JOHN T. FREELAND. M. D. L

 

It is not always easy to discover and define the hidden forces that have moved a life of ceaseless activity and large professional success; little more can 1>e done than to note their manifestation in the career of the individual under consideration. In view of this fact, the life of the physician and public-spirited man of affairs whose name appears above affords a striking example of well defined purpose, with the ability to make that purpose subserve not only his own ends but the good of his fellow men as well. Doctor Freeland has long held prestige in a calling which requires for its basis sound mentality and intellectual discipline of a high order, supplemented by the rigid professional training and thorough mastery of technical knowledge with the skill to apply the same, without which one cannot hope to rise above mediocrity in ministering to human ills. In his chosen field of endeavor Doctor Free- land has achieved a notable success, which has been duly recognized and appreciated throughout the section of the state in which he lives. In addition to his long and creditable career in one of the most useful and exacting of professions, he has proved an honorable member of the body politic and in every relation of life he has never fallen below the dignity of true manhood nor in any way resorted to methods that have invited censure.

John T. Freeland, M. D., of Bedford, Indiana, was born near Freelandsville, Knox county, Indiana, on June 7, 1860, and is the son of Dr. John T. and Lydia (Ford) Freeland. The subject's paternal grandfather, Benjamin Freeland, was a native of Maryland, who, in an early day, came to Indiana and settled in Monroe county, where his death occurred. John T. Freeland, Sr., who also was born in Maryland, was brought to Indiana by his parents in childhood. After attending the public schools he became a student at the State University, of which he was one of the earliest graduates. He then matriculated in the Louisville Medical College and afterward practiced his profession in Knox county up to the time of his death. He married Lydia Ford, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and whose death occurred in 1868. To these parents were born three children, those besides the subject of this sketch being Robert, deceased, and Mrs. C. B. Robbins, of Knox county, Indiana.

Dr. John T. Freeland, Jr., attended the public schools and completed his literary education in the University of Michigan. Having determined to adopt the practice of medicine for his life work, he then entered the Kentucky School of Medicine, at Louisville, where he was graduated in 1886, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then attended the New York Polyclinic, graduating in 1888, after which he was intern and later house surgeon in the New York Hospital for Ruptured and Crippled. Coming then to Bedford, Indiana, he has since been engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery here with splendid success, acquiring a high reputation throughout this section of the state because of ability. He is chief surgeon for the Chicago, Terre Haute & Southeastern Railroad Company, which position he has held since John R. Walsh acquired the road. He is also surgeon for the Indiana Quarries Company and other industrial concerns. He is a member of the Lawrence County Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. In the civic life of the community he has, though a busy man professionally, taken a commendable interest and has given his earnest support to all movements which have promised to benefit the locality in any way.

In October, 1888, Doctor Freeland was married to Caroline Pearson, of Bedford, and they are the parents of two children, Mrs. Ruth McCloud, who lives in Canada, and Frances, who is at home with her parents. Fraternally, Doctor Freeland is a member of the Masonic order, in the workings of which he takes an intelligent interest. He is in the highest sense a man among men and because of his genial disposition and splendid character he enjoys a well- deserved popularity in the community which is honored by his citizenship.

ELBERT J. STALKER.

The name of Stalker has been for many years an honored and respected one in Lawrence county, and the gentleman of (hat name who is the immediate subject of this sketch is richly deserving of the universal respect and esteem which is accorded him in the community in which he lives. He is being numbered among the progressive and enterprising citizens of the county, and he has also been accorded definite recognition in the political circles of the county, being now the clerk of the court, in which position he is rendering efficient and satisfactory service.

Elbert J. Stalker was born in Bedford, Lawrence county, Indiana, on October 5, 1865, in a house which is still standing on Fourteenth street, and he is the son of Rev. John McLean Stalker and Harriett (Jeter) Stalker. The father was born four miles east of Salem, Washington county, Indiana, in February, 1828, and the mother is a native of Bedford. Rev. John M. Stalker graduated from Hanover College about 1852 and two years later came to Bedford, where he engaged in teaching school, which vocation he followed for eighteen consecutive years. His first engagement was as a subscription school teacher, though later he was engaged as an instructor in the academy. He was a man of marked intellectual attainments and educational ability and was elected county superintendent of schools of Lawrence county, in which he rendered very efficient service. In 1872 Mr. Stalker was elected clerk of Lawrence county on the Republican ticket and so satisfactory was his service that he was elected to succeed- himself, thus serving two terms. He was also engaged as a teacher at Mitchell and Leesville. Upon the expiration of his official term as clerk he was appointed master commissioner, now known as probate judge, by Judge Pearson, of this county, and served in this position for several years. He then became secretary of the Bedford Building & Loan Association, which position he held at the time of his death. He was a man of good business judgment and splendid executive Ability and much of the success of this association was directly attributable to his ability and personal efforts. He was an ordained minister in the Baptist church and during all these strenuous years after coming to Bedford he was the regular preacher in the Baptist church of this city and also preached in the country churches of the county. He took a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community, especially regarding educational matters, and served at one time as a member of the Bedford school board. His death occurred on June 15, 1896, at the age of sixty-eight years, and he is survived by his widow, who now lives in Bedford. To them were born four children, namely: Elizabeth E., the wife of James H. McCracken, of Bedford; Mary D., the wife of O. H. Longwell, of Des Moines, Iowa, where he is president of Highland Park College; Francis M., who is a professor in the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute, and Elbert J., the immediate subject of this sketch.

Elbert J. Stalker received his elementary education in the public schools of Bedford, graduating from the high school in 1884. In that same year he entered Franklin College, remaining there two years, and in 1886 became a student in Indiana University at Bloomington, where he was graduated in 1888. He then taught for one year in the high school at Salem, Indiana, and later became bookkeeper in the Stone City Bank at Bedford, later filling the same position in the Citizens National Bank until 1908, when he was nominated on the Republican ticket and elected county clerk of Lawrence county by a majority of five hundred and twenty-five. In 1912 he was again the nominee of his party for the clerkship, but, owing to the Bull Moose defection from the party, he was defeated by fifty-one votes. His time expires on January i, 1914, when he expects to retire to his splendid farm located two miles east of Bedford. During his official term, Mr. Stalker has formed a large acquaintance throughout Lawrence county, and wherever known he enjoys the high regard of all who come into contact with him because of his high personal qualities of character and his genial disposition, and he will retire from the office with the commendation and good will of all who have had official dealings with him.

On April 26, 1893, Mr. Stalker was married to Anna June Todd, the daughter of Capt. A. J. and Mollie (Bostick) Todd, of Bedford. She was born in Campbellsburg, Orange county, Indiana, arid is a lady of many fine qualities of character, being popular in the social circles in which she moves. To this union have been born three children, who.-e names and dates of birth are as follows: Donald T., born May 29, 1894; John M., November 26, 1901; Marjorie J., June 10, 1912.

Socially, Mr. Stalker is a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, while, religiously, he is a member of the Baptist church of Bedford, of which he is a deacon. He takes a deep interest in the civic affairs of the community and is a member of the county board of charities. In every phase of life's activities in which he has engaged he has proven himself a man among men and has earned the high position which he now enjoys in the community where his entire life has been spent.