Biographies and Obituaries
In loving memory
Richard Henry Greenwood
The Odon Journal
Friday, May 28, 1926, page 1
R. H. GREENWOOD DIES AT ELNORA.
FATHER OF CONGRESSMAN PASSES TUESDAY WHILE PLAYING VIOLIN.
Richard Henry GREENWOOD, a former county and Steele township officer
and retired farmer, lumber buyer, mill owner and civil war veteran, died
playing his violin, his favorite musical instrument, at his home at Elnora
Tuesday. He was seated in a chair, when he suddenly collapsed, the violin
dropping from his hands. He was dead when his son Harry who lived with
him reached his side. Heart disease is believed to have been the immediate
cause of his passing. A native of Daviess county, Richard Henry GREENWOOD
was born in Madison township December 20, 1836. In 1846 his parents moved
to Greene county, where they remained five years and then returned to
Daviess county, living in Elmore township two years. They then settled
in Washington township. August 25, 1862, he enlisted in the 27th regiment,
Company D, under Captain John Cassidy. He remained in the service until
June, 1865, when he was mustered out, the war having come to a close.
Mr. GREENWOOD took part in several of the hard-fought battles of the
war, notable at Chancellorsville, Antietam and Gettysburg and through
the Atlanta campaign and Sherman's march to the sea. At Antietam he received
a bullet wound which disabled him from active service for about six weeks.
Upon his return from the war he became an employee of Elisha Hyatt, acting
for a number of years as general overseer of Mr. Hyatt's farming and
other interests. Later he returned to his early occupation of farming
in Steele township and in 1880 he was elected trustee of the township.
After filling this office two years he was nominated by the Democratic
party in 1882 for the office of county treasurer. He was successful in
his race and in 1884 he was re-elected. Mr. GREENWOOD was married twice,
both wives having preceded him in death. A daughter, Lillie Belle, issue
of his first marriage, died two years ago at Elnora. Five of the six
children born to his second marriage survive him, Charles being dead.
The surviving children, other than Congressman GREENWOOD, are Frank of
Washington; Harry of Elnora, Theodore of Bogard township and Mrs. John
DILLIE of southern Missouri. Mr. GREENWOOD had been living at Elnora
for ten years." DJD note: Richard Henry GREENWOOD married first Louise
GREENWOOD, daughter of John GREENWOOD, and second to Eliza Jane DAVIS.
Contributed by: Debra Dougherty