SANDERS

JOHN SANDERS (deceased), father of L. M. Sanders (the / worthy proprietor of the "National House "Bloomington Ind.), was born  October 11, 1792, near Charleston, S. C, and was of English extraction. His father was a soldier in the war of 1776, and was captured by the Tories, while out hunting supplies. He, with several comrades, were given choice between allegiance to the King and being shot. Choosing the lat­ter, they were confined in prison, and he with a comrade escaped, while the sentinel slept at night. The subject of this sketch was one of a family of thirteen children, and when quite small removed with his parents to Virginia, where he grew to manhood. In 1810, he was married to Nancy Briscoe, of East Tennessee, and shortly afterward they moved to Knox County Ky., where he engaged in farming until 1814; at which time he came to Indiana, locating in Orange County. A few years later they went to Bartholomew County, and in the spring of 1822, came to Mon­roe County, locating in Richland Township, on 240 acres of forest land, where he erected a rude log cabin, with no assistance but that of his wife They struggled on year after year, until they had finally cleared 640 acres of good land and added all necessary improvements. Mr. Sanders was a Whig and had filled some of the minor offices. He and wife were members of the Baptist Church. He died in 1847, in the fifty- fifth year of his life.    His wife died in 1876, when seventy four years of age. - Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana Historical and Biographical, By Charles Blanchard, Published by F. A. Battey & Co, 1884, Page 592

SARE

FRANCIS L. SARE was born May 13, 1851, in Monroe County, Ind.. He is the sixth son and tenth child of Lucian B. and Jane (Carmichael) Sare, natives of Indiana and North Carolina, respectively. They were married in Monroe County, and settled on a farm in Indian Creek Township, where they at present reside. The subject of this sketch was reared on the old home farm, where he obtained the rudiments of a good English education in the district schools. When twenty years of age he began to teach school, in Clear Creek Township. He continued for about three years, teaching in the winters and trading in stock during the summer. He then engaged in the lumber and mill business in. Greene County, and he has since operated in Greene, Lawrence and Monroe Counties. He is at present successfully engaged as proprietor of two nourishing saw mills, one in Monroe and the other in Brown County. Mr. Sare is a prominent and an active member of the Democratic party. He is a liberal citizen, ever ready and willing to assist in any public undertaking. He is quite successful as a business man, and respected by all who know him. - Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana Historical and Biographical, By Charles Blanchard, Published by F. A. Battey & Co, 1884, Pages 592- 593

SHARP

F. M. SHARP,, born in Ellettsville, Monroe County, March 20,1851, is eldest son of George W. and Agnes (Ashbrook) Sharp, and was reared in his native place, and educated in the public schools there, obtaining the knowledge of all the branches necessary to a business man. When fourteen years of age, he went West, and remained for five years, working at various things, and then returned to Ellettsville, working for six years in the stone quarries of that place. Going thence to Indianapolis, he entered the employ of Graney Bros., as bartender, continuing for more than four years. He went thence to Vincennes, and tended bar in the ''La Plant House" for ten months; then to Bloomington, and entered the employ of John E. Taylor, a grocer, with whom he remained for one year, and then went to Ellettsville, where, opening a saloon of his own, he continued until September, 1883. Coming to Bloomington, he opened his present saloon, a neat, tasty, cozy place, where he enjoys a lucrative business. He was married, October 17,1875, to Miss Lida Whaley, a native of Ellettsville. To crown the happiness of their wedded "life, three children have been born to them, Minnie, Earl and an infant. Mr. Sharp is a prominent member of the Republican party.    His wife is an active  member of the Presbyterian church. - Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana Historical and Biographical, By Charles Blanchard, Published by F. A. Battey & Co, 1884, Page 593

SHOEMAKER

CAPT. J. W.  SHOEMAKER was born on September 22, 1841, at La Porte, Ind. His parents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Keith) Shoemaker, natives of New York and Ohio, respectively, farmed in La Porte County for about twenty years ; the father died there  January 6, 1856; the mother is  still living there, sixty-three years of age.   Capt. Shoemaker is the  second son, and was reared on the old home farm in La Porte County, where he was educated.  On July 27, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Twenty-ninth Indiana Volunteers, and served for four years and seven months. He took part in the engagements at Pittsburgh Landing, Price's Hill, Mo., Grand Gulf and the Wolf River campaign.    In March, 1865,  he    was   transferred into   Gen.   Hancock's corps, and  sent  to Washington, D. C, remaining until July, when, he was put in charge of the "post" at Madison, Ind., remaining for four months.    Thence he was sent to Indianapolis, and in March, 1866, received an honorable discharge. One month later he entered the State University, at Bloom­ington, where he continued for two years, after which he was in partnership with J. J. Durand for three years, and then purchased the entire business, which he ran for one year. He then had another partner for about four years, and was by himself for quite a while. His store was finally destroyed by fire, after which he became partner in a hardware store, and is so engaged at present, under the firm name of  McPheeters & Shoemaker. On  October 13, 1869, he was married to Edora Stuart, daughter of William Stuart, a citizen of Bloomington. They have four children, Frank,  Frederick, Lynn and Helen. In May, 1883, he was elected to the City Council, and still has that position. Mr. Shoemaker is politically a Democrat. He is a member of the K. of P. and of the L O. O. F. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. - Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana Historical and Biographical, By Charles Blanchard, Published by F. A. Battey & Co, 1884, Page 593

SHOWERS

THE SHOWERS BROTHERS, bedstead manufacturers. James D. Showers is the eldest of seven children born to Charles C. and Elizabeth (Hull) Showers, natives of Pennsylvania. He was born in Adams County, Ind., on the 11th day of July, 1841, and when fifteen years of age came to Bloomington with his parents. When but eleven years old, he began learning the cabinet and turning trade, with his father, and upon their removal to Bloomington, he continued in his father's shop until November 17, 1869. At this time he formed a partnership with his brother, William N. Showers, and purchased the business of Showers & Hendricks. April 29, 1878, Charles EL, the youngest brother, was admitted to the firm, and in February of the following year they made a specialty of the manufacture of bedsteads. On the 31st day of January, 1866, he was married to Miss Belle Allen, daughter of Thomas Allen, a respected citizen of Greenville, Ohio. To crown the happiness of this union there have been born three children. Martha E. (died August 28, 1882), Charles T. and Maud A. Mr. S. is at present Past High Priest of the I. O. O. F. Lodge of Bloomington. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a stanch Republican. - Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana Historical and Biographical, By Charles Blanchard, Published by F. A. Battey & Co, 1884, Pages 593 - 594

WILLIAM N. SHOWERS, a native of Ohio, was born in Knox County May 28, 1846. He is the second son and fourth child born to Charles C. and Elizabeth (Hull) Showers. He was brought by his parents to Bloomington when but ten years of age, immediately entering the public schools, where he obtained the rudiments of a good English education. When about sixteen years of age, he began learning the cabinet and turning trade with the firm of Showers & Hendricks. He remained in their employ until November 17, 1869, at which time he with his elder brother James purchased the business of Showers & Hen­dricks, and continued in the general manufacture of furniture and job­bing work until February, 1879. when they began making a specialty of the manufacture of bedsteads. December 30, 1867, he was married to Lida J. Hanlin, by whom there was born to him one child, Jennie. His wife dying February 22, 1868, he was next married, October 14, 1869, to Hannah L. Hendricks, daughter of J. H. Hendricks, of Putnam County. Two bright children have been born to bless this union— Nellie G. and Edward W. He has filled all the chairs in the Blooming­ton Lodge, L O. Q. F., and is at present serving as Past Grand in the subordinate lodge, and Past High Priest in the Encampment. Has also, been Councilman for eight years, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. - Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana Historical and Biographical, By Charles Blanchard, Published by F. A. Battey & Co, 1884, Page 594

CHARLES H. SHOWERS, son of Charles C. and Elizabeth (Hull) Showers, was born in Bloomington, Ind., October 12, 1860: When eighteen years of age, he purchased a one third interest in the cabinet shops, with his brothers. On the 15th day of October, 1880, he was married to Miss Maud Coatney, the only daughter of Rufus Coatney, a prominent citizen of Bloomington. The issue of this union has been two interesting children, Earl H. and Beryl M. The present firm was engaged in the general manufacture of furniture until in February, 1879, when having completed extensive additions to their factory they embarked in the special manufacture of bedsteads. For a time their business was conducted on a small scale, but it gradually increased until at present it has a capital invested of over $100,000, and employs 110 men. It has a capacity for making 1,350 bedsteads per week, and during the past year (1883) sold 36,450 different classes of bedsteads, at a cost of about $125,000. It is undoubtedly the most extensive manufacturing enterprise in Bloomington, and the Showers Brothers deserve a great deal of credit for the success they have achieved. - Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana Historical and Biographical, By Charles Blanchard, Published by F. A. Battey & Co, 1884, Page 594

SLUSS 

CAPT. JOHN M. SLUSS (deceased) was born in Winchester, Ky., November 28, 1807, and was the son of Adam and Mary (Spielman) Sluss, natives respectively of Maryland and Virginia, and of German extraction. At the age of seventeen, entered an apprenticeship at tailoring for three years; then worked one year as a journeyman. In 1829, he came to Bloomington and opened a shop, which he operated until confinement told upon his health, when he began trading in stock, which he continued until 1846, when he raised a company for the Mexican war, and was elected Captain. During his fifteen months' service, he contracted the illness which resulted in his death, February 25, 1879. In politics, he was a Whig, and was twice elected Sheriff of Monroe County, and once to the State Legislature. On the dissolution of the Whig party, he became a Democrat, was elected Justice of the Peace, and served until his retirement to his farm adjoining Bloomington, on which he died, aged seventy one. He was married, May 8, 1828, to Miss Eliza Hunter, a native of Kentucky and born August 27, 1808. To this union were born two sons and seven daughters, of whom the sons and five daughters, are still living. His widow is a member of the Christian Church, of which Capt. Sluss was also a member, as well as a member of the Masonic fraternity. - Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana Historical and Biographical, By Charles Blanchard, Published by F. A. Battey & Co, 1884, Page 595

 STUART

WILLIAM STUART was born January 10, 1816, in Washington County, Ind., and is the son of William and Ann (Donley) Stuart, natives of Pennsylvania and North Carolina, respectively. The father died in Posey County. Ind., in 1845. The mother died July 5, 1865. The subject of this sketch is the second son and fifth child. There were very few advantages for an education, but by energy and industry, he acquired a knowledge of the English language, which has assisted him greatly in business affairs. He learned the trade of manufacturing farming implements, and in 1838 opened a shop in his native county, where he was successfully engaged for three years. He then went to Salem, Ind., and continued to work at his trade until 1848, when his health failed, and he was not able to work for five years. He traveled around the country, selling goods from a wagon, for two years after he got well, and then went into the general merchandise business in Clear Spring, Jackson County, Ind., for some time. He sold out, and went into business in Washington County; afterward in Salem, in the hardware business. In the fall of 1864, he came to Bloomington, and was in the hardware business here until the fall of 1883, since which time he has retired. On April 15, 1841, he was married to Melinda E. Holstine, daughter of George Holstine, a citizen of Tennessee. They have had six children, Clem E., Pamelia J., Helen, Cleopatra, Amanda E., Isaac W. (deceased). Mr. Stuart is a member of the Methodist Church, and politically he is a Republican. - Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana Historical and Biographical, By Charles Blanchard, Published by F. A. Battey & Co, 1884, Page 595

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