Indianapolis Indiana

Biography of Daniel A. Van Sickle

Daniel A. Van Sickle, proprietor of the Charleston Hotel, Charleston; was born in Trenton, Butler Co., Ohio, Oct. 20, 1833, being the oldest son of J. C. and Belinda (Craig) Van Sickle; his father was born in Trenton, Ohio, May 31, 1811, and his mother at Ball’s Ferry, on the Miami River, in Butler Co., Ohio, Dec. 17, 1815. The family consisted of nine children, as follows-Daniel A. Jasper, born Jan. 3, 1836, and died Nov. 12, 1868; Sally A., born March 19, 1838; Caroline, born June 20, 1841, and died Feb. 26, 1866; John Wesley, born March 18, 1843; … Read more

Rosemeyer, Sarah Elizabeth Large – Obituary

Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Rosemeyer, 82 years old, wife of William A. Rosemeyer, died yesterday [April 19, 1934] after a brief illness in the home of a daughter, Mrs. Tine P. Dickinson, 4451 Central Avenue. She had spent all her life in Indianapolis living many years near Riverside Park. She and her husband celebrated their sixty-second wedding anniversary in June last year. Mrs. Rosemeyer was a member of the union Congregational Church and the Nettie Ransford Chapter, Order of Eastern Star. Besides the husband and Mrs. Dickinson, survivors are four other children, Mrs. William Feldman, Mrs. George Smith, John W. Rosemeyer, … Read more

Biography of B. C. Burgess

B. C. BURGESS. There are few men in business circles who show as much fitness for their avocation in that they are wide-awake, experienced, reliable and energetic as B. C. Burgess, the prominent miller at the old Watkin Mill, the most historic mill in Missouri. He was born and reared in North Carolina, his birth occurring June 8, 1833. He is the son of Emsley and Nancy (Cavness) Burgess, both natives of the Old North State. There the father resides at the present time, but the mother is deceased. Some of the early members of this family served in the … Read more

Biography of James W. Henderson, M. D.

James W. Henderson, M. D. One of the old and honored physicians and business men of Southeastern Kansas is Dr. James W. Henderson, who first became identified in a professional way with Labette and the surrounding country thirty-two years ago. Labette County was at that time new and all its towns, farms, roads, and other facilities were in a primitive condition. Doctor Henderson had his share of the hardships of pioneer practice. To almost a generation he was known as the kindly, courteous and helpful physician and friend, and the esteem in which his name is held is as satisfactory … Read more

Biography of Floyd B. McBride, M. D.

Floyd B. McBride, M. D. Among the young and enthusiastic professional element of Montgomery County is found Ford B. McBride, who, within the short space of seven years, has built up at Liberty a medical and surgical practice as gratifying personally as it is successful financially. The fearless, questioning attitude of the twentieth century nowhere is more strikingly apparent than among the exponents of medical science. The tendency of the latter-day physician is to avoid, above all things, hasty jumping at conclusions or too ready dependence upon formulae, a tendency that is rapidly destroying ancient delusions and thereby placing the … Read more

Biography of James Cuthbert

James Cuthbert. One of the oldest and best known general contractors in the state is James Cuthbert of Topeka, which city has been his home and the center of his widely extended activities more than thirty-five years. As his name indicates, Mr. Cuthbert is a sturdy Scotchman, and his many associates and friends in Kansas say that he exemplifies all the best traits of the race. He was born in Nairnshire, Scotland, July 14, 1849, a son of James and Jane (Bowie) Cuthbert, who spent their lives in Scotland. He grew up among his native hills and heather, had a … Read more

McQueen, Hester Anna – Obituary

Mrs. Hester A. McQueen, 72, the widow of Wayne B. McQueen, died Saturday [October 20, 1979] in Community Hospital. A Bartholomew County native, she lived in Indianapolis since 1923 and was a member of Bible Church and Bible Church Ladies’ Auxiliary. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday in the church, with entombment in Washington Park East Mausoleum. Friends may call after 2 p.m. Sunday in Shirley Brothers Irving Hill Chapel. Survivors include a son, Eugene McQueen, and five daughters, Mrs. Nellie Mocas, Mrs. Eileen Nickell, Mrs. Juanita Coleen Lepper, Mrs. Mary Collins, and Mrs. Viola Briddle, all of … Read more

Biography of Clinton P. Ferry

CLINTON P. FERRY. – Clinton P. Ferry was born at Fort Wayne, Indiana, May 24, 1836. Having lost his father, an uncle became his guardian to a great extent. At the age of seven years he removed to Indianapolis, where he attended a preparatory school and business college. For a short time, he engaged in learning the art of printing, and devoted his seventeenth and eighteenth years as a telegraph operator. He was a nephew of W.G.& G.W. Ewing, a firm then largely interested in trading posts on the then Western frontier of the United States. They had branches at … Read more

Nading, Wesley – Obituary

Funeral services for Wesley Nading, former resident of the Flat Rock community, whose death occurred at Indianapolis yesterday [June 9, 1933], had not been completed today, pending word from a daughter, Mrs. William Marsh, of Detroit. The body was brought to the Charles M. Ewing funeral chapel yesterday from Indianapolis. Mr. Nading at the time of death was 74 years of age. He leaves several nieces and nephews in this City. The Shelbyville Republican, June 10, 1933 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Biography of Judge William W. Noland

Judge William W. Noland, Riverside’s well-known City Recorder and the impartial Judge of her municipal court, was born in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana, June 25, 1825. He is a descendant of representative Southern families. His father, Brazelton Noland, was a native of Kentucky. He was one of the earliest pioneers of Madison County, Indiana, locating there in 1821. Judge Noland’s mother was a native of North Carolina. Her name before marriage was Nancy Russell. The subject of this sketch was reared in the pioneer days of his native place, schooled in the log cabin schoolhouse by the itinerant teacher of … Read more

Biography of Robert L. Queisser

Queisser, Robert L.; pres. The Queisser-Bliss Co.; born, Indianapolis, Ind., Aug. 9, 1866; son of Julius and Caroline J. Schliobitz Queisser; educated, Indianapolis public and high schools; married, Springfield, 0., Nov. 24, 1887, Jessie L. Fried; two sons, Charles Fried, and Robert L., Jr.; regimental adjutant, 3rd Regiment Inf., 0. N. G.; battalion adjutant 7th Regiment Inf., 0. N. G.; captain commissary, 5th Regiment Inf., 0. N. G.; aide-de-camp on staff of Gov. Judson Harmon, four years; former pres. Chamber of Commerce, Zanesville; spent early life in railroad work, leaving a responsible position in the traffic department of The Baltimore … Read more

Hammon, Ora Pearl Harker – Obituary

Mrs. Ora Pearl Hammon, 79 years old, 3140 Broadway, died last night [October 27, 1951] in a nursing home following a long illness. Mrs. Hammon, a native of Hope, had lived in Indianapolis 12 years. She was a member of Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, Bethany Class of that church and was active in the church’s Red Cross Work. Funeral services will be held in the Flanner and Buchanan Mortuary, Tuesday at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Hammon is survived by three sons, Walter W. Hammon, Indianapolis; Harley, Ft. Atkinson, Wis., and Clarence, Fairbanks, Alaska, and a … Read more

Biography of J. H. McMorrow

Coming to Bartlesville in 1965, J. H. McMorrow has since been actively and prominently identified with the commercial development of the town and as secretary and treasurer of the Rood Oil Company he has contributed substantially to the attainment of the success which has attended the activities of that corporation. He was born in Cohoes, Albany county, New York, December 9, 1859, of the marriage of Francis and Mary (McCusker) McMorrow, both of whom were natives of Ireland, the latter being brought to this country in infancy. The father came to the United States in 1833, settling in Cohoes, Albany … Read more

Biography of Eugene Henry Harms

Eugene Henry Harms, president and treasurer of the Hesse Envelope & Lithograph Company of St. Louis, was born in this city May 16, 1883. His father, the late Henry Harms, was a native of Cole Camp, Cole county, Missouri, and belonged to one of the old families of this country, descended from ancestors from Saxony. The first of the name in America was Henry Harms, who took up his abode on this side the Atlantic in 1830, becoming a resident of Cole, Missouri, where he resided to the time of his demise. His son, Henry Harms, was reared and educated … Read more

Biography of Prof. George Bush

George Bush, one of the most eminent Biblical scholars and Orientalists of his time in America, was born in Norwich, Vt., June 12, 1796, a son of John and Abigal (Marvin) Bush, and grandson of Capt. Timothy Bush. The boyhood of George Bush was mostly passed in Hanover, New Hampshire, whither his father removed when he was quite young. The son gave early indications of superior intelligence. His eldest sister says “he had a ravishing love of books from her first remembrance of him.” He frequented the College library at Hanover and would bring home ponderous volumes, almost as large … Read more

Skinner, Della Surber – Obituary

Funeral services for Mrs. Skinner who died yesterday [February 27, 1957] in Methodist Hospital, will be held at Creek Church near Hope. Della C. Skinner, 79 years old, 11 a.m. Saturday in Haw. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call at Moore and Kirk North East Chapel this afternoon. Mrs. Skinner, who lived at 3320 North Sherman Drive, was born in Bartholomew County and had lived here nine years. She was a member of the Brightwood Christian Church and the Dorcas Circle of the Church. Survivors are a daughter, Mrs. Ruth Spencer; a son, Norton Skinner, and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William E. Wall

Wall, William E.; pres. Fred G. Clark Co.; born, Chatham, Ont., Can., Aug. 23, 1868; educated, common schools and Chatham High School and Collegiate Institute; came to Cleveland in 1890; engaged in the oil business, for the past 24 years identified with the Fred G. Clark Co.; elected pres. of the National Petroleum Ass’n, 1903; pres. the Tiona Refining Co., Indianapolis, Ind., treas. the Conewango Refining Co., Warren, Pa.; director the Monitor Oil Co.; Great Western Oil Co., and Manufacturers Oil Co.; elected sec’y of the Cleveland Petroleum Ass in, 1904; member Euclid, Hermit, and Clifton Clubs; Chamber of Commerce; … Read more

Slave Narrative of John W. Fields

Interviewer: Cecil Miller Person Interviewed: John W. Fields Location: Lafayette, Indiana Place of Birth: Owensburg, KY Date of Birth: March 27, 1848 Age: 89 Place of Residence: N. 20th St., Lafayette, Indiana Cecil C. Miller Dist. #3 Tippecanoe Co. INTERVIEW WITH MR. JOHN W. FIELDS, EX-SLAVE OF CIVIL WAR PERIOD September 17, 1937 John W. Fields, 2120 North Twentieth Street, Lafayette, Indiana, now employed as a domestic by Judge Burnett is a typical example of a fine colored gentleman, who, despite his lowly birth and adverse circumstances, has labored and economized until he has acquired a respected place in his … Read more

Trout, Billy Dean – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Billy Dean Trout of Eagle, Idaho, and formerly of La Grande, died Jan. 6. The funeral service was held today at Summer’s Funeral Homes, Ustick Chapel, 3629 E. Ustick Road, Meridian, Idaho. Burial followed at Dry Creek Cemetery. Billy was born to William and Lena Trout in 1929 in Kokomo, Ind. He was the youngest of four children and grew up in Indianapolis. He served four years in the U.S. Navy Reserves. He received his private pilot’s license as a young man and enjoyed flying until the early 1990s. He worked as a steamfitter for 20 years; … Read more

Slave Narrative of William M. Quinn

Interviewer: Henry Jackson Person Interviewed: William M. Quinn Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Place of Birth: Hardin County, Kentucky Place of Residence: 431 Bright Street, Indianapolis, Indiana Federal Writers’ Project of the W.P.A. District #6 Marion County Harry Jackson WILLIAM M. QUINN (EX-SLAVE) 431 Bright Street, Indianapolis, Ind. William M. Quinn, 431 Bright street, was a slave up to ten years of age-“when the soldiers come back home, and the war was over, and we wasn’t slaves anymore”. Mr. Quinn was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, on a farm belonging to Steve Stone. He and a brother and his mother were slaves … Read more