LOCKRIDGE, Albert O.
Andrew Black and Albert O. Lockridge
Albert O. Lockridge
These pictures came from Andrew A. Black Jr's (1852-1917), Greencastle, Putnam, Indiana, family album, dating to the latter half of 19th century, containing mostly friends and some family. This photo is also on http://www.ancientfaces.com [Search "Greencastle"] Photo submitted by: Brenda Black h.watson1@comcast.net
It is the progressive, wide awake man of affairs that makes the real history of a community and his influence as a potential factor of the body politic is difficult to estimate. The examples such men furnish of patient purpose I and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish, and there is always a full measure of satisfaction in advertising, even in a casual way, to their achievements in advancing the interests of their fellowmen and in giving strength and solidity to the institutions which make so much for the prosperity of the community. Such a man is Albert O. Lockridge. the present popular Postmaster of Greencastle, and it is eminently proper that a review of his career be accorded a place among the representative citizens of the city and County in which he resides.
Mr. Lockridge is a native of Putnam County. having been born on a farm near his home city. February, 1851. He is the youngest of three sons born to Andrew M. and Elizabeth (Farrow) Lockridge. extended mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. The other sons, Simpson F. and Alexander H., are also given notice in another part of this work.
Albert O. Lockridge was reared on the parental acres and did his full share of the routine work on the farm. He was educated in the public schools of Greencastle and at Asbury (now DePauw) University, attending the latter institution during the presidency of Bishop Thomas Bowman, for whom he has great admiration. Mr. Lockridge also attended, in 1872, the Indianapolis Commercial College, and during this time was a member of the military organization known as the Commercial Guards, which was often drilled by Gen. Daniel McAuley and was subject to government call.
Mr. Lockridge has been largely interested in agricultural pursuits all his life. He has always been a student of scientific farming and ranks as one of the best informed and most successful farmers and stock raisers in Indiana. For the past twenty years he has lectured before farmers' institutes over Indiana, having addressed institutes in every County in the state, and is perhaps the best known and most influential institute worker in the state, and his services have been in great demand of recent years in this connection.
Mr. Lockridge's beautiful farm, "Hazyview", comprising two hundred and seventy-one acres, and being six miles northeast of Greencastle, is one of the model farms of Putnam County, indeed, one of the "show places" of the County, and is admired by all.
Mr. Lockridge is a director of the First National Bank of Greencastle, and is influential in the industrial circles of the community. In 1897 he was appointed by Gov. James A. Yount a member of the board of trustees of the Central Hospital for the Insane, located at Indianapolis, and after three years of faithful and commendable service he was re-appointed for three years more, making six years of continuous service. He was appointed post-master of Greencastle by President Taft, and assumed office March 22, 1910.
He is a member of the College Avenue Methodist Episcopal church, being a trustee of the same. He is especially interested in Sunday school work and frequently visits over the County, addressing the various Sunday school organizations in behalf of association work.
Mr. Lockridge was married October 9, 187S, to Jessie Francis Birch, daughter of Alpheus Birch, deceased, a prominent woolen manufacturer of Greencastle for many years. The marriage ceremony was solemnized by Bishop Isaac W. Joyce. Mrs. Lockridge was born at Bloomington, Illinois, January 6, 1858. Her grandfather, Henry Ewing Cowgill, was a very prominent physician and influential man in Putnam County a decade ago. He was commissioned by Gov. Oliver P. Morton during the most severe battles of the Civil War to go to the Southland and look after the comforts of the Indiana soldiers at the front.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lockridge, Dr. Arthur Birch Lockridge, a practicing physician of Rockville, Indiana, and a graduate of the Indiana Medical College. The daughter, Elizabeth Farrow Lockridge, who is a graduate of the DePauw School of Music, is now teaching music in Kansas City, Missouri, being regarded as a very talented musician.
Mrs. Lockridge is also a member of the College Avenue Methodist Episcopal church. Her home is a model of cheerfulness, refinement and hospitality and she and Mr. Lockridge are frequently hosts to the best people of the County, and they are always pleasant and are kindly disposed to the less fortunate with whom they come in contact.