Randolph County, Indiana
Biographies
Albert R. Abshire
There could be no more comprehensive history written of a city or county or even of a state and its people than that which deals with the life work of those who, by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have placed themselves where they well deserve the title of “prominent and progressive.” In this sketch will be found the name of a gentleman who has outstripped the less active and ambitious plodders on the highway of life, one who has been consistent in his life work and never permitted the “grass to grow under his feet,” one who, while advancing his own interests has not neglected his full duties to the general public, at the same time upholding an honored family name.
Albert R. Abshire, of Winchester, Randolph county, was born in Washington township, this county, March 12, 1850, seven miles south of Winchester, where he lived for a period of fifty-five years, and which valuable farm he yet owns, this place having been in the Abshire family about ninety years, and from the early pioneer days to the present this family has been one of the best known in this locality, its various members having done much toward the general development of the same. He is a son of Isaac and Sarah (Ballard) Abshire, who spent their lives successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits and who were well-known and highly respected in their community. The death of the father occurred on June 12, 1900, having been preceded to the grave over a quarter of a century by his wife, her death occurring on January 18, 1874. They are both buried in Liberty Cemetery, Washington township.
Albert R. Abshire was reared on the home farm where he worked when a boy. He received his education in the district schools, also went to school two years in Winchester. He began life for himself as a teacher, which profession he followed for a period of fourteen years with much success, his services being in great demand. In 1882 he was elected trustee of Washington township, which office he held for two years, then turned his attention to farming on the old home place in Washington township where he continued general farming and stock raising with gratifying results until the spring of 1905, when he moved with his family to Winchester and here he still resides. He owns a highly improved and productive farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres. He is a heavy stockholder in the Citizens Banking Company, of Lynn, Indiana, and was for many years a director in the same.
Politically he is a Republican and has always been a loyal party supporter and always greatly interested in public matters and active in all matters having as their object the general upbuilding of his city and county.
Mr. Abshire was married on February 6, 1889, to Alberta Arnold, daughter of C. A. M. and Susan (Carlton) Arnold, of Meigs county, Ohio. To this union four daughters and one son have been born, namely: Arnold T., born May 23, 1905, died in infancy; Edith B., born June 15, 1890, was graduated from the Winchester high school, is proficient in music and is teaching that art in her community, is also teaching one of the district schools; Elma Susan, born September 10, 1892, also a graduate of the high school in Winchester, is a student of art and the violin, and she also is gifted with the artistic temperament; Esther Lucile, born October 3, 1894, was graduated from the Winchester high school, is also a teacher and musician of marked ability; Helen Ruth, born August 31, 1899, is a student in the public schools, and is also a gifted musician. They are all young ladies of culture, refinement and much promise. The family attends the Methodist church and Sunday school, and they are prominent in the best social life of the city.
Past and Present of Randolph County, Indiana, 1914.
Contributed by Gina Richardson