later entered the store of John W. Hay, of Bedford, where he remained about fifteen years, rendering efficient and satisfactory service to his employers. Mr. Edwards' ability and faithfulness in the discharge of his duties were recognized by his fellow citizens and in 1910 he was nominated on the Republican ticket for the office of county auditor, to which he was elected in the ensuing election, taking his office on January 1, 1911, for a four- year term. He is a man of marked business ability and conscientious in the discharge of his public duties, and he has gained a splendid reputation among those competent to judge as to his merits.
On November 23, 1897, Mr. Edwards was married to Retta Lake, the daughter of William B. Lake, of Bedford, and they have three sons: Ro- land, John and Hoyt. A man of genial disposition and easily approached, Mr. Edwards enjoys a large acquaintance among whom are many warm personal friends.
WILLIAM J. ALLEN.
Among the citizens of Monroe county who have built up a comfortable home and surrounded themselves with large landed and personal property, none has attained a higher degree of success than the subject of this sketch. With few opportunities except what his own efforts were capable of master- ing and with many discouragements to overcome. he has made an exceptional success of life, and in his old age has the gratification of knowing that the community in which he has resided has been benefited by his presence and his counsel.
W. J. Allen, who is now living retired in his comfortable and attractive home in Bloomington, was born on September 8. 1836, in Putnam county, Indiana, though he can almost claim to be a lifelong resident of Monroe county, for he came here at the age of three months. His parents were John W. and Fannie C. ( Clark ) Allen. both of whom were natives of Ken- tucky, but who moved to Putnam county, Indiana, in 1832, and to Bloom- ington, Monroe county, in 1836. The father was a farmer during his active
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years and the latter part of his life was spent on the farm which the subject of this sketch now owns. The father died on September 8, 1852, and the mother in 1848.
W. J. Allen secured his education in the common schools of this county and also took a college preparatory course for the freshman year. In 1854, lured by the wonderful stories of the great Pacific Eldorado, Mr. Allen went to California, crossing the plains and enduring many hardships. and priva- tions on the way. During the trip he helped to drive cattle and after arriving in California was employed for a while as a common laborer on the road, but eventually became an active worker in the mines. He remained in Cali- fornia until March 10, 1857. and during the last year of his stay there he engaged in farming until the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in the three-months service as a member of Company A, Fifty-fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he was connected as first lieutenant. Upon the expiration of his first period of enlistment Mr. Allen joined the Twentieth Indiana Light Artillery, with the rank of sergeant. Later he was promoted to orderly sergeant, and still later to lieutenant and was in command of part of the battery at the battle of Nashville, Tennessee. He participated in many of the hotly contested battles of that great struggle, besides many skirmishes and long and tiresome marches, and rendered faith- ful and valiant services to his country until they were no longer needed, re- ceiving an honorable discharge on June 28, 1865. Returning to peaceful pursuits, Mr. Allen engaged in the hardware business in Bloomington and for forty years he was prominent as one of the leading merchants of this city. Possessing good business ability and staunch integrity of character. he was recognized as a man of inflexible honesty and at all times he enjoyed the sincere confidence of all who knew him. He is the owner of one hun- dred and twenty acres of fine land and has sold three additions to the city of Bloomington, most of the land he owns being now in the city limits. His own home is located at No. 402 North College avenue, besides which he owns eight splendid store buildings located on the public square and com- prising a hardware store. the Bloomington National Bank building, grocery story, ladies' wear store, clothing store, two shoe stores and a meat market, and he also owns stock in the two banks. He has thus been and is still an important factor in the business life of Bloomington and has done as much as any other one man to advance the interests of the city and conserve its progress and upbuilding.
In November, 1857, Mr. Allen was married to Harriet L. Swearingen, to which union were born three children : Fannie. the wife of Wallace Palmer,
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superintendent of schools at Ligonier, Indiana; Joseph, a wool buyer of Bloomington, and John, deceased, the latter being the first born. The sub- ject's first wife died in 1865 and subsequently he married Eliza J. Allen, to which union were born six children, namely : Robert N., deceased ; Willian D., deceased: Arthur G., of Bloomington : Oneta, died February 23, 1913. and three who died in infancy. Mr. Allen has been the artificer of his own fortune and in his efforts he has been eminently successful and is entitled to great credit for what he has accomplished. Though he is entitled to a pen- sion of thirty dollars per month on account of his army record, Mr. Allen has never received a dollar from this source, never having applied for pension.
Politically, Mr. Allen is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, but has never been an aspirant for public office of any nature. Religiously, he is a member of the United Presbyterian church, having a deep and con- scientious regard for the spiritual verities and gives to this society a liberal support. Fraternally, he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Loyal Legion, in which he keeps alive his old army associations, and he is department inspector for Indiana of the Grand Army of the Republic. Though past the Psalmist's allotted span of years, Mr. Allen still retains to a remarkable extent his physical and mental vigor, takes a deep interest in all the current affairs of the community and is numbered among the enter- prising and progressive men of this section of the state. He has worked hard and accomplished much and because of his past effort he is thoroughly entitled to representation in a work of the character of the one in hand.
OLIN B. NORMAN. M. D.
The present age is essentially utilitarian and the life of every successful man carries a lesson which, told in contemporary narrative, is productive of much good in shaping the destiny of others. There is, therefore, a due measure of satisfaction in presenting even in brief resume, the life and achievements of such men, and in preparing the following history of the scholarly physician whose name appears above, it is with the hope that it may prove not only interesting and instructive, but also serve as an incentive to those who contemplate making the medical profession their life work.
Olin B. Norman was born in Lawrence county. Indiana, on October 9, 1881, the son of G. M. and Susan ( Bonham) Norman, the former a native of Monroe county and the latter of Lawrence county. G. M. Norman, who
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is a successful merchant in Heltonville, Lawrence county, is a man of high character and enterprising spirit and is numbered among the progressive citizens of his community. These parents have two children, the subject of this sketch and Mrs. O. L. Roberts, of Mitchell.
Olin Norman attended the common schools of Bedford, graduating from the high school in 1889, and then became a student at Indiana State University, where he was graduated in 1906, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Following this lie matriculated in the medical department of Western Reserve College at Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated in 1909 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He was then interne in the City Hospital of Cleveland until July, 1910, when he came to Bedford and engaged in the active practice of his profession, in which he has already met with pro- nounced success. The Doctor keeps in close touch with the latest advance- ment in medical science and possesses a large and well selected library of professional literature. He is a member of the Lawrence County Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society and the American Medical Asso- ciation, and is also a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon college fraternity.
In February, 1912, Doctor Norman was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Grace Cromer, of Anderson, Indiana, whose father, M. L. Cromer, was deputy postmaster at that place. Doctor Norman is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and of the Free and Accepted Masons, taking an intelligent interest in the workings of both of these so- cieties. He is not an aspirant for public honors in any sense, but as city school medical inspector he is rendering most valuable service to the com- munity. Personally, the Doctor is a good mixer, genial, genteel and well in- formed on all current topics, and a man in whom the utmost confidence is reposed by those who know him best.
HARRISON ROLAND BARROW.
While success cannot be achieved without unflagging industry, the futil- ity of effort is often noticeable in the business world and results from the fact that it is not combined with sound judgment. Many a man who gives his entire life to toil, earnest and unremitting, never acquires a competence, but when his labor is well directed, prosperity always follows. Mr. Barrow is one whose work has been supplemented by careful management and today
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he is numbered among the successful business men of the locality in which he lives.
Harrison Roland Barrow, who has met with splendid success and earned an enviable reputation as a funeral director, was born November 22, 1855, at Ringtown, Pennsylvania, and is the son of Roland and Mary (Helwig) Barrow, both of whom also were natives of Ringtown, Pennsylvania, where the father was a leather merchant and also an undertaker. He is still living there and is actively engaged in his vocation. He has for many years been prominent in the community and for eight years served as township tax col- lector. Politically, he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, while, fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America. To him and his wife were born ten children, namely: Philip, Sadie, Frank, William, Mamie, Harrison R., Clarence, Emily, Bertha and Samuel.
Harrison R. Barrow received his elementary education in the public schools of Ringtown, graduating from the high school and then became a student in the State Normal School at Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1909. He then became a student in the Cincinnati College of Embalming, where he graduated in 1911, and in the same year came to Bloomington, Indiana, and engaged in the undertaking business, which still commands his attention. He understands every phase of his business, being an especially. competent embalmer, and because of his painstaking attention to the important duties incumbent upon him in his profession and his innate courtesy in all his associations with his patrons he has earned a warm place in the esteem of those who know him.
On March 25, 1911, Mr. Barrow was married to. Bessie Palmer, the daughter of Sylvanus and Eliza ( Kennedy ) Palmer. Mr. Palmer was a native of the state of Kentucky and a blacksmith by trade, and he eventually became a steel expert in the employ of the National Cash Register Company, at Dayton, Ohio, which position he occupied at the time of his death. He was a member of Company K, Twenty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war, having enlisted as a private, but later was appointed chief musician, in which capacity he served until the close of the war, when he received an honorable discharge. To Mr. and Mrs. Barrow has been born one child, George.
Politically, the subject of this sketch is a stanch Democrat, while his religious membership is with the Methodist Episcopal church, a society in which he is earnestly interested. Fraternally, he is a member of the Benevo-
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lent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America, Im- proved Order of Red Men, the Loyal Order of Moose and the Woodmen of the World, all in Bloomington. A man of splendid qualities, Mr. Barrow has, because of his genuine worth, enjoyed the respect and confidence of the people of his community and, though a resident here but a comparatively short time, is already numbered among the city's leading and representative men.
OSCAR E. BELL.
Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of success. It carries a man onward and upward, brings out his individual character and acts as a powerful stimulus to the efforts of others. The greatest results in life are often attained by simple means and the exercise of the ordinary qualities of common sense and perseverance. The every-day life, with its cares, necessities and duties, affords ample opportunities for acquiring experience of the best kind and its most beaten paths provide a true worker with abundant scope for effort and improvement. This fact was recognized early in life by Oscar E. Bell, one of the enterprising and progressive business men of Bloomington. Mr. Bell was born on March 26, 1872, and is the son of James K. and Mollie (Overton) Bell. The father, who was a native of Clark county. Indiana, is a farmer and is still actively following the voca- tion to which he has devoted his life. His wife is a native of Washington county, this state. They have become the parents of ten children, namely : Oscar E., Charles, Manford, Theodore, Jesse, Willard, William, deceased; Tina, James and Ralph.
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