WADE H. FREE. Among the young Indiana men who in recent years have been gaining recognition and have been making their influence effective in business and political circles of the state, one whose name has now become well known far beyond the boundaries of his home County of Madison, is Wade H. Free, the present secretary of the state senate, He is a popular young lawyer of Anderson, where he has spent five or six years in general practice, and he is a native son of the County.
Wade H. Free was born in Lafayette Township, Madison County, on a farm, February 16, 1878. His father is Nathaniel A. Free, a native of Ross County, Ohio, and one of the most prosperous farmers in Madison County, The farm which represents his life work comprises about four hundred and fifty acres, located in Richland and Lafayette Townships, and it is a splendid estate, both from an agricultural point of view and as a center for fine stock, its proprietor having spent many years in study and diligent efforts to improve his live stock-cattle, hogs and horses, In his Township community he is a man of political influence, but has never sought office. He married Miss Lavina Kirk, .whose father, William Kirk, was one of the pioneer stock buyers and farmers of this County, and a most respected citizen on account of his sterling qualities.
It was on the old home farm in Lafayette Township that Wade H. Free spent his early years, and he enjoyed the rural training which is perhaps the best equipment for a man either in business or professional life. As a boy he attended the country schools of his neighborhood, and subsequently entered the public schools of Anderson, finishing at the high school, He then became a student in the Indiana University at Bloomington, where he was graduated in 1903, and he subsequently took his law degree from the law department of the University of Indiana at Indianapolis, in 1905, In the same year he was admitted to the bar, and he opened his office for practice, obtaining his first fee at Lapel in this County. Two years later he removed to Anderson, and has since built up an excellent general practice.
Wade H. Free is a Democrat in politics, and for a number of years has taken a lively interest in the success of his party and in the election of his friends, He served first as secretary and later as chairman of the Democratic Central Committee of Anderson, and has held other positions of minor importance, In 1913 he was appointed secretary of the state senate, and that position gives him opportunities for extended acquaintance among all the prominent Democrats of this state, so that his political career is likely to be watched with much interest in the following years.
In 1911 Mr. Free was married to Miss Jane L. Armstrong, whose former home was in Baltimore, Maryland, Fraternally Mr. Free is affiliated with Mt, Moriah Lodge, No. 77, A. F. & A. M., and he is also a prominent member of the Phi Kappa Phi college fraternity. His office is at 903 Meridian street, and the family home is maintained at 331 West Tenth street, Anderson.