232                 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY


business man. He was a member of the Presbyterian church in early life
but as there was no church of that denomination in the locality in which
he settled he joined the Methodist Episcopal church. His political
allegiance was given to the Republican party but while he kept well
informed on the questions and issues of the day he never sought or
desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business
interests, which were carefully managed. Unto him and his wife were
born five children.
    It was through the medium of the common schools that Samuel G.
Ralston acquired the education that equipped him for life’s practical and
responsible duties and after putting aside his text-books he began learn-
ing telegraphy at Cartersburg, a station on the Vandalia Railroad. He
was afterward a trainman on the road and in 1874 became station agent
at Amo, Indiana, where he filled the first water tank with a hand pump.
he continued as station agent and telegraph operator there until 1883.
He went to Terre Haute, where he was train dispatcher for the Vandalia
R. R. for about one and a half years, when he took charge of the station
at Montrose, Illinois, where he continued for three or four months. He
came to Brazil, Indiana, on the 27th of October, 1884, and was engaged
with the Vandalia Railroad Company until 1887. In that year he went
to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and acted as train dispatcher for the Cotton
Belt Railroad until January, 1888, when he returned to Brazil, accepting
a clerical position with the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad. He left
that position on the 31st of March, however, and on the 1st of April,
1888 engaged with the Brazil Block Coal Company, with which he has
since continued as paymaster. His duties and responsibilities have also
been increased by his election to the office of secretary and treasurer
and now in connection with the executive interests of the business he is
proving a strong factor in its success. He is also manager of the Indiana
Mercantile Company and in the control of his business affairs displays
keen discrimination and sound judgment.
    Mr. Ralston was married June 27, 1887, to Miss Adeline Parker,
who was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, and died April 18, 1900.
Four children were born of that marriage. Albert L., who was graduated
from the Brazil high school, afterward attended Purdue University, from
which he was also graduated with the class of 1905, earning the Wilbur
scholarship. He is now with the Westinghouse Electric Company, located
in New York city as one of their expert engineers. Frances Ruth, also a
graduate of the Brazil high school, is now attending the State Normal at
Terre Haute. Mary H. is a student in the high school at Brazil and
George P. died in infancy. Having lost his first wife, Mr. Ralston was
married on the 24th of January, 1902, to Miss Mary E. McCrea and they
are now pleasantly located in Brazil, the hospitality of the best homes
being freely accorded them.
    Mr. Ralston is well known in fraternal circles, belonging to Terre
Haute Lodge, No. 19, A. F. & A. M., with which he has been affiliated
since 1883. He is also a member of Brazil Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M., of
which he served as secretary for one term. He likewise belongs to Brazil
Commandery, No. 47, K. T., of which he is the treasurer and for eighteen
or nineteen years he has been master of finance in Brazil Lodge, No. 30,
K. P. He is highly esteemed by his brethren of all these orders, for he
is loyal to their teachings and purposes and manifests the beneficent spirit
upon which they are based. He is now serving for a second term as a