Randolph  County,  Indiana

Benjamin  E. Hinshaw


            One of the worthy citizens of Winchester, Randolph county, who has proven that he can make a living at many different things, doing well what ever he turns his attention to is Benjamin E. Hinshaw. It has been this readiness and ability of the American citizen to turn from one occupation to another that has brought this nation to the forefront of the world's business. He is at present a railway mail clerk between Indianapolis and St. Louis, on the Big Four.
           Mr. Hinshaw was born April 2, 1864, in White River township, this county, two miles north of Winchester, a son of  Edmund and Irene (Hiatt) Hinshaw, and a brother of  Seth Hinshaw, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.
           The subject of this review was reared on the home farm and was educated in the district schools. His early education has been augmented by a broad and liberal course of reading of the world's best authors in various branches of literature, and he has from time to time collected books until he now has a valuable library of several hundred choice volumes. When nineteen years of age he went to Vermilion and Champaign counties, Illinois, and engaged in farm work, studying during the winter months. He obtained a teacher's certificate and engaged successfully in teaching in these two counties for a period of five years. In January, 1886, he went to Colorado and proved up on a government claim, remaining there one year. He then returned to Vermilion county, Illinois, where he found employment with J. G. Hull & Company, as shipping clerk, in their wholesale hardware store, however, he had been with them but a short time when he was appointed to the rail way mail service, and was given a run between Chicago and Burlington, Iowa. Later he was transferred to the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, running between Chicago and Evansville, Indiana, which run he retained for a period of ten years, then in 1903 was transferred to the Big Four lines between Cleveland and St. Louis, which position he still retains. Since that time he has made his home in Winchester. He has given the utmost satisfaction to the department, being alert and conscientious. He is also interested in the general insurance business with his brother Seth. However, he does not do any active work in this line, giving all his time to the railway mail service.
           Mr. Hinshaw was married on October 5, 1905, to Mary Stakebake, a daughter of  Andrew J. and Ann E. (Jaqua) Stakebake. The father was for many years a prominent attorney, and was also for a number of years a member of the state legislature. He is now deceased, but his widow survives, making her home with our subject. The union of Benjamin E. Hinshaw and wife has been without issue.
           Mr. Hinshaw is a member of the Masonic Order, having taken all the degrees up to and including the thirty-second. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He has been active in Masonic work. Politically he is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, of which he is one of the trustees. Mrs. Hinshaw is active in church and Sunday school work and prominent in the social life of the community.
Past and Present of Randolph County, Indiana, 1914.
Contributed by Gina Richardson

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