The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-01
DEATH CLOSES ACTIVE
CAREER OF D. B. SHIOElER
Prominent Insurance Man Sudden
ly Expires at His Country Home
Near Indianapolis.
COINCIDENCE IN DEATH
End Comes Soon After Passing
of His Friend, Justus c.
Adams.
COINCIDENCE IN DEATH

Following close upon the death of Justus
C. Adams, who had been lifelong friend,
David Bowers Shideler suddenly passed
away at his suburban home on West For
ty-third street at 800 o'clock yesterday
morning of heart failure, already an
nounced in the Journal. Mr.. Shideler had
been i'll for some time, but it was not be-
lieved by members of the family that death
was imminent. Just before the end Mr..
Shideler called for water and died after
drinking it, Mr.. Shideler and Justus c.
Adams had been stanch and true friends
and the similarity of their deaths is re-
garded as a coincidence.
The early life of the deceased was con-
slant struggle against reverses and hard
ships, but was always characterized with
an unusual amount of zeal and persever-
ence. He was born a farm in Grant
county JAN 10, 1898, and lived there until
attaining his majority. He obtained his
schooling in the winter and at seasons
when 1t was impossible for him to work on
the farm. His education was practical and
was accomplished by his own efforts.
Is FIRST A BLACKSMITH.
At the age of twenty he left the farm and
became a blacksmith for a few years, when
with his brother. 1t was while following
this vocation that his life work became
apparent. During the quiet seasons OF the
year he solicited insurance, and his prof.
cheney led him to leave the storeroom and
devote his whole time to writing life insur-
ance. In August, 1874. he moved to 1ndi-
annapolis, where he became State agent for
the Equitable Life Insurance Company, ana
with this company he remained. he led
the company's agents, and in one month
wrote policies to the amount OF half MIL
lion dollars.
The energy that was characteristic in all
his work was evident in his political career.
He was one of the Understanding mem
bers of the Republican party. He cast MS
first vote for lincoln in 1860 and has ever
since that time held true to the party
principles In 1882 he was defeated OH the
Republican ticket for the State Legislature'
His interest in the party was always sus-
tanned. He was loyal TO the principles OF
his party, not because they bore the RepuD-
lican stamp. but because he believed they
were right. He studied well the issues
of every campaign, and when he believed
that his party taking the wrong move
he was not slow to express himself
PROMINENT IN LODGES.
One of the greatest pleasures of Mr..
Shidelers life was his work among lodges.
He was member of the Knights of Pythi-
as. an Odd Fellow, a member of the Scot
fish Rite Masons and a thirty-second degree
Mason. In 1875 he was grand master of the
Grand Lodge of Indiana of the /. o. o. F.,
and represented his State three times in the
Sovereign Grand Lodge. He was past
grand chancellor of Indiana for the knights
of Pythas and a member of the Supreme
Lodge, X. of p He was also a member of
the Commercial and Columbia clubs and of
the Board of Trade. In all these organi-
cations he took an active part.
One OF his personal characteristics was
his loyalty to his friends. Five years ago
Mr.. Shideler purchased a tract of land
near Fairview. Here his last days were
spent. Practically all farm work carried
on at his late home was directed by him.
Mr. Shideler was married three times.
His first marriage was to Miss Anna GREER
in 1857 and the second to Miss Sarah j.
Eziston in 1862, both of whom are dead. In
1873 he was married TO Miss May Moore, of
Franklin, who survives HIM. John Z.
Shideler, assistant postmaster of Indianap-
oils, and George A. II. Shideler also survive
their father.
The funeral services will be conducted
from Mr.. Shideler's late residence, near
| Fairview, tomorrow at p. m. The serv-
| ices will be in charge of the Scottish Rite
Masons but committees from all the orders
| of which he was a member will be present.
| The Rev. DR.. Lucas will preach the funeral
sermon, and the burial will be at Crown
| Hill.