Obituary published 26 May 1966 in Bedford Times-Mail:
Attorney Albert J. Fields Dies At The Age of 86
Long-Time Community Leader Was Mayor Of Bedford From 1910-1918
Albert J. Fields, 86, a practicing attorney in Bedford for 60 years and mayor of the city from 1910 through 1918, died at 9:15 p.m. Wednesday at his home, 1203 M. Street.
Mr. Fields scored numerous "firsts" during his career which began in 1904 when he graduated from the Indiana University School of Law. He organized the first Bedford High School basketball team the same year that he hung out his lawyer shingle in Bedford, and for three years his teams were undefeated. He served as coach as a hobby receiving no pay.
He was responsible for Bedford's first waterworks purification system, the downtown area's first ornamental street lighting, the first city park—Wilson—and many other municipal developments. He was one of the founders of the Lawrence County Historical Society, was the scoutmaster of the first Boy Scout troop in Bedford, and was chairman of the committee which purchased and donated to the city Murray Forest Park which became the first municipally owned forest in the state.
Born in Log House
Mr. Fields was born near Spring Mill State Park in Marion township in a log house which was built by his great grandfather, George Sheeks in 1817. The house was acquired many years ago by the State Conservation Department and it is now well preserved as a part of Spring Mill Village. The house is just north of the Granny White house.
Although born in Lawrence County, Mr. Fields was reared in Martin county and graduated from Shoals High School in 1898. He graduated from the I.U. Law School in June of 1904 and in September of that year located his legal practice in Bedford. Ill health forced closing of his law office in the Masonic Temple building several months ago. Mr. Fields occupied the same office for more than 20 years.
At Indiana, Mr. Fields was a letterman in football and held the state record in the [illegible] team. He took the I.U. track team to the World's Fair at St. Louis as team manager.
In 1910 he was elected mayor of Bedford and was re-elected in 1914. He was the first major of either party to be re-elected and to bring a Democratic Council into office with him. He also served for 13 years as Bedford City attorney.
Under his administration, the first motorized fire-fighting equipment was purchased by the city. Most notable of his achievements, however, was the establishment of the first modern water purification system, including the first electric driven water pumps, the first sedimentation basin and water purification system. The same sedimentation basin is still in use today.
He installed the first ornamental street lights in the downtown area, the old stone posts which were mentioned a few days ago in a Times-Mail editorial.
Headed Centennial
Mr. Fields was chairman of the Bedford Centennial Committee in 1925 and was chairman of the committee which initiated the movement resulting in the acquisition of Spring Mill State Park.
He held the longest continuous membership in the Bedford [illegible]. The first office he ever sought and held was that of mayor of Bedford, Mr. Fields was very prominent [illegible] throughout his career. He was still a "kingmaker" politician when ill health forced inactivity.
Mr. Fields was a member of the Bedford First Christian Church, the Bedford Rotary Club, and a life member of the Bedford Elks Lodge. He was honored with 50-year award five times by Masonic organizations. They include Bedford Lodge No. 14, F. & A.M; Hacier Chapter No. 34., RAM; Bedford Council No 62, Royal Select Master; Bedford Commander No 42, Knights Templar, and Order of Eastern Star No. 29.
He was a member of the Lawrence County Bar Association, the Indiana Bar Association and admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Mr. Fields was born Aug. 1879, the son of George and Mary Sheeks Fields. He married Alma Doris Braden Jun 1915. She survives along with two daughters, Mrs. Albert (Eleanor) Hicks of Los Angeles, Calif., and Mrs. Ralph (Nancy) Fadum of Raliegh, N.C., and a grandson J. Hicks.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Elmwood Chapel of the Carter Mortuary with Rev. T. Perkins and Rev. Tharp officiating. Burial will be in Cresthaven Memory Gardens. Friends may call at the mortuary after 3:00 p.m. Friday.
-------------------------
Attorney Albert J. Fields Dies At The Age of 86
Long-Time Community Leader Was Mayor Of Bedford From 1910-1918
Albert J. Fields, 86, a practicing attorney in Bedford for 60 years and mayor of the city from 1910 through 1918, died at 9:15 p.m. Wednesday at his home, 1203 M. Street.
Mr. Fields scored numerous "firsts" during his career which began in 1904 when he graduated from the Indiana University School of Law. He organized the first Bedford High School basketball team the same year that he hung out his lawyer shingle in Bedford, and for three years his teams were undefeated. He served as coach as a hobby receiving no pay.
He was responsible for Bedford's first waterworks purification system, the downtown area's first ornamental street lighting, the first city park—Wilson—and many other municipal developments. He was one of the founders of the Lawrence County Historical Society, was the scoutmaster of the first Boy Scout troop in Bedford, and was chairman of the committee which purchased and donated to the city Murray Forest Park which became the first municipally owned forest in the state.
Born in Log House
Mr. Fields was born near Spring Mill State Park in Marion township in a log house which was built by his great grandfather, George Sheeks in 1817. The house was acquired many years ago by the State Conservation Department and it is now well preserved as a part of Spring Mill Village. The house is just north of the Granny White house.
Although born in Lawrence County, Mr. Fields was reared in Martin county and graduated from Shoals High School in 1898. He graduated from the I.U. Law School in June of 1904 and in September of that year located his legal practice in Bedford. Ill health forced closing of his law office in the Masonic Temple building several months ago. Mr. Fields occupied the same office for more than 20 years.
At Indiana, Mr. Fields was a letterman in football and held the state record in the [illegible] team. He took the I.U. track team to the World's Fair at St. Louis as team manager.
In 1910 he was elected mayor of Bedford and was re-elected in 1914. He was the first major of either party to be re-elected and to bring a Democratic Council into office with him. He also served for 13 years as Bedford City attorney.
Under his administration, the first motorized fire-fighting equipment was purchased by the city. Most notable of his achievements, however, was the establishment of the first modern water purification system, including the first electric driven water pumps, the first sedimentation basin and water purification system. The same sedimentation basin is still in use today.
He installed the first ornamental street lights in the downtown area, the old stone posts which were mentioned a few days ago in a Times-Mail editorial.
Headed Centennial
Mr. Fields was chairman of the Bedford Centennial Committee in 1925 and was chairman of the committee which initiated the movement resulting in the acquisition of Spring Mill State Park.
He held the longest continuous membership in the Bedford [illegible]. The first office he ever sought and held was that of mayor of Bedford, Mr. Fields was very prominent [illegible] throughout his career. He was still a "kingmaker" politician when ill health forced inactivity.
Mr. Fields was a member of the Bedford First Christian Church, the Bedford Rotary Club, and a life member of the Bedford Elks Lodge. He was honored with 50-year award five times by Masonic organizations. They include Bedford Lodge No. 14, F. & A.M; Hacier Chapter No. 34., RAM; Bedford Council No 62, Royal Select Master; Bedford Commander No 42, Knights Templar, and Order of Eastern Star No. 29.
He was a member of the Lawrence County Bar Association, the Indiana Bar Association and admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Mr. Fields was born Aug. 1879, the son of George and Mary Sheeks Fields. He married Alma Doris Braden Jun 1915. She survives along with two daughters, Mrs. Albert (Eleanor) Hicks of Los Angeles, Calif., and Mrs. Ralph (Nancy) Fadum of Raliegh, N.C., and a grandson J. Hicks.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Elmwood Chapel of the Carter Mortuary with Rev. T. Perkins and Rev. Tharp officiating. Burial will be in Cresthaven Memory Gardens. Friends may call at the mortuary after 3:00 p.m. Friday.
-------------------------
Obituary published 26 May 1966 in Bedford Times-Mail:
Attorney Albert J. Fields Dies At The Age of 86
Long-Time Community Leader Was Mayor Of Bedford From 1910-1918
Albert J. Fields, 86, a practicing attorney in Bedford for 60 years and mayor of the city from 1910 through 1918, died at 9:15 p.m. Wednesday at his home, 1203 M. Street.
Mr. Fields scored numerous "firsts" during his career which began in 1904 when he graduated from the Indiana University School of Law. He organized the first Bedford High School basketball team the same year that he hung out his lawyer shingle in Bedford, and for three years his teams were undefeated. He served as coach as a hobby receiving no pay.
He was responsible for Bedford's first waterworks purification system, the downtown area's first ornamental street lighting, the first city park—Wilson—and many other municipal developments. He was one of the founders of the Lawrence County Historical Society, was the scoutmaster of the first Boy Scout troop in Bedford, and was chairman of the committee which purchased and donated to the city Murray Forest Park which became the first municipally owned forest in the state.
Born in Log House
Mr. Fields was born near Spring Mill State Park in Marion township in a log house which was built by his great grandfather, George Sheeks in 1817. The house was acquired many years ago by the State Conservation Department and it is now well preserved as a part of Spring Mill Village. The house is just north of the Granny White house.
Although born in Lawrence County, Mr. Fields was reared in Martin county and graduated from Shoals High School in 1898. He graduated from the I.U. Law School in June of 1904 and in September of that year located his legal practice in Bedford. Ill health forced closing of his law office in the Masonic Temple building several months ago. Mr. Fields occupied the same office for more than 20 years.
At Indiana, Mr. Fields was a letterman in football and held the state record in the [illegible] team. He took the I.U. track team to the World's Fair at St. Louis as team manager.
In 1910 he was elected mayor of Bedford and was re-elected in 1914. He was the first major of either party to be re-elected and to bring a Democratic Council into office with him. He also served for 13 years as Bedford City attorney.
Under his administration, the first motorized fire-fighting equipment was purchased by the city. Most notable of his achievements, however, was the establishment of the first modern water purification system, including the first electric driven water pumps, the first sedimentation basin and water purification system. The same sedimentation basin is still in use today.
He installed the first ornamental street lights in the downtown area, the old stone posts which were mentioned a few days ago in a Times-Mail editorial.
Headed Centennial
Mr. Fields was chairman of the Bedford Centennial Committee in 1925 and was chairman of the committee which initiated the movement resulting in the acquisition of Spring Mill State Park.
He held the longest continuous membership in the Bedford [illegible]. The first office he ever sought and held was that of mayor of Bedford, Mr. Fields was very prominent [illegible] throughout his career. He was still a "kingmaker" politician when ill health forced inactivity.
Mr. Fields was a member of the Bedford First Christian Church, the Bedford Rotary Club, and a life member of the Bedford Elks Lodge. He was honored with 50-year award five times by Masonic organizations. They include Bedford Lodge No. 14, F. & A.M; Hacier Chapter No. 34., RAM; Bedford Council No 62, Royal Select Master; Bedford Commander No 42, Knights Templar, and Order of Eastern Star No. 29.
He was a member of the Lawrence County Bar Association, the Indiana Bar Association and admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Mr. Fields was born Aug. 1879, the son of George and Mary Sheeks Fields. He married Alma Doris Braden Jun 1915. She survives along with two daughters, Mrs. Albert (Eleanor) Hicks of Los Angeles, Calif., and Mrs. Ralph (Nancy) Fadum of Raliegh, N.C., and a grandson J. Hicks.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Elmwood Chapel of the Carter Mortuary with Rev. T. Perkins and Rev. Tharp officiating. Burial will be in Cresthaven Memory Gardens. Friends may call at the mortuary after 3:00 p.m. Friday.
-------------------------
Attorney Albert J. Fields Dies At The Age of 86
Long-Time Community Leader Was Mayor Of Bedford From 1910-1918
Albert J. Fields, 86, a practicing attorney in Bedford for 60 years and mayor of the city from 1910 through 1918, died at 9:15 p.m. Wednesday at his home, 1203 M. Street.
Mr. Fields scored numerous "firsts" during his career which began in 1904 when he graduated from the Indiana University School of Law. He organized the first Bedford High School basketball team the same year that he hung out his lawyer shingle in Bedford, and for three years his teams were undefeated. He served as coach as a hobby receiving no pay.
He was responsible for Bedford's first waterworks purification system, the downtown area's first ornamental street lighting, the first city park—Wilson—and many other municipal developments. He was one of the founders of the Lawrence County Historical Society, was the scoutmaster of the first Boy Scout troop in Bedford, and was chairman of the committee which purchased and donated to the city Murray Forest Park which became the first municipally owned forest in the state.
Born in Log House
Mr. Fields was born near Spring Mill State Park in Marion township in a log house which was built by his great grandfather, George Sheeks in 1817. The house was acquired many years ago by the State Conservation Department and it is now well preserved as a part of Spring Mill Village. The house is just north of the Granny White house.
Although born in Lawrence County, Mr. Fields was reared in Martin county and graduated from Shoals High School in 1898. He graduated from the I.U. Law School in June of 1904 and in September of that year located his legal practice in Bedford. Ill health forced closing of his law office in the Masonic Temple building several months ago. Mr. Fields occupied the same office for more than 20 years.
At Indiana, Mr. Fields was a letterman in football and held the state record in the [illegible] team. He took the I.U. track team to the World's Fair at St. Louis as team manager.
In 1910 he was elected mayor of Bedford and was re-elected in 1914. He was the first major of either party to be re-elected and to bring a Democratic Council into office with him. He also served for 13 years as Bedford City attorney.
Under his administration, the first motorized fire-fighting equipment was purchased by the city. Most notable of his achievements, however, was the establishment of the first modern water purification system, including the first electric driven water pumps, the first sedimentation basin and water purification system. The same sedimentation basin is still in use today.
He installed the first ornamental street lights in the downtown area, the old stone posts which were mentioned a few days ago in a Times-Mail editorial.
Headed Centennial
Mr. Fields was chairman of the Bedford Centennial Committee in 1925 and was chairman of the committee which initiated the movement resulting in the acquisition of Spring Mill State Park.
He held the longest continuous membership in the Bedford [illegible]. The first office he ever sought and held was that of mayor of Bedford, Mr. Fields was very prominent [illegible] throughout his career. He was still a "kingmaker" politician when ill health forced inactivity.
Mr. Fields was a member of the Bedford First Christian Church, the Bedford Rotary Club, and a life member of the Bedford Elks Lodge. He was honored with 50-year award five times by Masonic organizations. They include Bedford Lodge No. 14, F. & A.M; Hacier Chapter No. 34., RAM; Bedford Council No 62, Royal Select Master; Bedford Commander No 42, Knights Templar, and Order of Eastern Star No. 29.
He was a member of the Lawrence County Bar Association, the Indiana Bar Association and admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Mr. Fields was born Aug. 1879, the son of George and Mary Sheeks Fields. He married Alma Doris Braden Jun 1915. She survives along with two daughters, Mrs. Albert (Eleanor) Hicks of Los Angeles, Calif., and Mrs. Ralph (Nancy) Fadum of Raliegh, N.C., and a grandson J. Hicks.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Elmwood Chapel of the Carter Mortuary with Rev. T. Perkins and Rev. Tharp officiating. Burial will be in Cresthaven Memory Gardens. Friends may call at the mortuary after 3:00 p.m. Friday.
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