Randolph  County,  Indiana

Barzillia  C. Mendenhall


             That the products of the farm will continue to have a reasonably safe market is indicated by a constantly increasing consumption in our own country; that the business of farming as a business compares favorably with any other vocation in stability; that the security of farm investment assured, invites and encourages the inclination landward. With all of these influences working in one direction supported by the incalculable forces of the agricultural schools and colleges, the press, and vast aggregation of brains identified with the vocation, it would seem that the most radical predictions of the present day may prove far too conservative before another decade has passed. So that man is indeed fortunate who is well established in agricultural pursuits, like Barzilla C. Mendenhall, of Randolph county.
            Mr. Mendenhall was born in Stoney Creek township, this county, April 18, 1869. He is a son of  William H. and Eunice R. (Clark) Mendenhall, and was one of nine children, six sons and three daughters, namely: Schuyler, who is engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Winchester; Addison, a farmer of Stoney Creek township; Leander, a farmer of Winchester; Barzilla C., of this sketch; Alice, who married Arthur W. Moore, a farmer of Randolph county; Florence, who married S. Ben Templino, an attorney of Winchester; Elwood, a successful doctor and surgeon; Clara married Seward Bollinger, a merchant of Muncie; Arthur, who was graduated from the Pennsylvania University, is a physician in Jamestown, Rhode Island; William H. Mendenhall, the father of the above named children, was born in Wayne county, Indiana, where his family had located upon coming from North Carolina. He was also one of nine children. He settled in Stoney Creek township, Randolph county, when a young man and here he spent the rest of his life engaged in general farming, his death occurring at the age of fifty-nine years. His wife was a native of North Carolina, from which state she came to Indiana in her girlhood. Her death occurred at the age of sixty-seven years. She was one of a family of twelve children.
            Mr. Mendenhall, of this review, grew to manhood on the old homestead and there he assisted with the general work when a boy. He received his education in the rural schools of his native community and early in life took up general farming for a livelihood, which he has continued to follow to the present time, owning a valuable and well-kept farm. He believes in keeping his buildings in good repair and making the most of his opportunities. He was married February 22, 1896, to Gertrude Clevinger, a daughter of George E. and Sophia (Shockley) Clevinger, a farmer of Nettle Creek township, and was one of four children. She grew to womanhood in her native community and was educated in the common schools.
            Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mendenhall, namely: George Byron, born June 4, 1898; Frank C., born December 16, 1903, died August 14, 1904; Paul, born March 16, 1905.
            Mr. Mendenhall is a member of the Friends church.
Past and Present of Randolph County, Indiana, 1914.
Contributed by Gina Richardson

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