BIBLE-Richard M. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

The late Richard M. BIBLE for a long lapse of years one of the most substantial and prominent citizens of the northwestern part of Montgomery County became identified with the agricultural interests in this favored section of the Wabash Valley country at an early period while its trade was yet in its first stages of rapid development and from the first he wielded a potent influence in Coal Creek Township, where his long, useful and active life was spent. He gave to the world the best of an essentially virile, loyal and noble nature and his standard of integrity and honor was ever inflexible. He was a citizen of high civil ideals, and ever manifested his liberality in connection with measures and enterprises tending to advance the general welfare of the locality honored by his residence and for many years he was prominent in civic life, his keen discernment and sound judgment auguring for the general upbuilding of the county, winning a reputation not only as a skillful farmer and superior judge of live stock, but as a citizen who was well worthy of the unqualified confidence and esteem in which he was universally held. He was very largely the architect of his own fortune, and upon his entire career there rests no blemish, for he was true to the highest ideals and principles in business, civic and social life. He lived and labored to worthy ends and, as one of the sterling citizens and representative men in Montgomery County in the generations that are now merged with the irrevocable past, his memory merits a tribute of honor on the pages of history. Mr. Bible was born Jan 16, 1848 west of the town of New Richmond, Montgomery County. He was a son of John and Mary MAY Bible. The father was born in Ohio and the mother born in Indiana. The former spent his earliest years in his native state, later moving to Indiana where most of the active years of his life were spent and where his death occurred. He was twice married. The death of the mother of the subject occurred in this county. John Bible spent his life engaged successfully in agricultural pursuits, and was known as a hard worker and good, honest neighbor. Richard M. Bible grew to manhood on the home farm in Coal Creek Township and there he assisted with the general work when a boy, attending the district schools during the winter months. On Oct 21, 1877 he was married to Mary FRAZIER, who was born August 3, 1857 in Fountain County, Indiana. She is a daughter of James and Margaret WILLIAMS Frazier. The father was born in Fountain County, Indiana April 30, 1825 and his death occurred April 20, 1910 at the town of Hillsboro, Indiana. The family of James Frazier and wife consisted of 5 children, all living. Five children were also born to Richard M. Bible and wife: Pearl, born August 4, 1878 married John Utterback and they live in Wayne Township Montgomery County; James born August 11, 1880 married Gretchen KINCADE, a farmer of near Dayton, Tippecanoe Co In; Arthur born August 23, 1882 married Marie RAWLINGS and a dentist of Urbana, Ohio; Frederick born Dec 30, 1885 married Mabel VINCENT and live in Coal Creek Twp. on the old home farm; Mayme, born March 26, 1891 married Clyde THOMAS and live in Wayne Township. Mr. Bible began farming for himself early in life and by patient application and untiring industry his advancement was steady until he eventually became one of the leading and most extensive farmers and stock raiser in northwestern Montgomery Co. He became the owner of a fine and productive farm of 400 acres in Coal Creek, all tillable, well tiled and well improved in general and it is under a high state of cultivation. On it stands an attractive and commodious residence and a convenient set of outbuildings; in fact, the home is one of the beautiful ones of this part of the county, and is neatly and modernly furnished. The farm is owned by the widow of the subject of this memoir, who is a lady of much business tact and enterprise and also the processor of many likable personal traits. Politically, Mr. Bible was a Republican and active and influential in local political affairs and he ran for several offices. Fraternally, he belonged to the Knights of Pythias of New Richmond and in religious matter belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church and was a liberal supporter of the same. Richard M. Bible was summoned to his eternal rest on Sept 16, 1894 and his passing away was sincerely regretted by his wide acquaintance.