Biography of John A. Linebarger copied from the old book, History of Parke and Vermillion Counties Indiana, 1913 B.F. Bowen & Co.

p. 456


                          JOHN A. LINEBARGER.

     The men most influential in promoting the advancement of society and in
giving character to the times in which they live are two classes--the men of
study and the men of action. Whether we are not more indebted for the im-
provement of the age to the one class or the other is a question of honest dif-
ference of opinion: neither can be spared and both should be encouraged to
occupy their several spheres of labor and influence zealously and without
mutual distrust. In the following paragraphs are briefly outlined the leading
facts and characteristics in the career of a gentleman who combines in his
make-up the elements of tlie scholar and the energy of the public-spirited man
of affairs. Devoted to the noble and humane work of teaching. Prof. John A.
Linebarger, the efficient and popular superintendent of the Rockville public
schools, Parke county, Indiana, has made his influence felt in a most potent
manner in the locality of which this history treats. All who come within range
of his influence are profuse in their praise of his admirable qualities, and the
high regard in which he is held, not only profesionally but socially, indicates
the possession of attributes and characteristics that fully entitle him to the
respect and consideration of his fellow men.

p. 457

     John A. Lineharger was born in West Union, Reserve township, Parke
county, Indiana, on February 28, 1876, and he is the son of George and
Mariah (Hocker) Linebarger, both also natives of Parke county. George
Linebarger, who still lives at West Union, is a farmer by vocation and pos-
sesses those sterling qualities which have gained for him a high standing
among the best men in his community. The subject's paternal grand father,
Andrew Linebarger, was a native of North Carolina, and came to Parke
county in 1822, being numbered among the pioneers of this section of the
state. He settled at West Union, where he spent the remainder of his life,
dying on April 28, 1907, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. He was
married twice, first to Elizabeth Burton and then to Mary Warner, and be-
came the father of fifteen children. To George and Mariah Linebarger were
born six children, of whom four are living, those besides the subject being
Mary and Melvina, at home, and Mrs. Ivah Scott, of Santiago, Chile, whose
husband is a teacher of mathematics in a boys' institute there. Both of the
subject's parents taught in the schools of Parke county prior to their marriage.
     John A. Linebarger received his elementary education in the common
schools of Reserve township, following which he entered De Pauw Univer-
sity, at Greencastle, where he spent seven years, three years in the preparatory
department and four years in the college proper. He was graduated in June,
1897, with tlie degree of Bachelor of Arts and took the Phi Beta Kappa
honors. He was also a tutor in Greek for two years in the university while a
student. Following his graduation, Professor Linebarger was for two years
engaged in teaching school in his home township, following which he gave
two years' service as principal of the high school at Fowler, Indiana. He then
became superintendent of the public schools at Montezuma, this county, re-
maining there for four years and establishing a record for efficiency and abil-
ity that was bound to receive larger recognition. Seven years ago he was of-
fered and accepted the position of superintendent of the schools at Rockville,
in which position he has been retained from year to year, his administration of
the schools being eminently satisfactory to both board and patrons. He has
brought the schools up to a standard of efficiency that ranks them with any in
this section of the state, due to his force of character, ability as an organizer
and the results of his professional experience. He has shown himself to be a
man of progressive ideas, broad-minded, and he keeps fully abreast of the
times in all matters pertaining to his profession. His work is character-
istically practical and in teaching or in superintending and arranging the
course of study, he possesses to a notable degree the sense of proportion and
fitness. Although a school man in the broadest and best sense of thie term,

p. 458

Professor Linebarger has never become narrow or pedantic, but is a well-
rounded, symmetrically-developed man, fully alive to the demands of the
times, thoroughly informed of the leading questions before the public and
takes broad views of men and things.
     His abilities have been recognized by his professional brethren through
the state and he is a prominent member of the Southern Indiana Teachers' As-
sociation, comprising three thousand members, being the present chairman of
that body.
     Religiously, Professor Linebarger is a member of the Methodist Episco-
pal church, in the activities of which he is deeply interested, especially in the
Sunday school where he is the teacher of the men's Bible class of one hun-
dred and thirty-five members. Fraternally, he is member of the Free and
Accepted Masons, while his social affiliation is with the Shakespeare Club, a
leading literary club of Rockville. As president of the Rockville Chautauqua
Association, Professor Linebarger has been an important factor in the suc-
cess which has attended the institution, for in this, as in everything to which
he bends his energies, he gives the very best that is in him. His support may
always be counted upon in favor of every movement having for its object the
advancement of the city's best interests.
     On November 22, 1905, John A. Linebarger was married to Iva Blue, of
Montezuma, the daughter of James M. and Mary A. (Brown) Blue, a well
known Parke county family. Mr. Blue died on December 28, 1907, being sur-
vived by his widow.