William R. Brock
When William R. Brock took upon himself the responsibility of a family he knew much of farming by hard and practical experience, but had hardly a dollar of capital. He is now regarded as one of the most thrifty and substantial residents of Pleasant Township, owns a good home, makes his farm pay regular dividends, and has provided liberally for his growing children, who will start in life much better equipped than he was. These accomplishments are assuredly a fair measure of success, and Mr. Brock's retrospect on life is a satisfying one.
William R. Brock, whose homestead is in Pleasant Township, was born in Waltz Township of Wabash County, June 3, 1862, a son of Ephraim Brock and Elizabeth (Leazenby) Brock. His father was a native of Greene County, Indiana, moved to Wabash County, where he learned and followed the carpenter trade and erected many barns and other buildings in that section. In Wabash county he married, and continued to follow contracting there for some years. In politics his father was a Republican, and he and his wife were active members of the Baptist Church. Of his eight children, four are still living: William R., Joseph of Pleasant Township; Jesse of Washington Township; and Welman of Beaver County, Oklahoma.
William R. Brock was reared in Wabash County, and at the age of eighteen came to Grant County. His early preparation for life was like that of many boys of his time confined to the advantages afforded to the district schools. He first married Olive Lawson, who died at the birth of their first child. On February 4, 1891, he married Emma Shields, a daughter of James Shields and a sister of Mr. Preston Shields. They have six children: James G., a graduate of the common schools at LaFontaine, the high school at the same place, the Marion Normal College, and now a student in the Indiana State University, having previously taught three terms of school; Allen, who has completed the common school course and has taken two years in high school; Mary, who is now a student in the high school; Edna, Richard and Margaret, all of whom are school children.
The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Jalapa. Mr. Brock affiliates with the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Marion, and the Benevolent Crew of Neptune. In politics he is a Republican and was twice a candidate for the nomination for the office of sheriff. His home place comprises seventy-seven acres of land, and occupies a part of the old Indiana battle ground and is known as the Battleground Farm.
Submitted by: Gina Reasoner